It’s really hot. It isn’t up here in the these northeast mountains — floating on the lake or swimming in 70-degree weather. Temperatures were so low the other night we had a fire in the cabin to dry the place out. Rain for a couple days changes everything around here under the trees. I’m looking forward to getting back to the coastal chaos. I miss the rhythm of the ocean — a total opposite of the silence in the mountains.

Speaking of silence, how about a moment for Dela-bear. He was recently hit by a car. The land animals that once roamed freely are getting scarcer and scarcer along the coasts. More people, less land for the animals. Up here at the lake we have plenty of bears that drop by the cabins. It will get your blood going and it is cool to see. But at the end of the day, we are encroaching on their territory, so we give them their space. If a bear up here is removed from a town area more than X number of times they will destroy the animal. Getting used to humans can get deadly for the humans with a hungry bear. Once a bear associates people as a food source, the issue is people can become the food or attacked for more. The bear doesn’t know, just like fish don’t know either. But for some reason we think they are smarter. It’s the other way around. We just don’t know how they live in their world. I mean, if I saw a sandwich being dragged by on a fishing line I’m not jumping on that sandwich. Because I know that isn’t normal and will definitely be a problem. Unless that sandwich is a mean chicken salad on rye, then I might bite. We think things through, animals react.

Fishing is full on summer mode, with a lot of kingfish and spot in the surf. A lot of people are complaining about people not fishing in the surf. The constant complaint has been the same for decades. Eventually you become numb to it and just ignore it. “Yeah, yeah, I know, that’s why I fish on Tuesdays and work weekends in the summer” is my usual response. Fighting for weekend space on a beach is no fun unless it is well after most have gone home for some evening surf angling. Listening to people who made reservations complain about others who have reservations who are not fishing has become the newest “fun.” I track this stuff like a hobby almost. It’s the same thing, different year.

Flounder action has been good around the inland bays, canal, Delaware Bay and offshore. You just have to pick where you want to fish and spend the day picking through for a keeper. Minnows, spot, gulp or Fishbites Fight Club are good baits. Big bait, big fish — better chances offshore for larger fish in cooler water. Remember that gauge is telling you surface temperatures not bottom temperature.

Keep an eye on the ASMFC, they are looking at cobia due to the species shifting more northeast each year. Warmer water has increased many species’ ranges along the coasts. We get more and more cobia up here every summer, and earlier. Regulations will be needed for more species as they shift north. I bet we get something for pompano in under a decade. It’s a conundrum because we want larger cool species, but the climate changing is dramatic for this to occur — a double edged sword. Sheepshead should have a limit one of these days. I remember asking about that years ago at a fishery meeting and people laughed. Now here we are many years later talking about cobia.

Sharks are aplenty along the beaches. Make sure you are following the regulations for shark angling and how to handle a shark. You can’t help what you catch but you can properly handle your catch.

Crabbing has been great around the inland bays, clamming as well. Keep your shellfish cool to prevent vibrio buildup. The warmer your stored clams, mussels or oysters get, the more vibrio will build up. Crabs are fine because you steam those. I clean mine, too. I prefer to not eat what they filter out of the water. If you are eating raw shellfish, keep it cool and on ice. The oyster farmers and shellfish watermen all do this. They have strict regulations to follow to keep vibrio down. The public is just not aware of those procedures. I’ll never stop reminding people about this. A small cut can be deadly in our waters in the hot summer. Carry a small bleach and water solution to wash out any scrapes or cuts.

Offshore fishing has heated up with decent tuna action. Plenty of other offshore species are being caught. Contact the local charters for trip availability.

Try a new place outdoors. Look for an area you’ve never been to that has fishing or whatever you enjoy and go exploring. Get out of the “same ol same ol” every weekend.There are still out-of-the-way places that don’t get too crowded. Pro tip: Look for remote places with small parking lots. And then go early, and take extra food and water. You will not be sorry.