Locals score big with yellowfin tuna as offshore angling heats up

The weather has heated up and so has the offshore fishing. Perhaps your best bet for information about that would come from Pottstown’s Bob McCormick. Bob took his boat Happy Our and his crew out to the Poor Man’s Canyon and they had a ball with the yellowfin tuna. Their final total was seven of the tasty and desirable fish.

So, it appears that the offshore boats can stop making the long run to the Baltimore Canyon in search of the tuna and billfish. Keep an eye on your seawater temperature gauge and work the temperature breaks. From what I have been told the area about 100 fathoms is best.

There is other good news and I just hope it continues. Some rather big bluefish have turned up around the Sea Isle Ridge. Some of the blues taken have been over 10-pounds. For old timer blue chasers it is a no-brainer. But, since blues in any quantity have been absent from south Jersey for many years I am sure at least some of you have never even tried fishing for them in the ocean. When blues, which long ago Channel 3 weatherman and fishing reporter Cap’t. Lou Wagner christened them, “Jersey Jaws.”

When they are hungry, which is most of the time, they have been known to hit bare hooks. But, a much more productive method is to troll Clark Spoons, plastic eels and swimming lures and plugs, such as Hoochies and Rag Mops. Frankly, I do not know if Hoochies and Rag Mops even are made any more. If using plugs, replace any treble hooks with singles. You do not want to have to deal with a very mad bluefish with three hooks in his mouth. If you get a big one next to the boat do not use a net. Their teeth can chew through the net in an instant. Finally, keep your fingers and other body parts away from its mouth. Their bite is vicious. A friend of mine almost lost a thumb to one.

On to more mundane species. The on-again-offagain New Jersey sea bass season is back on again, at least until Aug. 31. As a reminder, there is a two fish per person bag with a 12.5inch minimum size. The partyboats have been reporting quite good action on them out on the reefs.

The kingfish numbers have been increasing along the beaches and off the piers. Bloodworms are costly but if you want kingfish the price is worth it.

There is all sorts of action in the inlets and back waters. The inlet jetties are harboring a variety of fish, including triggers, flounder, sheepshead and small stripers. These same fish can be found in the back around piers and bridge pilings. After dark appears to be the best time to give stripers and weakfish a shot.

This past Wednesday morning I rode my trusty bike over the Rush Chattin Bridge at the very south end of Ocean City. The walkways on both sides were almost elbow-to-elbow with anglers looking for everything from sea bass to weakies and flounder.

One beautiful evening last week I took a walk under Ocean City’s 34th Street Bridge and met a nice couple from Media who were having a ball crabbing. Every time they would pull up a trap or net it had at least one or two keeper crabs. I left before they were done but I am sure they had quite an enjoyable feast. With all the crabs we are seeing this summer it appears our rather difficult winter had no affect the population.

ACROSS THE BAY » One of the more interesting items coming from the Delaware side is the appearance of a considerable number of small hammerhead sharks. The main center of that activity is around Conquest Road. Just remember it is illegal to keep a hammerhead, so enjoy the fight on appropriate tackle then gently release it.

Summer flounder is going great guns, especially in the Lewes Canal, Cape Henlopen State Park and the cove next to the park. If it croakers and/or spot you desire, the State Park Pier is the place to be. And, for just about all the kingfish action you could want, pick a beach...any beach. The surf appears to be loaded with them and they do love those bloodworms.

Reef Site 11 is on fire with sea bass and summer flounder.