Article by Capt. BJ Pietryak
White Marlin Week was in full swing, witnessing a flurry of boat activity entering and exiting the OC inlet. Surprisingly it was amazing that anything was caught there at all! However, the silver lining for anglers was that the consistently rewarding fishing experiences within the back bays, inlet and nearby reefs throughout the entire summer continued this past week despite all the additional activity, with this past week being no exception. For those not partaking in the WMO, abundant flounder populated most of the nearby wrecks and reefs. This year, spanish mackerel are notably abundant, even captivating novices who have never tried trolling for this species.
Nearshore Wrecks & Reefs
The nearshore waters are settling in the mid 70s and are teeming with life. Bait schools grace almost every corner, while the wrecks hold sizable flounder on their down-current sides. Additionally, the rubble piles and reefs continue to host a few keeper sea bass. Venturing to the reefs outside of OC, Blake Gunther and Derek Yobst encountered impressive flatties. Their consistent success in reeling in large fluke, including some doormats, bodes well as they gear up for the Paradise Grill Flounder Pounder next week. As we get closer to the tournament I expect less angler will share location. This was not an issue for Aaron Paxton who reeled in an enormous 6.8-pound flounder at Little Gull Shoal. Undoubtedly, such a trophy fish holds significance for any angler, especially a young one. Randy Swain and his 12-year-old son, Louden Swain, embarked from Sunset Marina and headed northward, successfully nabbing doormat fluke using Gulp, squid, and minnows on deep-water structures. Louden is only 12 years old yet he handles the rod like a pro. The recent endeavors of the "Double Trouble Charter," captained by DJ Churchill, included trolling for spanish mackerel while also targeting sea bass, flounder, and cutlass pursuits in an around inshore reefs & wrecks. Despite facing a few storms that temporarily kept them docked, Captain DJ attested to the remarkable cooperation of the fish. Their clients not only returned with plentiful catches but also some of the finest quality fish in recent memory. The groups consistently achieved fluke limits on each trip, accompanied by notable ribbonfish catches. Captain DJ also noted that the spanish mackerel fishing this season has been unprecedentedly consistent, a great treat for this rich and sweet meat. The First and Second Lumps near the Bass Grounds were the prime fishing areas last week, closely followed by Fenwick Shoals. Moreover, the Lump just north of the Bass Grounds yielded sizeable spanish mackerel. Intermixed with the spanish are bluefish and cobia. For those unfamiliar with trolling for spanish mackerel, utilizing small 00 or #1 Clark spoons stands as the optimal lure choice. Alternatively, small poppers and bucktails can be employed. Maintaining a speed around 5 miles per hour serves as the sweet spot for attracting these voracious fish. Early mornings offer the ideal window to target them, as the bite typically diminishes around 9 or 10 AM. This presents a strategic approach for anglers keen on an early start. As the spanish mackerel action wanes, transitioning to wrecks and reefs offers opportunities to pursue the sought after large fluke.
Peyton Balliett celebrated her birthday alongside Steve Balliett, engaging in her beloved pastime, fishing! Peyton's birthday escapade yielded a satisfying cobia catch, accompanied by other dinner worthy fish. Following the festivities, a birthday celebration at a local bayside restaurant ensued. Happy birthday, Peyton!
The Great Eastern Reef persists in harboring a few keeper sea bass however, venturing to deeper structures like the Rock Pile presents the optimal chance to secure a cooler laden with these black gems. The hot spot for flounder during this past week was the African Queen, with the flatties congregating just off the down-current side of the wrecks. Although the nearshore pots yielded some mahi, the water's persistent green hue has curbed the influx of these pelagic fish to inshore waters. Hopefully, water clarity will improve, transitioning from green to the characteristic blue, thereby drawing these pelagic fish closer to the coast. To target mahi around the Bass Pots and High Flyers, jigging small bucktails adorned with squid is the preferred technique. Alternatively, trolling small plugs and squid skirts prove fruitful in locating pots harboring these prized fish.
Back Bays & Inlet Fishing
The back bays and inlet have yielded noteworthy catches recently, including sizeable flounder and short rockfish and blues. While reports of croaker pods in the bay are scarce, their anticipated arrival remains imminent. Amidst the heightened boat traffic due to White Marlin Week, the "Miss OC Fishing" achieved several successful trips. Clients reaped bountiful catches and relished watching the grand yachts traverse the inlet for the tournament. Rusty and Dylan Thawley, hailing from Denton, MD seized a rewarding day of fishing along the south jetty wall. Using clams as bait, they triumphantly landed a 9 pound and a 12 pound sheepshead. Accompanied by Captain Jason Mumford on the "Lucky Break Charters," the father-son duo showcased their angling prowess. Donna Gutridge, along with Lane, Drew, Tricia and Brad Wolters, also ventured into the inlet with Captain Jason. This group returned with multiple keeper flounder using minnows, the largest measuring 22 inches. Jason's aptitude for the inlet's nuances shines through once again. The primary channel of the inlet, in conjunction with the bulkheads around the 2nd Street area, witnessed sluggish activity this week, primarily due to the influx of boats for the White Marlin Open. On the other hand, the vicinity behind Assateague Island emerged as a favorable spot for fluke and even small stripers. Reports suggest that the island's northern side offered ample sightings of ponies, providing anglers with an enchanting view of this unique wildlife.
Until next week...
Tight lines and fins up ยง
