Article by Larry Jock
As this paper heads to the press mid-day on Monday, the area surrounding Ocean City is buzzing over the start of 38th Annual White Marlin Open at Harbour Island. This year, 237 boats are competing for an estimated $2,139,000 in prize money. As far as boats are concerned, this year is slightly down from last year when 255 boats registered, but the total prize money should be around the same. Some heavy hitters must have rolled into town.
Now, on to the report...
Billfish
The steady bite continued with white and blue marlin release flags flying at the docks throughout the week. Right now, the best bite is down outside the Norfolk Canyon in 500 fathoms. Others are being hooked on ballyhoo from the Washington Canyon north to the Baltimore Canyon in 75-100 fathoms and out in 500 fathoms.
The top white marlin bite of the week goes to the crew on “Dem Boys” who, on Saturday, recorded 7 releases in the Poor Man’s Canyon. Several other boats had 4 releases including the “Reel Joy”, who took 1st place in the Billfish Division of the Ocean City Marlin Club Ladies Tournament.
On Friday, the “Big Oh” had a Super Slam, returning with releases of a blue marlin, 3 white marlin, 2 spearfish and 2 sailfish. Rumor has it that they were in the Baltimore Canyon, but being so close to the WMO it’s hard to report with confidence.
Several blue marlin were caught last week. In addition to the “Big Oh” blue marlin, the “Billfisher”, “Alican”, “Grande Pez”, “Give It Away” and the “Reel Naughty” all returned flying blue marlin flags. Most of the fish were reportedly hooked in the Washington with a couple coming from the Baltimore.
Tuna
Yellowfin tuna are scattered up and down the line from the Poor Man’s Canyon to the Baltimore Canyon. Boats are finding small pockets of fish in fast moving current, mainly in 60-100 fathoms. The yellowfins are quality fish, with many weighing between 50 and 60 lbs.
Early in the week, the “Pumpin’ Hard” threw 10 yellowfins on the dock after trolling in the Poor Man’s. On the following day, the “Billfisher” caught 8 in 100 fathoms in the Poor Man’s.
On Saturday, the “Moore Bills” boxed another bigeye tuna, this one weighing 206 lbs., from the Washington Canyon where pods of pilot whales can still be found.
Wahoo
At least 3 wahoo were caught last week. On Thursday, the “Alican” landed one between the Wilmington and Baltimore Canyons, and the “Jade II” caught theirs at the Hot Dog. Then, on the final day of the Ladies Tournament, Taylor McCart on the “Reel Joy” reeled in a 50.4 pounder in the Baltimore Canyon to win 1st place in the Wahoo Division.
Dolphin
Mahi-mahi continue to be hooked by anglers chasing billfish and tuna from the Norfolk Canyon to the Baltimore Canyon in 60-100 fathoms.
We were able to get a picture of the 65 lb. beast that was landed on the “Singularis” the week before last. Special thanks to Bill Pino for getting us that picture. You can find it on page 12.
The “Reel Chaos” picked a good time to catch the largest dolphin of the week. They hooked the 32.4 pounder during the Ladies Tournament on Friday while trolling at the Rockpile and held on to win 1st place in the Dolphin Division.
Cobia
We haven’t seen many cobia hit the docks so far this year, although a few bewildered anglers did show up after getting spooled at shoals a few miles off the beach. Was it the “man in the brown suit”? We’ll never know.
On Wednesday, the Morton crew on “Something Fishy” were trolling spoons only 3 miles off the beach when they hooked into a beautiful 40-pounder near Isle of Wight Shoal (picture on previous page).
Last year, we had a good run of cobia, especially for anglers fishing around the Mud Hole and other spots south of the Inlet. Let’s hope for the same this year.
Flounder
We saw quite a few flounder caught last week, but anglers are still having to weed through a lot of throwbacks to get some in the cooler. This sounds like a broken record, I know, but it has been like this all season. If you talk to flounder fishermen, a record has been set this year for the total number of 17.5-inch flatties hooked. Last week, the flounder headboat, “Bay Bee” recorded over 100 throwbacks on a few of their trips.
A few really nice size flounder showed up this week. On Tuesday, Joel Bragg caught a 27-incher on a squid, minnow and Gulp! combination while fishing off of the Oceanic Pier. Also on Tuesday, Trace Shaffer arrived at the Coastal Fisherman office to have his picture taken with the 29-inch flounder he caught while slow trolling live peanut bunker in the West Channel near Hooper’s Crab House. This flounder is the heaviest one caught so far in Ocean City, weighing 9 lbs. 3 oz. Finally, on Sunday Corey Stuckey boated a 25-incher that tipped the scales at an even 6 lbs. This fish was caught around the South Jetty on a live minnow.
We mentioned previously that the biggest flounder of the year was caught while trolling, and if you have never tried this method of flounder fishing you may be surprised at the results you get. The key is to troll slowly. Make sure your baits are close the bottom and let the rod holder do the work. Many large flounder have been caught this way, and there are some anglers who will only go after flounder while trolling. Give it a try. Otherwise, stick to live spot, mullet, minnows and Gulp! Swimming Mullet, which has just come out with a 6-inch model.
Bluefish
You can still get into some good, light tackle action with 6 lb. bluefish around the Rt. 50 Bridge. Anything metal works great. Gotcha plugs and bucktails will also do the trick. Best bet is during the last half of the incoming tide.
Croaker
For the second consecutive year, croaker fishing is horrible. The fish that are being caught are too small to keep and the numbers just aren’t there. Those that are being hooked are coming from the East Channel and around the mouth of the Commercial Harbor. It’s just kind of strange. The bite in Chincoteague and up in the Delaware Bay is strong. In our bays, it’s nothing.
Striped Bass
Anglers continue to peck away at stripers around the South Jetty and near the Rt. 50 Bridge. Live spot or mullet will really get them snapping. The fish aren’t huge, but keepers are there to be caught.
In the Surf
According to Sue Foster at Oyster Bay Tackle, “Surf fishing continues to be good with kingfish (whiting) and Norfolk spot and sometimes a few croaker in the mornings. Sharks, big rays, snapper blues, kingfish and some croaker are biting at night.”
Upcoming Tournaments
There are no tournaments on the schedule this weekend as everyone recharges from the White Marlin Open. The next tournament is the 18th Annual Poor Girls Open at Bahia Marina. This tournament is a blast, both for anglers and spectators. It also makes a sizable donation each year towards breast cancer research. Weigh-ins are Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 4:00 PM to 7:30 PM.
See you at the scales!
