Abundance of white marlin means great fishing

Remember in last weeks column I mentioned that on Wednesday the wind started blowing from the southwest? Well, that wind has been hanging around with annoying regularity. It did help keep the shore area temperatures cooler than inland but it did make fishing a bit of a chore.

The big news this week is a huge explosion of white marlin in the canyons. Veteran offshore anglers are saying it is some of the best white fishing they have seen in years. And, there is no canyon that is standing out above the others. Check out the results of the Ocean City, Maryland white marlin tournament in the Across the Bay segment of the column to see some astounding numbers.

Since the marlin action has been so hot most deep water boats have been concentrating on them and there has been a drop-off in the number of tuna and mahi being caught in recent days. However, there have been signs that the big eye tuna are beginning to show up.

The summer flounder fishing

BOYERTOWN:

The district is seeking coaches for the following teams: Boys lacrosse head and assistant, softball head, middle school softball and boys soccer head, middle school girls soccer assistant, freshman boys and girls basketball head, middle school field hockey (two) and middle school cheerleading advisor. All resumes and cover letters should be sent to: Nick Palladino, Director of Athletics. dpalladino@boyertownasd.org (dpalladino@ boyertownasd.org) or Boyertown Athletic Office, 120 N. Monroe St., Boyertown, Pa., 19512.

Middle School Boys Soccer- Head Coach (Grades 7-8) Fall Season. High School: Track – Assistant Boys Track Coach (Grades 9-12) Spring Season. Contact the Athletic Office at 610-582-6100 x 1103 by today.

The district is seeking the following athletic coaches: High School girls lacrosse head coach, field hockey and girls tennis assistant coaches, middle school boys & girls soccer coaches, and middle school football head and assistant coaches. Candidates must have, or able to obtain, current ACT 34 Pennsylvania Criminal Record Check, ACT 151 Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance Report and ACT 114 FBI Federal Criminal History Report. Send a resume and all required clearances to: Larry Glanski, Athletic Director, Perkiomen Valley High School, 509 Gravel Pike, Collegeville, Pa., 19426, or lglanski@ pvsd.org.

DANIEL BOONE: PERKIOMEN VALLEY: POPE JOHN PAUL II:

The school is looking to fill the following varsity head coaching positions: field hockey, swimming, boys tennis and head boys lacrosse as well as a varsity head freshmen baseball coach. Applicants should have one year previous high school teaching/coaching experience as well as knowledge of PIAA Handbook, Constitution and Bylaws. Those interested should email resume and cover letter to Nicole McMullen, Athletic Director nmcmullen@pjphs.org.

The district is looking

POTTSGROVE:

has been impacted by the winds. For most of the summer the artificial reefs north of Wildwood have not produced well. But, perhaps that is starting to change. The Ocean City reef is booming on some days, then the next you are hard-pressed to find a flattie. On those days when the bite is on the fish are very big. A number of them have come in at 7-to-10pounds.

You do not have to head for the reefs, however. The back bays continue to house scads of flounder, probably being kept inside by enormous amounts of bait in the water. You are almost guaranteed plenty of action, but just do not expect limit catches. The throw back to keeper ratio still is high.

There is more good news for those of you who like staying close to chore. The various fishing piers and the beaches have been the places to go for great catches of kingfish, and at time even weakfish. The weakies are small with very few hitting the magic 13-inch size. But, even if you do get a legal one you probably should throw it back because you can keep only one fish.

Along with the kingies, spike for the following coaches for the fall 2016 season: High school assistant field hockey coach, assistant middle school boys and girls soccer coaches, middle school head cross country coach and ninth grade head football coach. All coaching candidates must have, or be able to obtain, Act. 34, 114 and 151 clearances prior to the start of the fall season. If interested, send letter of inquiry to Mr. Gary DeRenzo, Director of Athletics, Pottsgrove School District via email at GDERENZO@PGSD.ORG.

The district is seeking assistant coaches for the high school and middle school boys soccer programs. Interested individuals should log onto www.pottstownschools.com and under the employment tab apply through school recruiter. Any inquires about the position should be emailed to the Director of Co-Curricular Activities at Sanspach@pottstownsd.org

The college has openings for a part-time men’s and women’s tennis assistant coach. To apply, send resume to hr@ursinus.edu.

