5.26.19 4:40 pm

FISHING REPORT
by Larry Jock 


***SEND IN YOUR PHOTOS ***. If you have any pictures you would like to email us of catches since January 1st, you can email them to coastalfisherman@comcast.net.  Please include 1 picture per email submission but feel free to submit as many pictures as you would like.  Send the pictures at "Actual Size" which is the largest size possible and include all the information about the catch in the body of the email.  Feel free to send pictures from any trips, both local and out of area, that you made since January 1st.  Thanks!!


**COOL NEW FEATURE - If you have any fishing related questions you would like to pose to area Captain's, please email to coastalfisherman@comcast.net.  Questions and answers will be published in issues during the 2019 season.  Please include first and last name along with where you live.  We will only publish your initials and town.  

SUNDAY, May 26, 2019

On the headboat, "Morning Star", Capt. Monty said the seas were a little sporty this morning but by the end of the day it was gorgeous.  Not a good day of sea bass fishing.  Fish were on lock down.

The "Reef Foundation" dropped block #25,000 on Saturday.  Congratulations to that great organization!


SATURDAY, May 25, 2019

Probably a little bumpy offshore today, but there are a lot of boats out there trying.
The first day of the OCMC Memorial Day Tournament is today.  There are 13 boats entered and the are all fishing today.  Weigh-ins are at Sunset Marina from 4:30 pm to 7:00 pm.

11:35 AM - Bob Shaw just stopped by the Coastal Fisherman office to have his picture taken with the 20 1/2-inch flounder he caught in the East Channel by the Lazy Lizard. Fish weighed 3.5 lbs.

7:08 PM - The scales just closed on the first, and only, day of the Marlin Club Memorial Day Tournamement.  All 12 boats, plus 1 land-based angler fished today.  Here is what we saw:

"Just One More"  weighed 3 bluefish (3.8, 5.8 & 7.0 lbs.)  Their 7 pounder took 2nd place in the Bluefish Division and the 5.8 pounder took 3rd place.

Rob Moroney, the only land-based angler entered in the tournament, weighed 3 bluefish he caught off the 9th Street Pier.  They weighed 4.2, 5.0 & 9.2 lbs.  His heaviest fish took 1st place in the Bluefish Division.

"Hall Pass' weighed 2 bluefins caught in 100 fathoms in the Baltimore.  They weighed 23.6 and 39.6 lbs.

"A Salt Weapon 3" had 2 bluefins and 6 mahi.  The bluefins didn't qualify, weighing 20.2 & 20.8 lbs.  There wasn't a dolphin division in the tournament.  The fish were caught in the Poor Man's Canyon where Capt. Ryan found water at 68-70 degrees in 70-200 fathoms.

"Primary Search" weighed 2 bluefins (39.6 and 40.2 lbs.) to take 1st and 2nd in the Tuna Division.  The fish were caught in 200 fathoms in the Baltimore.  Water was between 62 and 66-degrees.

"The Zipper" had 2 bluefins weighing 23.6 and 24.0 lbs.  Caught in 68-degree water in the Poor Man's.  They also had 4 throwback bluefins.

"Brenda Lou" weighed a 21.8 lb. bluefin that didn't qualify BUT they also caught the first yellowfin tuna of the year (18.4 lbs.).  All caught in 100 fathoms in the Poor Man's in 68-degree water.

"Got Fish Too" weighed a 21.6 lb. bluefin caught in the Poor Man's.

Outside the tournament:

Betty Burgess caught her first flounder of the summer.  The 19-incher was caught in the Lewes Canal on a white Gulp.

Robert and Jeff Hartman caught 2 bluefins in 65-80 fathoms inside the Poor Man's.  Water temp was 62-64 degrees.

Charles Rego and Aiden Whiteley caught 3 bluefish at the Rt. 50 Bridge.  Heaviest weighed 7 lbs. 8 oz.  Caught on mullet and squid.

On the charter boat, "Get Sum", angler Roman Pierce caught a 20 1/4-inch flounder in the East Channel.

PJ Clauser caught a 17 1/2-inch flounder on a Gulp artificial bait near the Rt. 50 Bridge.  It was PJ's first flounder ever!!

Frank Lanigan fished in the OC INlet and hooked 8 flounder.  His 4 keepers measured 16.5, 17, 19 & 20 inches.

