Posted on August 12th, 2018
We had another day of really nice weather today….hot, but really nice. The wind was light and except for a couple of scattered rain drops we had almost zero precipitation. Offshore fishing was a little slow, but Captain Joe Drosey and the crew of Rhonda’s Osprey did catch and release a white marlin and got a cool shot of it boat side.
Flounder fishing however has picked up nicely over the past week both in the bay and in the ocean for anglers fishing around structure. Matt Ellis, David “Croaker” Herbst, Blake Gunther, Rob Steiner, Camden Steiner and Cullen Steiner had a great day of bottom fishing in 80′ of water when they boxed 14 keeper flounder up to 24″. The crew used a combination of Gulp, live bait and strip baits to put an awesome catch in the cooler about 10 miles out.
Captain Monty Hawkins of the Morning Star continues to put his anglers on some nice flounder even though some days he’s working for it. Mike Owatonna from McLean, Va – Barb from Quakertown, PA – Bob & Amanda Richards from Lancaster, PA – Pat Somers from Fenwick – & Carolyn Knauer of Eden, MD are pictured below with some of today’s catch. Barb’s sea bass was 18.25″ & Mike’s fluke 19″.
My high school buddy Adrian Tapley fished the back bay today in his 29′ Century from Racetrack Marine the Exacta FishBox. Adrian fished with Lindsay and Erin Tapley and had a couple of keeper flounder out of about 20 fish while fishing behind Assateague Island near Castaways.
Captain Chase Eberle of Chasin’ Tides Charters was in the ocean today, but he wasn’t flounder fishing…..he was putting a mugging on some nice triggerfish for his happy anglers.
Captain Marc Spagnola of Dusk to Dawn Bowfishing had a couple of trips today and they were both successful. Captain Marc put his shooters on some quality shots for southern rays in the south bay.
I saw a great report from my buddy Captain Franky Pettolina of the Last Call who is also President of the Ocean City Marlin Club and a contributor to Fish in OC magazine every year. Franky had a great day of fishing yesterday with a gentleman that exemplifies the words sportfisherman and friend. I can’t say it any better than Franky did so I’ll just let his Facebook post speak for itself……
Missions accomplished today. Knew the tuna bite was going to be tough and it would be even tougher for a gentleman confined to one corner of the cockpit with a fixed rod. Decided to troll the 20 fathoms and shallower spots hoping for Bonitas, Kings, whatever would bite. Thankfully all of the above. Our primary angler caught a nice king, most of the greenies, and all of the mini Bonitas on his custom made lectramate penn Reel on a mount he designed (he is an engineer). He has been in the wheel chair with only limited use of his hands since 1984. His friends have stayed by his side as have his wife and daughters. He was 24 at the time. The man and his friends and family are an inspiration to all.
This is the reason that no one will ever hear me complain about going fishing or about what I do for a living. It’s all about perspective and attitude….and this gentleman and his crew have got both in exactly the right place. Congratulations on a terrific day to Captain Franky and his crew, and thank you for the inspiration.
