The first time I fished the Jackspot I hadn’t a clue as to the storied past of this well-known area. Ignorant was I to the incredible billfish action this little patch of the Atlantic once produced. By some historical accounts, the Jackspot put O.C. on the big game fishing map. All I knew was that my little but nimble 20-foot power cat could easily make the 21-mile or so run from the O.C. Inlet under an hour.
The few times I’ve fished it, my main targets have been bluefish and king mackerel on the troll, using cedar plugs. I’d read that these lures could catch anything, and I did land a few slammer blues, but no kings. In time, trolling and chunking gained popularity, particularly among the “mosquito fleet” of smaller craft that didn’t have the fuel range and safety margin to fish the canyons.
“The Jackspot has been a great fishery, (one) that the legendary Ocean City charter fleet (sailing) from Talbot Street Marina in the late 1930s thru the mid 1980s fished daily during the summer for white marlin, slow trolling dead squid baits,” says Brian Roberts, an avid bluewater angler and director of the Big Fish Classic tournament. “In the late ’80s, bluefin tuna became the targeted species, and in the early ’90s yellowfin tuna showed up.” Roberts says over the last 15 years many boats have “run over fish trying to reach blue water out in the canyons…” May through late June, he says, is when the Mako fishing heats up.
“On any given day from June to August you may find bluefin and yellowfin tuna, bluefish, dolphin, or king mackerel on the troll with feathers, spoons, green machines, and cedar plugs,” he says. “Additionally, if the water is right, you still may catch a white marlin. Last year there were even sailfish caught just north of the Jackspot.”
“When it comes to fishing, the area is a pot of gold,” says John Unkart, veteran bluewater angler and author of “Offshore Pursuit” and “Saltwater Tales.” “For bluewater anglers the lump drops off on the southeast side from 46 feet to over 110 feet. This edge can provide great chunking action for bluefin. Anglers trolling routinely find Atlantic bonita, king mackerel, and bluefish. However, keep an eye on SST shots. When favorable water moves in, so do mahi, yellowfin, and wahoo. I’ve even had clients release white marlin!”
Anyone who has fished the Jackspot knows it to be a reliable destination flush with angling opportunity. “My most memorable day,” Roberts told me, “was catching loads of small tuna, bluefish, and king mackerel trolling small baits in mid June with 12-pound tackle.”