We got some much needed rain in and around Ocean City today, but it certainly did put a damper on fishing interests this morning. The ocean boats were still able to get out first thing, but they were met with a big swell that kept things interesting for the first part of the day. Thankfully all of that cleared out and calmed down by the afternoon and we were left with a nice day.
Captain Willie Zimmerman of the RoShamBo had a nice day in the deep today with a limit of three bluefin tuna and a pile of blueline tilefish for the cleaners at the Ocean City Fishing Center.
Captain Chris Mizurak of the Angler had to deal with the big heave in the ocean this morning, but it wasn’t so bad thanks to the sea bass and flounder bite being so good.
Captain Monty Hawkins of the Morning Star reported the swell to be as much as 11′ today, but his anglers still had a good time catching sea bass, flounder and a keeper pollock that we don’t see too many of around these parts
Sea Bass after a not at all nice morning – 6/19/26..
Forecast had rain in it, no question. But with light westerlies? Not a worry really – showers on and off.
And the swell? Tapering swiftly to two feet in the morning, they claimed.
About lunchtime it still didn’t resemble the forecast but at least the worst of the rain and swell were over.
Turns out swells measuring to 11 ft on the way off take a while to die down to 2 ft. Hope the surfing community had fun.
Donny & Joe had today’s reef unit all bundled up. Just as we entered the permitted area one of those jumbo swells lifted my bow while dropping my stern – Mark? Only the second time it’s ever happened, but today’s terracotta unit went into self-launch mode and began yet another new reef. At least I got the numbers.
That test was only beginning.
Was of a mind to catch a bluefin on our way to the fishing grounds this morning. Had seen mad sandeels on a ledge; just knew tuna had found all those calories by now.
Yeah, my tuna forecast was as bad as the weatherman’s. If tuna did find em? ..they ate every last one and moved on. Sure wasn’t any sign of life on that ledge this day. (I’m told those tuna are 70 miles up the coast now!)
Adding a healthy dose of salt to an already festering wound of a fishing trip, my first stop had virtually no life.
Whhhhaaaatttt…
After a single short drift I picked up and ran.
From there this ‘Bless Your Heart’ day turned a corner. At least some fish were coming
..and the weather
Yeah No, it was not improving. Not until noon. Even that would depend on who you asked.
But fishing did.
Did I mention that as we were starting to catch on anchor, a wind switch from S to NW pushed me right of the bite?
Love days like that.
By one though it was pretty nice out by any standard. Even jumbo swells had all rolled on by.
Bob hit double digits at 1:19 – limited an hour later. Had two fluke in the box also. Markus followed into DD territory (sans fluke) – Kelvin gave it the devil but got stuck at 9.
FIshing with me several years, often helps on reef projects, and often high hook; Bob hadn’t won a pool until last week.
Now it’s two.
And biggest fluke.
Eric landed a keeper pollock. Tiny by New England standards yet a jumbo here; the fish was somehow lost from up MA/NH/ME way. We’ve seen a number of smaller ones. Wonder why. He’ll sure make dinner.
A fairly large almaco jack came aboard too.
A representatives of warm southerly waters and the cold north on the same reef.
Leaving early didn’t help at all. Staying late sure did.
We got some much needed rain in and around Ocean City today, but it certainly did put a damper on fishing interests this morning. The ocean boats were still able to get out first thing, but… READ MORE
Crab Pie Ingredients 1 Pound jumbo lump crab meat 2 Deep Dish Pie Crusts (this recipe will make 2 pies) 1/4 cup of diced onion (or shallots) 8 oz of Swiss cheese 2 Tablespoons flour 3… READ MORE
