Fo;;owing is Jeff Merrill’s official wrap-up of an exciting Day 3:

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As expected, the offshore weather changed dramatically on Day Three with light, variable winds and calm seas providing a refreshing change from the past 36 hours.  On the day, 143 boats headed offshore including 95 from Ocean City and 48 from Cape May.  The tuna bite continued but more importantly the billfish bite improved dramatically compared to the past week and the first qualifying white marlin of the tournament was also weighed today and several boats had multiple white marlin releases as well.       

Captain Kyle Peet at the wheel of Michael Peet’s New Castle, Delaware-based No Quarter got the evening’s weigh-in off to an early start as minutes after the scales opened he was in position in Ocean City to weigh a blue marlin for angler Michael Peet.  After stretching the measuring tape out to 116¼” the marlin tipped the scales at 539 pounds to move into the lead in the category.  However, No Quarter’s time at the top of the leaderboard would be short lived as the next boat in line, Christopher Kinsley’s Seven Valleys, Pennsylvania-based Kilo Charlie, also had a sizeable blue marlin to weigh for angler Andrew Kinsley. After measuring the length at 119 7/8” the blue marlin pulled the scale down to 607 pounds to jump in to the lead and push No Quarter in to second place.  Langhorne, Pennsylvania’s Michael Pintozzi aboard his Random Chaos now sits in third place with his 490 pounder.    

The white marlin bite improved dramatically and in addition to a significant number of that species being released by the tournament fleet, the first qualifying fish in the category were weighed as well.  Captain Stetson Turney pulled Michael Jordan’s Jupiter, Florida-based Catch 23 to the scale in Ocean City and weighed a 73 pounder for angler Patrick Field to take the lead.  Captain Austin Robbins put Matthew Weber’s Max Bet from Vero Beach, Florida in second place after weighing a 65 pounder for angler Anthony Weber.  Third place remains vacant.             

The Right Place of Summit, New Jersey’s Bob Hugin continues to hold the top two places in the tuna category with big eyes of 193 and 152 pounds.  Random Chaos remains in third place with their 80-pound yellowfin tuna. 

Michael Murray of Brick, New Jersey aboard his Caitlin remains in control of first and second place in the wahoo category with 43 and 28 pounders.  Third place now belongs to Elberta, Alabama’s Chris Hood aboard his It Just Takes Time after he weighed a 23 pounder today.

The dolphin category filled today as Captain Spencer Bradley put Randolph, New Jersey’s Billy Wrede aboard his  Lovin’ Life in the lead with a 39 pounder.  Second and third place belong to Wilmington, Delaware’s William Doherty aboard his Undertaker with Captain Corey Kennington at the wheel after weighing 24 and 21 pounders.       

Some of the boats with significant billfish releases on Day Three include John Gudelsky’s Reel Joy with two blue marlin and one white marlin and Rusty Carter’s Stream Weaver with two white marlin and one blue marlin.  Bill Hoagland’s Lights Out and Victor Roof’s Miss Maxine each released a white marlin and a blue marlin.  Howard Berger’s Boss Hogg, Rocky Hardison’s Wolverine, Brian Dwyer’s Slabjack and Stephen Phillips Shearwater each released a blue marlin.  John Dougherty’s Outrage released six white marlin while Pat Healey’s Viking 80 released five white marlin.  Matthew Weber’s Max Bet, Keely Megarity’s C-Student and Kenneth Johnson’s Espadon each released four white marlin.  Mike Penza’s Oil Slick and Robert Boyce’s Lucky 7 each released three white marlin.  “

Big changes were expected in the MidAtlantic with 170 boats fishing, and that was certainly the case, especially at the Ocean City, Md. port when the scales opened at 5 p.m.

The 490-pound blue marlin leader from Monday on Random Chaos looked good before No Quarter weighed a 539-pound blue which didn’t last too long before Kilo Charlie arrived with a 607-pound blue. Shortly before I took a break from watching the scales to get this out there was a 517-pound weigh-in by Juben.

A much smaller billfish might be worth much more money as Max Bet weighed the only qualifying white marlin so far at 65 pounds.

I’ll catch up with additional weigh-ins in a late blog after the scales close at 9.

The Golden Eagle at Belmar reported loading up with chub mackerel which were joined in the slick by small blues.

The forecast is for northwest winds at 5 knots before going southwest in the afternoon.

With much better offshore forecasts coming up, hardly any boats fished Day 2 of the MidAtlantic out of Cape May plus Ocean City, Md. today. As noted in last night’s late blog, there was lots of excitement as Three’s Enough weighed a blue marlin over the 400-pound minimum to get in line for a possible million-dollar payoff but didn’t have time to pop the corks before Random Chaos beat their 469-pounder with a 490-pound entry. Random Chaos also weighed an 80-pound yellowfin. tuna.

