Article by Larry Jock
OCMC Ladies’ Tournament
Last weekend, the Ocean City Marlin Club held their 7th Annual Ladies’ Tournament. This year, 31 boats competed (up from 29 last year) with over $39,000 in prize money at stake in the 2-day tournament. Anglers on the “Miss Annie” stole the show, sweeping the Tuna Division with 3 yellowfins and also winning the Dolphin Division with a 20.2 pounder caught near the 000’s. The Billfish Division came down to the final boat on the final day, when the “Grande Pez” arrived with 4 white marlin and a blue marlin hooked in 1,000 fathoms outside the Washington Canyon.
Ocean Pines Flounder Tournament
The Ocean Pines Chamber of Commerce held their Flounder Tournament on Saturday and 259 anglers signed up to participate. This tournament uses length as the determining factor, so Greg Donahue’s 26 5/8-inch flattie took top honors, followed by Brian Snyder’s 22 3/4-incher and Ron Fisher’s 22 1/2-incher caught on the “Lucky Break”. This tournament is a load of fun, but anglers can win some serious money also with this years winner pocketing $1,700 for the flounder he caught in the West Channel. If you like flounder fishing, make sure you mark this week on your calendar for next year!
Flounder
Flounder fishing in the bay is very slow right now. This doesn’t mean that keepers aren’t being caught, but they are very few and far between. Bay anglers are finding a lot of fish, but 90% are too small to keep. The East Channel and the West Channel are the 2 top spots right now for those soaking live minnows or white Gulp! Swimming Mullets. With water temperatures into the 80’s, look for those deep holes that flatties like to lie in this time of year.
If you have the means to head outside the Inlet, now is the time to take advantage of the outstanding flounder bite on ocean reefs and wrecks. This is really where the action is right now, and a great way to learn where to go is to join the Ocean City Reef Foundation, where for as little as $50 you will receive a book of their entire reef system, including coordinates. Once you get to the wreck or reef, dropping 2-5 oz. bucktails, depending on the current, tipped with flounder belly or mahi belly will give you the best chance at a doormat. The African Queen, Purnell’s Reef, Winter Quarter Shoal and the Bass Grounds were the top producers last week.
Red Drum
We are seeing some red drum being caught and released by anglers fishing in the Ocean City Inlet. Last year, we had a tremendous run of red drum in the Inlet, so hopefully this year will produce the same results.
Sea Bass
Unfortunately, there isn’t much to report when it comes to sea bass fishing. Local headboats are having some luck but flounder fishing has been keeping their customers busy.
Croaker
Croaker continue to be found all over the bay, but primarily in the Inlet and at the mouth of the Commercial Harbor. Small hooks tipped with Fishbite clams really does the trick. When you get on them, the action can be fast and furious, making it a great time for small kids who like to stay occupied.
Striped Bass & Bluefish
The only action we are seeing for stripers and small bluefish is around the Rt. 50 Bridge, primarily at night. Both are still on the small side but an occasional keeper size linesider can be found lurking in the shadows.
Bigeye Tuna
You really have to start wondering how many bigeye tuna can be caught in the Bigeye Hole. You also have to wonder if the feds will put a limit on the number and size of the fish being caught. So far, there are no limits whatsoever.
Last week, we saw impressive catches arrive at the dock, led by anglers on the “Restless Lady” who racked up a pair on Tuesday and another 6 on Thursday, both during overnight trips. On Wednesday, the “Singularis” also caught 6 bigeye tuna during an overnight trip to the Baltimore Canyon. On Thursday, the charter boat, the “Marli” ended their overnight trip with 3 bigeyes in the box after fishing at the Bigeye Hole.
Yellowfin Tuna
The yellowfin bite is extremely slow right now. The best catch we saw last week came in on the “Miss Annie” during the Ladies’ Tournament when they caught 3 yellowfins on Friday at the 000’s. The fish weighed 40.4, 48.4 and 56.4 lbs.
Dolphin
Catches of dolphin are coming in up and down the coast, from as close as 3 miles off the beach out to the canyons. The largest dolphin we have seen so far this year came in on Tuesday when Darryl Boyer on the “Seaquel” landed a 56 pounder in 50 fathoms in the Poor Man’s. The average size of the mahi we are seeing has definitely increased, with most in the mid-to-upper teens mixed in with the small bailers.
Billfish
Anglers pecked away at white marlin all week with the bite scattered across the canyons with most of the releases coming in from the Washington Canyon and the Rockpile. The majority of boats returned with 1 to 4 white marlin flags flying , but the “Absolut Pleasure” recorded 6 white marlin releases on Wednesday in the Washington.
A few blue marlin were also released last week. On Saturday, the “Grande Pez” released one estimated at 350 lbs. while trolling in 1,000 fathoms outside the Washington Canyon. On Tuesday, the “Pumpin Hard” released a blue marlin and a spearfish in the Washington Canyon and the “Restless Lady” also caught a swordfish there as well in addition to releasing a spearfish.
Wahoo
Wahoo are being caught near the Hot Dog, the Hambone and down by the Rockpile where the charter boat, “Last Call” captured a 53 pounder in 82-degree water. On Tuesday, the “Seaquel” caught a wahoo in the Poor Man’s.
Upcoming Tournament
If you are looking to fish in a tournament or just watch the action at the scales, when it comes to pure fun, the Poor Girl’s Open on August 13th, 14th and 15th is a tough one to beat. Known as the largest billfish tournament in the world for female anglers, the Poor Girl’s is always packed with excitement, and at Bahia Marina you have a chance to really get close to the weigh-ins, making it an especially good time for kids. Festivities are held on Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM.
Right after the Poor Girl’s Open comes the MidAtlantic (formally known as the Mid-Atlantic $500,000). This is one of the premier tournaments on the East Coast with weigh-ins at the South Jersey Marina in Cape May, NJ and at Sunset Marina, here in Ocean City. This tournament has really grown in Ocean City and now rivals the number of boats fishing out of New Jersey. Weigh-ins are Monday through Friday (8/17-8/21) from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM.
See you at the scales.