Sea bass open Friday in N.J.

Party boats in N.J. have been releasing sea bass for weeks. but that changes Friday when that prime food fish becomes legal through June 19 with a bag limit of 10 at a 12.5-inch minimum.

Check with your favorite party boat as some may be running special trips for the opener.

Chuck Many continues to release big stripers on live eels from his Tyman out of Highlands .

“Great day on Sunday with Kristian Henriksen & Cesar Carranza!!!”

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The forecast is for southeast winds at just 5-10 knots before going east at 10-15 in the afternoon. Rain is possible in the morning, and likely in the afternoon.

Jim Hutchinson Jr. of The Fisherman reports:

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Looking forward to a great event, StriperQuest ’24, with Captains Meeting on Wednesday at Ross Brewery in Belford, NJ, and a 100% ‘catch, tag and release’ striper contest on Thursday. Awards ceremony afterwards back at Ross Brewery. If you have a Raritan Bay charter already booked for Thursday, check with your captain and fish for $$$ and science! Gray FishTag Research

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