Large bigeye tuna were featured in other contests this year, but only one boat found them yesterday as The Right Place weighed tuna of 193 and 152 pounds that were fought by Bob Hugin and Deane Lambros. There were quite a few 50-70-pound yellowfins weighed, but an unusually large 70-pound albacore was boated by Milling Around. That was only four pounds off the N.J. state record for that species which migrates great distances in temperate seas throughout the world. They are frequently referred to as longfins, but the proper name is simply albacore.

One boat also dominated in wahoo, as Caitlin from Brick, N.J. boated two of 43 and 28 pounds. Only one dolphin was weighed, and it fell short of the 20-pound minimum. The lack of white marlin continued, though some were released. If there is any significant change, I’ll add a late blog after 9.

The Golden Eagle from Belmar was heading home from its tuna trip this morning with some yellowfins, albacore, tilefish and dolphin aboard.

The inshore forecast is for northwest winds at 5-10 knots — increasing to 10-15 late. Isolated showers and thunderstorms are possible.

The Paramount from Brielle is switching to jumbo porgy trips from 6:30-3:30 on Thursday. Saturday is sold out. Call 732 528-2117.

Though white marlin remain scarce, two big blue marlin made the first day of the MidAtlantic a success. Jeff Merrill’s official summary follows:

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The first day of fishing at the 2022 MidAtlantic got off to a damp start as a weather system pushed in from the south and brought showers and breezy conditions for the 69 boats that gave it a go one Day One.  It was a late night for tournament staff on Sunday at both venues as they kept busy totaling up entries and tallying the total purse but at this point we can confirm 178 boats are in the line-up and the total cash purse is well over $5.2 million!

Monday’s weigh-in session got off to an exciting start as two blue marlin were weighed in Cape May.  Captain Mchael Pintozzi aboard his Random Chaos out of Langhorne, Pennsylvania jumped to the early lead in the category after weighing a 490-pounder that measured 116½” for angler Ben Stern.  Captain Kyle Sherman put Justin Branning’s Three’s Enough based out of Manasquan, New Jersey in second place with a 469-pounder for angler Brian Komer that measured 113¾”.  Third place remains vacant. 

The first day of fishing at the 2022 MidAtlantic got off to a damp start as a weather system pushed in from the south and brought showers and breezy conditions for the 69 boats that gave it a go one Day One.  It was a late night for tournament staff on Sunday at both venues as they kept busy totaling up entries and tallying the total purse but at this point we can confirm 178 boats are in the line-up and the total cash purse is well over $5.2 million!

Monday’s weigh-in session got off to an exciting start as two blue marlin were weighed in Cape May.  Captain

Michael Pintozzi aboard his Random Chaos out of Langhorne, Pennsylvania jumped to the early lead in the category after weighing a 490-pounder that measured 116½” for angler Ben Stern.  Captain Kyle Sherman put Justin Branning’s Three’s Enough based out of Manasquan, New Jersey in second place with a 469-pounder for angler Brian Komer that measured 113¾”.  Third place remains vacant. 

Though billfish were hard to find for most of the tournament fleet today tuna provided a lot of action and the tournament staff worked well past the 9 p.m. deadline in Cape May as numerous boats had checked in and were waiting in line to weigh fish.  Well over three dozen tuna were weighed including two large big eyes and one exceptionally large true albacore.  Captain Evan Millas put Summit, New Jersey’s Bob Hugin aboard his The Right Place into first and second place after weighing a pair of big eye tuna of 193 and 152 pounds for anglers Hugin and Deane Lambros.   In addition to weighing the heaviest blue marlin today, Michael Pintozzi’s Random Chaos is currently in third place in the tuna category with an 80-pound yellowfin.  Worthy of note is a 70-pound true albacore weighed aboard John Stavola’s Milling Around from Jupiter, Florida that fell just a few pounds short of the New Jersey state record for the species.

In the wahoo category Captain Jay Kittle wheeled Brick, New Jersey’s Michael Murray on his Caitlin into first and second place after weighing 43 and 28 pounders for anglers Jimmy and Greg Murray.  Third place remains vacant.            

There were no white marlin or dolphin weighed on Day One and both categories remain vacant.  Some of the boats with multiple billfish releases on Day One include Joe Bernert’s Quick Raise released two blue marlin while James Cahill’s Harmony, Kevin Putman’s Is That So and Rob Gauthier’s Bar South each released two white marlin.      

