Bluefish populations are down, but there are suddenly lots of them off the North Jersey Shore. The Jamaica from Brielle reported that even novices were jigging them this morning as the choppers ranged from 3 pounds up to a 12-pound pool winner by Marc Stepper from Old Bridge.
The Golden Eagle from Belmar wasn’t fishing on those inshore blues as they had a special tuna trip. That worked out well as they were heading back after catching 20 to 30 school bluefins plus little tunny — and also 150 to 200 big bluefish. Their tuna trips start on Monday July 12 and then every Monday after that in July and August.
There was also good news on the fluke front as the Big Mohawk from Belmar reported their first trip on Wednesday produced some limits with fish in the 5-7-pound class included and lots of short action. They sail at 6 a.m.
At Atlantic Highlands, the Sea Hunter had its first good fluke fishing Wednesday with five or six limits among lots of shorts; The Fishermen’s first fluke trip that day was successful as one angler had two keepers out of 18, and another limited. Th pool fluke was 5.9 pounds.
Monmouth County surfcasting was slow again as I managed a 27-inch striper on sand fleas for the second day in a row. I saw Jim Louro catch two small bass on a Band of Anglers Dart Spin, while Vinny D’Anton missed one on a Chug Bug. I also caught a small smooth dogfish which was the first we’ve ever hooked on sand fleas.
The forecast is for east winds at 5-10 knots before going southeast in the afternoon. Morning showers are possible.
As noted in last night’s blog, Capt. Dave De Gennaro had a lot of action on his last trip with Hi Flier from Barnegat by drifting sandworms in the inlet and off the sedge banks. Following is an account of how he accomplishes that;
“The bulk of them we caught floating a whole sandworm under a bobber right in the inlet jetty. About 12 feet of line under the float, 30 inches of 20 lb fluorocarbon leader, and a #1 bronze baitholder hook. Use a small splitshot over your leader to help keep it down. Let it float right over the rocks, most of the hits come right before it hits the first rock. Caught more than a few nice tog, also, but it’s not open season, so they were released. On the bay side we use the same worms to tip our 3/8 to 1/2 oz jigheads for the half pint stripers behind the sod banks. Just drop them to the bottom and vertical jig them with a short, sharp sweep. ” Hi Flier may be running open Thursday and Friday from 11 to 4. Call Dave at 732 330-5674.
Conditions looked good in the Monmouth County surf this morning, despite the cold air temperature, but Vinny D’Anton and I weren’t getting any hits on sand fleas. Vinny finally got a hard hit that didn’t hook up, and my only take turned out to be a heavy 27-inch striper.
Tommy Cox didn’t do anything casting lures early, but he came up with the catch of the day when he picked up a dead spiny puffer on the beach. What that tropical species was doing in our cool waters is anyone’s guess.
The first mention of a North Jersey cobia came from Capt. Joe Massa of My Three Sons at Morgan Marina. He not only limited on fluke Sunday at Shrewsbury Rocks, but also hooked into something that was running line off his light tackle. One look at the fish was enough to identify it as about a 15-pound cobia before it broke off.
Bluefish jigging was hot today off the North Jersey Shore. The Golden Eagle from Belmar reported a boat limit — and also had some Spanish mackerel which were the first reported. They are chartered tomorrow, but will be back sailing open Friday morning — while also starting daily 4:30 p.m. (except Wednesdays) evening trips.
The forecast is for east winds at 5-10 knots in the morning before increasing in the afternoon to 10-15 with gusts to 20 knots.
The Mimi VI from Point Pleasant has open bottom fishing trips set up for 6 a.m. Thursday July 1 and Monday July 26. These limited trips cost $110 and spots must be reserved by calling 732 370-8019.
The Canyon Runner from Point Pleasant reports a hot yellowfin tuna bite in the eastern canyons plus epic swordfishing for their coaching members.such as Dan Bush who’s proud of his sons Luke and Jake who each reeled in a yellowfin from start to finish.
