Article by Larry Jock
Let’s start this report with some really good news. As most everyone knows, fishing licenses are now required in Maryland, except for when fishing at locations designated as Free Fishing Areas. Last week, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources added 2 new areas in Ocean City, so now you can fish without a license at the following spots:
•Northside Park, 125th St.
•2nd Street Bulkhead
•Oceanic Pier
•Ocean Pier (off boardwalk)
Remember, although anglers do not need a license to fish at these areas, they do need to register with the state for free if they fish at Northside Park or from the bulkhead. You can register by phoning (855)-855-3906 or online at https://compass.dnr.maryland.gov/dnrcompassportal.
Hats off to Sue Foster at Oyster Bay Tackle and Val Lynch, our coastal representative on the Sport Fisheries Advisory Commission. Both worked really hard to make this happen.
Now on to the report...
Mid-Atlantic $500,000
The Mid-Atlantic $500,000 was held last week and it was another strong showing for Ocean City crews. They swept the Heaviest White Marlin Division, won 1st place for the Heaviest Blue Marlin, took first and second place in the Heaviest Tuna Division and won the Heaviest Dolphin Division. All this added up to well over 90% of the total tournament prize money, so it was another exceptional year for Ocean City boats.
Monday was a non-eventful day, with only 2 boats fishing in the tournament due to rough sea conditions.
It all started on Tuesday, when the charter boat, “Reelentless” was the first boat to arrive at the scale and had the crowd buzzing with a 79 lb. white marlin that was hooked in 52 fathoms, just south of the 800/800. This fish was challenged throughout the week, with 16 white marlin being weighed, but held on to win 1st place in the tournament.
Historically, the final day of the tournament is filled with excitement and leaderboard changes. This year was a little mellower than usual, but we still saw the 2nd place white marlin (78 lbs.) come in on the “Sea Slammer” and right behind it was the 3rd place white marlin (75 lbs.) on the charter boat, “Game Over”. Both were caught in the Washington Canyon.
The Heaviest Tuna Division was dominated by bigeyes, and not surprisingly, the charter boat “Reel Chaos” ended up on top with a 233 pounder caught on Tuesday. The crew went 2 for 5 on bigeyes that day and boated their 11th of the season while fishing in the Wilmington Canyon. Right before the “Reel Chaos” hit the scale, “Miss Annie” weighed 3 bigeyes, with the heaviest tipping the scale at 224 lbs. This fish ended the tournament in 2nd place and was also caught in the Wilmington Canyon.
The heaviest dolphin came in on Tuesday aboard the charter boat, “Moore Bills” when Kenneth Chouinard reeled in a 43 pounder at the Rockpile.
Finally, on Wednesday the “Why Not” brought a 416 lb. blue marlin to the scale and held on to win 1st place in the Heaviest Blue Marlin Division. The 105-inch fish was caught near the 800/800 and took angler, Tony Gay 2 hours and 25 minutes to get into the boat.
Again, a big congratulations to all the Ocean City boats. They really did us proud!
Marlin
During the tournament, 460 white marlin and 40 blue marlin were hooked and came from either the Wilmington or Washington Canyons. The bite early in the week in the Wilmington petered out and the better bite was in the Washington in 50 to 100 fathoms.
Congratulation to the crew on the “Fin-ness” with Capt. Josh Ruskey at the helm. On Friday, they recorded a grand slam when they released a white marlin, 2 blue marlin and a sailfish at the 800/800.
Tuna
The bigeye tuna caught in the tournament were hooked in the Wilmington Canyon and a good number of yellowfin tuna were caught around the 461 Lump. The yellowfins were a nice size, ranging between 50 and 70 lbs.
Flounder
The M.S.S.A. Beach & Boat Flounder Tournament was held on Saturday in less than ideal weather conditions. Still, 106 anglers participated and quite a few flatties hit the scale. Mike Miller came in first with a 5.6 pounder that was caught on a peanut bunker at the South Jetty. Dave Tolbert’s 4.85 pounder took 2nd place and was caught on a live minnow by the Rt. 50 Bridge, the same spot where 3rd place winner, Patrick Pope’s 4.75 lb fish was caught.
Outside the tournament, it was an interesting week, with calm weather allowing flounder fishermen to hit some inshore wrecks where they were rewarded with some outstanding catches. The charter boat, “Get Sum” really burned them up at Great Gull Shoal, returning with 13 keepers during their morning trip on Wednesday. The Great Eastern Reef also provided some good action.
Those that stayed in the bay had good size flatties from the East Channel in deep holes around the Rt. 50 Bridge and also from deeper spots along the South Jetty. Live bait was the key, with anglers using live spot or bunker getting the best results.
Striped Bass
There was an excellent striper bite in the Ocean City Inlet with big chopper bluefish mixed in. Fishing the outgoing tide with live spot or mullet was the ticket to success with fish measuring in the low 30-inches.
Croaker
Croaker were caught all around the bay but primarily in the Inlet and around Harbour Island on Gulp! or Fishbites.
Red Drum
Small red puppy drum have been caught in the bay for the last couple of weeks, but Dave Dalton did release a big one from behind the Airport on Friday. The 41-incher was caught on a Gulp! artificial bait. Could they also be out at the Mud Hole? It’s that time of year.
Upcoming Tournament
This weekend is the 54th Annual Labor Day White Marlin Tournament. You do not have to be a member of the Marlin Club to enter this tournament and if you do pay the entry fee, you will receive a boat membership to the club for 2013. Since there are also tuna and dolphin divisions, weigh-ins will be held at Sunset Marina from 5:00 to 7:00 PM on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
See you at the scale!
