Despite breezy conditions and dipping water temperatures the bite was still on last weekend both inshore and offshore.

Robin Scott of Ray Scott’s Dock in Margate said people were catching “tons” of fish.

“It didn’t matter if it was high tide, low tide, incoming or outgoing…everyone was catching something,” said Scott.

The trend to flounder fishing in recent weeks has been using frozen sperring, three to a hook through the eyeballs. Scott was turned on to this method by regular customers Lynn and Fred Simon of Philadelphia.

The water temperature in the bay dipped to 59 degrees last weekend but it didn’t affect the fish bite. Paul Elliott of Ventnor caught four keepers on the outgoing tide Saturday and Kenny Rose of Margate snagged a 9.25-pound flounder from the back bay.

Michael and Rita Cornman of Philadephia caught a 4.05-pound fish behind the Longport Police Station and Rob Herman of Linwood and his two daughters were out last weekend and caught a 9.5-pound, 28-inch flounder.

Scott also said anglers fishing for flounder are picking up some fairly large kingfish. They have been caught with mackerel filets or Berkley Gulp on a flounder hook. It has been consistent for past few weeks and a little unusual when the kingfish are usually caught off the surf.

One of the most unusual catches was by a lifeguard on the Longport beach last weekend. During an outgoing tide in a tidal pool on the beach were three stripers. The lifeguard threw the smaller ones back and kept the largest for dinner.

Tony at Capt. Andy’s in Margate reported offshore fishing is the place to be. The canyons, the Claw, Jim’s Hole, 19 Fathom Lump, Massey’s even the Hambone and Cigar are all producing nice fish. The yellowfin are in the canyons with the bluefin in a little closer. Trolling, vertical jigging or chunking all work. A few anglers are even using live spot for baits. On the troll, no one special lure needs to be used. Skirted and naked ballyhoo are also working. Williamson high-speed jigs are doing the job along with vik jigs. As usual with chunking, use either butterfish or sardines. A few of these fish weight more than 200 pounds, Tony said.

Last week a few juvenile swordfish were taken on the troll up north along with some wahoo. Lately, he said, not too many mahi or billfish have been caught.

Tom Christ, of Brennan Marine in Somers Point, also reported active fishing offshore. Bennett Muldoon and crew on his boat “Moon Shot” fished at the 19 Fathom Lump on Thursday and boated a 95-pound, 55-inch bluefin. They were chunking and jigging. Ron Kovler and company, on his boat “Next Case” also fished the 19 Fathom Lump and went 6-for-9. They kept two bluefin tuna, a 52-inch fish weighing 77 pounds and a 43-inch fish weighing 50 pounds. These fish were caught chunking and jigging with sardines.

On Saturday, Dennis Dombrowski and crew on his boat “Crown Royal” also fished the ever popular 19 Fathom Lump and boated a 56-inch, 105-pound bluefin tuna. They also chunked and jigged using butterfish. Nuncie Sacco was on the rod. Also on Saturday, Jim Reed and crew on the “Raiden” ventured to the Lobster Claw and bagged a 56-inch, 95-pound bluefin. They caught this fish on the troll using a skirted ballyhoo. Lastly from last week, Bill Haas and crew on the “Rose-Lee” fished the Toms and Hudson canyons on Thursday and had a bonanza. They boated four yellowfin tuna in the 70-pound class, caught and released a small swordfish and caught and released a monster blue marlin believed to be in the 400-pound range.

Christ also reported that inshore is also producing nice fish. Bill Schwanda on his boat “Mach I” weighed in a 6.04-pound, 25-inch flounder caught in Ships Channel on a Gulps mullet. Al Rocks and his wife, Eileen, fished on Wednesday and Thursday of last week. On Wednesday they had eight keepers up to five pounds caught on Gulps White Swimming Mullet and New Penny Shrimp. On Thursday they had several keepers on the same baits. The largest of which was 4.85 pounds. Both days they fished off Kennedy Park.

Rob and Joan Barrett at Dolfin Dock in Somers Point reported that many fluke, of all sizes, are bending the rods in the Somers Point area. Charles Elwell of Egg Harbor Township landed a 9.14-pound fluke on minnow from Ships Channel. Tommy Westcott, 12, fished with his father and uncle and caught a 3.36-pound, 23-inch weakfish. They caught 14 weakies all together at the Egg Harbor River using shedder.

Fishing Notes

The Starfish is sailing daily four-hour trips with anglers catching some seabass and throw back tautog. The Lone Star sailing from Miss Chris Marina is taking charters for the summer 2008 season. Go to www.starfishboats.com

The Ocean City Marline and Tuna Club will host its Marlin and Tuna Challenge July 26- 27. Go to www.ocmtc.com.

(Fishing reports and photos can be e-mailed to Heather Holtzapfel James at heatherholtzapfel@yahoo.com, fax 465-9155 or by calling 624-8900, ext. 215. Reports are needed by Sunday evening.)