Day 1 at the D.U. Derby

By Scott Lenox

Posted on June 5th, 2026

Today was day 1 of the Inaugural D.U. Derby at Bahia Marina and we saw several fish come to the scales. Most of the fish were in the Inshore Category, but we did see one bluefin tuna that holds first place in the Offshoe Division. Here’s who’s leading after day 1.

Offshore

Anchor Management 26.9 Lbs

Inshore

1st Place Walk on Water 17 Lbs, 2 Oz

2nd Place Lost Time 11 Lbs, 12 Oz

3rd Place Squid Pro Quo 9 Lbs, 13 Oz

Outside of the tournament there was a good bluefin tuna bite in the Poorman’s Canyon today. Captain Chris Watkowski and mate Ben Harding had a great day with their anglers putting a limit of three bluefin tuna in the boat along with a nice mahi.

The crew of the private boat Reely Workn had a nice day in the deep today putting some nice bluefin tuna on ice.

Jesse Harman and his wife fished last night where they landed three keeper flounder and a big “chopper” bluefish.

Anglers fishing with Captain Tony Battista on Saltwater Adventures had a great day at the Bass Grounds today. The crew caught and boxed these bluefish and also caught and released 21 tautog that were mostly keeper sized. The fish were released with tautog out of season in MD.

Brian Brannan used the Deadly Tackle Deadly Double in orange to land a nice 20″ flounder and 14″ sea bass on ocean structure.

Captain Chase Eberle of Chasin’ Tides Charters had two nice trips for his anglers today with some keeper flounder and sea bass for the cooler.

Lamont Hilbert and Rick had a nice day on his Sebum with a mix of flounder and sea bass.

Captain Monty Hawkins of the Morning Star had a nice day at sea for his anglers with plenty of big knothead sea bass

Sea Bass 6/5/26 – some good ones.

Flounder trip Sunday – see below.

Where’d that swell come from? Wasn’t the light breeze we had yesterday afternoon/evening that built it. Wind from half an ocean away maybe.

Still a nice day. Just hadn’t anticipated the ground swell.

Eric and Buzz did the deed on our block drop. Today’s 24 block unit joined an already productive Rambler Reef. Reef blocks are a pretty simple way to leave the ocean better than we found it. Sea bass, lobster and small tautog use the ‘caves’ that make building blocks hollow, while corals will eventually grow on surfaces exposed to sunlight filtering through the water.

Screens showed promise as I circled in on my first drop. Lines in – fish up – then a lull – more fish – lull – lots more fish – catch the hungry ones and move.

Again and again.

Looked like it would work.

Did.

An OK bite today certainly.

Lots of throwback doubles, but some dern fine ones too.

Ed pocketed the pool money, was high hook too. No one will go hungry though. A fish fry in every kitchen tonight.

Cheers,

Monty

Sunday, June 7th, I’m offering an inshore-ish Flounder trip, Not Cbass (though likely see a few) – $175.00 – Regs are 17.5 inch – 4 four per person.

7am to 3 pm.

Call Marisa for Reservations at 443-235-5577 .. Boat info at morningstarfishing.com