Stripers, Drum, Bluefins And A Boat Limit of Sea Bass

By Scott Lenox

Posted on December 27th, 2024

I had the pleasure of fishing on board the Ocean Princess with Captain Victor Bunting and mate Jeff for the first time today and I had an absolute blast. I was joined by OCPD Officer Mike Dzurnak for what should be a great future episode of Hooked on OC. We had a boat limit of sea bass to over 19″, one bluefish that won the fish pool and a couple of scup AKA porgy. It was a great time!!

The tuna boats had a more difficult time finding their “over” fish today, but several boats did limit on their “under” fish. Captain Chase Eberle of Chasin’ Tides Charters was five for five bites on today’s trip releasing two.

Captain Dale Lisi of Foolish Pleasures had a good day of tuna fishing today as well putting three “under” bluefin in the fish box.

Captain Monty Hawkins of the Morning Star is normally sea bassing this time of year, but the bluefin fishing has been so good he’s gotten in on the action as well.

Found the ocean a bit sloppy as we cleared Ocean City inlet this fine Friday morning. Wouldn’t stay that way long. Was starting to calm as Will & Marvin dropped blocks on a new research reef I’ve begun.

Had in mind to hold a bit south and begin the hunt – but No! – I went further north.

And today?

That was a big mistake..

After staring at barren screens long hours and watching boats run south – me too – we had a double at about 10:15..

First bit?

Shelly’s lure, of course. (The one she won’t show Steve!)

An hour later another tuna took a lure. With three in the box over an hour’s time (shades of our last trip!) and everyone having had a shot at winding, that’s when we started seeing them busting on the surface – lots of tuna

..and never got another bite!

Scoundrels..

Many boats, even among true experts at this fishery, had a tough go of it today.

Very glad to have had three!

Was it a lull?

Or is the end near..

Only one way to tell.

Keep Fishing!

Did stumble upon a pair of humpback whales on the way in. They ‘gave us the tail’ several times. �Nice..

Ocean grew calmer and calmer all day – slick calm after nightfall.

Sea bass tomorrow!!

Hope everyone had a Merry Christmas!

Monty

Big Bird Cropper had his young nephew David Warren out for some fishing today and they had a great time catching red drum and rockfish in the OC Inlet.