Strong winds blew out the weekend in NY/NJ Bight, and continues tonight with NW gusts to 45 knots before dropping to northwest 10-15 knots in the morning.

The weather forecast is poor this weekend with a gale watch in effect, but conditions will be fine for visiting the shows noted in yesterday’s blog. The N.J. Boat Sale & Expo runs at the N.J. Convention Center in Edison, while the Philadelphia Fishing Show is in the Philadelphia Expo Center at Oaks.

Bob Bowden is fishing with Chuck Many in his salt ponds at Hilton Head, S.C. where are catching some impressive redfish and spotted sea trout.

The pandemic put an end to sportsman’s shows, but those who look forward to those winter features now have some choices. The World Fishing Expo at Suffern will take another year off, but the Saltwater Fishing Expo returns March 18-20 at the N.J. Convention Center in Edison, N.J.

That site at Raritan Center is also where the N.J. Boat Sale & Expo is presently located through the weekend. For details visit njboatsaleexpo.com.

Also this weekend, anglers can take in the 100 percent fishing Philadelphia Fishing Show at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center in Oaks. Call 732 330-5674 or visit phillyfishingshow.com for details.

Both of this weekend’s shows include free seminars sponsored by The Fisherman magazine.

A storm warning goes up at 6 p.m. for south winds gusting to 40 knots. That switches to west at 25-30 knots plus gusts to 45 and possible showers in the morning before going northwest at 25-30 knots plus gusts to 35 in the afternoon.

Small craft warnings are up through Thursday afternoon, followed by a gale warning to Friday afternoon.

South winds will be 15 to 20 knots tomorrow with gusts to 30.

The Big Mohawk from Belmar is taking a break before sailing next on April 1.

It wasn’t long ago that Climate Change scientists were warning that warming waters were going to result in a migration of Maine lobsters to Canada. Yet, the National Fisherman reports there was an unprecedented 70 % jump in Maine lobster catch value in 2021. It appears the lobsters preferred to march into traps instead of to Nova Scotia.

The marine forecast is for south winds at 15-20 knots.

Small craft warnings are up today, but the NY/NJ Bight marine forecast for Tuesday is west at just 10-15 knots. Should be time for fishing on calm seas!

rN.J. Boat Sale returns Feb. 17-20

The N.J. Boat Sale & Expo lost two years to the pandemic, but will be returning to the N,J. Expo Center in Raritan Center, Edison from Feb. 17-20.

The National Marine Fisheries Service has shut down the General category tuna fishery plus the commercial component of the Charter category as the seasonal quotas were about to be filled. They also closed the southern region Angling category trophy fishery for the same reason.

The Mimi VI from Point Pleasant has extended their open blackfishing with limited trips through Friday. Call 732 292-1051 for details and reservations.

A small craft warning is up through Monday afternoon. Northwest winds at 15-20 knots plus gusts to 30 are predicted for tomorrow.

My phone is operational once again. +

Sportfishermen can cheer on a fellow angler in tomorrow’s Super Bowl.

Clark Harris is the long snapper for the Bengals, and also the reigning Manhattan Cup striped bass champion. Clark is the half-brother of Fisherman magazine editor Jim Hutchinson Jr. and grew up in Manahawkin on the Jersey Shore. They fish the Manhattan Cup with Capt. Brian Rice every year and are always a top contending team.

The Ocean Explorer from Belmar got out today and had some keeper blackfish plus ling, pollock and lots of congers and bergalls. They will be sailing Sunday,

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The forecast is for north winds with gusts to 20. Light snow is a possibility.

Anthony Arcabascio opens the free seminars at Saturday’s Hi-Mar Striper Club Fishing Flea Market with an 8:30 presentation on how to troll Tony Maja lures. He’ll be followed by Capt. Jim Freda with inshore tuna fishing — and Gerry and Joe Zagorski of njfishing.com with blackfishing tips. The flea market opens at 8, in the Port Monmouth VFW on Rt. 36. Those going there can also check out the sale being held at The Tackle Box in Hazlet — with everything in the Rt. 36 store discounted.

A small craft advisory goes up at 7 p.m. up to Saturday afternoon. Tomorrow starts with southwest winds at 15-20 knots that drop to 10-15 in the afternoon.

My phone is still dead, so contact me at cristori@aol.com.

The International Game Fish Association has approved records set in 2021, plus one one carried over from August 31, 2020 when Hunter Keel (12) boated the male junior category dolphin of 65 pounds after a 17-minute battle in Washington Canyon.

The IGFA approved 217 freshwater and 205 saltwater records — of which 45 percent were released.

The Ocean Explorer from Belmar got out Tuesday and reported a few keeper blackfish plus some shorts.

Tomorrow’s early forecast is fine with southwest winds at 5-10 knots before increasing to 25 knot gusts in the afternoon.

My phone has gone dead. Anyone trying to reach me can e-mail cristori@aol.com