It’s thresher time

During my early days fishing for sharks over half a century ago there were no thresher sharks being caught in NY/NJ Bight, though I knew they were considered a possibility in the area. However, there were also few bunkers at that time. Fisheries management which has led to great numbers of bunkers inshore changed everything, as anglers now often hook up with a shark we weren’t sure existed even when we don’t want them while seeking stripers in bunker schools or even drifting for fluke.

The first report I got this spring was from Capt. Lou Grazioso who did the butchering job yesterday on a 425-pounder caught by Chris Schmidt from his 27-foot World Cat after hooking it on a live bunker. With only two girls aboard, that thresher couldn’t be boated and had to be towed all the way to Hoffman’s in Point Pleasant.

Some more offshore news came in today from Capt. Rick Woerner, who reported a quick trip to Wilmington Canyon produced yellowfin tuna

All striped bass and sea bass reports remain very positive, though the Jamaica from Brielle cautions that the sea bass season ends after June 19.

Vinny D.Anton got into a couple 28-inch stripers this morning in the Monmouth County surf while baiting with sand fleas.

There’s a small craft warning up for Saturday morning to night. The forecast is for northeast winds at 20-25 knots before dropping to 15-20 in the afternoon.

The Staten Island Tuna Club is sponsoring a seminar on tuna fishing with Canyon Runner skipper Deane Lambros on June 9 in Proving Ground Waterfront Rest. at 56 Shrewsbury Ave., in Highlands, N.J. with a buffet dinner and many raffle prizes. Call Chip at 201 390-6544 for the $49 tickets.