Article by Capt. BJ Pietryak
This past week in Ocean City brought us warmer temps again along with strong storms at the end of the week.
The nearshore wrecks and reefs are still producing good numbers of keeper flounder as well as some sea bass despite the large numbers of undersized fish.
Cobia have been showing up on the wrecks and humps inshore but are hard to figure out. One day these fish will take anything thrown at them and the next will attack nothing.
Mahi are on the bass pots throughout the areas with the biggest numbers being found around 30 miles out.
Walter Moore and Jabbar Harmon were out with Tianna Marie looking for a few sea bass to bring home for dinner on the nearby reefs and managed to catch 17 fish up to 20 inches. They stated the bite was strange as they would catch one or two keepers and then the bite would shut down, forcing them to move to another spot. Still not a bad haul of sea bass for the last week of August and 90 degree temperatures.
The sea bass pots have been really producing some big mahi. Tossing chunks of meat or squid at the pot balls is the main way anglers target these pelagic fish inshore, however, many anglers that were trolling small plugs or spoons seem to take the advantage over those sitting still at the pot balls. Several larger bulls could be found just off the pots and would only respond to small trolling baits pulled near them.
Brandon Hudson had a blast targeting the mahi on the pots Tuesday, bringing home several fish in the ten pound range.
Nick Sampson was offshore, and when returning stopped by the pots around 30 miles out. He and his charter cleaned up on mahi and bonito. Although several of these fish were peanut size dolphin, there were also several bigger bull ones thrown in to help fill the coolers.
Nearshore Wrecks & Reefs
The nearshore reefs are alive with life. Many anglers are finding the bite to be very steady however, the main catch is undersized sea bass and flounder. Finding deeper wrecks are producing a better chance at keeper fish.
The Jacks Spot and Great Eastern Reef are producing the best catches of fish to bring home for dinner.
On the nearshore humps, small bluefish and spanish mackerel are on many of the humps and will take a small trolled spoon with a wire leader.
For flounder, fresh squid strips and minnow combinations are working well along with live spot on a circle hook. Gulp baits are working, but the fish seem to prefer a live bait option.
Sergio Carbone was out at the Jacks Spot and caught several fish but he said the wrecks were loaded with sea robins that would not leave their baits alone.
“Jacked Up Sportfishing” stayed close to shore enjoying the airshow and was rewarded with sharks, rays and trout while watching the sky show.
The “Ocean Princess” had some pretty good half days of fishing with lots of action and a few big sea bass.
The “Angler” stated they had a few tough days as well as a few stellar days of fishing this last week with anglers pulling in some doormat flounder along with a pretty good sea bass bite. Strong winds late in the week kept them at the dock for a few days but when they got out even with a picky bite they managed to bring home fish. The boat will be going to their 8 and 10 hour trips after the holiday.
“Bad Wind Charters” had Steve and Scott on board and found the mahi ready and willing to cooperate. The duo landed several nice size schoolies along with a few gaffer fish.
Juan Carabalio had the unique catch of the week catching a juvenile baby grouper off an inshore wreck. Each year we seem to see more and more grouper coming off our wrecks.
Back Bays and Inlets
The back bays and inlet areas of Ocean City have really begun to hit their stride, producing keeper flounder, blues and sea trout each day.
The area behind Assateague Island has been the best for trout, blues, and rockfish. Use small bucktails or swimbaits to target these fish. Casting along the rock edges or at docks appears to be the best method right now. The backside of the island is also producing some big fluke. A minnow and squid combination has produced the best results with Gulp baits as a close second.
At the Rt. 50 Bridge, the rockfish and bluefish bite has slowed a little but a few big fish are still being caught but boat as well as fishing off the bridge.
Brian Reynolds hit the areas behind Assateague Island to avoid the crowds and hooked into several nice speckled trout, a few short flounder and schoolie rockfish and even a few sharks.
The “Miss Ocean City” had Amy Uphold and her daughter on board. The duo caught several fish, including keepers for dinner.
The “Bay Bee” said “why order flounder when you can catch your own!“ The boat has had several keepers over the last few trips with fishing being the best we have seen all year in the bay.
The “Ocean City Guide Service” was on the cobia again catching some stud fish for their clients.
Skip Courtney and Peter Renzi were out both in Maryland as well as in Cape Charles, VA and had epic days catching monster cobia. The biggest one they caught last week was 55 inches but reported seeing a fish over 70 inches.
Surf Fishing
Surf fishing last week was somewhat slower than in past weeks with big rays being the primary catch.
Kingfish are still around although not in the numbers we have seen in past weeks.
Natalie Terreri was out on the beach at 48th Street at night and landed a few big rays on mullet rigs and cut bait.
As an end note please be advised that MD has added a vacant new category in the Atlantic division for pollock, with a 20 lb. minimum.
Check https://dnr.maryland.gov/fisheries/pages/state_records/sr_main.aspx for further info on submitting a fish for record status.
Until next week...
Tight Lines and Fins Up
