Article by Larry Jock
Unfortunately, the bad weather we have been experiencing this spring has really put a damper on the local fishing scene. This time of year we should be seeing a lot more boats on the water, but the weather has kept days for pre-launch boat maintenance at a minimum and those who are able to fish stuck at home.
In the bay, water temperatures have reached into the 70’s, but are mostly hovering in the 60’s. Those looking for flounder are still finding the best action up in the Thorofare. Slow trolling over the flats north of the channel along with drifting the west end of the Thorofare have been the two most successful ways this spring to land a keeper. Those who decided to drift the bay behind Assateague, from the Duck Blinds down to the Assateague Bridge, mostly found short fish interested in their offerings. White Gulp Swimming Mullets and strips of flounder belly have been the go-to baits for flounder so far this season.
On Friday, Washington state visitor, Tina Rinker caught her first flounders, a pair of 18-inchers, while drifting minnows near the Rt. 50 Bridge.
Although the bluefish run this year is not even close to the spectacular ones we experienced the last two seasons, anglers are starting to see improved action at the Rt. 50 Bridge and around the South Jetty. Big Bird Cropper, Dave Leizear and Dave Hrycyk had some good days catching choppers and snappers around the Jetty last week with the best action coming on the ocean side down by Assateague beach. As always, the guys were throwing Roy Rigs, otherwise known as a red jig head tipped with a salt and pepper paddletail. You may find a shortage in local tackle shops because the boys went through a lot of them!
Keeper tautog were also caught around the South Jetty and the Rt. 50 Bridge last weekend with smaller fish found around the rocks in the West Channel off Martha’s Landing.
Speaking of tautog, the Maryland season closes from May 16th to June 30th. This meant anglers were making a last ditch effort to get some in the cooler before they were relegated to only targeting sea bass on ocean structure. Capt. Kane on the “Fish Bound” continued to put his customers on some big fish. On Thursday, Victor Feleccio caught and released a 17.6 pounder that was part of a boat limit caught in 75-feet of water. Green crabs, white leggers and sand fleas have been the prime baits for blackfish.
Those looking for striped bass are mainly finding small schoolies around the Rt. 50 Bridge, the Rt. 90 Bridge and the South Jetty.
Unfortunately, the spring surf action, which should be in full swing by now, has been very slow. On most days, surfcasters have been battling their share of skates and an occasional black drum. Chopper bluefish have been few and far between and the striper run, so far, has been very forgettable. Last Wednesday, angler John Unkart did catch 6 bluefish, weighing up to 12 lbs., and a black drum. On Friday, surf fisherman found more bluefish snapping and there were a few caught on Saturday as well. Also on Saturday, Myra and Hugh Thomas Cropper teamed up to land a 37 1/2-inch linesider and John Dilworth captured a 37-incher that tipped the scale at 21 3/4 lbs. Both fish were caught in the suds off Assateague Island.
Upcoming Tournaments
The first tournament on the schedule this season is the 9th Annual Ocean City Marlin Club Memorial Day Tournament. This year, there are added entries for Heaviest Bluefish and Heaviest Tuna. Anglers can fish 1 of 2 days on May 26th and 27th with weigh-ins at Sunset Marina from 4:30 to 7:30 PM.
On June 1st, 2nd & 3rd, Bahia Marina will hold their 22nd Annual Mako Mania Shark Tournament. With the minimum size for mako sharks increased to 83-inches, tournament organizers have made some changes to introduce additional added entries for mako releases. Check their website for entry forms and other information.
Until next week, I’ll see you at the scales!
