It was a really nice day out there today with light winds, sunny skies and warm temps. A great day to take advantage of some of the good fishing going on right now. I think I’ll go tomorrow!
Yesterday, Captain Jake Shaffer of M&M Sportfishing Charters caught the first thresher shark that we’ve seen this year when his party landed this 130 pounder and weighed in at the Ocean City Fishing Center.
Captain Jason Mumford of Lucky Break Charters had nice trips both yesterday and today. Today it was four keeper flounder and some bluefish and yesterday it was seven keeper flounder from the southern bay.
AJ Herrera from Tavares, FL fished the Thorofare on his boat Penny Kay and landed these two nice keeper flounder of 18″ and 19″.
Captain Marc Spagnola of Dusk to Dawn Bowfishing had a great day in the southern bay for his shooters putting them on some great southern and cow nosed ray action.
Anglers fishing with Captain Monty Hawkins of the Morning Star enjoyed calm seas and biting fish in today’s trip
A fine day at sea – light westerlies with precious little ground swell made as nice a run off as any could hope. Along with a few skittish offshore bottlenose those calm waters revealed more about the state of our sea than we’d like.
Today we learned it is graduation season: the time of year when sea turtles get a chance to choke on mylar “Congratulations Grad” balloons.
Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, Graduations, Happy New Year & Fourth of July are the big ones. Birthday balloons come anytime.
Our largest sea turtle, the leatherback, feeds almost exclusively on jellies. Found in all seas save the southern ocean, ours migrate from southern waters to far north, off Canada and even into Arctic waters, to feed on giant jellies. I’ve seen video of turtles eating pieces of ballon & other plastic. Years ago I was toggin stb aft when a debris line approached. I thought for all the world a large jelly was coming right to me. Wasn’t until just off the side of the boat when I realized it was a sun-streaked tangle of balloons.
Their mouth is absolutely amazing – Spielberg’s crew would be hard pressed to invent a more monstrous maw.
If we were trying to catch sea turtles – sun faded balloons would be the lure.
But we’re not. Turtles eating balloons cannot end well.
Bill & Steve did the deed on our block drop today. Twenty four blocks in two drops atop a barge; I had Donny leave them unbound – loose to create breaks in the current that sea whip might more easily colonize the barge’s deck.
Next up I have to start deploying units in sand to the west of that piece – tie everything together. There’s a lot of reef there. Better to unify it I suspect.
Fishing began as the last several days – a ho hum sort of beginning with few keepers. We kept after it though. A couple good ones now and again – a really good one – more throwbacks.
Moving to a new reef I came across a small pod of common dolphin – aka two tone or saddleback dolphin. A few of them were glad to catch a ride on the bow wake, then reluctant to depart even as I slowed to look for our next school of sea bass.
Unlike yesterday’s dying bite on the wind shift – and though Bob’s grandé pool winner bit late morning, today they bit better overall as the day wore on.
Go figure.
At 1:10 reef rod builder Gerry boxed his 15th using large circle hooks. The technique works – minimizes smalls (not ‘eliminates!’) – it’s just not for everyone.
In a rare display of reverse chivalry, Cathy & Shelly let the men have their day & made sure to lag just a few fish behind. Have actually and honestly seen Cathy bring several men to tears over the decades by mercilessly outfishing them. She’s been fishing with me since 1983, I think. Bit of practice there.
But today? Holding back a touch, the ladies caused no hard feelings.
Twas a fine day to be out. Likely the prettiest day of May.
Yesterday NOAA announced bluefin tuna regulations. Starting June first my partyboat license allows us to boat six.
Fancy that.. If they come inshore we might have to see about that.
Looks to be another pretty day tomorrow, then an unkind bit of wind Saturday.
It was a really nice day out there today with light winds, sunny skies and warm temps. A great day to take advantage of some of the good fishing going on right now. I think I’ll… 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