Please note the MidAtlantic tournament is a private event.  Nightly weigh-in sessions at Canyon Club Resort Marina and Sunset Marina as well as other tournament venues are not open to the general public and require credentials for entry.  All local, state and federal procedures with regard to Covid-19 are being followed to ensure the health and safety of all tournament staff, sponsors and participants.   

For further information contact Tournament Director Aaron Hoffman at 609-884-0177 or visit the tournament’s web site at www.themidatlantic.com where you’ll find all the facts, figures and information about this year’s event including a complete rundown of calcutta payouts, rules, points, and an event schedule.  

The 31st MidAtlantic is off and running with 178 boats fishing out of Cape May plus Ocean City, MD for a purse that should be over $5 million when the counting is finished after yesterday’s captains meetings at the two sites.

As usual, I’ll be doing a late blog after the scales close at 9 p.m.

Hopefully, there will be better marlin fishing than has been the case during the summer tournaments so far. I haven’t been able to get final results from the Beach Haven White Marlin Invitational so far, but famed marine artist Steve Goine passed along info from the Pirate’s Cove Tournament in Manteo, N.C. where 81 boats released mostly sailfish rather than white marlin.

The Golden Eagle from Belmar reported one of their best fishing days ever with unlimited numbers of chub mackerel plus lots of blues and some sea bass. There were also bonito in the chum along with big sharks. However, the boat is on a tuna trip and won’t be back on the daily schedule until Wednesday.

The forecast is for southwest winds at 5-10 knots with possible showers plus afternoon thunderstorms.

Dave Lilly was fishing for fluke over the weekend in a tournament when he was shocked to start catching large weakfish in 70-foot depths where he released four. Dave was using whole squid, and the weaks were in such unusually deep waters that they had filled air bladders sticking out of their mouths. Those bladders can be pricked with the point of the hook so the fish has a chance of survival when released.

Lilly is the most consistent fluke prize winner in northern New Jersey, but he worked his favorite spots in Ambrose under perfect conditions without catching a fluke over 3 pounds.

There was better news today from Capt. Ron Santee of the Fishermen from Atlantic Highlands as follows: “

I wouldn’t call it a banner day but for those who could work it, they got it done with the keepers.

Gregg “Hit-man”did his thing landing a double limit along with the pool fish at 6 pounds three ounces, fishing next to Lou who is leading the Monthly pool with a 6 pound 5 ounce fish!

Couple customers had their three by days end, many had two, all quality fish.

Not easy fishing the sticky stuff, bait fishing has been the ticket but the die hard jiggers seem to want to prove me wrong……

Back at it in the AM sailing 7:30AM…Open Boat, No Reservations just come on down. Fare is $90“

The Queen Mary from Point Pleasant reported September fishing is upon us as little tunny have shown up to join the bluefish which bite most days.

I haven’t been able to obtain final results from the White Marlin Invitational, but will try again tomorrow.

The captains meeting for the MidAtlantic is finishing up, and there should be a big fleet running to the canyons tomorrow. The inshore forecast is for southeast at 10 knots with a possibility of showers and thunderstorms.

Legacy topped today’s catches n the White Marlin Invitational, but their 140-pound tuna fell short of Crisdel’s leading 194.7-pounder while other tuna entries were much smaller.

The only change in other weighed fish was the only wahoo of the contest on Hold Tight. I’ll have more about the WMIT results tomorrow.

Crisdel and many other boats moved to Cape May for Monday’s start of the MidAtlantic.

The Big Mohawk from Belmar reported a beautiful day with fine fluke fishing and several limits with fish ranging up to about 7 pounds.

The Jamaica from Brielle had another big catch of chub mackerel along with bluefish limits as that bite was best on bait, though there were some caught on poppers.

The forecast is for southeast winds at 5 knots and patchy fog before increasing to 10 knots in the afternoon.

Below is the Maryland state record blue marlin that won big money in last year’s MidAtlantic.

The Beah Haven Marlin & Tuna Club’s White Marlin Invitational is running this week. Crisdel from Brielle Yacht Club got off to a good start with a 194.3-pound bigeye tuna for IGFA officials being hosted by Michael Criscola Jr. Irish Twin also had a good start with a 111.5-pounder while several smaller yellowfins were weighed, but white marlin remained scarce. MJ’s, which boated several bigeyes in the recent White Marlin Open, only got on the leaderboard with a 67-pound tuna today. The largest dolphin so far is only a 16.7-pounder on Big Oil. Entrants only fish two days in the WMI, and many will be shifting over to the MidAtlantic which starts Sunday in Cape May.

After writing about cobia yesterday, there was more news on the internet today as a Connecticut angler caught one in the 40-pound class and is applying for a state record.

