<b>Westville</b>

A few summer flounder were boated near the 9 and 10 buoys and at the Cape May Rips, said Rick from <b>Big Timber Bait & Tackle</b>. Good flounder catches were plumbed from the ocean at places like Reef 11. But they were also cranked from spots like inshore of 5-Fathom Bank on the ocean, where a trip that Rick joined caught them last week. Flounder sometimes still were bagged from the back bays, too. Back on Delaware Bay, croakers were heard about from around the concrete ship, but also farther north toward Fortescue. Abundant weakfish, though one is the bag limit, could be found in the southern bay, but also farther up near Miah Maull, and at the stakes near Fortescue. Back in the ocean, kingfish were nipped from the surf, and were northern kings now, not southern. Bloodworms and Fishbites artificial worms nabbed them. Not a lot was heard about offshore fishing for tuna, because of weather. But tuna were rounded up from Baltimore Canyon. Big Timber stocks bait and tackle for fishing in all waters from fresh to offshore.

<b>Newport</b>

Crabbing wasn’t bad during the weekend at <b>Beaver Dam Boat Rentals</b>, Paul said. Trips probably averaged 2 dozen to half of a bushel to two-thirds of a bushel. So, catches varied, and sizes were good, either usually just-keeper-sized, at 4 ½ inches, or 6 inches. A 6-3/4-incher was biggest this year, and the year’s rental boater with the largest will win a free rental next year. Croakers seemed to leave the creek that were abundant earlier this season. But big spots swam the waters, and the population of schoolie striped bass was definitely increasing there. Interestingly, throwback summer flounder to 14 and 15 inches were hooked, and Paul never saw flounder that large in the creek before. The shop has been raising and selling exceptionally large, 4-inch and bigger minnows, and anglers seem to be appreciating them, so Paul hopes to amp up the supply next year. They’re popular for flounder bait, and next Tuesday is the final day of flounder season. But they’re also great bait for freshwater, including for chain pickerel or largemouth or smallmouth bass. They’re a hot item for that. Plus, the big minnows can be used for striped bass bait when the migration of big stripers arrives in the state. Striper anglers love spotfish for bait, but spots will die when waters dip to 47 degrees, and will become sluggish before then. Minnows will remain active in colder waters than spots will, and minnows won’t die until waters drop to 35 degrees. If anglers want any large amounts of the minnows, telephoning ahead will save time, so the minnows can be gathered and waiting.  Customers crab and fish from rental boats towed up Oranokin Creek, running past the shop. The staff checks on them every hour, and if customers want a break in the meantime, they simply cell-phone the shop to be picked up.  Telephone ahead to reserve boats to ensure they’re available. Catch the Football Widows Special on the Sundays of October 6 and 13, when Eagles football games start at 1 o’clock. Any rental boat with only women and/or children then will get a dozen free crabs, when the boat is reserved ahead. A Friday special will now be held: Reserve a rental boat ahead for 6:30 a.m. to 12 noon on a Friday, and get $15 off. Regular prices, before the discount, are $50 for a four-passenger boat, $60 for a five-passenger and $70 for a six-passenger. Take advantage of the Frequent Crabber Card to rent a boat four times and get a fifth rental for only $20 this year. Beaver Dam carries everything needed for a day of crabbing, from traps, bait and nets to snacks, drinks and suntan lotion. Rental kayaks and canoes are available to paddle up the scenic creek. Beaver Dam hosts groups like scouts and family reunions, and can offer an educational day about the environment. The shop is open 6:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., and crabbing is available Fridays through Sundays. Columbus Day is usually the year’s final day of crabbing. But if weather remains pleasant, crabbing could be available afterward at times. When crabbing ends, the shop remains open, including for different supplies and duck hunting. Hours then aren’t guaranteed to be daily, but someone is usually on hand at the store. Customers should telephone ahead to confirm. <a href="http://www.crabulousnj.com/" target="_blank">Visit Beaver Dam’s Web site</a>.

<b>Fortescue</b>

Croakers and spots seemed to remain in the bay, said Capt. Howard from the party boat <b>Salt Talk</b>. Too few anglers showed up to sail in past days, so the boat was docked. But Howard heard about catches from other boats that fished. On one, a few kingfish were reeled in. That boat was anchored to fish for bluefish at the Elbow, and the blues were apparently caught. So were a couple of summer flounder on the trip, though drifting a boat is the best way to land flounder. The Salt Talk had been fishing for croakers and spots at first on each trip. Afterward, each outing had been flounder fishing. The vessel will keep doing that, when enough anglers show up, as long as the fish remain. They’ll eventually migrate away. Striped bass fishing aboard usually begins in late October, when the fish migrate to the bay, stopping a moment on a trek south for winter. Chunks of fresh bunker are fished for them, but so are eels, when the bass will bite eels. They won’t always, but Howard likes the eeling. Open-boat trips are currently slated daily when no charter is booked, and telephone to confirm. Open trips are more likely to sail weekends this time of year, because of demand.

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