<b>Westville</b>

Striped bass were boated far up the bay near Salem nuclear plant on bunker chunks, said Rick from <b>Big Timber Bait & Tackle</b>. Weather was rough, but a little was heard about drum hauled in from the southern bay. Nothing was reported about the bay’s summer flounder fishing, and nobody mentioned sailing for flounder yet on the ocean at places like the Old Grounds this season. But good flounder catches were sacked on back bays at Sea Isle City and Wildwood. Stripers, drum and blues were dragged from the ocean surf, at least before the weather. On Delaware River, an angler won a catfish tournament with a 25-pounder last week. Angling for catfish and white perch produced well on the river. Big Timber stocks bait and tackle for fishing on all waters from fresh to offshore.

<b>Port Elizabeth</b>

The bay’s drum fishing improved a lot, “before the great wind,” said Sharon from <b>The Girls Place Bait & Tackle</b>! Weather was rough this Memorial Day weekend, including winds to 30 knots and days that only reached temperatures in the 60s. Monday’s weather became better, and the store was busy with customers that day. Not much was heard about fishing through the weekend, because of weather. But before the weekend, drum fishing had improved considerably at places like Pin Top and Tussy’s Slough. Sharon would imagine drum should spread out from there, getting caught at places like the number 1 buoy, like usually happens. Fresh surf clams for drum bait were difficult to obtain, because winds kept clam boats from sailing. The clams finally arrived Monday at the store. Scarce clams sometimes probably kept boaters from drum fishing. Little was heard about summer flounder. Anglers seemed to bag flounder from shallower back bays, because waters were warmer. Cold waters this season might’ve kept flounder from biting much yet in deeper waters like Delaware Bay. Sharon was told that good populations of croakers were found in the bay already. Weakfish held in the bay, and spots were even heard about from the bay. The season was early for spots, but crew from one of the Fortescue party boats talked about stopping on marks on a drum trip, catching a variety of fish, including spots and weakfish. Sharon thought the trip totaled 14 or 15 drum, too. Not much was heard about striped bass, except from surf anglers. Someone reported a 52-pound striper beached at Cape May. The angler who talked about that reportedly caught a 38-incher from the surf, and usually fishes around Corson’s Inlet.  Like mentioned already, fresh clams arrived Monday at the shop, after the weather. So did fresh bunker, and bunker boats had also been docked, because of conditions. Both baits are carried when available, and telephone to order ahead to ensure a supply. Shedder crabs arrived for the first time this season, and minnows are in good supply. Minnows seem scarce around the state, but the store’s had no problems stocking them so far. Nearly all other baits are on hand. The Girls Place, located on Route 47, just after Route 55 ends, stocks a large supply of bait and tackle. It’s the long, one-story, yellow building on the right, with plenty of parking, including for trailered boats.

<b>Newport</b>

<b>Beaver Dam Boat Rentals</b> was supposed to be opened this weekend through Monday, Memorial Day, for the first time this season, but was only opened Monday, because of weather, Paul said. Winds blew fiercely through much of Saturday and Sunday, and Monday morning was 38 degrees, though weather improved that day. Crabbing was slow, producing very few keepers, though lots of small crabs skittered around. A bunch of 3-1/2-inchers showed up, so at least they were there. Wasn’t like no crabs were seen, and the 3-1/2-inchers should become a bunch of keepers in two to four weeks. Crabbing conditions were almost as poor as possible. Waters were cold this season, weather was cold this weekend, and the moon was full. Crabs were known to be shedding, because shells were seen at the boat ramp and in creeks. Full and new moons often trigger the blueclaws to shed, and the crabs won’t eat when shedding. So they can become more difficult to trap during the shed. But not all crabs shed at once, so some will keep eating. But weather is supposed to reach the high 80s in the next days. A couple of rental boaters launched with rods to fish, and afterward talked about seeing signs of fish, but none reported catching. Beaver Dam’s customers crab and fish from rental boats towed up Oranokin Creek. The staff checks on them every hour, and if any crabbers want a break in the meantime, they simply cell phone the shop to be picked up. Beaver Dam carries everything needed for a day of crabbing, from bait, traps and nets to snacks, drinks and suntan lotion. Crabs for eating are sold when available, and none was available yet. Commercial crabbers said catches slowed, after they had begun to catch earlier this season. One switched to catching toads. Rental kayaks and canoes are available to paddle up the scenic creek. Beaver Dam is open 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, and will be open daily starting Saturday, June 22.  <a href="http://www.crabulousnj.com/" target="_blank">Visit Beaver Dam’s Web site</a>.

<b>Fortescue</b>

Drum are biting, said Capt. Ralph from the <b>Buccaneer</b>. Everybody was catching, he said, toward Brandywine. He cancelled a trip today, because of weather, and the next drum trip aboard is slated for Friday. Nothing was heard about summer flounder fishing. Ralph is a pioneer of drum fishing on charters. He began sailing for them in the early 1960s, before any of the fleet did. He compares the fishing to deer hunting. The boat is anchored at a spot where drum have been known to be biting, and the trip waits for the fish to come through. Anglers aboard fish with a tandem-hooked rig with surf clams or other bait like shedder crabs. Drum forage on shellfish like that. Anglers on the boat are encouraged to hold the rod, instead of setting the rod in the rod holder. Despite a drum’s size, up to 70 or 80 pounds or larger, the bite can be subtle. So the anglers hold the rod to feel the bite. Though the bite might be subtle, once the hook is set, look out. Then a fight is on. Charters on the Buccaneer are only $400, compared with $500 or $600 on other vessels.

<b>Cape May</b>

Drum fishing was good on the bay, and catches included large ones, said Capt. Mario from the <b>Down Deep</b>. The boat kept fishing for them on the New Jersey side, after sailing for them on the Delaware side previously. A trip attempted to fish for drum aboard Sunday morning, but conditions were nasty, because winds blew against tide. So the trip tried fishing a wreck on the ocean, but out-of-season blackfish bit that had to be thrown back. Winds also blew against tide when a trip would’ve begun Sunday afternoon, and the fishing was cancelled. Charters are fishing, and open-boat trips are sailing, including this week. Sign up for the <a href=" http://www.downdeepsportfishing.com/ddsf/76-2/" target="_blank">Short Notice List</a> on Down Deep’s Web site for dates for open-boat trips for drum and sea bass.

Fifteen drum were plowed from the bay Sunday with George Parker’s family on the <b>Heavy Hitter</b>, Capt. George said. One of the fish weighed 85 pounds, and more could’ve been caught if wanted. Drum fishing was very good, and Parker’s grandson Brandon, 11, landed three. George Parker Jr., Morgan, George Sr.’s brother Brian, and Mike were also aboard, and the charter fished on the Jersey side of the bay. The trip departed at 11 a.m., and seas were somewhat bumpy but improved throughout the day, and the trip left for port before sunset. George thought no boats drum fished Saturday in rough seas. He thought some fished Friday morning, departing very early, but that seas became rough afterward that day. Anglers aboard were supposed to sea bass fish on the ocean Monday. George heard nothing about summer flounder. Telephone if interested in any of this fishing.

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