Cast for a Cure takes on cancer

On Tuesday, my wife Barbara and I drove down to Three Rs Road to meet some friends and do a little surf fishing. The weather was perfect, the company refreshing and we enjoyed ourselves in spite of the slow fishing.

We left the beach around 3 p.m. and decided to do a quick driving tour of Rehoboth. We ended up at Gordons Pond, where I mistakenly entered the beach access road. I was looking for somewhere to turn around when the bottom fell out of the sand and I ended up stuck down to the frame.

A very kind man in a blue jeep with big tires tried to pull me out, but to no avail. That’s when I gave up and called the park rangers. A  fine young gentleman, Kevin Dorney, arrived on the scene and pretty much came to the same decision as I had; nothing short of a tow truck was going to move my Avalanche.  Before calling the local towing service, I tried my Traveler’s Insurance roadside assistance. I am very happy to report they had a tow truck from First State Chevrolet on the way in a matter of minutes. The driver, Kris Heffentrager, attached a cable to my truck and had me out in no time.

I want to thank everyone who helped me and promise never to do something that stupid anytime soon. 

Cast for a Cure 

The third annual Cast for a Cure Surf Fishing Tournament was held Saturday, June, 11. The weather was just about perfect, and while there may have been a few biting flies on the beach, they were joined by some fish bites as well.

After the scores from the 18 participating teams were compiled, the Lewes Harbour Marina Team 1 won with 84 points. Suzanne Martin’s big bluefish was a major factor in the team’s victory. Team Three Guys and a Gal (Selbyville Elks) came in second, while there was a three-way tie for third among Teams Red Dog, Retired/Working/Learning and Lil Angler.

The only money at stake was the Bluefish Calcutta worth $220 and taken by Suzanne Martin. All other funds, totaling more than $3,000, were donated to the Tunnell Cancer Center Patient Special Needs Fund.

Our thanks go out to Brandy Timmons for coming up with the idea for this tournament and guiding it along for the past three years. Cancer has touched my life as I know it has with many other folks. Events like this raise money to help those suffering from this horrible disease have an easier time during and after treatment. 

Fishing report

We have heard of two great white sharks in our area or perhaps one shark showing up twice. The one I am certain of was caught and released by an angler fishing for thresher sharks. The big shark ate a whole bunker and was brought alongside the boat where it was estimated to be 14 feet long. The second great white was reported by an angler fishing from Ocean City. Both of these big fish were taken within a few miles of the beach. In a related story, no thresher sharks were reported last week. Great whites may not like competition.

We did hear of more flounder caught over reef sites in the lower bay, but still not in any great number or size. The same story in the Lewes and Rehoboth Canal and the Broadkill River.

Flounder fishing has improved at ocean reef sites and the Old Grounds. An 8-pound, 14-ounce doormat was caught by Patty Harris at Site 10. B Buoy, A Buoy and the Old Grounds also saw improved flounder action with even a few limits boxed last week. The occasional keeper sea bass has been taken along with the flounder.

Blues in the two- to four-pound size pass through the Indian River Inlet during incoming water in the daytime. White bucktails and metal lures have been successful in catching these fish.

At night, the incoming current draws in rockfish. The top of the tide was mentioned as the best time to work the rocks. Black bucktails, plugs and swim shads have taken rock to 20 pounds.

The surf is giving up a few big blues on cut bunker. I did not receive any reports of rockfish from the beach, but there could be a few around. I suspect the best time to pursue rockfish would be at dawn, dusk or after dark. Baits such as bunker and clams or lures like swimming plugs or bucktails would be good choices.

Offshore fishing remains very good. The high winds over the weekend made it a bit of a bumpy ride out and back, but limits of yellowfin plus a few bigeyes to 80 pounds were caught. Add to this some gaffer dolphin and it almost makes taking a beating worth the effort.