Tight Lines

With northwest winds at only 10-15 knots, the NY/NJ area should enjoy a relatively nice winter day.

The New Jersey Boat Sale & Expo gets the winter show season underway with their Feb. 12-15 presentation at at the N.J. Expo Center in Edison. Many seminars are available, and info can be obtained by visiting jerseyboatexpo.com

A small craft advisory is up through Thursday. Northwest winds at 20-25 knots drop to 15-20 in the afternoon.

Vinny D’Anton reports from Sarasota that the recent air temperatures in the 30’s haven’t resulted in any big fish kills so far. He’s still catching sea trout and southern flounder by casting a DOA Ahrimp

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Codfishing used to be a popular winter sport in the N/NJ area, but no one seems to be interested in prospecting for the winter king any longer. That sport used to be best in early winter at the many large wrecks within easy reach of local party boats, but even a pick would bring out anglers willing to wait for one big fish. However, it appears there aren’t enough tough fishermen left to check out the possibilities.

Tuesday would be an ideal time to try that as the forecast in NY/NJ Bight is for just west winds at 5 knots.

The brutal winter in NY/NJ Bight continues as Capt. Chris DiStefano reports plenty of ice on Raritan Bay as well as the rivers. Nick Honachefsky noted that the Navesink River is so frozen that skaters are out in force, and Dave Lilly says even the strong currents at the Sandy Hook Bridge hasn’t prevented freezing there. There’s no relief in sight as a gale warning is up through Sunday.

The brutal winter in the NY-NJ area has continued with an unusual heavy freezing spray warning from to 6 a.m. Sunday from Sandy Hook to Montauk. Under those conditions ice can accumulate so quickly from spray that the stability of a vessel may be endangered.

Capt. Mark DeBlasio described today’s bluefin fishing in North Carolina as amazing inperfect conditions as great anglers had over 100 bites and 31 bluefins caught on spinning tackle!

The Friday forecast in NY/NJ Bight is for north winds at only 5-10 knots. A gale watch is up for Saturday.

A rare winter calm is in the forecast for Thursday with north winds at only 5-10 knots. Unfortunately, it won’t last long as a gale watch goes up on Saturday morning.

Many of Joe’s friends will gather Wednesday at D Elio Funeral Home in Lakewood for a viewing for that great angler and fighter for fisherman’s rights who died at 82 this week. That will end with a memorial service at 7.

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The weather in NY/NJ Bight is moderating tomorrow with northwest winds at 10-15 knots plus gusts to 20. However, Dave Lilly reports the Shrewsbury River is frozen solid despite the powerful current.

Famed angler Bill Boyce reports from Tropic Star Lodge in Panama:

