<b>Newport</b>

At <b>Beaver Dam Boat Rentals</b> crabbers averaged a half-bushel or more per trip, depending on experience, Paul said. So crabbing was hot, and the blueclaws were becoming big. A couple of 7-inchers came in during the weekend, and a bunch of 6-inchers were nabbed this morning. The first boat out today left at 9 a.m., returning at 12 noon with a half-bushel. Crabs were shedding around the full moon at the end of the week, and crabbing can become slow during the shed, because then crabs won’t eat. But not all crabs shed at once, and only a few were shedding by today. Full and new moons often trigger sheds, and this weekend will be between both, and that can be good for catches. Crabbers should call ahead to reserve the shop’s rental boats. “Word is out,” Paul said. Summer flounder were sometimes found in crab traps, and rays began to show up, and one angler reeled in a full-grown croaker. Fish seemed to start appearing. Crabbers and anglers on the rental boats are towed up Oranokin Creek. The staff checks on them each hour, and if customers want a break in the meantime, they simply cell phone the shop to be picked up. Everything needed for a day of crabbing, from baits and traps to suntan lotion and snacks, is available at Beaver Dam. Kayaks and canoes can be rented to paddle up the scenic creek. Look for a <a href=" http://www.crabulousnj.com/Specials_.html" target="_blank">Groupon Special</a> on crabbing that should be posted on the shop’s Web site by Thursday.

<b>Fortescue</b>

Summer flounder trips fished several days through the past week on the party boat <b>Salt Talk</b>, and the fish were reeled in during every trip, Capt. Howard said. The fish on the trips were less numerous than he would like, and keepers were more difficult to come by than he wished, but a few of the flatfish were around. Fishing conditions weren’t right both days of the weekend. Like the drift moved across one of the ditches good to fish, instead of parallel to it. The trips mostly fished between the northern end of the Miah Maull rips to off the Old House or Flat Top. Some fishing was tried at the wreck buoy, then the boat was moved south to that area. The boat also fished at the stakes, but nothing was doing there. Lots of boats, including even Cape May boats and Delaware boats, fished the area near the Old House. Hardly any other fish were mixed in aboard the Salt Talk. One bluefish was landed on one of the weekend’s trips. Flounder made up almost the entire catch. The full moon toward the end of the week might’ve hampered fishing. The bay’s temperature seemed to drop slightly, because of cooler nights around the weekend. The bay was 79 degrees on Sunday’s trip, compared with 81 degrees previously. Open-boat trips are fishing for summer flounder daily when no charter is booked. Call to confirm.

About 50 summer flounder, including seven keepers, were tugged aboard the most recent trip for the fish on the <b>Buccaneer</b>, Capt. Ralph said. “Seven beautiful flounder,” he said. Four anglers were aboard the charter, and they enjoyed themselves, Ralph said. “Was a good day.” Three or four snapper blues were hooked, and were used for flounder bait. The trip fished near the Old House, where most boats, including vessels from Cape May and Delaware, fished. A handful of croakers hovered along the reefs or structure, and if more come in, the boat will sail for them. Charters are fishing for flounder, and the trips on the Buccaneer are only $400, compared with $500 or $600 on other vessels.

“It has been said many times, and many ways,” a report on the party boat <b>Bonanza</b>’s Web site said. Fishing stayed the same. On one day, summer flounder anglers catch, and on another, they find the fishing slow. Eight to twelve keepers per day were booted aboard, and throwbacks outnumbered the legal-sized flatties. Keepers to 22 inches were decked on trips Thursday and Friday. Through the week, “it was just more of the same,” the report said. A few croakers, but no big numbers so far, bit “on the reef site,” the report said. That might’ve meant in the southern bay toward Delaware, where they usually show up first. “We will just have to wait for them to poke around the corner of the bay, and chew like fools,” the report said. “Still, don’t let that stop you from coming on down to enjoy a wonderful day on the Delaware Bay.” Open-boat trips are fishing for summer flounder daily when no charter is booked. When croakers show up, trips will go after them. The season’s first open-boat trip to the Old Grounds, in the ocean off Delaware, is slated for Wednesday, August 3. “Okay you asked for it, you got it,” the report said. Call to reserve: 609-381-2978. The Old Grounds is an area of rough bottom that can attract flounder and other fish mixed in, like sea bass. Flounder can sometimes be bigger there.

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