Recent tuna action has been reminiscent of that years ago, when there used to be reliable chunking for yellowfins on the inshore lumps. Anglers have enjoyed some of the better fishing we've seen in awhile. Bluefins that were thick on the Hot Dog moved out around the middle of last week, when water temperatures rose above their comfort levels. They were replaced by numerous yellowfins that took up residence due to a daily feeding of butterfish chunks. Perhaps they'll keep showing up for the butterfish buffet as long as crews keep chunking on a regular basis. Some boats have done very well. Anglers on Quintessa, with Captains Chris Thurman and Evan Falgowski, got in the hot bite at the Dog. Saturday, they returned with 5 nice yellowfins in the 45 to 50 pound class. Sunday, the boys boated 22 yellowfins. And, on Tuesday, they put 19 more in the box. Wes Olson and his team limited out at the Hot Dog Tuesday, with 9 plump yellowfins aboard the Deep Penetration. Riley Zimmerman and Racheal Strawser each had 48.5 pound yellowfins on their chunking trip to the Dog. Although chunking has accounted for most of the tuna, trollers still found a few willing to pounce on ballyhoos or spreader bars. John Markey and Mike Ambler trolled between the Hot Dog and Hambone Saturday for a 40.8 pound wahoo and a 45 pound yellowfin. Keith Mohring and friends trolled the Baltimore Canyon for 6 dolphin from 10 to 20 pounds. On the inshore scene, flounder pounders continued to have success on natural structure between DB and DA Buoys.
A recent fluke trip aboard Katydid produced 36 keepers, limiting out all patrons aboard. On Tuesday, flukers on Katydid captured 14 keepers to 6.14 pounds while working the Old Grounds and Site 10. Today, Thursday, Katydid returned with 23 more keepers, including Ryan Mayer's 7.87 pounder. Jake Wiles whacked a 6.5 pound flounder aboard the Lil' Angler II. Bob "Buckwheat" Bryant brought in the largest flatfish we've seen so far this summer. His 31 1/2 inch doormat weighed 10.92 pounds, and was pulled from an ocean wreck. John Mazulla muscled in a 7.96 pound citation flounder on the Indian. Flounder action was decent in Delaware Bay for those who know how to work the artificial reef sites. Presentation is key, and sometimes it's necessary to keep the boat in gear or deploy a sea anchor for the proper drift. Of course, you should be courteous and considerate of boaters fishing close by. Matt Baker, Chip Graves had a limit of quality flatties to 6.33 pounds using live spot on Site 7. Tog season reopened July 17th, but blackfish haven't been to cooperative in the 80 degree Bay water. However, Captain Pete on Top Fin took Mr. Choi's group to an Ocean wreck with cooler temps today, and put together a catch of 26 keeper tautog, most in the 3 to 5 pound range. Triggerfish like the hot water. Captain Ted had 17 triggers during a half day trip to a Bay wreck aboard the Indian on Wednesday. Chuck Coverdale caught a 1 pound porgy on that trip. Other species that we don't usually see have been attracted to warm water in the Bay. Dan Riley was shark fishing on the Coral Beds, using a 16 inch bluefish for bait, when it was eaten by a big cobia.
During the fight, a huge shark appeared and grabbed the cobia. Fortunately, the cobia escaped, and was boated in one piece. Back at the Lewes Harbour scales, the battle scarred fish weighed 48 pounds. Schools of bunker have been roaming the Bay, and fishermen have noted an increase in catches of croakers, kingfish, spot, small trout, blowfish and snapper blues. Hopefully the presence of all the baitfish and the improved panfish activity point to a productive season ahead. Slot stripers continue to come from Lewes Canal. Drifting eels around the Drawbridge or casting Storm Shads along the marsh bank got the attention of rockfish in the 20 to 26 inch range.