 At Cedar Creek Bait and Tackle, Tom reports the flounder bite has turned on, much like it did Memorial Day weekend 2 years ago; with everyone catching around F & G Buoy. During tide changes anglers are scoring keeper flats. Meeting current length requirements doesn’t seem to be a problem, the length is there, the flats coming in are averaging 19-24” but the weights are lower. It’s still early in the season but for the lengths they’re seeing, those fish should be fatter and heavier. They’re starting to feed hard and aggressively, mainly in the deeper water in and around the Anchorage area - D, F, G Buoy, and the Crossovers. 60’ of water at G Buoy, between 14 and 27’ at the Crossovers.
Black Drum fishing is at its best, with almost everyone putting at least one in the box. Some anglers are trying to tighten their drag to horse these monsters in; black drum are huge fish caught on light tackle, you have to take your time bringing them to the boat. Anyone looking to conquer a DE Bay black drum has to take their time to fight the fish.
Tom was weighing, cleaning, and filleting fish until the early morning hours on Sunday.
The Coral Beds produced citation catches with Lee Collins leading off the week with a 60.5 lb, 48 ½” long, with a 32 ½” girth while fishing aboard his vessel Miss Pearl. Gary Olinchak boated a citation 58.1 lb, with a 29” girth that was 48” long while fishing aboard his vessel, the Shanghai. Kevin Lohmeyer boated a 58.1 lb, 47 3/4” long, with a 32 ½” girth while fishing with brothers Kyle and Kameron aboard the Triple Trouble. John Ferenbach boated a 51.1 lb with a 31 ½” girth and was 46 ½” long while fishing with Steve Jacono. Ronald Bezzard boated a 64.4 lb that was 48 ½” long with a 37 ½” girth while fishing. Whitney Nash boated a 50.6 lb with a 33” girth and 47 ½” long. Brent Spencer boated a 68 lb with a 34 ¾” girth that measured 49 ½” long. The Pin Top produced 2 citation catches on Saturday, the 30th. David Biles boated a 75.7 lb with a 38 ½” girth that was 51 ½” long while fishing aboard the Diana Lee with John Hinkel. John Smith boated a 68.5 lb that was 51 ¼” long with a 36 ½” girth while fishing with the Joachimowski family, Jaime, Joseph Sr. and Joseph Jr. Bill Sr., Bill Jr., and Mark Stover put a drum in the box as did John Robinette and Bill Sellers. Bill Turpak Sr., Bill Tirpak Jr., and Mark Stover all had a part of the action at the Coral Beds, Bill Jr hooked it on dad’s rod so dad reeled it in and Mark netted it. The Luca Boys, Steve Warren, Travis Mick, Bobby Wright and Ryan McDonald fished together with Bobby boating a 46.9 lb and 22.2 lb drum.
Florentino Garcia spent the weekend seeking flounder and was not disappointed. He boated 7 keepers, 1 while fishing between G and F Buoy and 6 from D Buoy. Stan Smith of the Cindy Sue II and Chris Foreacre had 6 keepers while fishing G Buoy using only minnows. John Stubitz, John Carr, and Ben Smith, fishing aboard the Know It each came in with their limit up to 27” using live spot. Danny Lemmon had 1 keeper flat. Barry Sheetz of the Jen Jess boated 3 out of 4 hookups while fishing with Kevin Walter who boated 2 out of 8 with the largest weighing 6.7 lbs, 27” long, with only a 21 ½” girth. Bob Sanderson of Some Guy fished with Jerry Troyer, Paul Troyer, and Toby Miller with the foursome bringing in 11 total, the largest weighing 6.3 lbs. The flounder are so aggressive, even the small ones are swallowing up to 6 and 7” spot! 4 and 6 oz. Spro bucktail jigs with a small piece of pork rind or squid attached seem to be one of the hottest baits for reef site fishing for the big, fat flats with the fish preferring yellow and green. Tom Bowden and son hit the bay Sunday morning, the 31st, after a quick passing storm and reporting a total of 9 flats from in and around G Buoy, giving Tom and Judy a beautiful flounder for dinner. Capt. Phil Nicholson of the 3rd Degree II, fishing with Richard Meyers, John Wilkins, and Wayne caught 20+ flounder with 8 keepers in the 18 1/2"- 21" range. They launched before Sunday morning's storm and caught most of their catch at the end of the storm in the rain using squid and minnow at the Slough above E Can. Gene Volz also had several keeper flats this weekend.
Capt Dave Russell’s patrons were treated to a week of excellent flounder and black drum fishing. Each flounder and drum trip produced nice catches. Feedback on Dave and the Miss Shyanne crew has been favorable; Dave and his mates are knowledgeable, respectful, polite and provide a great experience for those onboard. Dave is still taking reservations for evening drum trips. Wednesday is open boat, no reservations required. Day trips leave the dock daily. If you’re looking for reasonable rates with first rate service then give them a call. For more information visit Dave’s website at www.captdave4@yahoo.com or give him a call at (302) 335-FISH(3474).
Cedar Creek’s Annual Non-Profit Summer Flounder Tournament began on Jun 01. To sign up is $35.00. You’ll receive a tee shirt, various rigs, and an invitation to attend their Take the Family Fishing Day Pig Roast BBQ on July 11th. There are 16 weekly drawings for various products valued between 10.00 and 15.00. First place receives 1000.00, 2nd prize $500.00 and 3rd prize $250.00. Additional prizes for 4th place and beyond are still coming in including a 100.00 gift certificate. Proceeds benefit the American Cancer Society. Fight a flounder for cancer! The tournament ends at 6p on Sep 22nd.
Cedar Creek Bait and Tackle are now open daily from 5a-6p. They’re housing live spot again this year. Visit them on the web at www.cedarcreekbaitntackle.com. There’s an excellent link on their website for accurate, up-to-date, local DE Bay conditions. The site has a webcam located on the island just up the road from them; use the information to give you a game plan for your next trip, let the tides of Mother Nature help pay for your fuel. Check out their Latest Catches page and read their almost daily fishing report which will resume on a regular basis once the late-night drum action subsides.
|
