Article by Capt. BJ Pietryak
This week was the start of our busy season and we saw a lot more boats both offshore and inshore as well as the back bays. Wind conditions made travel and setting up on spots rough for many anglers.
Flounder
Flounder in the back bays of Ocean City were a little lower than last week probably due to higher boat traffic and more anglers targeting the fish. The areas above the Rt. 50 bridge were the best areas for getting a nice flattie for dinner. Pete Renzi was on the “Fish Frenzi” and got some nice flounder along with a few sea bass. Jack Cael was on the MD/DE line and caught two nice fish, one at 18.5” and the other at 19”. He said it poured on Saturday but fishing was still good. Dylan Patrick states he finally broke the 2 fish mark and got himself 3, from 16 to 19 inches along with a weakfish. The wrecks at the Bass Grounds are giving up some flounder with anglers targeting the smaller low lying wrecks and barges. The African Queen site is a little slower but still producing some nice fish. I have heard from anglers that the northern coral is making its way down below the Delaware line along the shipping channel. It is reported if you can find the hard coral patches the flounder are there. Search for these patches along the edge of the shipping channel and look for the bright red or hard bottom. You should feel like you're bouncing the weight on concrete when it taps the bottom on a bounce. This may be a fairly long run, 30 miles, however, up in Delaware they target flounder almost solely on the coral beds. I’ll try to get out this week and look for myself.
Sea bass, Weakfish & Croaker
Small croaker have started showing up on the nearshore wrecks as well as the back bay areas. Although not strong in numbers yet they are a great fish to catch and not very picky as to what they will bite. If you have young kids these fish are a fantastic way to keep them stimulated and excited while fishing. Cut squid is the simplest choice on a top and bottom rig. The best areas in the past have been the curve in the channel and the area above the Rt. 50 bridge and the area just south of the commercial harbor. When on the ocean look for the big school on your depth finder and drop down to the depth of the fish. Most headboats will start targeting these fish in mid July or early August. If you don't have a boat and want the kids to catch some fish this is a great option. Speaking of headboats, Victor on the Ocean Princess reports decent catches of sea bass on his trips with some flounder thrown in for good measure. The Angler also reported some good catches of sea bass on the African Queen as well as other nearshore wrecks. All of the headboats report its good to see anglers returning after our long season last year with Covid and social distancing. Most boats are still running a modified limit of anglers but are back to fuller boats allowing more opportunity to get a spot. Several of the headboats run full day trips or 12 hour special trips, so check out their sites for more info. The longer trips allow for a longer run to deeper water and usually produce better quality of fish. Weakfish are also making a surprise appearance this year. They were a main staple for both bay and ocean fishermen, but have not been seen in the past few years. Hopefully they are on their way to a comeback! Areas in the bay that have produced in the past are the west side below the Rt. 50 bridge ( the channel by the old Shanty Town) and the main Thorofare along the docks by the commercial harbor. Small swimbaits, bucktails and shrimp are the top baits. Also starting to show up are sheepshead. Target these fish in the deep hole right at the inlet mouth. During the summer many boats will be seen anchored or drifting along the south rock wall. Small pieces of shrimp on very small hooks work best for these fish. Sand fleas also are a productive bait and easy to find. These fish are very wary of a hook and line so use the lightest flourocarbon you can to better fool them.
Sharks & Cobia
The cobia start has been slow, but some are being caught at Fenwick Shoals as well as nearshore humps south of OC. Sharks are everywhere and a great way to chum up a big hard fishing fish. Blues and rockfish are still at the bridge but keepers are hard to come by.
Surf Fishing
Surf fishing has become our normal staple of sharks, rays and small blues. Philip Lambrinas was using his Okiaya rod and reel and did manage a nice keeper striper in the bay.
Clams & Crabs
Clams remain good at Assateague bays, but crabs have slowed this week. The low oxygen levels may have something to do with this.
Until next week...
Tight lines and fins up
