The annual July 4 Blue Marlin World Cup competition was won this year in Hawaii as Apex boated an 834.5-pounder at Kona. That was worth $1.24 million to Cyrus Widhelm, who payed the $5,000 entry fee. With a minimum size of 500 pounds, there was only one other entry — a 714-pounder on Mike King’s Blue Bill at Bermuda. Last year’s winner was a 950-pounder at Africa’s Cape Verde which has become the hot spot for outsized blues. All the fishing is during the same local time hours worldwide.

Dave Lilly could do no wrong today while drifting for fluke at a favorite offshore spot as a four-man limit was put together in just 90 minutes of fishing. Dave’s largest was a 7-pounder, and fluke of 22 to 23 inches were being released. There were also a few sea bass on the rough bottom.

Capt. Dave DeGennaro says 40-60-pound yellowfin tuna are now within range for him to run open tuna trips this Friday and Saturday with Hi Flier from Barnegat. The trips will be from 3 a,m to 4 p.m. and cost $450 with a limit of four. Call Dave at 732 330-5674.

The inshore forecast is for southeast winds at 5-10 knots.

Vinny D’Anton got a pleasant surprise this morning when he caught school stripers in the Monmouth County surf on his Chug Bug as the bass were feeding on tiny peanut bunkers. One was 28 inches, but most were around 24 inches. The only negative was the red blotches on the bass which had been perfectly clear earlier in the summer.

The Big Mohawk from Belmar found mostly short fluke yesterday, though there were some limits up to 5 pounds.

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