Fabulous season for flounder

The big news going around the shore area currently is all about big summer flounder.

To me, it seems like one of the best years for doormats that we have seen in some time. And, never fear if you do not have an ocean capable boat or must rely on a rental skiff or fluke party boat.

These feed- the-wholefamily fish are being taken not only out in the ocean but in the bays and inlets as well and in just about equal numbers.

There has been an incredible run on fish to around 10-pounds in the past couple of weeks. It has gotten to the point where a 6 or 7-pound flattie hardly gets an acknowledgement.

However, there is one very big problem with all those large flounder being caught. Research has shown virtually all the fish of that size are breeding females.

Yet the regulators refuse to buy into that research and insist that the smaller fish, mostly males, are the ones that have to be released. Then these regulators continue to wonder why the number of summer flounder continues to decrease.

There is something else besides summer flounder making news, and that is the triggerfish.

The ocean-going party boats are consistent in reporting good trigger catches. Most are not giant fish but once you get then cleaned they are outstanding eating.

Just be careful of their very sharp teeth while you are unhooking them. They are not like the teeth of a bluefish, but they certainly can put a hurting on you.

Finally, while triggerfish have been in area waters for some number of years, they never have been this plentiful. So if you do catch some, take my advice and get some cleaning instructions from someone who has done it, since it is a bit more complicated that fileting a weakfish.

The same party boats reporting the triggerfish also are making decent catches of big seabass and flounder. You also might tie into a skate or oyster cracker.

Inshore trolling also has been better than decent. Drag a Clark Spoon, cedar plug or a feather in areas such as 2FB (the Atlantic City Ridge and Sea Isle Ridge) and you probably will entice a bonito, false albacore, chicken dolphin and perhaps even a cobia.

The offshore fishing also is strong, especially for members of the tuna family. The 40 Fathom Line has been productive, especially for those chunking or jigging.

A couple of captains have told me this is the time to use your depth finder to locate the offshore drop-offs, because those are the areas when squid and other favorite baits have been congregating. And where you have concentrations of bait, you usually have concentrations of gamefish.

Surf fishing is more of a pleasure at this time of year. The water is warm so you don’t need to bother with the waders. And there still are plenty of kingfish there for the taking.

You also should find some snapper blues, and perhaps a small weakfish or two. Then there always is that hungry ray that may make off with you bait, hook and all the line on your reel.

Some of the more adventurous surf anglers are now visiting the beaches in the hours of darkness, and they are hooking into some rather large sand sharks.

And you still have time, if you have not tried the excellent crabbing at the Jersey shore this year. Your favorite tackle shop should be able to provide you with the locations of several nearby hot spots, although I rode by the Absecon Creek on Wednesday and it appeared crabbers were having a tough time finding a place to park with all their fellow crabbers there.

Two other areas with good crabbing, without the crowds, are off the Tuckahoe Road in Upper Township at the Holtz Boat Works.

Also being productive is the Cedar Swamp Creek at the railroad bridge along Route 50 in Upper. Just keep an ear open, because that is a working train bridge; so be prepared to get off at the first sound of a whistle. ACROSS THE BAY » The Delaware-based canyon boats all are turning in reports of excellent tuna fishing.

Massey’s Canyon, the 19 Fathom Lump, Lemke’s Canyon and the Hot Dog all have been popular, so if you go there expect to have plenty of company. A lot of what is being caught is bluefin up to around 60 pounds. But you also can expect mahi, especially if you troll around any flotsam or pot markers. The Poorman’s Canyon seems to be the best place to go for the mahi.

The IRI and Lewes Canal have been providing plenty of action on croakers, weakies, snapper blues and spot. But most of them are quite small.

For you surf anglers it is a mixed bag of smaller fish. At any given time you can expect to hook up with croakers, kingfish, flounder and spike weakfish.

Finally, New Jersey is not the only place with super crabbing. Delaware crabbers also are sharing in the abundance.