Article by Larry Jock
First, let me thank Terry Layton at Layton’s on 92nd Street for sponsoring this year’s Junior Angler of the Week. Layton’s will be awarding the winner each week with complimentary breakfast for four at the restaurant. Thanks, Terry!
What a great week of fishing. We had good catches in the bay, in the surf, on the wrecks and even offshore as warm temperatures and flat seas enabled anglers to head east in search of dolphin, tuna and sharks.
SHARKS
The first mako shark was caught last Friday by Jim Hughes on the “Nontypical”. You really could feel it in the air. Somebody was going to catch the first mako. Blue sharks had been caught and released during the week and it was only a matter of time before Mr. Black Eye was going to be weighed on a local scale. The crew started their drift in 100 fathoms in the Baltimore and drifted east. As the day came to an end and the guys were ready to pack it in, the 185 lb. mako hit a fresh bluefish in 400 fathoms. After a 45 minute fight, it was hoisted over the gunnel.
Terry Layton on the “Nontypical”, along with other anglers who ventured offshore, reported an abundance of life in the canyons. Whales, turtles, blue sharks and even bluefin tuna chasing squid were all seen deep in the Canyons.
There were a number of thresher sharks reportedly caught in commercial nets at Little Gull Shoal, which is only a couple of miles off the beach on Assateague Island. Capt. Bruce McGuigan told me that they were big threshers, with some in the 400-550 lb. class.
Blue sharks were caught in increasing numbers. The “Non-typical” had 15 blue shark releases while the “Restless Lady” recorded 6 releases the day before.
DOLPHIN
On Wednesday, the “Restless Lady” headed to a shot of warm water in 1,200 fathoms outside the Poorman’s Canyon in search of bluefin tuna and dolphin. They didn’t run across any bluefins, but they did return on Thursday with a heck of a catch of dolphin. The fish were caught in 69-degree water on trolled ballyhoo, spreader bars, and according to Mate Rich Hastings, anything else they threw in the water. The crew ended their trip with 27 dolphin in the box, with the two heaviest tipping the scales at 30 lbs.
On Friday, the “Empty Pockets” took a trip to 1,300 fathoms outside the Norfolk Canyon and found 73-degree water. They hooked into 17 dolphin with the largest two weighing 17 and 20 lbs.
BLUEFIN TUNA
Many boats went searching this weekend, but I know of only one boat who actually hooked a bluefin tuna. Butch Bradshaw on the “DILLIGAF” caught a 38-incher in 500 fathoms outside the Baltimore Canyon. The fish was caught in 64-degree water on a trolled ballyhoo. They also released one bluefin. Terry Layton on the “Nontypical” reported having bluefin tuna swimming by right next to the boat, chasing squid. They tried to hook one on a jig, but could not get it to bite.
TAUTOG
Tautog, or blackfish, continue to be caught around the South Jetty and also on ocean wrecks and reefs. Tom “Chef” Vaughan caught a monster tog mid-week while fishing at the Bass Grounds. The tog weighed in at 18 lbs. 4 oz. Tom and Josh Ruskey also released a 16 pounder and a couple of 13 pounders during the trip.
Green crabs and sand fleas are the ticket for these toothy creatures.
WEAKFISH
How nice is it to see a couple of weakfish (gray trout) caught this year? Chris Tilghman caught a 7 lb. 8 oz. weakie just north of the Rt. 90 Bridge on May 16th. A couple days prior, Rich Bell caught a trout in the bay behind the Ocean City Airport. None were reported by anglers off Assateague this past week. Minnows and squid have been the baits of choice.
BLUEFISH
Surprisingly, we haven’t seen a lot of big bluefish being caught this year. A few have been caught in the surf, both off Assateague Island and from the beaches in North Ocean City. Elsewhere, reports have come in about bluefish on the Hambone and around the Great Eastern Reef.
STRIPED BASS
Last week striper fishing was sporadic off Assateague, with most anglers battling skates and dogfish sharks. On Sunday, Anthony Thomas did stop by with his 42-incher along with his wife Sharon’s 36-inch striper.
There was a good bite in the Inlet on Saturday morning with several anglers picking up some nice, clean linesiders.
FLOUNDER
When anglers could find clean water, they found flounder. Most of the fish we saw were in the 18.5 to 19.5-inch range, although Sidni Schlegel did catch a 25.5-incher in the bay off Frontier Town. It looks like the bay behind Assateague and the Thorofare are the two best spots right now for landing a keeper flounder. The Gulp! Alive artificial baits have really been producing and are definitely growing in popularity. Minnows and squid were also effective.
SEA BASS
Fishing for sea bass this year has been tough, but we continue to see decent catches showing up at the docks. The “Morning Star” had a 6 lb. 3 oz. sea bass on Thursday and several others during the week that weighed over 4 lbs. Clams and squid have been the most productive baits.
The first big, local tournament is a little over a week away with the Mako Mania Tournament on June 5th.
See you at the scales!
