With Summer in full swing, flounder fishing continues to be hot. Ocean fluking on the Old Grounds has been very good, and Delaware Bay Reefsites gave up plenty of fish during the week. However, strong running currents around the full moon made for difficult drifting in the Bay at week's end, so many flukers opted for the Ocean approach, where tidal effects were less severe. Once the moon wanes, Bay reefs should light up again. The 16 inch minimum has made it easier to get keepers, but sizeable specimens have ended up in coolers as well. Captain Brent on Katydid has been dialed in on flatfish action, and recorded several limit catches recently. Last Sunday's group brought back 28, including a 6.18 pound mat for the Big Man, "Chewy". Monday's trip produced 28 keepers. Blake Reed reeled in a 5.67 pounder, and Jeff Trench took a 5 pound flounder. On Tuesday, Joe McNeal got a 5.78 pounder as part of a 22 fish catch aboard Katydid. Wednesday's group had 36 quality faltties, and was back at the dock by lunch time. Captain Brent and Tony Gargurevich boated twin fluke that weighed exactly 6.21 pounds each. Matt Shoup was top dog on Thursday, with fish weighing 4.79 and 5.05 pounds, among the catch of 23. On Friday, Brent fished the Ocean because of hard running Bay tides, and it was a good move. Anglers on board limited out with 32 beauties. The weight of just the five heaviest flounder totaled nearly 35 pounds! Cecelia Spinelli scored an 8.1 pounder, Brian LeClair landed a 7.51, and Captain Brent put a 7.41 in the box. Captain Carey on Grizzly drifted the Old Grounds Thursday for a boat limit of flatties up to 6.25 pounds. Dave and Joe Walker and Robert Karpovich started of their season of Bay flounder fishing off right Sunday with their dozen fish limit from Reef structure. The largest was Dave's 7.26 pound citation earner. Dave and Joe Walker, Bob Karpovich and Tom Coyle worked reef structure Wednesday for their limit of 16 fluke, including Dave's 6.5 pounder. Buckwheat and Bobby Bryant, John Schnaitman and Al Rebierio drifted upper Bay sites 3 and 4 to bring back 16 flounder limits Sunday, Monday and Tuesday. George Finn caught only one flounder at Site 8 Sunday, but it was a good one, tipping the scales to 7.5 pounds. J-Rod Johnson put a 5.07 pounder aboard the Indian Sunday. Lily Baker used a custom Mason's Mauler bucktail at Site 5 for her 3.71 pound flounder. Wayne DeMarco and his crew had a nice catch Friday. Daryl Mergenthaler had the heaviest with his 8.15 pound doormat. Gary, Curt and Steve on the Sea Devil had 5 nice keepers and several shorts at Site 10 Friday. Decent fish were still coming from Lewes Canal. Fred "Beaver" Ruff landed a 5.31 pounder from the dock right in front of Lewes Harbour Marina. Bill Regnault had a 4 pound fluke in the Canal. Pat McQuate was casting from Canary Creek bridge when she connected with a 5.34 pounder. Croakers have been plentiful in Broadkill River, all the way up to Oyster Rocks Road, and could be caught with bloodworms, clams or Fishbites. Hardheads were also found around the Bay Reef Sites. Matt Baker said they were really thick on Site 5 Friday evening, but he only kept bout a dozen and a half for some croaker tacos. Triggerfish have started to show around the reefs and the Outer Wall too. Tautog season reopens July 17th, and anglers targeting tog along the Wall will probably encounter triggers. Slot Stripers hung out around the Canal Drawbridge, and were hooked early and late in the day using pencil eels. Offshore boaters found both tuna between the Hot Dog and Hambone Thursday and Friday. Trolling ballyhoo, Green Machines and spreader bars attracted both yellowfins and bluefins.
Summer Time Flounder and Tuna
Lewes Harbour Marina - 7/12/2014 12:00:00 AM