Capt. Ralph Layrer that the Hudson River Fisherman’s Association and the Saltwater Anglers of Bergen County had a fluke contest aboard his Last Lady today — the HRFA prevailed.

The Saturday forecast is fine, with south winds at just 5-10 knots.

Capt. Frank Masseria has been into hot fluking lately with his Vitamin Sea from Keyport. There was a boat limit of 125 today plus many 20-inchers released. He has two spots open tomorrow, Call 917 439-6448.

Capt. Ron Santee said his Fishermen from Atlantic Highlands had another good day with fluke as “Dean” won his third pool in a row by boating a 5-pounder. There were several limits and 3-4-pounders around the boat which is chartered on Saturday.

The Jamaica from Brielle reported another day of all you want chub mackerel along with some blues, sea bass and fluke. of legal size.

Cobia used to be a are catch in NY/NJ Bight, but they seem to be building up enough to become a viable target for boaters who know what to look for. Cobia are often mistaken for sharks, and tend to hang around buoys and over wrecks. They’ll hit a wide variety of lures, with a live bait being the best option Some can be very fussy, but many are quite aggressive, During one trip to a Gulf wreck out of Key West I cast a large Sekora tube at what I thought were barracuda only to realize after casting that I was about to spook cobia. After the big splash when the lure landed, I reeled it in as fast as could in order to switch lures only to find every cobia in the school fighting for that tube. I ended up catching one after another before they wised up to the giant spinning tube!

Cobia like to follow rays and sea turtles, so always check them out during the cobia season. Those fish are among the best eating in the ocean, but big ones can make a mess of your boat if dropped on the deck. Florida anglers have learned to open the fish box and swing gaffed cobia right in there before shutting the cover.

There is a minimum size of 37 inches and a two fish limit in NY, but only one at 37 inches is allowed in NJ which also allows only one per vessel.

Eric Kerber with a colorful cobia

Capt. Ron Santee said today was his best fluke trip of the season on the Fishermen from Atlantic Highlands with non-stop action, plenty of limits and 5 1/4-pound pool winner.

The Golden Eagle from Belmar reported an “epic” action day with all you want chub mackerel. bluefish limits for many, and some sea bass and fluke. Friday’s forecast is for west winds at 5-10 knots

Will the MD. poor be moving to Cape May for the MidAtlantic?

Major fishing tournaments have long been providing fish brought in for weighng to Food Banks . Marlin are perfectly edible, but nothing special. However, entrants also frequently leave their tuna as well. The recent White Marlin Open was a terrible one for marlin, though bigeye tuna saved the contest. Large bigeyes are very valuable as the Japanese desire them almost as much as giant bluefins. Yet, MJ’s and some other boats donated their bigeyes to the Food Bank. As a result, “poor” people in Ocean City were dining on bigeyes that would probably sell for over $50 a pound if you could find them at a fish store.

The Golden Eagle from Belmar fished for fluke and sea bass today, but only had a pick in the big swell.

The Jamaica from Brielle reported anglers had all the chub mackerel they wanted plus some sea bass and fluke — while a few managed the five bluefish limit.

The Fishermen from Atlantic Highlands reported a somewhat reduced swell and a decent pick of fluke. A couple of fares managed their three keepers.

Vinny D’Anton said the Monmouth County surf was discolored this morning, but he and Sea Girt pro Frank Conover got into small stripers the previous morning by dropping down to the smaller Redfin swimmer.

The small craft warning comes down at 6p.m. The forecast is for west winds before becoming southwest with gusts to 20 knots in the afternoon.

Following are the results of the JCAA Heavy Hitters Fluke Tournament from Paul Haertel:

We had a total of 35 boats in the tournament of which two boats fished on Thursday, four on Friday, eleven on Saturday and eighteen on Sunday. Sunday was the day that participants could have won 25 k for the largest fluke caught over 12 lbs. The insurance that we paid for that prize really ate into our profit but at least we did make a small profit.

Gerard Scarano and his crew were the big winners in the tournament. They had the largest fluke in the tournament at 6.5 lbs that was caught by Marc Atlas. They swept the single fluke Calcuttas as well as the three fish Calcuttas with a total 16.3 lbs. They won a total of $7,775 which is very good for a tournament with only 35 boats. Greg Ryback came in second with a 6.3 lb fluke and Kevin Cole was third with 6.11 lb fluke. Fourth place went to Jerry Posterino with a 5.81 lb fluke caught by Dick Larson and Jay Lemelin took the fifth and final prize with a 5.54 lb fluke.

Amazingly, Jake Jakubik won both sea bass Calcutttas and took home a total of $2,363 for his 2.2 lb sea bass!

JCAA Tournament Chairman

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