<b>Port Elizabeth</b>

Anglers who ventured out in the heat boated a few summer flounder on the bay, said Sharon from <b>The Girls Place Bait & Tackle</b>. Not many sailed in the triple digits toward the end of the week, but those who did seemed to pick a few. Deep waters 40, 50 or 60 feet reportedly turned out some success, as flounder escaped to cooler waters. Croakers had been bagged on the far southern end of the bay. One or two mentioned finding lots. A friend scored well on white perch, and even a few keeper striped bass, on the Maurice River, mostly on bloodworms. Triggerfish probably still hovered along the surf jetties in the ocean. One angler reported pulling in blackfish from along the Corson’s Inlet Bridge, now that one per day could be kept. He mentioned a 4-pounder and even a 6-pounder. Crabbing was fairly steady. Minnows and all the frozen baits, the full supply, are stocked. Fresh clams might not be carried this weekend and for a moment afterward, during the height of summer. Clams are difficult to keep aboard boats in the heat. But fresh bunker is arriving three or four times a week. The Girls Place is located on Route 47 just after Route 55 ends, and it’s the long, one-story, yellow building on the right. There’s a large parking lot with plenty of room for trailered boats.

<b>Newport</b>

The weather was hot, but crabs love that , and a fair number of rental boaters busheled out on the blueclaws, said Paul from <b>Beaver Dam Boat Rentals</b>. Today was an “odd day,” he said. But the bite’s definitely been on, and one group today in two of the boats totaled three quarters of a bushel. Female crabs were abundant currently. Fishing from the boats was dead because of the heat. Minnows were dying in the pots, because of water temps. But crabbing was fine, Paul said, and some were sizeable. A few 6-1/2-inchers were around, and the majority were 5-1/2-inchers. The shop ran a Groupon special last week, and more than 200 crabbers took advantage. A hope was that new customers would discover Beaver Dam, and newbies from Cape May crabbed today, and planned to return in the next weeks. Paul was unsure whether another Groupon special will be offered, but keep a lookout, because the store’s been running different specials in the past weeks. Customers crab and fish from rental boats that are towed up Oranokin Creek, running past the shop. The staff checks on them every hour, and if any crabbers want a break in the meantime, they cell phone the shop to be picked up. Rental boats should be reserved ahead, because they are in demand. Beaver Dam carries everything needed for a day of crabbing, from bait, traps, and nets to suntan lotion, drinks and ice cream. Rental kayaks and canoes are available to paddle up the wildlife-rich creek. Crabs for eating are for sale when available.

<b>Fortescue</b>

Nineteen keeper summer flounder and 11 small blues were slam-dunked on a charter Sunday on the <b>Buccaneer</b>, Capt. Ralph said. So that was a great trip, and Ralph hoped for a repeat the next day, Monday, but the day’s charter never showed up. Another trip was slated for today. The trip Sunday fished at the wreck buoy. Charters are fishing for flounder, and the trips on the Buccaneer are only $400, compared with $500 or $600 on other vessels. <b>***Update, Tuesday, 7/26:***</b> The trip today creamed 22 keeper flounder to 24 inches! Ralph said in a voicemail. Better go flounder fishing!

Five summer flounder trips fished aboard last week through Sunday on the party boat <b>Salt Talk</b>, Capt. Howard said. Two scored well on the catches, and three were slow. A trip would clean up on the flatties at one place one day. And the next trip would return to the same area the next day, and the fishing would be terrible. Twenty-one keepers were booted aboard Wednesday. Sunday’s trip’s fishing for them was okay, producing 10 keepers, including a 6-pounder. Just a few bluefish bit on trips. Nothing was heard about a substantial population of croakers in the bay yet. A couple of oyster crackers chomped on Sunday’s trip, and Howard hadn’t seen many of those this year, but usually would, during this season. However, trips in a while hadn’t fished the shipping channel, and oyster crackers are usually more abundant there. Trips in the past week often fished toward the Old House, and the stakes near there, but Sunday’s trip fished at the wreck buoy, copping some flounder. The bay was 85.5 degrees on Friday, and somewhat cooler afterward, like 84 degrees on Saturday. Open-boat trips are fishing for summer flounder daily when no charter is booked, and call to confirm.

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