The college is seeking a head coach for its men’s and women’s cross country team. Duties will include managing all aspects of the men’s and women’s cross country program including coaching, budgeting and recruiting. The head coach position may be combined with an administrative role. Cover letter should include a description of one’s desire to work in a Christ-centered institution. Send cover letter, resume, references, spiritual testimony, and philosophy of the integration of faith in coaching in electronic format to Veronica Bird, Human Resource Director, University of Valley Forge, 1401 Charlestown Rd., Phoenixville, Pa. 19460. More information: Call 610-917-1422 or e-mail rabird@valleyforge.edu.

The Montco Monstars and Pa. Pink Ladies AAU programs are looking for interested coaching candidates for the upcoming spring and summer seasons. More information: Contact Dan Hoff at 484941-3719 or danhoff07@hotmail.com.

POTTSTOWN: URSINUS COLLEGE: UNIVERSITY OF VALLEY FORGE: YOUTH BASKETBALL:

blues and weakies in the surf you now can expect to find some spot and porgies and plenty of skates.

How about Pottstown’s Don Mace. Don’s boat is in the shop for repairs so he has been fishing the sand in Great Egg Inlet just east of the north end Ocean City bridge. He spotted a flock of working birds and thought they were working over a school of bluefish. He threw out a Hopkins and immediately foul hooked a small weakfish. He switched over to a smaller bucktail tipped with a Gulp! and kept catching the weakies, at least a dozen. He told me he had a similar experience the week before while fishing from his boat in Corson’s Inlet.

Among the 85 youngsters fishing in the Ocean City Fishing Club’s 41st Annual Boys and Girls Surf Fishing Tournament was 14 year old Maddi Koury of Birchrunville. She was escorted by her granddad, Russ Shallcross of Pottstown. It was Russ’ job to put the nasty little bloodworms on Maddi’s hook. Most of the 66 fish caught were kings, with a few flounder thrown in. The top catching boy and girl each received a new bicycle for their efforts. The Sports notices must be e-mailed (sports@pottsmerc.com) to the sports department. No phone requests will be accepted. A contact name and phone number should be included with each notice. Specific publication dates cannot be guaranteed. Teams are needed for the ninth annual Baseball for Life/ Don Seeley Memorial tournament, which will be held on Sept. 10 at Maple Street Park. The slow pitch softball tournament benefits cancer patients and their families every year. Each team that signs up will play at least three games. Interested teams should contact Jim Goodhart at 610327-4844. Register for private lessons and group instructional classes with Boyertown American Legion manager Rick Moatz and New York Mets Triple-A prospect Zach Lutz at the Rick Moatz Baseball and Softball Training Center by contacting info@rickmoatzbst.com or calling 610-763-4053. Rick Moatz 14U Fall Developmental Team is accepting registrations for private instruction. More information: Contact Moatz at www.rickmoatzbst. com or 610-763-4053. Register now for private or group sessions with Elite Baseball at 1100 Grosser Rd., Gilbertsville. Elite Baseball is also accepting registrations for the fall 14U developmental team. More information: Contact Josh at jhartline5@comcast.net or 484-363-0567. The Kingplex is open for individual lessons or group instruction. Its travel baseball team is seeking players ages 13-18. More information: Call 610-4890589, e-mail king1327@comcast.net or visit kingplex.com. Instructional sessions for area catchers 6-16 years of age are available by calling Joe Pachik (484-529-7348) and leaving a message. The Hill School Girls Basketball Summer OC Fishing Club is over 100 years old and is considered the oldest fishing club in the country.

One of the offshore biggies begins today. That is the 25th MidAtlantic running through the 26th out of the Canyon Club in Cape May and the Sunset Marina in Ocean City, Maryland. If that white marlin bite keeps up we should see some prodigious numbers caught, although the vast majority are released.

In one way all our southwest winds have been a blessing because they keep the bugs at bay. However, when the wind stops the gnats, greenheads, strawberry flies and black flies have been making up for lost time. Whatever you do be sure to pack plenty of insect repellent.

