Shep on Fishing: Big game fishermen head offshore for blues and mahi
Published: Saturday, July 12, 2008
The offshore set is geared up for big-game fishing. From various reports, it appears captains are thinking Massey Canyon, 19-Fathom Lump, the Hambone and Poor Man's.That's where bluefin tuna and mahi have been residing. The tactics are changing. It's becoming more of a chunking or jigging action rather than trolling. One reason for the switch is the increase in boats working the areas. Long-line trolling with the baits and lures 200-300 yards back gets a little tricky when there are a lot of boats crossing back and forth. Plus, the fish seem to be hugging the bottom.Wesley Bandy at Gibson's Bait and Tackle in Sea Isle City said to use 7-9-ounce "high-speed" jigs.Tim Davis at Moran's Bait and Tackle in Avalon reported several local boat captains were headed to Massey Canyon on Friday.
Several nice mahi-mahi (dolphin fish) have been reported recently. Martin Yusko and Barbara Kerrigan had two beauties on Sunday. Yusko got one that weighed 26.3 pounds and Kerrigan had one that went 18.8 at Absecon Bay Sportsman Center.Flounder fishing hasn't changed much, except there seem to be a few more big fish in some of the back bays.Bandy weighed a 7-pound, 12-ounce flounder for Janet Jenkins, who was fishing with husband Dave in the bays behind Sea Isle City. They are from Mickelton.Bandy said just about everyone who went out flounder fishing recently came back with keepers. He said he took a back-water trip of his own and had four keepers among 10 or 12 he caught.Chestnut Neck Boat Yard in Port Republic weighed a 9-pound flounder caught Wednesday and a 6-pounder Thursday. Mary Ann Schutz said they were caught in the Great Bay Intracoastal.The Middle Grounds behind Long Beach Island is another good flounder stretch, according to Margaret O'Brien at Jingle's Bait and Tackle in North Beach Haven.Kingfish are in. They are being caught from Cape May to Barnegat, and not just in the surf. O'Brien said there are reports of them in the bays behind Long Beach Island. O'Brien said to anchor with a chum pot and use bloodworms as bait.Basil Shehady at Barnegat Light Bait and Tackle said sandworms are working better than bloodworms to catch kings in the surf at the north end of LBI.Striped bass seem to want to stay in Absecon Inlet. Dave Showell at Absecon Bay S.C. said as long as the water temperature remains chilly - he had 55 degrees on a recent outing - bass should stay in the bays. He said live spot can get you bass and bigger flounder within a mile of Absecon Inlet.Showell said to look for warmer water. He suggests to try for flounder behind Atlantic City near the airport between Venice Park and Chelsea Heights.The Avalon Offshore Open will be July 16-20 out of Avalon Fishing Center. The contest has first, second and third place prizes for billfish release and tuna and mahi. The entry fee is $450. Sunday is the final day for reservation. The captain's meeting is 6 p.m. Wednesday at Moran's Dockside in Avalon. Fishing days are July 17-19. The awards barbeque is July 20. Call 609-368-1321.The Cape May Marlin and Tuna Club has its junior angler tournament scheduled for July 19. The boat contest is for youths age 16 and younger and is open to the public. The three species that are eligible are flounder, bluefish and sea bass. The captain's meeting is 7 p.m. July 18 at the club. Call 609-929-9034.The Press 2008 Bent Rods Fishing Contest is well into the summer segment. The contest segment from June 22 to Sept. 13 offers $150 prizes for Flounder and Kingfish both from Ray Scott's Dock in Margate; Offshore from Moran's Dockside in Avalon; Inshore from Dolphin Dock in Somers Point.The fall segment is Sept. 14-Nov. 30. The contest also offers $250 prizes in 14 season-long divisions. The contest is free and can be entered at weigh stations located throughout the area or online at www.pressofAtlanticCity.com/bentrodsContest regulations and entry form, contest and segment leaderboards with photos and details when made available, contest records and Shep on Fishing columns are all on the website.Mike Shepherd is the retired sports editor of The Press. His Shep on Fishing column and Shep's Hot Spot appear Tuesday and Saturday in the sports section and Thursday in At the Shore. Call 609-350-0388 or e-mail: sheponfishing@yahoo.com
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