Article by Larry Jock
There are a couple of weeks a year that I could write this fishing report on a matchbook cover, and unfortunately this is one of those weeks. Fortunately, we haven’t had many of these weeks this summer, but this one is going to be short.
Everyone hoped that Tropical Depression Danny would stir things up, especially in our offshore waters. Unfortunately, Danny didn’t have much of an impact except to keep anglers at the dock based upon the weather forecast. The week ended up being nicer than expected, finished off with a weekend of blue skies and only a few, minor sprinkles.
It’s really amazing how this year is shaping up to be almost a carbon copy of last year. Good flounder bite... no yellowfin tuna... excellent bluefin tuna bite while they were here... no weakfish... and finally a super white marlin bite in the Wilmington and Baltimore Canyons.
White Marlin
One of the few bright spots is the white marlin bite, which you may remember started heating up this time last year and got red hot in the middle of September.
The action began on Wednesday when the “Clear Shot” returned from an overnight trip where they went 6 for 9 on white marlin in 30-50 fathoms between the Washington and Norfolk Canyons. Capt. Tony Battista reported getting most of his hook-ups in the Washington Canyon.
On Thursday, the bite centered around the Baltimore Canyon where the “Mak-Atak” went 6 for 6 on whites. The “Billfisher” released 4, the “Espadon”, the “Phat Mann” and the “Marlin Magic” each released 3 and there were some other boats that released a couple. The “Mak-Atak” had their bites in 60-70 fathoms, all on ballyhoo.
With the effects of Tropical Depression Danny blowing through offshore on Friday, action slowed. “That’s Right” released 2 whites in the Baltimore and the “Marli” and “Shelly II” each released 1.
Saturday ended up being a blow day, so everyone was geared up for Sunday and the action didn’t disappoint.
Sunday’s bite was good for boats in the Wilmington and Baltimore Canyons. The “Moore Bills” had a great day, releasing 12 whites in 35-100 fathoms inside the Wilmington Canyon where Capt. Rob Skillman reported water at 80-degrees. Other boats that did well in the Wilmington were the “Pumpin’ Hard” (6), the “Reel Joy” (3) and the “Billfisher”, who recorded 7 white marlin releases.
A few boats released white marlin in the Baltimore Canyon, led by the “All In” with 9 releases followed by the “Marli” with 3 and the “Wave Dancer” with 2 white releases.
This sets the stage for what could be an exciting Labor Day White Marlin Tournament to be held this weekend at Sunset Marina.
Flounder
I know it sounds like a broken record, but the flounder bite is still good for anglers drifting north of the Rt. 50 Bridge. How far north depends on the day. Some days it is better close to the bridge, other days a nice class of fish are being hooked around the docks at Harbour Island.
The fish are beginning to stage up, preparing for their jaunt to ocean reefs and wrecks to spawn. At this time, we usually find flat fish along the rocks by the cement plant, along the wall on the north side of the Inlet and also around ocean structure.
This year appears to be holding true to form. If you can stand the boat traffic, drifting in the East Channel with a live spot, a peanut bunker or a combo with a Gulp! artificial bait gives you the best shot at a lunker. Other nice catches have come in from just east of the Thorofare and in the Inlet. You still may have to weed through a bunch of throwbacks, but if you put in your time, the fatties are there for the taking.
The real flounder action is still on the wrecks and reefs. The Twin Wrecks, the Great Eastern Reef and the Bass Grounds are producing nice catches. If you want to make the 20-mile run north to the “DB” Buoy, it would probably be worth your while, with big flounder being caught in this area every week.
Surf
Sue Foster at Oyster Bay Tackle reports, “We at Oyster Bay Tackle and Fenwick Tackle had several reports of snapper bluefish in the surf this week before Tropical Depression Danny gave us high surf. There were still Norfolk spot, a few kingfish, flounder, and croaker along with sharks at night, but not as many as last week. The bluefish were biting on finger mullet or simply chunks of finger mullet on surf rigs. Kingfish and Norfolk spot were biting on bloodworms and little strips of box squid and cut spot or bunker. Some croakers were caught at night as well. Tropical Depression "Danny" put a damper on surf fishing over the weekend. The surge from the offshore storm made holding bottom difficult.”
Other Fish
We did see a couple of cobia caught this week, one by an angler on the “Morning Star” and another by spearfishermen at Fenwick Shoal. The spearfishermen also reported a good catch of triggerfish.
Sea bass are biting at the Great Eastern Reef and Capt. Monty on the “Morning Star” brought back some from other ocean wrecks and reefs.
Billfishermen are catching some dolphin in the Wilmington and Baltimore Canyons. We did see a dolphin caught 8 miles south of the Bass Grounds, only 8 miles off the beach.
On Wednesday, the “Shelly II” returned with 7 golden tilefish and 10 wreckfish while deep dropping in 500-700 feet of water.
The Marlin Club Labor Day Tournament is Friday, Saturday and Sunday with weigh-ins at Sunset Marina from 3:30 to 7:00 pm.
See you at the scales!
