In a way IÂ’m kinda glad the month of May is over. As each and every day passed during this notorious month of May something was different; the weather, the fishing, what type of fish we were allowed to keep, or the size of the fish we were allowed to bring home. We certainly saw a lot of changes during this past month and the fishing we saw was both very good and it was also not so good with the catching of every fish that you would expect to catch at this time of year. We are officially into the month of June now and so far itÂ’s all good, and I am a happy Captain!

My last week of fishing I have spent more time fishing for the Flounder than anything else; at least we could keep them! Our Sea Bass fishing these last two weeks has been nothing short of frustrating to say the least. Saturday was the last day that we fished just for the Sea Bass and we caught them at times as fast as you could get your lines to the bottom however with the new 12 ½ inch size limit imposed, keepers have been a sparse commodity. Top hooks would end up in double digits or just a few more on Saturday’s trip and it went down hill rapidly from there. I spoke with one passenger that told me he knew he had caught over fifty fish on this trip but only had four keepers in his box to take home. This has more or less been the story since the size limit went up a half an inch. What a difference that small amount of measure has made. Fortunately on several days we have been able to change our baits and change our geographic location and put some nice Flounder in the boat!

I have actually been fishing for the Flatties five of my last six trips and the numbers of keepers we have put on the boat have exceeded any numbers of Sea Bass that we would have possibly been able to keep on our average day fishing just for the Bass. This is a wonderful thing itÂ’s almost like we are fishing again! The action with the Sea Bass is good, however the coolers are lean. At the end of the day with the Flounder we have really racked up some good numbers of keeper fish and the coolers are looking mighty fine! Our Flounder regulations this year are four fish at eighteen and a half inches, a whole inch less than what we were able to keep last year and we are putting some nice keepers on the boat! I have actually seen several limits in the past few days with fish up to six pounds, which is something I couldnÂ’t say so far this year with the Sea Bass!

A lot of you that read this report know that I have a hard time staying away from a biting fish whatever species they might be and I plan on taking full advantage of this Fluke bite as long as it lasts. Is it early for Flounder?? No not really. It is not uncommon at all that we see these numbers of flat fish at this time of the year but it doesn’t always happen and there is no telling how long it will last but it’s good right now and I will stick with them as long as they are around. It sure looks to me like drifting is going to be our future as long as the conditions warrant and we can still see these numbers with the keeper Flounder. I plan on spending my time with the All-Day trips both in the Delaware Bay as well as out front in the Ocean fishing over the open bottom of the “old Grounds” whichever I feel that we have the best chance of catching fish. Either location will show us some nice fish. Anchoring over wrecks from now on will likely just be on the days that drifting is not an option.

The month of May certainly saw some good fishing with the Bass, the Tautog, the Drumfish and even the Fluke but Summer is just around the corner and the water temperatures are on the rise it wonÂ’t be long before we are seeing those hazy, hot, and humid days. Just this past week I have seen anglers scrambling for every stitch of clothing that they had with them to stay warm and also stripping everything they were wearing off just to stay cool. You got to love Delmarva in the spring! The first Tuna and Mahi of the year have been landed and the Thresher Sharks are milling around in the mouth of the Delaware Bay Our fishing season is obviously in full swing!

I will be running daily with the All-Day trips departing the docks at 7:00 a.m. and returning around 4:00 p.m. fishing for Flounder and or Sea Bass. Half-Day trips are scheduled three times a day sailing at 8:00, 1:00 and then again at 6:00 p.m. fishing for Flounder and Drumfish. Full-Night Drum Trips are sailing on Friday and Saturday Nights at 6:00 p.m. Capt. Benny is also booking trips on the Lewestown Lady for private charters both inshore and offshore.

If you would like any more information about trips sailing out of the Wharf or you would like to book a private charter please give us a call at (302) 645- TUNA.

Until Next Week Happy Fishing!

Capt Rick Yakimowicz
Thelma Dale V
catchfish@verizon.net