Though the Golden Eagle from Belmar had to cancel the afternoon trip that would have been the last of the N.J. sea bass season due to the weather, they had yet another boat limit of those fish before adding a lot of ling. The way that fishing held up indicates that it’s still being underfished.
The Golden Eagle will switch over to bluefishing tomorrow, and there should be plenty of them for jigging. The Big Mohawk from Belmar starts fluking at 6 a.m.
Vinny D’Anton got a thrill yesterday morning in the Monmouth County surf when he hooked a fish he couldn’t stop while fishing for stripers with sand fleas. However, as is so often the case, the big one got away by finding the only obstruction in the area. We’ll never know how big that bass was, but the thrill of that run will never go away. It also attracted more anglers this morning to cast into a rougher and colder surf. Bob Correll even came up from Bay Head to try sand fleas for the first time. Vinny had to settle for a 24-incher, and I got lucky with two of the usual size in this fishery — 23 and 24 1/2 inches. One of them hit as I was reeling in — something that I’d never experienced before when fishing sand fleas.
Capt. Dave DeGennaro had a hot bite of stripers from 16 to 26 inches both in Barnegat Inlet and the sedge banks while using sandworms and light spinning tackle. He is willing to share his technique, which I’ll detail tomorrow. His Hi Flier from Barnegat is open for charter or individuals Thursday and Friday from 11-4, plus Saturday and Monday from 7-noon.
The forecast is for north winds at 10-15 knots plus gusts to 20 before switching to west at just 5-10 in the afternoon.
Some of the largest thresher sharks I’ve ever heard of in NY/NJ Bight have been boated in the last few weeks as bunker schools seem to be attracting those oceanic wanderers closer to shore. Over the years, anglers have gotten used to seeing threshers as close to the mouths of inlets; and they are often caught in smaller sizes by striper anglers fishing live bunkers. However, those huge threshers are being caught on appropriately heavy tackle where anglers have a big advantage due to the relatively shallow waters.
Capt. John Contello put his anglers on Just Sayin’ from Keyport into this monster.
Ironically when I was learning shark fishing off the south shore of Long Island many decades ago with Jesse York on his Compass Rose from Atlantic Beach, we knew threshers might be hooked, but never caught one or knew of anyone else doing so. There were lots of blues and browns just a few miles offshore plus a mako most days — and a very occasional tiger or hammerhead. Even after moving my center console to Montauk, I rarely saw a thresher brought in. Of curse. in those days, the big bunker reduction boats kept the bunker populations at a low level compared to these days.
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This 305-pounder weighed in at Hoffman’s in Brielle is more the norm in threshers.
Bob Matthews at Fisherman’s Den in Belmar Marina reported a 625-pound thresher weighed in by Shark River Inlet Charters. Also recently, Matt Calabria put his brother Kevin into a 457-pounder offshore of Raritan Bay. The IGFA all-tackle world record is 787 pounds, 3 ounces from Bay of Islands, New Zealand. Most of the line class records also come from that country- but we’re not far behind.
Tuesday is the last day for the N.J. sea bass season. The forecast is fine with west winds at 10-15 knots and a chance of showers. The Golden Eagle from Belmar reported tougher sea bass fishing today due to the southwest blow, but it looks good for tomorrow when they have a few spots in the morning and more for the 4 p.m. sailing. They switch to bluefish on Wednesday. The Queen Mary from Pt. Pleasant jigged lots of blues on Father’s Day before adding sea bass.
Bob Correll reported that some hickory shad finally showed at Bay Head this morning. One surfcaster caught three
Jim Hutchinson Sr. reports as follows;
The fishing action for the captains of the Beach Haven Charter Fishing Association has picked up a beat lately with the arrival of some nice bluefin tuna. These hard fighting fish, which provide some excellent eating, are being caught just 25-40 miles off the coast.