Andrew Cacchio and Donny Holdren caught 6 keeper flounder on Gulp artificial baits on the Thorofare flats.

Larry Kirk, Brycen Kirk and Kern Ducote caught 4 keeper flounder in the Thorofare.  Fish were caught during the incoming tide in 59-60 degree water on Gulp.  They also released 2 stripers at the Rt. 50 Bridge.  Flounders measured 16.5, 17, 18 and 18 inches.

On the headboat, "Morning Star", angler Cavan Kiprislis caught a 21.5-inch, 4 lb. 7 oz. black sea bass.

Anglers on the "Talkin Trash" caught bluefins, yellowfins and mahi in the Poor Man's.


FRIDAY, May 24, 2019

The wind was puffing hard again on land in Ocean City, but Capt. Monty said that out to 10 miles it wasn't too bad and his anglers got a whole day of fishing, but the ride home wasn't pretty.  The sea bass were chewing pretty good and his anglers had plenty of doubleheaders.  The largest was 19-inches.

Mike Lupiwok and Mark White caught 7 good size bluefish with the largest coming in at 23-inches.  All were caught on the bottom around the Rt. 50 Bridge on Roy Rigs.


THURSDAY, May 23, 2019

The wind is ridiculous today.  Capt. Monty said all was fine until around 11:00 when it jumped to 25 mph.  It's really blowing now and the offshore boats had a heckuva ride home.

The charter boat, "Marli" had their 3 under bluefins (34, 38 & 46.5") and their over bluefin (52").  They also had a small dolphin.  All in the Baltimore.  100 fathoms.  67.5 to 71-degree water.  No distinct break.


WEDNESDAY, May 22, 2019

The wind was really puffing this morning, just like yesterday afternoon.

Looks like if you want to make the trek to the DelJerseyLand reef site it has been a good location for sea bass fishing.

Capt. Monty on the headboat, "Morning Star" said that the stiff morning winds laid down around 10:30 am and the sea bass bite was good.  They were only a few fish shy of a boat limit.  Largest fish were a pair of 19-inchers.

The first weakfish out of Ocean City was caught today by Pat Samborski.  Caught on slack tide in the Thorofare on a spec rig tipped with Gulp.  Fish meaured 16-inches and weighed 1 lb. 8 oz.

On the charter boat, "On the Run", anglers Ralph and Jacki Pitsch caught 10 bluefish on jigs around the Rt. 50 Bridge.

Big Bird Cropper and Shaun Flaherty caught 6 flounder and a pair of bluefish at the South Jetty. They also released over 20 stripers each.

"Double J" headed to the Baltimore Canyon and returned with their 3 bluefins and a pair of dolphin.

"Magic Moment" was in the Baltimore Canyon and went 4 for 6 on bluefins... keeping 2. They also had a nice size dolphin.

The charter boat, "Marli" was also in the Baltimore Canyon and returned with their 2 "under" bluefins.

John Evans fished the morning in the Thorofare but the water temp was 62-degrees during the incoming tide, so he went searching for warmer water and found 71-degrees further north in the by.  Caught 3 flounder in only a couple of drifts with the largest measuring 19-inches.  All were caught on minnows.



TUESDAY, MAY 21, 2019

Anglers on the charter boat, "Lucky Break" were tossing curl tails around the Rt. 50 Bridge and hooked a bunch of bluefish, keeping a pair of 8 pounders, during the outgoing tide.


MONDAY, May 20, 2019

8:39 AM - Updated yesterdays report.

On the charter boat, "On the Run", Ralph Pitsch caught a 17-inch flounder in the Fish Bowl.

Connor Shoff caught a 19-inch flounder on a Gulp Swimming Mullet in the Thorofare.  Fish weighed 2.8 lbs.



SUNDAY, May 19, 2019

5:28 AM - Capt. Buddy Whetzel on the charter boat, "Bubblehead" reported that they are on their way to the Wilmington Canyon.  Seas from the southwest.  Nice ride.  40 miles to go.

9:14 AM - On the charter boat, "Bubblehead", Capt. Buddy Whetzel reported that seas are picking up in the Wilmington Canyon.  3 to 4-feet.  They have 1 gaffer dolphin so far.  Bluefins are being caught.

