New Feature - Real-time water information for selected points in the Coastal Bay

Offshore fishermen have had some tough weather lately, but conditions promise to improve. Bluefin tuna are being caught over a wide area at locations such as the Hambone, Lumpy Bottom and Massey's Canyon and most boats are catching their one fish boat limit whether they are trolling or chunking. Roland Williams proudly holds his 70 lb bluefin for the camera that he caught at Massey's Canyon. Yellowfin tuna are being found in many areas but not in the numbers most fishermen would like to see. The 40- fathom line and the Lumpy Bottom out to the Canyons is where most are being found.

The sea bass fishing on the near shore wrecks has been fair to good and shows signs of improving. Limits of sea bass are not common but anglers are coming close and putting together good catches of sea bass, tautog, triggerfish and spadefish. Captains and fishermen happily report that they are finding large croakers again in the sloughs off the beach.

Flounder fishing continues to be a focal point in the Back Bay areas behind Ocean City and Assateague Island. The throwback ratio is still high in most areas except for around the inlet. The larger fish seem to be more prominent there and some anglers are catching some real nice doormats. The waters farther up the bay have been dealing with discolored water from the heavy rains. The old trusty squid/ minnow combo has been the bait of choice throughout the season. There have been a few large sea trout and striped bass caught in and around the inlet on live eels, spot and by anglers casting storm lures and bucktails dressed with a bit of peeler crab. Tautog continue to be caught around the inlet along with croakers, sheepshead, bluefish and triggerfish. Some of the best spots to enjoy some of this fishing are the Oceanic Pier, the 9th Street Pier and the bulkhead from 2nd to 4th Streets.

Surf fishing seemed to drop-off a bit this past week. Most of the action centered on kingfish, croaker and small bluefish. There are a lot of 12"-14" bluefish in the surf along with a few flounder.
 

NOAA Fisheries adjusts the daily retention limit for the recreational fishery for Atlantic bluefin tuna (BFT) for the 2004 Fishing year as described on their website. Read more...

Send your photos via E-mail by the following Monday in order to be included in the next update. The file should be in .jpg format with the longest side sized at 320 pixels. Please keep the file size small. The photo should clearly depict the angler(s), fish, and ethical handling practices. For information on ethical angling practices please reference the Catch and Release information located at URL: http://www.dnr.state.md.us/fisheries/catchrelease.html
Include the following information:

• Date

• Angler(s)

• Hometown(s)

• Photo credit

• Location

• Weight/length of catch

• Bait/lure

Important Note: If anyone in your picture is under 18 years of age, we must have a photo release signed by that person and a parent/guardian before we can post your picture.

Send your photos and information to Keith Lockwood

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