Article by Larry Budd
This Week Last Year
• The big news of the week was the controversy over who got the first catch and release white marlin of the year. On Saturday, June 1st a white was reported and looked to be the first. That catch was bested however by a report from the crew of the “Uncle Keith” when they arrived after an overnighter on Sunday. They had, in fact, released 2 white marlins earlier on June 1st.
•With water temperatures in the mid-70s, dolphins were plentiful in the Baltimore, Poor Man’s and Washington Canyons
• Bluefin dominated the tuna action, with most caught in the Baltimore Canyon and a little south toward the Poor Man’s.
•Blue marlin remained elusive. Several were hooked, but non came tight. The boat “Longshot” had one come loose in 800 fathoms in the Baltimore Canyon that was estimated at 400lbs.
Welcome to Issue #2 of our Covid season! Many thanks to the readers and advertisers who have reached out with kind works and appreciation of the Memorial Day issue. Please continue to send us your pictures and comments to [email protected] and review our ad on Page 5 to capture a great photo
Readers will notice some changes to the fishing reports this week as we get our processes up and running. We return the fishing reports into two separate sections, one each for Maryland and Delaware, however we will be adding focus on offshore action for both states in a new Offshore Report here. We will also be looking to add more surf fishing content in the back bay and coastal reports for our friends on the beach. I also want to thank several readers who asked for a simplified canyon map so they could relate it to the reported catches. It is to the right on the next page. One final reminder, our next issue will be June 23rd, then weekly thereafter.
Marlin
Another year, another controversy on who caught and released the first white marlin of the year! Like last year there was drama on this prestigious and profitable event. Word got out early afternoon on Saturday May 23rd that the first white marlin of the season had been tagged. The charter boat “Talkin’ Trash” was headed back to the OC Fishing Center with a recorded catch and release. While the crowds gathered at the dock, new rumors emerged that another boat also tagged and released a white even earlier. After the details came to light, it was the “Reel Escape” out of Pines Point Marina in Ocean Pines who earned the title. Angler Carl Sauer caught the prize fishing with Capt. Chris Miller and anglers Bob Miller, Jordan Sauer and Bob Mallory III. To add intrigue to the story, the boys were not even targeting whites, they were hunting for yellowfin tuna. Lucky for them their fast troll raised this award-winning fish. The white put up a fight for 25-30 minutes and was caught on a blue & white Joe Shute with a ballyhoo. The boat will receive $11,000 in trophy money from the City of Ocean City and Fisherman United of Ocean City in recognition of the catch. The white was also the earliest white caught on record! “Talkin’ Trash” was not left out of the money however, being part of the Ocean City Marlin Club entitled them to $5,000 from the club. Since then, many boats have reported white hits and releases, mostly on skirted ballyhoo in and around the Baltimore.
The first blue marlin of the season was release by the charter boat “Whiskey Kilo” on June 4th. The crew of the “C-Boys” landed a 445lb., 110” blue marlin on June 6. They found him trolling between the Baltimore and Poor Man’s Canyons in 700 fathoms.
Dolphin
Dolphin are starting to show at the scales. The first dolphin of the season was reported to us on May 23rd as well and more are showing up at the scales. The crew of “Reel Fin Addict” gave us a call reporting the first mahi to the paper. The mahi was caught south of the Washington Canyon in 500 fathoms using spreader bars and a skirted ballyhoo.
Tuna
Since our last issue, the yellowfin were getting a lot of action in late May. The boat “Full Service” brought a whopper of a bigeye tuna to the scales at Sunset Marina on May 27th. The 217 lb. tuna fell for a blue and white islander “on the wood” and took 2 hours to boat. Charter boat “That’s Right” and boat “Blood Money” both reporting yellowfin tuna limit fishing trips over the Memorial Day weekend. The fish were caught in the Poor Man’s Canyon and in the Baltimore Canyon at 800 fathoms with 65° water. The action has cooled a little bit as we entered June. Yellowfins are being caught in smaller groups, with bigeye mixing in. More recently the area bet ween the Baltimore and Poor Man’s has been the place to be looking for a temp change line to 66°+ water. Working the line seems to be the most effective.
COVID Information
As an update to our posting last week, here is what we know regarding what’s open and what is permitted between Maryland and Delaware. Phase 2 of Maryland’s reopening started on June 2nd and here is what we know as of press time on 5/21:
MARYLAND
- Charter boats are operating, but are still limited to a maximum of 10 people including crew. Headboats are also limited to 10 total. Most seem to be operating, however check our charter section or the boat’s web sites for details.
- Marinas, boat dealers and fuel docks seem to be open. We have confirmed the pumps are open at Ocean Pines Marina, the OC Fishing Center, Bahia Marina and Sunset Marina. Check their social media for hours.
- Tournaments - The schedule is on page 51. We will keep updating and posting when and if a tournament is canceled.
- Surf Fishing - Beaches are open with normal summertime restriction on where and when to fish.
- Recreational fishing on private boats is allowed. Same household on boat, less than 10 people.
DELAWARE
- Shelter in place recommendation in effect for those with underlying conditions or risk.
- Charter boats and headboats were allowed to operate starting May 29th. Headboats are limited to 30% of coast guard capacity, reservations required, credit card only and health checks for crew and anglers will be conducted. That capacity expected to rise to 60% on June 15th. Check our charter section for operators and options.
- Marinas, boat dealers and fuel docks are open.
- Tournaments - The schedule is on page 51. We will keep updating and posting when and if a tournament is canceled, but I am pleased to report that the “The Joe Morris Memorial Canal Flounder Tournament” out of Lewes Harbor Marina on June 5th had 425 anglers participate!
- Surf Fishing
- Jill at Indian River let me know
that 15.5K of the 17K drive on
passes allotted for 2020 have
been issued.
- Drive on and walk on beaches
are open. Fisherman must be
20 feet apart and members in a
single group cannot exceed 10
and should social distance.
DNREC may limit how many
people may go on the beach
depending on crowding. Face
masks required (13+)
- Recreational fishing on private boats is allowed. Same household on boat, less than 10 people.