10:36 AM - Capt. Buddy Whetzel on the charter boat, "Bubblehead" out of Bahia Marina reported that the seas laid down after a rain squall ran over the Wilmington Canyon.  Fleet has spread out.  Quite a few boats are reporting that they have caught their limit of "under" bluefins.

Marc Turner caught a couple of bluefish off 124th Street this morning.  He hooked them on fresh bunker.  Both were in the 16 to 17-inch range and released.

10:43 AM - Updated yesterdays report.

11:56 AM - Capt. Buddy Whetzel on the charter boat, "Bubblehead" reported that the seas are picking up again but they just boated a nice "under" bluefin. The bluefin was caught in 70 fathoms where Capt. Buddy found 72.8-degree water.

1:45 PM -  Capt. Buddy Whetzel on the charter boat, "Bubblehead" reported that they just boated 2 more "under" bluefins in 75 fathoms on the edge of the Wilmington Canyon.

4:52 PM - Anglers on the "Bonnie Lynn" returned from an overnight trip in the Wilmington Canyon where they caught a pair of "under" bluefins, 2 mahi and lost a mako at the boat.  They also released numerous bluefins during the trip.  Water temp was 71-degrees.  Fished in 100 fathoms.

Will Jenkins caught a 36-inch striper off the beach in North Ocean City.  Used mullet for bait.  He also caught 3 bluefish.

Anglers on the headboat, "Morning Star" had a good sea bass trip today.  Seas were calm.  About 1/3 of anglers caught their limit of sea bass.  Largest fish was 19-inches. Canielle Riffe had 4 doubleheaders of sea bass on her first ever fishing trip. John Murter took the pool with an 11.5 lb. female tog that was tagged and released.

Rick Brown and Dennis Porter caught 30 sea bass in 125 feet of water, 28 miles out from Indian River.

UPDATED:  Jack Harris caught an 18.5-inch flounder while tossing a rig tipped with squid and minnows off the beach at Gudelsky Park.

Anglers on the "Reel Precision caught 2 bluefins and a mahi between the Spencer and the Wilmington Canyons.  BFT's weighed 41 and 44 lbs.  Mahi was 11 lbs.  Went 17 for 25 on bluefins.

Anglers on the "Scales & Tales" caught a pair of 35-inch bluefins and a 52-incher in the Baltimore Canyon.

Saw our first weakfish in the IR Inlet.

Anglers on the "PYY Marine" returned from an overnighter to the Wilmington Canyon where they released 5 mako sharks and 2 blue sharks.  They had 12 tuna bites.  7 were bluefins.  5 were skippies.

Aiden Rice caught a 22-inch flounder in the Thorofare on a Gulp Swimming Mullet.


SATURDAY, May 18, 2019

Beautiful day in Ocean City and there are a lot of boats on the water.  

Anglers on the charter boat, "Get Sum" returned from their morning trip with 6 keeper flounder in the box.  They caught their fish in the South Bay and in the East Channel, south of the Rt. 50 Bridge on both tides.  White Gulp was the ticket.  Three of the flatties were 18 1/2-inches.  Water temp was between 61 and 63 degrees.

3:06 PM - Colin Soper caught a 38-inch striper off Assateague this morning.  Fooled it with clams.

The sea bass bite has been hot the last couple of days, since it opened on the 15th.  Should be seeing quite a few coming back today.

Have some boats out tuna fishing today.  Stay tuned!

3:34 PM - bluefins were snapping in the Wilmington Canyon today.  80 fathoms.  Water temp was around 71-degrees.

3:56 PM - The first thresher shark of the year was caught today.  Stay tuned for details.

5:16 PM - The first thresher of the year was caught by a group of anglers from Pittsburgh, PA while fishing on the charter boat, "Over-Board".  The 296 pounder was caught on a whole mackerel at the Jackspot.  Prior to catching the thresher, the group was further offshore where they captured 60 black sea bass.

Anglers on the charter boat, "Marli" caught 4 bluefins (32, 33, 34 & 53-inches) while trolling in 125 fathoms in the Wilmington.  Capt. Mark Hoos reported water temps at 72-degrees.

The afternoon trip for anglers on the charter boat, "Get Sum" proved to be a good one with 9 keeper flounder ending up in the box.  Largest was 18 3/4-inches.  All caught on white Gulp in the Thorofare.

