Bottom fishing improves

The Ocean Explorer from Belmar found good variety bottom fishing during Monday’s trip even though increasing sea bass still have to be released. They reported “Beautiful day to be offshore,good life on the bottom as well.Blackfish,Ling,winter flounder,lots of nice sea bass showing up to look at then release.” The Capt. Cal 2 from Belmar had a similar report.

When I used to charter out of Manasquan Inlet many years ago, April was the best month to find big sea bass on inshore wrecks to the south before smaller fish became dominant.

Matt Calabria reported for Capt. John Contello’s Jut Sayin as follows”Excellent Bass fishing on the last bunch of trips!! The live bunker bite is savage when it’s available and the troll bite is just as good. This morning we landed several dozen fish up to 40+ inches. Non stop action from start to finish. Full boat limit of slot keepers as well. Thank you to all of the crews that have been out with us recently!! We look forward to seeing a lot of you soon “

A small craft advisory is up for NY/NJ Bight from this evening to late Wednesday night. The forecast is for southwest winds at 15-20 knots before shifting to west in the afternoon. There’s a chance of showers.

Chuck Many is giving stripers a break while enjoying black drum action from shore at Hilton Head.