Slow pick in Jersey surf

Vinny D’Anton reports surfcasting along the north Jersey Shore remains picky. He manages to get into a few bass and blues most mornings by working hard with a variety of lures. Today he was surprised by a blue of almost 10 pounds on a popper, and last week one of his bass was a 28 1/2-incher. The usually reliable sand flea bite has never turned on — and those baits have been hard to rake — which may be why bass haven’t been feeding on them.

Vinny has heard that some Spanish mackerel have been showing up in the surf well south of his usual Monmouth County surf spots.

The Queen Mary from Point Pleasant has been into great jigging for small blues most days, while bonito, sea bass and a few Spanish are often added.

Anglers seeking big bluefin tuna have been using live blues to attract their target just a few miles offshore.

A small craft advisory is up this evening. West winds at just 5-10 knots by morning increase to southwest 10-15 in the afternoon.