Article by Capt. BJ Pietryak
The airshow is over and the tourists are now here in full force! The start of our official summer season is upon us. As we begin this summer of fun, fishing has really started to turn on. Big bluefish seemed to be everywhere last week with a few nice rockfish thrown in for good measure. Both inshore as well as offshore, the flounder bite has really heated up. Sea bass has slowed down as the water warms to the 70 degree mark. Sheepshead are on the rocks at the inlet, and clams and crabs are ready to make their way to your feasting table.
Flounder, Sea Bass & Sheepshead
Flounder picked up nicely last week with big fish coming to the docks both from the bays as well as from offshore. On the back bays, most fish are being taken with a squid style bait. Frozen striped squid will work just fine, but if you want to try for a big trophy size flounder you should be using a bucktail tipped with fresh squid or a circle hook with a fat live spot fish on it.
Rodney Meyers took a late afternoon trip last week, and although he lost a few, he did manage a nice catch of keepers. His biggest was measured at 19 ½” a perfect eating size. The “OC Guide Service” was out last week in full force and returned to the dock each time with quality fish for their anglers to show off. The back bays behind Assateague Island continue to get better and better as the water warms, the “OC Guide Service” reports. “Back Bay Adventures” fished the bay getting client Zack Forte a beautiful personal best flounder of 25”, 6.5 lbs. “Bottom Bouncer Fishing” reports summer time is here and the fish are chewing. Good catches of flounder, bluefish, triggerfish and ribbonfish were noted. That's a nice assortment of species!
The headboat “Miss Ocean City” shared he had a group from “Steel City” Pittsburgh catching dozens of throwbacks, but did manage a few nice keepers for dinner.
Both bay and ocean headboats have moved onto their shorter summer trips offering anglers more options for fishing without disturbing an entire day of family fun. Check the Coastal Fisherman as well as discount books for coupons and schedules. All of the headboats in the area are great for family outings and have knowledgeable crew members to help even a novice angler enjoy his or her time on the water.
Looking to sea bass, the bite has taken a downward turn. I spoke with Capt. Victor of the “Ocean Princess” who stated that fishing took a drop off inshore, however you are still able to manage some nice size fish for dinner if you pay attention and put the time in at the rail. Flounder and ribbonfish were caught along with a few big bluefish. “Judith M” reported the same slow down in keepers with a lot of short fish. They did report that the action, although smaller size fish, was non stop. They also said that many anglers who fished hard returned to the docks with fish. They had a few of their ¾ day trips last week and reported when they got out a little further, the bite and bigger fish became more apparent.
Capt. Monty Hawkins of the headboat “Morning Star” reported that the theme last week were squalls and sea bass. Capt. Monty runs full day trips throughout the year and tends to fish a bit deeper and further out than the main fleet of half day boats. Other than some rougher seas, he managed a nice bite of keeper sea bass. He said at one point the rain was so violent they couldn't get a volunteer to push the reef blocks to the rail to be sent overboard for the OC Reef Foundation.
Areas near the Jack Spot and Great Eastern Reef were the hot spots of the week due to the deeper cooler water. Last Friday saw 90+ degree temps, so as the water warms, sea bass will become more scarce inshore, turning many anglers to flounder and spanish mackerel.
Speaking of spanish mackerel, Ted Proseus said he had a great time with a beautiful class of spanish up to 22 inches.
Bluefish, Rockfish & Cobia
Bluefish are all over the inshore wrecks and reefs. Trolling small spoons alongside wrecks or drop offs is a great way to bring up both spanish and blues.
The bluefish run is the best we have seen in years. Kevin McNiels caught several slammers, with the biggest one at 31”. Craig “Big Bird” Cropper was at it again this week scoring multiple blues around 10 pounds as well as a few throwback stripers. Craig and Shaun did manage a couple of keeper rockfish along the Rt. 50 Bridge. Amongst all the bluefish being caught, Andrew Harris found a nice 35” linesider. “Ocean City Guide Service” was not about to be left out, and showed a picture of a beautiful keeper striper caught by a lady angler. With bluefish being so abundant and in numbers we have not seen in several years, now is the time to get out on the water and catch some of these hard fighting fish. Leslie Wagner was on Assateague Island and managed to bring in a few quality blues.
The drum report from Assateague Island was very slow this week, although bluefiswwh and ribbonfish seem to be everywhere.
Speaking of ribbonfish, they are as thick as I can ever remember, and I have a feeling that will be going on all summer.
Last week further to the Virginia line, we had reports of a few cobia catches. I received no reports from Maryland of any cobia caught, however I hear the fishing in Cape Charles, VA is on fire! Russ Garufi reported a great day in Cape Charles Boating 12 cobia with a few over 50”. If they are that thick in Virginia, they should be here any day now.
Until next week...
Tight lines and fins up §
