The Tunas are Snapping

By Scott Lenox

Posted on June 28th, 2026

It was a little dreary outside today, but with not much wind to speak of it was still a nice day to get out on the water.

Today was the 2nd and final day of the 2026 Fish n Paddle Saltwater Slam and it was another successful event. Congratulations to the winners and to Tournament Director Brian Roberts for putting on a great event.

The tunas were snapping in the canyons today and the crew of the Boss Hogg with Captain Alex Beane took full advantage of it. Boss Hogg returned to Sunset Marina with 11 nice yellowfin tuna this afternoon.

Captain Nick Sampson of MobSquad Fishing put his junior anglers on some nice tuna fish on today’s trip. Beau Sampson and Derek Gorov on yellowfin tuna of 60.4, 57 and 53.8 pounds in the Indian River Marina Kid’s Catch All Tournament.

Captain Chase Eberle of Chasin’ Tides Charters fished just a few hours and put these guys on their two man limit of nice yellowfin tuna.

Captain Chris Watkowski and mate Ben Harding had a great day on the Spring Mix II today with 8 yellowfin tuna.

Captain Jason Mumford of Lucky Break Charters had a nice morning putting this couple on three keeper flounder.

Anglers fishing on board the Angler with Captain Chris Mizurak had a slow start, but a great finish with sea bass and flounder up to 4.5 pounds.

Captain Monty Hawkins of the Morning Star had a “day off” today so he decided to build some reef and catch some fish

Some reef building plus fluke, triggers & cbass on a day off – 6/28/26

Arrived at the boat at the crack of 8:15 or so. Boys had four great reef units worth of York Building Products material loaded (note size of these blocks!)

Off we went.

Dropped today’s units from anchor atop a concrete decked barge. When we break up the flat expanse of a barge’s deck, the reef does much better with growth & fish. I’ve dropped a fair number of daily block drops on it also.

I rarely get to fish, so after our reef deployment we spent a few hours kicking around the back forty. Caught dinner & had some fun – an enjoyable day fishing with Shelly. I expect sea bass sashimi with broiled triggerfish will be on tonight’s menu.

Cheers,

Monty

Dave and Chase Neumeyer had a good day fishing the route 50 bridge releasing some short flounder and boxing this 18 3/4” keeper that ate a Roy Rig.