Posted on May 31st, 2024
Word from the ocean was that it was pretty darn rough for most of the day today with a pretty stiff northwest wind. Only 6 of the 20 boats registered for the 2nd Annual Battle for the Buckle Tournament tried it out and there wasn’t much weighed in because of it. There were a few fish caught from offshore and my buddy caught the biggest rockfish of his life…..and that’s saying something.
My main man Big Bird Cropper called this afternoon and I could tell he was grinning ear to ear through the telephone. He went on to tell the story of his personal best rockfish that he caught today and it was a great story. Bird was throwing Roy Rigs at the north jetty when his bait was clobbered and drag immediately starting smoking off the real. Waves in the inlet were rolling, and the offshore fleet was coming in making it even more difficult, but after a long, hard fight he got the big rock boatside. Bird netted the fish by himself, gave it a quick measure and held it for a quick pic before holding it in the water until it was lively enough to swim away. The big rockfish was Bird’s personal best at a whopping 55″!! Congratulations buddy!!
Captain Jason Mumford of Lucky Break had MD Delegate Wayne Hartman and his crew on board today and showed them a good day of fishing. Wayne had a nice 21″ keeper flounder and the crew added a pile of bluefish.
Blair Rinnier sent in this photo of a very nice bull mahi that angler Frank Killian of OC, MD caught today in the Poorman’s Canyon on board the private boat Island Time.
The Tortuga fishing out of Bahia Marina has seen some decent fishing the last few days with several keepers coming from different trips.
Captain Monty Hawkins of the Morning Star reported “saucy” seas today, but he managed some sea bass and a couple of flounder for his folks.
February showers brought March flowers, then the gales of November came in May – Have no idea what June holds!
Unlike this day, forecasts have some pretty weather coming June 2 thru 5.. My boat has an extremely light rail throughout that period. (See “Fish Report” tab at morningstarfishing.com for booking info.)
Ocean was nearly perfect as we cleared the inlet this morning. Didn’t stay that way long. North winds at 10 then 12 then topped out at 16.5/17.. Thankfully today’s breeze did not match the direction of yesterday’s remnant seas. Would have been over before it started had winds match that set.
Arrived at Capt Bob’s Reef where Allen and Brian deployed 4 pyramids – and from there?
Seaward.
Which happened to be windward also.
Not an easy day to fish.
Saucy.
Twelve ounces to hold bottom while anchored.
Oyyy..
All I could do to scratch up dinner for some of em..
Did – Mostly.
Jigmaster Tom (on the cover of the rolling stone this week – errr Coastal Fisherman!) boxed a 19in flounder plus 9 cbass – while Ken caught the pool winning bass.
After knocking everyone around all day, the ocean came flat calm on the way home.
Weather reports have 5 days of pretty weather coming.
