Article by Larry Budd
This Week Last Year
• Angler Kevin Gibbs caught the first white marlin for 2022 on June 6th. He was fishing on the “Wrecker” just north of the Baltimore Canyon.
• The yellowfin tuna had moved closer to shore with the Baltimore being the hot spot followed by the north Wilmington.
• The charter boat “Bill Slayer” brought in a 75 lb. yellowfin from the Baltimore and the “Hooked Up” had one at 80.6 lbs. from the Wilmington.
• The first bigeye tuna of the season was caught in the Baltimore. It weighed 242 lbs. even without a tail that was lost to a mako.
There was beautiful and funky weather around Delmarva over the last week. Early on saw sunny, warm days and then smoke from the Canadian wildfires were channeled our way creating a dystopian haze. The only upside were really pretty sunrises and sunsets! Fortunately for us, those pesky winds we have been dealing with most of the spring kicked in and shifted the smoke away by last weekend. The smoke did not keep anglers out of the canyons, and even the wind settled a bit, offering several windows to get offshore.
Tuna again dominated the offshore action last week; however, we did get our 2nd report of a white marlin release and the first wahoo of the season made its way to the scales at Sunset Marina!
Early last week again saw a huge yellowfin tuna run with waters in the mid 60° range from the Norfolk to just north of the Poor Man’s Canyon. Even so, almost all of the action was in the Poor Man’s southern waters in 50 to 100 fathoms. Capts. Brian Porter and Alex Beane on the charter boat “Boss Hogg” lead the way with 3 limit trips back to back bringing 54 yellows to the cleaners at Sunset Marina! The “Spring Mix II” and “Pumpin’ Hard” had success trips there as well, finding consistent water in the 68° range. The charter boat “Marli” made a rare, private trip when owner Mike Bostic and crew wanted in on the action. They filled the box with their limit of 18 yellowfins using Capt. Mark Hoos preferred Sterling Tackle spreader bars and Crazy 8 chains. Most captains reported spreader bars, wide trackers and chains with naked or skirted ballyhoo as their tools of choice. Some like the “Full Service” and “Absolut Pleasure” reported success with a good ol’ cedar plug.
Outside the Poor Man’s we had reports as far north as the Baltimore Canyon where the “Bill Slayer” got their limit and the “Reel Blessed” got 9 on their wide trackers. The “Grande Pez” headed a little further south with members of the OC Light Tackle Club. They worked the Rock Pile in 55 fathoms and boxed 16 yellows. On that trip light tackle was not on board!
After that strong start however, the bite slowed. Perhaps from a combination of all angler pressure and a weaker Solunar forecast. This opened up an opportunity for some deep dropping for tilefish. Rod Taylor and his with wife Pam put their boat “Playmaker” in 600 feet in the Poor Man’s for some tile fishing and perhaps some scouting for Pam’s Tuna & Tiara Ladies Tuna Tournament next weekend! Rod reeled up a beautiful golden tilefish using tuna belly.
Another angler was $5,000 richer last week! Keith Garner was fishing with Capt. Chris Ragni last Wednesday on the “Bill Slayer” out of the Indian River Marina when he connected with a white marlin early in the morning on a Habanero Lures skirted ballyhoo. While this was not the first for the season, it was the first from a member of the Ocean City Marlin Club, earning them the club’s $5,000 prize. It was the first white from a Delaware boat and only the 2nd we have heard this season. The private boat “Reel-Lee” reported they released a blue marlin in the Poor Man’s Canyon that hit on a purple and black Ilander lure.
There were also some interesting shark reports last week too. Our Chum Lines author Capt. Mark Sampson reported a couple interesting encounters. First was a pair of great white sharks on the same trip. The first was estimated at 13’ and about 2,000 pounds. The 2nd one appeared to be about 10’ and ~500 lbs. On another trip his angler caught and released an ~7’ smooth hammer head shark while fly fishing! Rich Daiker on the “Delicious” was trolling the Chicken Bone hoping to raise a thresher shark. No luck there, but the crew did release an estimated 150 lb. mako. Our last shark encounter was reported by Derrick William. He and his family were fishing the suds on Assateague Island and caught and released a 6’-8’ sand tiger shark using a tuna head for bait. It was the only bite for the day.
Rounding out the week were a couple notable catches. The report of the first wahoo caught for the season came to us from Josh Short of Smyrna, DE. He found the 53 lb. speedster in the Poor Man’s Canyon. Our avid angler friends Tracey Heltzinger and Dean Miller dropped by the office to share a unique catch they had on the “Restless Lady”. They were fishing for tilefish and sea bass when Tracey reeled up a bright orange swallowtail bass!
As of Monday when I write this report, the weather in the canyons looks good for the weekend. That should mean lots of action during the 3rd Annual Tuna & Tiaras Ladies Tuna Tournament. Weigh-ins will be at the Ocean City Fishing Center right by Mickey Fins.
So until next time, I will see you at the scales! §
Upcoming Tournaments
• The Annual Tuna & Tiara’s Ladies Tuna Tournament returns for its 3rd season on June 16 & 17 at the Ocean City Fishing Center. Scales are open from 4 - 7PM. Come by and check out the action.
• The last weekend in June, the 24th & 25th sees three separate tournaments!
- The Indian River Marina hosts the 8th Annual Kids Catch All Tournament. The event is for all ages and includes inshore and offshore categories. More at KidsCatchAll.com.
- The Ocean City Marlin Club’s is holding it’s 44th Annual Small Boat Tournament. You do not need to be a member to participate. Scales are at Sunset Marina from 3:00 to 6:30 PM.
- The Fish N Paddle Saltwater Slam returns to Atlantic Tackle for it’s 5th year! This kayak only tournament continues to grow, attracting anglers from all over the East Coast. Last year’s winner was a 46.25 lb. cobia! Weigh ins are from 12-4 PM.
