Coastal Fishing Reports

Coastal Mid-Atlantic Fishing Report, September 12 Update:

Captain Chris Mizurak of The Angler made the long haul out this week and caught several big bluelines with some anglers reeling in two at a time. They also had a few goldens mixed in. Tuna fishing has been slow overall, but there have been some good days for crews putting in hours on the water. The Wound Tight had a good day offshore as they boxed three big yellowfin tuna. Two of their fish were caught on the chunk and one was caught trolling. FishTalk’s own Zach Ditmars spent a day trolling at the Offshore Deli and reported two knockdowns that didn’t come tight, but said he saw a few bent rods on the boats in the same area.

Capt. Monty on the Morning Star has still been finding some mahi inshore, though half or more of the usual spots are turning up blank and this bite may be winding down for the season. Fortunately, sea bass are providing good action when the green missiles aren’t at home and some knotheads were reported swinging over the rails this week. The offshore grounds have been good for deep droppers searching for blueline and golden tilefish. It is a long run out there, but the rewards have been big with coolers full of fish. 

Beach fishing expert Dave Moore reports that big red drum are starting to trickle in along the beaches of Assateague. The better fishing has been at night, and he caught bulls up to 49 inches this week. Chunks of crab or cut bunker on fish finder rigs were the ticket. The OC inlet jetties have also offered steady action and Fish In OC reports that there are plenty of nice sized bluefish willing to bite jigs and Roy Rigs. Rockfish are also hanging around structure and can be caught anywhere inside the inlet along rocks, bridge structure, and docks. Most of the stripers are below the 28- to 31-inch slot, but some keepers have been pulled from the bay. As summer boat traffic continues to dwindle, flounder fishing in the coastal bays has been very good. A pair of anglers fishing at the Route 50 Bridge combined for four keeper flounder ranging from 19 to 21 inches caught on live bunker. On The Run Charters pulled some doormats from behind OC this week with one angler catching a seven-pound fish and another landing an eight-and-a-half-pound jumbo. September should be a great month both inshore and offshore, so don’t miss out on the action.

Coastal Mid-Atlantic Fishing Report, September 5 Update:

It was a cooler week across the region as north winds brought a breeze showing us the first signs of fall. Surf fishing anglers at Ocean City and Assateague are enjoying less crowded beaches and steady pickings from the wash. Those throwing out bottom rigs baited with bloodworm flavored Fishbites are catching a mix of kingfish, spot, and croaker. Cut bait is catching mostly rays, but a few bluefish were reeled in this week. At the OC inlet and Route 50 Bridge, sheepshead and tautog are being caught on sand fleas and peeler crabs. The bite has been tricky at times, but persistence has paid off. There are also still plenty of bluefish and striped bass around at bridges and jetty rocks. Artificial jigs, Roy Rigs, and Gotcha plugs have worked to get these fun fighters into the boat.

Readers venturing to both Poor Mans and Washington reported big catches of mahi this week (one boat had a limit of 40 and another had “dozens”). Neither specified fishing the lobster pots, but you can bet that’s a smart move right about now. Tilefish up to 14 pounds were also in the mix for those dropping baits to the bottom slightly inshore. Offshore billfish fishing was also good this week and we saw multiple boats return to dock flying catch and release flags, most of which were white marlin. Captain Monty on the Morning Star reports that a bit farther inshore mahi are still around, too, although they’re mostly a smaller grade. Chasin’ Tides Charters filled their box with golden tilefish on top of a limit of bluelines tiles and mahi. The crew of the Fish Bound had a great mix of catches this week including tilefish, mahi, sea bass, and flounder. Fish In OC reports that the ocean flounder fishing at the wrecks and reefs is picking up as we head into fall. The inshore grounds are historically very productive for flounder in the fall before they head farther offshore for the winter. Back bay founder fishing has also been better since the summer tourist season is winding down. Live spot are preferred for the big flatties, though Gulp! baits and squid strips will catch fish of all sizes.