Anglers making the long run out to the canyons continue to enjoy quality fishing for a variety of big game species. Some of the hottest reports over the past week were from anglers returning from the Spencer Canyon. The crew of the White Lightning spent a night in the Spencer for seven yellowfin tuna. An overnighter on the Reel Extreme also paid off, with anglers boating nine yellowfins and releasing a white marlin. Fishermen aboard the Bill Collector focused on wahoo, boating three 50-pounders while trolling to the west of the canyon in 30 to 40 fathoms. The trip also produced a white marlin release. Bluewater captains also reported good fishing in the Baltimore Canyon, according to Joe Morris at Lewes Harbour Marina. An overnight trip to the Baltimore provided Shawn Gallagher and crew with five yellowfins to 55 pounds, a gaffer dolphin and a white marlin. Topping the offshore report from Bill Baker at Bill's Sport Shop was a trip to the Baltimore for the Marie Ann that produced three white marlin, a sailfish, mahi mahi and skipjack tuna. The lumps inside the 30-fathom line also provided decent action on pelagic species for trollers and chunkers, according to Rick Willman at Rick's Bait and Tackle. Tom Hinchman and Wayne Holman checked in with reports of a hot dolphin bite while trolling the Elephant's Trunk. Sunset Marina passed along a report of yellowfin tuna being caught at the Hot Dog by anglers aboard the Commocean. While big sea bass were the primary target for boaters fishing the wrecks on the east side of the 20-fathom line, catch reports also listed cod, triggerfish, ling, bluefish and an occasional flounder. Nancy Stacy fished with Captains Brent and Dave aboard the Katy Did for a nice catch of bass, including a trophy weighing 3.67 pounds. The same trip provided Richard Adams with a 12.5-pound cod. The season on black sea bass closed Wednesday and will remain closed through the end of the month. With the bass season closed, wreck fishermen have changed their focus to tautog, with reports of good fishing on the structure piled up on the ocean reefs and the inshore wrecks. Small bluefish continued to dominate reports from surf casters from Cape Henlopen to Assateague Island, with kingfish, sharks and short stripers also reported by fishermen checking in with Clark Evans at Old Inlet Bait and Tackle. Evans recommended fresh bunker, Fishbites, bloodworms and fresh spot. The rock jetties at Indian River Inlet have been popular for anglers fishing for tautog, with a fair number of keeper fish caught on fleas and green crabs. The rocks also are providing scattered catches of triggerfish, puppy drum and sheepsheads. Fishermen casting from the rocks or jigging the inlet from boats are scoring on bluefish and stripers, with effective baits including bucktails, live eels and spot, swimming shad lures and flies. Massey's Ditch also is providing blues and stripers, along with puppy drum, tog, croaker and an occasional flounder.

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