The 50th anniversary White Marlin Invitational, sponsored by the Beach Haven Marlin and Tuna Club, got off to a slow start Wednesday when all 30 boats entered decided not to head offshore into a “sporty” sea. Then just three fished Thursday in still choppy conditions. Their results were poor, with only one released white marlin plus small tuna and dolphin.
The good news is that means almost the entire fleet will be fishing today and tomorrow in what appear to be better conditions to conclude the contest for over $106,000 in prize money. I’ll have an update after the scales close this evening.
The 25th anniversary Point Pleasant Elks Fluke Tournament will be contested Saturday in a weather forecast of light winds that should allow entrants to fish anywhere they wish. The captains meeting is 7-9 p.m. today at the Elks Lodge, 820 Arnold Ave. in Point Pleasant. The late entry fees are $195 per powerboat with up to four anglers, and $65 in the Kayak Division. For info call 732 899-7638.
Pete Connell of Avon had a poor report on yesterday’s fluke fishing from his boat out of Neptune as he and Don Smith managed only one keeper plus few and very small shorts from many of his favorite drops. The only positive was all the schools of bait spotted and marked — though nothing was on them.
The Jamaica from Brielle has been doing very well on daily 7:30 a.m. bonito trips, but that boat is chartered Saturday. They will also turn to tuna on Monday, July 29 with a 12:30 a.m. departure to the 40-70-mile area for $285 with a limit of 25. The return will be at 5 p.m. Call 732 528-5014 for reservations.
The Mimi VI from Point Pleasant will be fishing open for bottom fish on Thursday, Aug. 1. The fare is $75 for the 7 a.m. trip. Call 732 370-8019 for reservations.
The first surf report of little tunny was from Bay Head late yesterday afternoon as a school of bait was blasted in close. Bob Correll and Jim Gates were only able to catch a few cocktail blues, but identified both Spanish mackerel and little tunny jumping at the same time. The bait was there again this morning, but only a few very small blues were hooked as Spanish mackerel were seen jumping further offshore.
Shark River bluefish only cooperated on poppers for a very short period early this morning as the few of us fishing each caught a few 3-4-pounders on poppers before they shut off with the current still running hard. Vinny D’Anton tried the Manasquan surf, but found no fish or bait.
You never know when some fish may turn on. Allen Riley sent a note from Dan Brodzinski (Dan the Tinman from Piscataway) who was sitting on the beach with his wife under the hot sun this morning at Seven President’s Park in Long Branch when he decided to do some casting and caught a short fluke — before he hooked into a 7-8-pound striper!
The Golden Eagle from Belmar reported another good day of jigging blues, bonito and chub mackerel. They suggest you bring light spinning tackle for best results and the most sport.
Following is info and registration materials for the Hudson River Fishermen’s Association Catfish Chaos Derby next month.
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