Article by Larry Jock
You would have to say that this has been a very strange start to the fishing season. It started out with everyone worried about the late arrival of species due to cold spring weather but in an instant we started seeing catches, especially offshore, of species early than ever.
Unfortunately, after an incredible Memorial Day weekend of fishing, persistent windy weather put a damper on fishing last week, especially inshore and in the bay. Anglers who went offshore anyway, reported conditions much calmer than expected.
Although we didn’t see a lot of fish arriving at the scale last week, the catches we did see were impressive.
Before we get into the fishing report, it was announced over the weekend that the new administration in Annapolis has terminated 4 leaders in the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, including Tom O’Connell, Director of Fisheries. This was a major mistake by our new governor Larry Hogan. Tom was a great friend to anglers on the shore and he gave us attention like we had never seen before. Tom made it a point to visit Ocean City each winter to hear the concerns of both recreational and commercial fishermen and many times went back to Annapolis with changes and insight based upon our recommendations. The termination seems to be purely a political move and from what I heard, was made to placate fishing organizations on the Chesapeake Bay. We know how those guys like to flex their muscles. They say that politics is a dirty game and it is very unfortunate that such a good man, one who realized that there is more to the Maryland fishing scene than just the Chesapeake Bay, would lose his job. We wish Tom and his family the best of luck in the future and hope that this type of action isn’t a prelude of things to come from our new governor.
Swordfish
The surprise catch of the week was the 286.4 lb. swordfish caught on Saturday aboard the “Dawg Haus”. We don’t see many swordfish caught on the troll in 30 fathoms, but that is exactly what happened when Capt. Corey Kennington had to stop short of his preferred destination due to engine problems. The 68-degree water was green and didn’t look promising, but they put out a green machine behind the hot new lure, Squidnation’s Flippy Floppy Thing (above) to see what would happen.
Bruce Ennis took the rod when the swordfish attacked and fought the fish for the first 15 minutes. Jimmy Michael then took over and fought the swordie for 45 minutes before getting it in the boat. It was definitely a memorable catch for the “Dawg Haus” crew.
Marlin
The first blue marlin of the season was released on May 29th by Derek Damon of Pasadena, MD while fishing on the “Sea Box” with Paul Ordakowski. The blue marlin was hooked on a trolled ballyhoo dressed up with a blue and white Ilander, 10 miles north of the Washington Canyon in 100 fathoms. With the exception of 2011 and 2012, we typically see the first blue marlin released closer to the middle of June. Ironically, the first blue marlin was also released on May 29th in 2011 and a day earlier in 2012.
The second white marlin of the season was released on Saturday aboard the “Over Billin’” in 59-degree water in the Washington Canyon.
Yellowfin Tuna
After hundreds of yellowfins hit the deck over the long Memorial Day Weekend, anticipation was high that last week was going to be a banner one. The batch of water that started producing catches of yellowfin in the Wilmington Canyon and moved down into the Baltimore/Poor Man’s Canyons last weekend started breaking apart and moving east, leaving anglers to venture down to the Washington and Norfolk Canyons.
Windy weather kept most boats at the dock throughout the week, but on Friday seas calmed enough to allow boats in the Washington Canyon to return with yellowfins and mahi. The tuna were smaller than what we saw in previous weeks, with many just under 30 lbs. On Friday, smaller tuna were caught between the Rockpile and the Washington Canyon during the earlier part of the day in 100 fathoms and a few larger fish were hooked between the Washington and Norfolk Canyons and around the 800/800 later in the day.
On Saturday, “Talkin’ Trash” returned with 16 yellowfins and a dozen mahi from 100 fathoms in the Washington Canyon. The “Boss Hogg” was in the same location and caught 10 yellowfins and some dolphin. The “Marli” was in 50 fathoms near the Washington and returned with 12 yellowfins all caught on trolled ballyhoo and spreader bars.
Bigeye Tuna
On Friday, the “Cookie Monster” planned on doing an overnighter but cut their plans short when they had no room left to store fish after catching 3 bigeye tuna, weighing 130, 150 and 212 lbs., and a bunch of yellowfins. The bigeyes were hooked in 100 fathoms in the Norfolk Canyon and their larger yellowfins came from between the Washington and Norfolk Canyons. They also caught yellowfins later in the day, around 4:30 PM, near the 800/800.
On Saturday, Fred Crickenberger caught a 205 lb. eyeball at the bigeye hole in 59-degree water.
Sharks
We haven’t seen too many large mako sharks caught this season. Most have been barely over 100 lbs. and have been caught inshore of the Baltimore Canyon and around the Fingers.
Lamont Hilbert did release an estimated 300 lb. thresher shark on Friday while fishing by himself at the African Queen.
Sea Bass
It was a hit-or-miss week for those chasing sea bass. A few boats had good days, but most anglers struggled throughout the week. The catch did improve over the weekend when anglers on the charter boat, “Fish Bound” boated 63 sea bass on an ocean wreck. Good catches of cod have made things interesting on local headboats. The cod bite has been the best we have seen in many, many years and makes you wonder about government statistics since they are saying the cod population is so bad you can’t even catch them off Massachusetts. In my next life, I want to come back as either a government statistician or a weatherman!
Flounder
Wind blowing out of the south/southwest shut down flounder fishing last week. The water was just too dirty and filled with grass to get any decent bite going.
Upcoming Tournament
This weekend is the Bahia Marina Mako Mania Shark Tournament. Fishing will take place Friday, Saturday and Sunday with weigh-ins from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM each day. Spectators are able to get close to the action at Bahia Marina and Fishtails is always a great place to grab some food and drinks. With the Ocean City Fishing Tournament cancelled this year, I would anticipate more anglers participating in Bahia’s tournament.
See you at the scales.