“Another HISTORIC WEEK at Tropic Star Lodge, Panama. Just yesterday setting an INSANE number of lodge records…. most blue / black marlin released in a day = 61, most marlin released in a week = 243, 40 of which were black marlin..!! A total of 426 sailfish were released, and to sweeten the week even more, the release of a massive blue marlin on the Miss Ma’am with Captain Jack White which taped out at the 1,000 lb mark. Also worthy of note was the first recorded release of a shortbilled spearfish, and several jumbo yellowfin tuna to 230 lbs and many donkey sized dorado. The guests were all top notch anglers, and the sea conditions were north winds that kept these marlin and sailfish at the surface and CHEWING..!!!Another HISTORIC WEEK at Tropic Star Lodge, Panama. Just yesterday setting an INSANE number of lodge records…. most blue / black marlin released in a day = 61, most marlin released in a week = 243, 40 of which were black marlin..!! A total of 426 sailfish were released, and to sweeten the week even more, the release of a massive blue marlin on the Miss Ma’am with Captain Jack White which taped out at the 1,000 lb mark. Also worthy of note was the first recorded release of a shortbilled spearfish, and several jumbo yellowfin tuna to 230 lbs and many donkey sized dorado. The guests were all top notch anglers, and the sea conditions were north winds that kept these marlin and sailfish at the surface and CHEWING..!!!Another HISTORIC WEEK at Tropic Star Lodge, Panama. Just yesterday setting an INSANE number of lodge records…. most blue / black marlin released in a day = 61, most marlin released in a week = 243, 40 of which were black marlin..!! A total of 426 sailfish were released, and to sweeten the week even more, the release of a massive blue marlin on the Miss Ma’am with Captain Jack White which taped out at the 1,000 lb mark. Also worthy of note was the first recorded release of a shortbilled spearfish, and several jumbo yellowfin tuna to 230 lbs and many donkey sized dorado. The guests were all top notch anglers, and the sea conditions were north winds that kept these marlin and sailfish at the surface and CHEWING..!!!Another HISTORIC WEEK at Tropic Star Lodge, Panama. Just yesterday setting an INSANE number of lodge records…. most blue / black marlin released in a day = 61, most marlin released in a week = 243, 40 of which were black marlin..!! A total of 426 sailfish were released, and to sweeten the week even more, the release of a massive blue marlin on the Miss Ma’am with Captain Jack White which taped out at the 1,000 lb mark. Also worthy of note was the first recorded release of a shortbilled spearfish, and several jumbo yellowfin tuna to 230 lbs and many donkey sized dorado. The guests were all top notch anglers, and the sea conditions were north winds that kept these marlin and sailfish at the surface and CHEWING..!!!Another HISTORIC WEEK at Tropic Star Lodge, Panama. Just yesterday setting an INSANE number of lodge records…. most blue / black marlin released in a day = 61, most marlin released in a week = 243, 40 of which were black marlin..!! A total of 426 sailfish were released, and to sweeten the week even more, the release of a massive blue marlin on the Miss Ma’am with Captain Jack White which taped out at the 1,000 lb mark. Also worthy of note was the first recorded release of a shortbilled spearfish, and several jumbo yellowfin tuna to 230 lbs and many donkey sized dorado. The guests were all top notch anglers, and the sea conditions were north winds that kept these marlin and sailfish at the surface and CHEWING..!!!Another HISTORIC WEEK at Tropic Star Lodge, Panama. Just yesterday setting an INSANE number of lodge records…. most blue / black marlin released in a day = 61, most marlin released in a week = 243, 40 of which were black marlin..!! A total of 426 sailfish were released, and to sweeten the week even more, the release of a massive blue marlin on the Miss Ma’am with Captain Jack White which taped out at the 1,000 lb mark. Also worthy of note was the first recorded release of a shortbilled spearfish, and several jumbo yellowfin tuna to 230 lbs and many donkey sized dorado. The guests were all top notch anglers, and the sea conditions were north winds that kept these marlin and sailfish at the surface and CHEWING..!!!Another HISTORIC WEEK at Tropic Star Lodge, Panama. Just yesterday setting an INSANE number of lodge records…. most blue / black marlin released in a day = 61, most marlin released in a week = 243, 40 of which were black marlin..!! A total of 426 sailfish were released, and to sweeten the week even more, the release of a massive blue marlin on the Miss Ma’am with Captain Jack White which taped out at the 1,000 lb mark. Also worthy of note was the first recorded release of a shortbilled spearfish, and several jumbo yellowfin tuna to 230 lbs and many donkey sized dorado. The guests were all top notch anglers, and the sea conditions were north winds that kept these marlin and sailfish at the surface and CHEWING..!!!Another HISTORIC WEEK at Tropic Star Lodge, Panama. Just yesterday setting an INSANE number of lodge records…. most blue / black marlin released in a day = 61, most marlin released in a week = 243, 40 of which were black marlin..!! A total of 426 sailfish were released, and to sweeten the week even more, the release of a massive blue marlin on the Miss Ma’am with Captain Jack White which taped out at the 1,000 lb mark. Also worthy of note was the first recorded release of a shortbilled spearfish, and several jumbo yellowfin tuna to 230 lbs and many donkey sized dorado. The guests were all top notch anglers, and the sea conditions were north winds that kept these marlin and sailfish at the surface and CHEWING..!”

Anglers in the NY/NJ Bight area get a break in the brutal weather as the Tuesday forecast is for west winds at just 10 knots.