Article by Larry Budd
This Week Last Year
•Hurricane Larry pummeled the coast for the latter part of the week and Saturday, but it did seem to stir up some decent fishing after it passed.
•The “Game Changer” reeled in a 97.5 lb. wahoo from the Poor Man’s Canyon.
•The “Primary Search” brought in a 113 lb. Allison yellowfin tuna from the Washington Canyon.
•The “Fin Chaser” boated a 58 lb. bull mahi that was hooked on a spinning reel in the Poor Man’s Canyon.
•Tuna were snapping from the Poor Man’s Canyon to the Washington Canyon. Captains reported multiple hookups were common.
There was not a lot of offshore action since our last issue thanks to some local weather combined with winds and waves from the offshore passing of Hurricane Earl. Most boats stayed tight in their slips from last Tuesday until Saturday when a few ventured out. The upside appears to be the northeast winds before and during the storms has pushed the blue water closer with reports of marlin in the 500 fathom range versus the 1000 fathom line where most had been found before the storm. That was welcome news given fuel prices this summer! We did get some later reports from the Labor Day action, and of course as I write this on Monday, some news from the weekend. So let’s start with Labor Day.
The holiday weekend was busy for billfish. The action for white marlin was mainly from north of the Baltimore Canyon to the Poor Man’s Canyon. Most reports were from the canyons but we did hear the “Knot Again” had an overnight trip releasing 10 white marlin over the 2 days in deep water 20 miles east of the Baltimore Canyon. Capt. Alex Beane on the “Boss Hogg” reported a great holiday weekend, taking trips on all three days to deep 1000 fathom water in the Baltimore Canyon and releasing a combined 11 white marlin as well as boating a mess of mahi.
A couple of swordfish also made their way to the scales. The “Just One More” reeled in a 109 lb. sword in the Poor Man’s and the crew of the “Water Damage” hand cranked one up from 2000 feet in the Washington Canyon. That one tipped the scales at 98 lbs. As for blue marlin, we only had one report from the “Sea Hunt” who released a blue in the Wilmington Canyon.
As for more recent reports, we heard from Capt. Joe Drosey on the “Rhonda’s Osprey” about the 5 white marlin his crew released. They were in only 500 fathoms in the Washington Canyon giving hope the storms had in fact blown the clear water closer to shore. Sunday saw more boats and more action mainly in the Wilmington Canyon. The “Par 5” and “Fish On” both released 3 whites and “D.A. Sea” along with “Seven” released one. Pretty good fishing given the weather!
Not much to report regarding tuna as many captains are focused on the September marlin fishing. We did get a notable catch from the “Carol’s Teakettle” who landed a nice 75 lb. yellowfin tuna in the Baltimore Canyon after finding some 77° water.
The wahoo bite was good prior to the blow so we expect this to continue as more boats get out. The Fingers and Massey’s Canyon were good spots prior to the weather with some nice ones caught on marlin rigs in the canyons.
Mahi and tilefish remain the strongest offshore action with large catches reported across the inshore lumps and from lobster and sea bass buoys across the canyons. Several reports of coolers full of dolphin have come from captains finding floating debris. One reported getting their boat limit after finding a lost sea anchor in the southern Washington Canyon. Anglers pitched baits at it using spinning gear and had a blast.
The “Marli” has several trips returning with lots of blueline and golden tilefish, including a 48 lb. golden caught by John Koniewicz using squid in the Poor Man’s Canyon. The “Boss Hogg” returned to Sunset Marina on Sunday with a good mix of mahi and tilefish, also from the Poor Man’s.
The weather report for Wednesday through Friday offshore looks decent, but we may see more wind build over the weekend. So get out when you can!
Until next week, share with us what you are catching at [email protected] §
Upcoming Tournaments
• Old Inlet Bait & Tackle host the Delaware Seashore Fall Surf Fishing Classic on September 24th & 25th. This event offers over $15,000 in cash and prizes and the very coveted bronze trophies! More at OldInlet.com
• The last offshore tournament of the year is the 3rd Annual Rena Bishop Broadbill Bash that will be held from October 13th thru 16th. This event raises awareness and funds for the Burbage Regional Cancer Care Center. The primary focus is on swordfish, but also has calcuttas for Heaviest Tuna and Stringer. Weigh ins are held from 5:30PM to 8:30PM at Sunset Marina’s Tournament Scale located behind Sunset Grille. More at ocbroadbillbash.com.
• The Lewes Harbour Marina will hold its month long Tautog Tournament from October 22 to November 20. For more info call (302) 645-6227.