UPDATE:  Brandon Malamphy caught a 74-inch, 140 lb. male mako shark in 60 fathoms in the Wilmington Canyon during a trip aboard the "FINATIC",

Anglers on the "Hammer Down" went 12 for 14 on bluefins in the Wilmington Canyon.



FRIDAY, May 17, 2019

Received a report from Ed Balcerzak who was fishing around the Rt. 50 Bridge yesterday and he said that they caught a load of shad and he had a huge bluefish on the hook, estimated at 15 lbs., but it came loose.  Tough to fish around the Bridge with all the work going on.  He said that they also caught some stripers that were just short.

Anglers on the "Jezebel" returned early with 120 black sea bass in the cooler.  Heaviest weighd 3 lbs. 6 oz.  All were caught on squid and clams on ocean structure.  I'm betting Great Eastern.

5:05 PM - Big Bird Cropper, Mike Culley and Aaron Jones had a great day fishing for bluefish on the sandbars north and south of the Rt. 50 Bridge.  They ended up with 30 bluefish, up to 7 lbs. 15 oz..  They also had over a dozen throwback stripers.  All on Roy Rigs.


THURSDAY, May 16, 2019

Black sea bass season opened yesterday and it looked like it was a good opening day for anglers.

Shannon Pickens reported that the sea bass bite was excellent in 150 feet of water.  Squid and clams did the trick.  3 of his anglers caught their limit with fish up to 20-inches.  Fished for 2 hours.

Up in Delaware, the black drum bite is heating up a the Coral Beds.

Ronnie Baker fished off Assateague last weekend and caught 3 stripers between 40 and 45-inches and weighed from 30 to 35 lbs.  He also had a black drum and some bluefish.

Saw some big bluefish caught recently.  John Kenyon was fishing between Herring Point and the Cape Henlopen Pier when he caught a 13 pounder.

Julie Stevenson was fishing off Assateague and caught a 44-inch striper that weighed 35 lbs. Used peeler crab for bait.

Anglers on the headboat, "Judith M" had a good opening day of sea bass fishing while dropping clams and squid on natural bottom.  Fish were 14 to 16-inches.  Over 150 caught, with half being keepers.

On the headboat, "Morning Star", Capt. Monty reported saucy conditions in the morning with 4 anglers catching their limit of sea bass.    Largest was a 3 lb. 5 oz. knothead.

Adam May and his buddies fished off Broadkill Beach and hooked 20 black drum in one day.  All between 15 and 44 lbs.

Tim Lynch caught a 37-inch bluefish in the surf off South Bethany.


WEDNESDAY, May 15, 2019

I received an email from Steve Doctor, biologist from the Maryland DNR with some good news.  He said that it has been the best spot spawn since 2012 and that they are catching 500 to 1,000 tiny spot in some of their trawls.  He also said it was a decent croaker spawn as well.


SUNDAY, May 12, 2019

Miserable day in OC today.

10:06 AM - Updated yesterdays report.

1:54 PM - Yesterday, anglers on the "Hammer Down" went to the Baltimore Canyon and went 10 for 12 on bluefins, keeping their 2 unders and 1 over.

SATURDAY, May 11, 2019

12:45 PM - Yesterday, the charter boat, "Moore Bills" ventured out to the 966 line in 1,000 fathoms behind the Rockpile and had one dolphin come up to their lure.  No bites.  Capt. Rob said there was no life. Water temp break went from 68 to 71-degrees.

Boats that fished in the Baltimore Canyon today are catching bluefin tuna.   They caught some yesterday in the Wilmington Canyon.

4:05 PM - It looked like a July day in the bay with a load of boats jumping on the good snapper bluefish bite.  Big Bird Cropper and Dapper Dave Leizear just stopped by with the limit of bluefish they caught on the west side of the sandbar south of the Rt. 50 Bridge.  They caught them with Roy Rigs.  Bird said that they caught some on the outgoing tide, but when the tide switch and brought in clean water the bite really turned on.

Updated:  Josh Ensor and his buddies headed to the Baltimore Canyon and fished a pocket of water whee water temp was between 55 and 60 degrees.  They had steady bluefin bites the entire time they were there.  They caught their 2 under bluefins and 1 over, releasing the rest that were all in the 40-45 inch range.  The 60-68 degree break they found had no life, bait or fish.

