Article by Larry Jock
Well, Hurricane Earl blew by the coast of Delmarva on Friday with merely a whimper, not affecting much except for making everyone’s life a little hectic for a few days. Boats are now back in the water and it looks like the offshore marlin bite isn’t missing a beat.
Marlin
Early last week, we saw what was no doubt the best white marlin bite seen around here in years. By now, everyone has heard about the incredible action on Monday, August 30th when several boats returned to the dock with release numbers that would have broken the Ocean City record of 27 white marlin releases in a single day. The “Billfisher” led the way with an amazing 57 releases. It was certainly a day that will be remembered for a long, long time.
After the hurricane, billfishermen were chomping at the bit, wondering if the bite was going to continue. Well, their questions were answered on Sunday when boats were able to leave the dock and ventured deep (1,300-1,500 fathoms) outside the Norfolk Canyon and racked up some numbers.
“D.A. Sea” - 34
“Reel Chaos” - 28
“Legasea” - 24
“Pumpin’ Hard 66” - 14
“Grandé Pez” - 14
“Let It Ride” - 10
“Par Five” - 9
Other boats on Sunday had luck releasing a few whites in the Poor Man’s Canyon and around the Hot Dog.
There were a couple of blue marlin caught right before the hurricane. On Tuesday, the “Miss Annie” released a blue marlin and on Wednesday, the “D.A. Sea” released a blue in the Washington Canyon.
Finally, on Sunday, Brooke Duvall on the “Last Call” released a longbill spearfish in 1,000 fathoms outside the Poor Man’s Canyon. Brook told me that this was his 10th species of billfish that he has released. Nice work!
Wahoo
It was definitely a great Labor Day weekend for wahoo fishing with quite a few being caught. Most of the action centered in the area around the Sausages and Hot Dog in 30-50 fathoms. “That’s Right” returned on Sunday with 7 nice wahoo caught in 75 degree water near the Hot Dog. The “Banshee” was in the same area and boated 4 wahoo. Also on Sunday in the Labor Day White Marlin Tournament, the “BBG” captured a 60.4 pounder near the Hot Dog and the “Pole Cat” boated a 54.4 lb. speedster down at the Rockpile.
The largest wahoo was caught on Sunday by Bob Ambrose on the “Excavator” when he hooked a 67 pounder on a ballyhoo dressed up with a blue and white Ilander in 50 fathoms south of the Rockpile. Also on Saturday, the “Bimini” weighed at 66 lb. wahoo that they caught in the Washington Canyon.
Dolphin
Dolphin continue to be caught in good numbers. This past weekend, dolphin were caught around the Rockpile, near the Hot Dog and in the Poor Man’s, Washington and Norfolk Canyons. They were everywhere!
The “Jezebel” fished in 50 fathoms between the Poor Man’s and Washington Canyons on Sunday and caught 60 dolphin. The largest looked around 10 lbs.
Although we are still seeing boats with loads of peanut dolphin, a couple of larger mahi were caught as well.
On Sunday, Bill Burton on the “BBG” landed a 26.8 pounder east of the Hot Dog. Also on Sunday, Bill Regan muscled in a 15.6 lb. mahi that he hooked at the Rockpile.
Tuna
It hasn’t been a good couple of weeks for tuna fishing. With most boats searching for white marlin, emphasis on catching yellowfin tuna has dwindled.
Right before the hurricane, the “Restless Lady” ventured out to 40 fathoms near the Hot Dog and boxed 11 yellowfins and 4 gaffer dolphin. Quite a catch!
On Sunday in the Labor Day Tournament, the “Last Call” threw some beautiful yellowfins on the dock at Sunset Marina. The tunas weighed between 64.2 and 74.4 lbs. and were caught in 1,000 fathoms outside the Poor Man’s Canyon. Kudos to Jenn Pettolina for muscling in two yellowfins weighing 72.4 lbs. and 74.4 lbs. Good thing she has been hitting the gym lately!
Also in the tournament, Jeff Schnader on the “Pole Cat” caught a 35.8 lb. longfin albacore tuna near the Rockpile.
Flounder
Those seeking flatfish this past week probably weren’t very happy. Flounder fishing was down right pathetic, due to dirty, muddy water.
The good news is that our bay is absolutely loaded with bait. Mullet have been seen around the Rt. 90 Bridge, spot are being hooked in the canals and in the marinas and peanut bunker and shiners are all over the bay. What this means is that once the water cleans up we should see some good flounder fishing.
The largest flounder caught in Ocean City this year was landed earlier in the week by Jerry Gray on the “12 Pack”. Over the last couple of weeks, we’ve been recommending to fish the deep holes for the larger flounder and that’s exactly what Jerry did. He landed the 10 lb. 6 oz. flattie on a live spot in a deep hole just north of the 4th Street Bulkhead in the East Channel. Jerry fishes hard and is very well deserving of this great catch.
Sheepshead
On Sunday, Mark Fleetwood caught the largest sheepshead so far this year in Ocean City. Mark was fishing at the South Jetty, using sand fleas for bait, when he hooked the 26-inch, 11 lb. 9 oz. semicossyphus pulcher.
Sea Bass
The only sea bass I saw were filleted carcases coming off the “Morning Star” last week. On Sunday, Capt. Monty reported sea bass being tepid until the current slowed and then it was “game on”. One angler ended up with 24 keepers.
Striped Bass
Anglers are continuing to peck away at stripers under and around the Rt. 50 Bridge. Those letting a live spot work its way under the bridge are able to pull out some nice linesiders.
Upcoming Tournaments
It will be a busy weekend for fishermen interested in getting a trophy or a check.
On Thursday, the rescheduled Branch Kreppel Memorial Blue Marlin Tournament will be begin at Sunset Marina. Anglers can fish 2 of 4 days on Thursday through Sunday with weigh-ins each day from 4:00 PM to 8:30 PM. In addition to a Blue Marlin Division and a White Marlin Release Division, anglers will also compete in “Winner Take All” divisions for dolphin, tuna, and wahoo. Registration is on Wednesday, September 8th from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM.
On Saturday, September 11th, the Ocean City Fishing Center will be holding their 10th Annual Spot Tournament. Hard to believe it has been 10 years since the start of this tournament. Anglers must fish from the dock at the OCFC from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM with registration at 4:00 PM. Although many adults fish this tournament, it is really the kids who steal the show, so if you have a little one that likes to fish, you can’t lose with the Spot Tournament.
On Sunday, September 12th, the 5th Annual Bahia Marina Flounder Pounder will be held with fishing hours from 10:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Weigh-ins will be at Bahia Marina from 3:30 PM to 5:00 PM. This is an inexpensive tournament to enter and is always a lot of fun. Bahia Marina always does a great job with their tournaments for both anglers and spectators.
Whether you are an offshore, inshore or bay fisherman or you just like to fish from the dock at the marina, this weekend certainly has a tournament for you.
See you at the scales.