 At Cedar Creek Bait and Tackle, Tom has been busy weighing and filleting black drum with the weekend producing heavy action from the Coral Beds. Tom offers this service to his customers free of charge, donations, while not necessary, are donated to the American Cancer Society. On Monday, they weighed in a 30.31 lb which was a Hall family effort; Taylor hooked it, Tim boated it, and Rebel netted it while fishing the Coral Beds. On Wednesday, their “Polar Kraft” guys hit the Coral Beds with the same success as last year. Capt Tony Anderson of the Duckin Knutz II boated a 29.3 lb, Greg Anderson boated a 20.9 lb, and Danny Finch boated a 17.9 lb. Dale Short hit the bay in search of flounder with action from the Anchorage, Site #6, and Site #7; no keepers, 3 throwbacks, coming up just ¼” shy. On the 21st, Capt. Rick Aument weighed in a citation drum weighing 53.2 lbs, with a 31 ½” girth, and 46 ¼” long. Rick was accompanied by Hayden Graver and Capt Ron Donawitz, whose vast knowledge of the DE Bay was impressive. The trio hooked 11, released 8 and brought 3 ashore. Capt. Mike Villarose of the Leslie Ann was joined by Gary Pokiopski Sr. and Jr for the day. They put in their time and waited out the drum. They started at Pin Top, making their way back to the Coral beds and found the action they were looking for. Gary weighed in a 51.1 lb citation with a 44” length, and a 32 ½” girth. Mike weighed in 46.6 lb that was 44” long, with a 30” girth. Dick Degnats also hooked into and released a 50+ lb drum from the Coral Beds in 14’ water. Troy Talley, fishing with his grandfather, Capt. Art Coleman III aboard the Knot Talkin’ landed a 3.77 lb, 22” flat. Alan Ogar weighed in a 56.1 lb drum from the Coral Beds that was 49 ¾” long with a 32.5” girth. Steve Stewart also hooked into and released 2 drum in the 20-30 lb range and a 50+ pound drum; Steve uses peeler crabs for drum fishing with much success. Not many people are aware peeler crab is excellent bait for drum. Captain Philip Roach boated a citation drum from the Coral Beds weighing 53.8 lbs, with a 33 ½” girth, that was 46 ¼” long. He was joined by Keith Conway and the pair started a 4:00p on the incoming tide, averaging one drum an hour with lots of sharks up to 4’ and back in by 8:00p with their citation catch. Mike Cathell boated a beautiful doormat weighing 10.8 lbs, with a 26 ½” girth, and 30 ½” long while fishing Site #5 using squid and minnow with a pink worm. Mike Dickerson and Matt Alexander each boated a drum, 37.8 lbs and 49.0 lbs and released a small pup. Capt Joe Huk of the Fish Huk II fished the Coral Beds in the evening with Sam Messina and son, Itchy. Itchy, hooked into 3 drum, one in the 60+ lb range and the other 2 in the 30-40 lb range and released them all. The trio released a total of 5 with Sam and Joe each bringing in a citation. Capt. Joe weighed in a whopping 76.7 lb with a 39 ½” girth, and 49 ½” long. Sam also weighed in a 59.6 lb citation fish with a 34’ girth, and 47” long. The bite was still producing heavy action when the trio came ashore. Sam, captain of his own vessel who does 99% of his fishing off-shore, commented the action that day on the bay aboard Joe Huk’s vessel was definitely in his “Top 10” fishing trips. Deep water action in skinny water! 12 year old Ryan Lloyd, fishing with his father and Uncle Glen Sechrist aboard the Captain A, boated a 5.4 flounder during the day. During the evening they headed to the Coral Beds where Ryan hooked into and reeled in a monster 72.9 lb with a 36 ½” girth that was 48 ¼” long without the assistance from the adults on board, except to bring the fish into the boat. Ryan fought for over an hour and won the battle. Ryan Lloyd and Itchy Huk are young accomplished anglers who both deserve recognition for their outstanding catches and kudos to Itchy for his commendable conservation efforts. On Saturday, Capt Rick Bortz and Justin Kemp fished the Coral Beds where Justin boated a 60.1 lb with a 36 ½” girth, and 46 ½” long. Dave Shuffelbottom landed a beautiful 46.7 lb striper while flounder fishing at the Crossover using squid and minnow during slack tide. After a 30 minute fight, the 49 ½” fish with a 28” girth was boated. Bob Espisito also boated a citation drum weighing 65.8 lbs with a 37” girth that was 48” long while fishing the Coral Beds with Capt. Jon Leister. The pair also reported, “lots of sharks”. Daniel Gold, Chris and Allen “Spike” Scolese, and Cody Burrows reported a mix of shark and skate with 1 throwback flounder before heading to the Coral Beds where Spike boated a 38 lb drum and Cody a 42 lb drum. Douglas and Florentino Garcia Jr., along with Donald Coffey came ashore with 9 keeper flats from D Buoy; the 2 biggest both weighed 6.6 lbs. Wanda Bowman, The Boss’ Daughter, and husband Duane were fishing aboard their vessel, The Fuss, with Wanda bringing home a 21” flat. Guy Sterlicchi fished Massey’s Landing, bringing in his limit in the 5.3-6.2 lb range. Capt. Doug, Mike, and Bob Knawby and Ed Soley fished the Coral Beds bringing in a 21.2 lb and releasing a 50+ lb.
The weekends’ drum bite was hot and heavy; Tom was cleaning fish and Judy was weighing them in well into the nighttime hours. Tom wants to remind everyone, if you’re seeking DE bay monster drum, you have 7-10 days remaining for hot and heavy action. If you want guaranteed availability you need to reserve your clams no later than Wed as supply is very limited.
Capt Dave Russell of Russell’s Charters, who docks his boat at J P’s Wharf was also busy this weekend putting his anglers on the fish. Last Friday, one trip brought ashore 18 flounder. Drum action was also productive with Dave; they had several break-offs and boated an 80 lb drum Friday night with most trips bringing in average weights between 25-40 lb. Trips run daily, mid-week trips are available on Wednesdays, no reservation required. Dave and his crew, aboard the Miss Shyanne will make the effort to help you put fish in the box. Give them a call at (302) 335-FISH(3474) or visit www.russellsfishing.com.
Cedar Creek Bait and Tackle’s 3rd Annual Summer Flounder Tournament begins Jun 1st. The tournament runs 16 weeks, until 6p on Sep 22nd. Their summer-long non-profit event benefits the American Cancer Society. All participants receive a tournament tee shirt and various rigs by Aqua-Clear, Cedar Creek, and Fin Strike. You can still sign up until Jun 01 for $25.00, after the tournament begins, registration is $35.00. Cash prizes are awarded for the top 3 weights; 1st place is awarded $1000, 2nd place $500, and 3rd $250. 4th-10th receives various prizes. There will be 16 random weekly drawings and a prize for the current winning fish at the end of Jun, Jul, and Aug. Their Pig Roast BBQ for all participants and their families is scheduled for Jul 11th from 11a-2p. For an entry form, visit them at www.cedarcreekbaitntackle.com, home of the “almost” daily DE Bay fishing report.
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