Anglers on the charter boat, "On the Run" caught 3 tautog around the South Jetty that measured up to 18-inches.  All on crabs.

Drew Henninger caught a 43 1/2-inch striper while fishing with frozen mullet at 3R's Road.

Anglers on the "Reel Tight" fished in the Baltimore and caught their 2 under bluefins and 1 over.  They released  20 more.  500 fathoms in 63-degree water.

Katie and Tanner Thatcher and Nate Gregory caught 2 flounder in very dirty water conditions in the Thorofare.  Largest fish measured 21-inches.  All on Gulp.

FRIDAY, May 10, 2019

9:43 AM - Updated yesterdays report.  Check out the big striper caught in the inlet.

Warm water in the canyons... could see first yellowfin this weekend!  Hopefully, the weather forecast keeps a window open.


THURSDAY, May 9, 2019

8:57 AM - Updated yesterdays report. 

NOTE - On the Maryland Regulations page in this weeks Coastal Fisherman, I had a typo under "Tautog".  It should have read that the tautog season is closed from May 16th to June 30th.  I accidently typed June 16th to June 30th.  Sorry!  

3:51 PM - Anglers on the "Helbent" caught a pair of 17-inch flounder and 12 throwbacks during the incoming tide, south of the Rt. 50 Bridge.  Water temp was 58-degrees.  Hooked on flounder rigs tipped with Gulp artificial baits.  They also caught a load of bluefish.

UPDATED:  The bluefish bite continues to be fantastic with fish being caught all over the bay.  Could be why we have seen the flounder bite slack off a bit.

Christopher Phanousith and Jason Bouaphakeo caught their limit of 20 bluefish withing 35 minutes of fishing.  They ranged in size between 18 and 25 inches.  All caught around the Rt. 50 Bridge.

MacKenzie Cathell caught and released a 25-inch striper after hooking it on an artificial lure by the Rt. 50 Bridge.

On "Helbent Charters" Jeff Grimes and Walter Havran caught a pair of 17-inch keeper flounder and had 12 throwbacks.  They also caught a load of bluefish.

Dan Rivera caught a 46-inch striper (37 lb.) off the Oceanic Pier last night.

WEDNESDAY, May 8, 2019

Yesterday, anglers on the charter boat, "Restless Lady" brought back the first bluefin tuna of the season, a 55-incher caught in the Wilmington Canyon.

12:00 PM - NOAA just adjusted bluefin tuna regulations.  For the Angling Category (recreational), effective May 11th, anglers can keep 2 bluefins (27"<47"} and 1 bluefin 47"<73).  For charter boats, anglers can keep  3 bluefins (27"<47"} and 1 bluefin (47"<73").

1:44 PM - Mike Lupiwok, Jr. & Sr. stopped by the Coastal Fisherman office to have their picture taken with a limit of 20 bluefish caught on Roy Rigs and bucktails around the Rt. 50 Bridge.  The sandbar south of the bridge was hot this morning!

3:53 PM - Congratulations go out to Hank Isherwood of Lewes, DE who caught a personal best 12 lb. tautog during a trip on the charter boat, "Fish Bound" today.  Fish ate a green crab in 65-feet of water.

Updated:  Allen Sklar not only caught the first black drum a couple of weeks ago, he also just caught the first red drum of the season while surfcasting off Assateague.

Capt. Drew Zerbe reported that he along with 4 other anglers caught 16 bluefisn while tossing Gotcha plugs, Snapper Zappers, Roy Rigs and assorted other jigs on both the north and south sides of the Rt. 50 Bridge.


TUESDAY, May 7, 2019

11:53 AM - If you have any questions you would like to pose to area captains, you can email them to coastalfisherman@comcast.net

The first bluefin tuna of the season was caught today.  Stay tuned for details.

Reports came in about bluefish are being caught off the beach outside Indian River.

1:16 PM - Amber Ewing was caught a 27-inch bluefish on a silver spoon tossed in the suds off Indian River with baby in tow.

Luke Matsko, with a little help from his dad, caught a bluefish on a gold spoon while surfcasting off Indian River.

