Gale warning Saturday

Today’s small craft advisory changes to a gale warning for Saturday with northwest winds at 25-30 knots plus gusts to 35.

Though April 1 is the start of the NJ spring tautog season, the gale forecast will cut into participation. Actually, it’s possible to fish structure along the N.J. Shore that’s very close to the beach as the hills provide protection from a northwest wind. The season runs through 4/30 with a bag limit of four at a 15-inch minimum.

The Reel Seat in Brielle is running an open house at their expanded operation from 9 to 4 today. Refreshments and door prizes are provided. The address is 707 Union Ave.

The Golden Eagle from Belmar will begin their daily schedule Sunday with bottom fishing for cod, ling and blackfish while keeping an eye peeled for signs of stripers. The Ocean Explore rran into a very early showing of ocean stripers, but there’s been no trace of them out front since then.

Raritan Bay striper fishing continues to improve. Andreas Toy from Perth Amboy Got into good jigging with shads for John Welsh and his sons John, Jason and Frank before they switched to spoons for bigger bass up to a 49-inch release.

Capt. Nick Stanczyk was trolling on his Broad Minded out of Bud’N Mary’s Marina in Islamorada during Jimmy Johnson’s Sailfish Tournament when this wahoo became one of the winners. (see photo at bottom)