ACROSS THE BAY

I noted earlier that the 43rd White Marlin Open in Ocean City had some fantastic numbers. A grand total of 1,358 were put into the log and all but 24 were released. With a payout of $2,818,660 for the largest fish you can see why the event attracted 329 boats from all up and down the coast. That big top prize was Camp, open to girls in Grades 1-9, will be held the week of Aug. 8-11. More information: E-mail coach Jen Weissbach at jweissbach@thehill.org. The third annual Hoff Hoops Camp sponsored by CrossoverHoopsInc. will be held August 15-18 at The Hill School. For a week of skills, drills and competition, visit http://www.crossoverhoopsinc.com and register for session 2. $150 per camper boys and girls ages 8-16 or contact Coach Dan Hoff via email at monstarsaau@gmail.com Coach Sharr’s Hoops Academy is scheduling training for middle and high-school age boys and girls. More information: Call Ed Sharr at 610-6594667. D.I.V.A. Squad travel basketball team is looking for high school girls in Grades 9-12. More information: Contact Adrienne Smith at 484-274-1017 or adriennesmith73@gmail.com. Pottstown High School will be the site of three meets during the 2016-17 school year: The 31st Harrier Invitational Shoot Out (high school division), 3:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 16; the 31st Harrier Invitational (boys and girls Grades 7-8), 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 24; and the 22nd Trojan Invitational (Grades 6-8), Friday, Oct. 7. More information: Contact Lawrence Harvey at 610-3263583 or e-mail tnmguru@gmail.com. On-line registration for the Shoot Out at PennTrackXC.com. Pottstown PAL Dek Hockey is holding its fall registration through August until won by an angler from Florida,

The Poor Girls Open, a ladies only billfish tournament wrapped up yesterday, too late for this week’s deadline. However, over the years this event has raised over $100,000 for the American Cancer Society.

I’ll try to have the results next Sunday.

Most anywhere you decide to fish in Delaware or Maryland you should be successful. Indian River Inlet has been good for keeper flounder early in the day, especially around the VFW slough. The Pier is the place to visit for spot, croakers, blowfish and sheepshead. The beaches are giving up loads of blues, kingfish, pompano, croakers and sharks. The Wall seems to be the spot for taug.

The Old Grounds, Site 11 and the various other reefs and wrecks have been good for flounder, triggerfish and enormous amounts of skates.

If you are going to be crabbing with commercial type pots be sure you follow all the state rules because I understand the wardens have been out checking equipment. September 9th. All registrations are done online at www.pottstownpal.org. Children ages 5 to 17 can play. The cost is $75. The season will run through mid-November. For more information, email dekhockey@pottstownpal.org or call the PAL office at 610-327-0527. 380 Lacrosse is creating fitness classes for athletes and parents. More information: Contact Dani at 380Lacrosse@ gmail.com. Speed and agility workouts at 422 SportsPlex, 1400 Industrial Hwy., conducted by Rian ”Goo” Wallace, former Pottstown High and Temple University standout and member of Pittsburgh Steelers’ 2006 Super Bowl championship team. More information: Contact Wallace at 610-718-6536 or info@ goalsoverobstacles.com. The Pottstown Penguins are looking to fill roster spots at the following levels: Midget 18 A (1997 and 1998); Midget goalie; Peewee A (2003 and 2004) one spot available; Mite (2007 and under); and accepting registration for the beginner-level Learn to Skate/Play program. More information: Contact Tim Moyer at tmoyer21@yahoo.com. American Icebird Youth Boys U16/U18 tournament team is looking for players at all positions. More information: E-mail icebirds@mail.com or call 757952-2767. Girls 380 Lacrosse Travel Team for the Summer of 2017 are being held at The Hill School’s outdoor upper fields on Saturday, August 21st. Cost is $25 per player trying out. Those interested can learn more at https://tms.ezfacility. com/OnlineRegistrations/Register.asp x?CompanyID=2448&GroupID=1619224 Daniel Boone Rod & Gun Club will host shoots at its 301 Dautrich Rd., Reading facility 7 a.m. each day on the following schedule: Aug. 27 and 28, 40 target 3D shoot; and Sept. 11, annual Mopa 30 target 3D shoot. Meat tray novelty shoots at every event. More information: Call 610-779-2090. FC Montco Soccer Club has additional playing and training opportunities for current U14 and older males interested in working with Premier Level/College Soccer Coaches who haves proven track records of player development. More information: Visit http://www. fcmontco.com or go the website and email the team manager or the coach. EMS Eliminators Fastpitch Softball is having open tryouts for its 16U/18U girls travel team 6 to 8 p.m. Aug. 3 and 7, at Alderfer Park, 416 Oak Drive, Harleysville. For registration, contact head coach Joe Ottaviano @ jottaviano721@ yahoo.com or call 610-772-7971.