George Trout and Steve Cardano were fishing on the west side of the Thorofare and ended up with a fat, 20-inch flounder, a bluefish and 17 throwback flounder.  All on white Gulp and minnows.

5:10 PM - On the charter boat, "Fish Bound", Eddie Santiago caught a 20 lb. tautog with a green crab  on a wreck in 50 feet of water.

MONDAY, May 6, 2019

Buddy Martin reported that he and his son, Cody were fishing off the North Jetty yesterday afternoon and they lost count of the number of bluefish they hooked.  They kept 16 of them with the largest measuring 24-inches. All on Gotcha plugs at the middle of the outgoing tide.  they also caught 20 hickory shad.  Once the tide slowed, so did the fishing.

Nick Ager caught a 32-inch bluefish off the Rt. 50 Bridge.


SUNDAY, May 5, 2019

9:50 AM - Updated yesterdays report.

Last night saw an epic snapper bluefish bite around the Rt. 50 Bridge.

Very gloomy morning in Ocean City.  Anglers may be able to get some fishing in before he skies open up.

Don't forget the Ocean City Reef Foundation Annual Fundraising Dinner is this afternoon at Seacrets.  Doors open at 4:30 PM.  Food, live, silent and Chinese auctions.  50/50 raffle.

11:17 AM - Bluefish are snapping at the Rt. 50 Bridge.  Anglers are hooking them on Gotcha plugs.

Scott and Liz Dolmetsch caught about a dozen bluefish on Gotcha plugs around the Rt. 50 Bridge this morning.

SATURDAY, May 4, 2019

12:52 PM - Updated yesterdays report.

2:31 PM - Anglers on the charter boat, "Get Sum" just returned with 6 flounder in the box after drifting the Thorofare flats during the outgoing tide.  They also had 15 throwbacks.  All were caught on Gulp artificial baits in 6-feet of water where temps registered 69-degrees.

3:55 PM - Big Bird Cropper and Neighbor Dave Leizear returned with their limit of 20 bluefish, measuring upt o 26-inches, after fishing at the South Jetty and the sandbars, both north and south of the Rt. 50 Bridge.  The big chopper came from the South Jetty.  They also caught MANY other bluefish during the trip... so many they ran out of Roy Rigs.

Both bluefish and stripers were caught in the OC Inlet and on the outside of the South Jetty.  I heard of at least 1 keeper striper caught by the Rt. 50 Bridge today.

Elizabeth Chilton and George Trout caught 4 keeper flounder and had 8 throwbacks while fishing in the Thorofare today.  All on Gulp and minnows.

Peter Pennise caught a pair of tog, weighing up to 7 lbs., during a trip on the headboat, "Angler".  Caught on green crabs at an artificial reef.

Lauren Ward and Katie Ward got into some flounder and bluefish south of the Rt. 50 Bridge at the beginning of the outgoing tide.

Dustin Mullins and Mike Douglas drifting around the South Jetty in the morning and got into snapper bluefish and short stripers.  Bluefish wer between 14 and 24-inches.  Largest striper was 25-inches.  Also saw a load of shad.

FRIDAY, May 3, 2019

Gary Tanner fished the Chesapeake Bay and released a 45-inch striper.  It hit a 9-inch Sassy Shad on a 6 oz. parachute rig.

1:24 PM - Capt. Nick Clemente on the charter boat, "Get Sum" just reported in that they are having a good afternoon trip in the Thorofare.  His anglers have already caught 4 keeper flounder and have had around 17 throwbacks.  All were hooked while drifting white Gulp Swimming Mullets.

3:27 PM - Capt. Nick Clemente said that his anglers on the charter boat, "Get Sum" are now catching bluefish and herring by the Rt. 50 Bridge.  Blues are between 12 and 20-inches.

4:17 PM - Owen, Jameson and Jonias Melvin swung by the Coastal Fisherman office with their 3 keeper flounder that they caught in the Thorofare on PINK Gulp artificial baits.  They also hooked 9 throwback flounder around the South Jetty.

4:43 PM - Willie Poole fished with his grandfather Tim Apollo today and they got into a lot of   bluefish and shad at the tip of the South Jetty.  They kept 8 bluefish, measuring up to 25-inches and released 55 shad.  All on the outgoing tide.

5:38 PM - A