Hot hot hot, then it rains, hot hot hot, then it rains. Steamy days aren’t too comfortable but if you are near the water it is cooler. Keep an eye on flood watches — the amount of rain from some of these pop-ups is more than we are accustomed. A few inches in under an hour creates a lot of ponding water. It’s always good to have a flood plan even if you don’t live in a flood zone. Down here everything is flat so every depression is a flood zone. It is just a good idea to know your routes when we get heavy rain in pop-up storms. After seeing the Jersey turnpike flood a day after I was in that same spot, I tend to be more wary of rain events during travel.

The fishing has been good for many anglers. Catching isn’t too bad either. The weather obviously keeps us on our toes.
Last weekend the conditions were prime for Bowers Bayside Bait and Kayak Rentals’ second annual Youth Fishing Tournament. Myself and a few friends volunteered to help score fish and spot anglers. I measured more fish in one day than the whole year so far. I’m not sure if that is a good thing or not. It was for the kids, they were having a lot of fun. A big hit at the end of the day was a pinata for the kids. This was a well-run tournament and a lot of fun to participate.

Youth Fishing Tournament winners:
Ages 4-7: 1st - Lawrence Price, 2nd - Trenton Newcomb, 3rd - Beau Berkey
Ages 8-12: 1st - Sammie Pritchett, 2nd - Khloe Feague, 3rd - Colton Lovett-Ratledge
Ages 13-17: 1st - Jaxtin Owens, 2nd - Audri Munsch, 3rd - Jase Diaz

“A big thank you to the anglers and families! We hope everyone had fun and made some lasting memories! A good fish story is always better with family and friends!” — Bowers Bayside Bait and Kayak Rentals

The kids caught a variety of fish at Bowers from the surf, jetty, bulkhead and pier: croaker, spot, oyster crackers, catfish, striped bass, weakfish, eels and some sharks. To make it safe for the anglers and the shark, shark catches were counted at 12 points (inches) for any released shark, no matter the species. This way the kids were taught about releasing the prohibited species in a timely manner. Scoring the average was just to acknowledge a shark was caught. Retaining a prohibited shark to measure it would be possession and illegal in Delaware. This shark scoring rule helped teach the kids about proper handling and respect for the critter.

Currently there is a commercial venture in the Delaware Bay catching prohibited sharks for aquariums in hotels in the desert in the Middle East. They have a permit to do this which is strange to me. I have to spend some more time with this video just sent to me on YouTube. This seems kind of anti-conservational to prohibited species and allowing them to be harvested in the pupping grounds, especially for Delaware being so strict. I know a great deal about fish kept in captivity and sharks do the worst. The attitude of the uber rich doing this is they will just get another one when it dies. Delaware issued the permit.

Jugging season started in Maryland on July 1. This is a lot of fun if you want to catch a lot of large catfish. It is a great way to thin out the larger blue catfish as well. Jug fishing in Maryland is only permitted in tidal waters from July 1 to Feb. 28. Anglers can use up to 10 jugs per person, each jug having a maximum of two hooks. The jugs must be marked with the individual’s Maryland Department of Natural Resources identification number. Jug fishing is restricted to tidal tributaries of the Chesapeake Bay. Jugs must be attended from sunset to sunrise. Some species are prohibited to keep or target: largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, striped bass, all shark species, snapping turtles and any threatened or endangered species.

The surf has been the usual summer suspects: croaker, spot, kingfish, and waiting on pompano. Fishbites formulas are putting in some work this summer. Bloodworms are expensive and frankly Fishbites is just easier to use. This Saturday at Captain Bones, there is a Fishbites promotion happening with DS Custom Tackle: free samples of Fishbites catfish formulas and some of the mullet formulas for you salty anglers. There are also some buy two, get one specials.

The offshore action has been decent, just check in with your favorite offshore crew for available trips. Head boats are filled every weekend.

Breakwater Bait and Tackle at the pier has a hot dog machine. I feel that is very important information, I ate four the day I discovered it.

Flounder action has been the usual for this time of year, with larger fish offshore than inshore. There have been a few over nine pounds. I remember when that was a normal catch. It’s a shame. All we have to do is lower creel limits and flounder would bounce back a great deal but no one ever wants to do that. Instead we point fingers, blame others while being part of the problem as well.

Freshwater fishing has been hot for the top water bite. I prefer that evening top water bite, but lately the morning has been easier for my schedule. The pond around the corner is a quick drive to drop in the kayak for an hour. I don’t take any pics because the phone is left in the Jeep. This way no one disturbs my fishing calm. Remember when you would call back when you got home, where the phone lived?

The Perseid meteor shower starts this weekend and will peak the night of Aug. 12 into the morning of Aug. 13.