The unprecedented run of bluefin tuna in waters along the east coast during December may have been a once in a lifetime event — or could be a sign of things to come. In any case, the reaction of party boat captain Monty Hawkins of the Morning Star from Ocean City. Md. sums it up in a post made just before his last trip as follows:

“Say now.. What’s the craziest fishing trip you ever went on?

Well Shoot. Might have a new one for a few locals. Several local charter boats are going. Another boat, who fished with us Friday, is coming from Avalon, NJ!

I’ll give it a go too!

Sure wouldn’t advise driving from afar. Could well be the last of our amazing tuna run though. There’s a good lull in the wind as this storm builds offshore – it’s already begun. A true “Calm before the Storm” has started.

Seas fall out to 1ft at 11seconds at midnight tonight – a seriously calm ocean.

BUT! The wind does come on in the afternoon. We’ll Have To pick up by noon or so – otherwise see a real blizzard at sea!

I have tog & cbass fished in snow many times. Mackerel too back in the day. Built reef in snow; best ever duck & goose hunting back when..

Never tuna.

Time to change that.

Shelly is consulting the American Practical Navigator’s chapters on heavy weather at sea right now, in fact (or not so much!)

Perhaps a tale for the ages..

For this report then? A tuna trip only – tomorrow! Sunday, 1/6/25! Price cut for short term notice!

Don’t Call Anna! Email Me to reserve a spot. (don’t anticipate many emails with 10 hours notice!) Am going even if it’s just crew!

mhawkins@morningstarfishing.com

Sea Bass are closed.

Tuna on the Morning Star:

After going four for four, then five for five? And six for nine? And then seven for nine on our last trip on Friday 1/3/25? I’d say my crew and I have bluefin tuna sort of dialed in – if perhaps only at Junior Varsity levels! I’m offering another bluefin trip 1/6/25 – It WILL get cut short by wind. Regs Do Have Us Cut Back To One Fish under 73 inches. We netted and released 6 our last trip – kept one. We had several trips early on with one fish that were a blast.

Trip leaves at 5:30 (or 5 if all are aboard!) and sells out at 5 for $200 (usually $375) per angler. We can catch and release plus keep one gooder. Also now have spinning rods for tight or breaking schools..

I do not sell fish. Clients split the entire catch equally (with a small share for crew if we want any at all! And, Heaven Help Me! If we catch any at all!!! ..sure have been, but this is fishing in grand scale.)

TUNA:

I’m hooked on this tuna thing. Never dreamed I’d have such fish coming aboard my boat. Have had a bunch nearing and over 150lbs! These are trolling trips – not chunking. First on the rod and following order will be pulled from our daily reef raffle tix – $20 to play because there will be no fish pool.

They fight unlike anything I’ve ever known. On my trips we’ve had full rounds of anglers fighting fish – even three rounds! An angler reels until they can’t and then switch off to the next angler who is already in a shoulder harness/belt.

This way we keep a fresh angler cranking until a tuna is harpooned or gaffed..

Just watching them bust the surface is exciting – the bite is exhilarating..

And now spinners? Fun when they’re right there – either on top busting or on the screen deep….

Leave a smallish cooler for tuna steaks in your vehicle – we’ll divvy up after we tag a fish..

The rules changed January 1st! Only one under 73 inches a day. Also allowed 1 giant a year.. Close to 100 inches? Maybe we box it.

Maybe. “

Monday’s forecast in NY/NJ Bight is for west winds at 10-15 knots plus gusts to 20 before diminishing to 10-15 in the afternoon.

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