Captain Ray Lopez with the crew of the “Miss Liane” departed the dock at 2am in search of some of these tuna. Fishing inshore, the crew set up to troll at first light. Once the spread was set, the crew waited to hear the reels scream, and they sure did. Within 15 minutes of each other the crew had two bluefin in the boat and packed on ice.
Meanwhile, back inshore the summer flounder bite continues to be strong despite some days with strong winds. As is typical, the bulk of the fish fall short of the 18-inch minimum size, but with persistence, keepers are going into the coolers.
Captain Brett Taylor of Reel Reaction Sportfishing reports he had John Akey with his mom Janine on a 4-hour bay charter. This was Janine’s annual Mother’s day gift, if a bit belated. Despite what Captain Brett termed a slower bite, the two anglers were able to eke out some nice fish. The mom and son team boxed 4 keeper fluke to 7 pounds, along with close to 20 short fish. The big fish, measuring 27-inches, was caught by Janine and was her personal best.
It is not too late for youngsters who would like to participate in the BHCFA’s Junior Mate Program to get involved. The first session of the summer will be held Thursday, June 24, at the lower level of the Beach Haven Marlin and Tuna Club. Start time is 7pm.
The Junior Mates Program is open to youngster who will reach the age of 12 by August 1, 2021. Information on the program can be found at the online link below or calling Lewis at 609-670-5980 or Captain Jimmy Zavacky at 609-915-2498.
Additional information on the Beach Haven Charter Fishing Association can be obtained at the association website at www.BHCFA.org.
As previously noted, fluke pro Dave Lilly of Hazlet had a serious illness during the winter and probably shouldn’t have been fishing in the first fluke tournament 0f the season — but he was proud to announce that even “half dead” he won everything he was eligible for.
I hadn’t received any notice of the first annual Frank Thomas Memorial Fluke Tournament out of.Captain’s Cove Marina in Highlands — and haven’t found any official results so far.
As tough as the fishing was in a southwest wind, Lilly said a 5 pound,10.7 ounce fluke that hit in the bay was big enough to beat a 5.1-pounder by Tommy Licknack on TNT. Lilly and AL tumalo were fishing from their friend Tony’s Parker
There are only two days left to get in on the NJ sea bass season. The Golden Eagle from Belmar had “more than a few limits” today plus some ling and a few fluke.
Bob Matthews at Fisherman’s Den in Belmar Marina says the sea bass boats will be switching to fluke after Tuesday. The Capt. Cal had a 6-pound fluke pool winner yesterday. Bob notes that triggerfish are hitting in the inlet.
There were no signs of bluefish in the Bay Head surf this morning, and I was happy just to hook a 16-inch fluke on a Deadly Dick.
The forecast is for south winds at 10-15 knots in the morning which increase to 15-20 with gusts to 25 in the afternoon.
Paul Haertel with a 6.45-pound fluke in the ocean off Barnegat
Chuck Many has been fighting through bluefish chopping his eels this week, but a striped bass that did reach the bait first was a notable one. Though not among the largest released from Ty Man out of Highlands lately, it was a special bass as the 44-inch, 35-pounder received a Grey satellite tag that will track its movements until a scheduled release of the tag. Note the tag in the photo.
Though retrieval of the tag is a shot in the dark, people walking on beaches have been finding them. There was some concern a couple of weeks ago when one was pinpointed on Great Kills Beach by the satellite, and then tracked to residential areas before Grey was finally notified. There is a substantial reward involved.
The Crisdel from Brielle Yacht Club just got back from Florida this week, and made a striper trip. Capt. Chris De Stefano joined the crew as they trolled all their ocean hot spots with only small blues hitting and not a single striper was even marked. That was the only striper trip they’re making before switching to the canyons this Thursday. Frank Criscola said that was the first time his boat ever failed to catch a striper before the switch.
The Golden Eagle from Belmar has been limiting out regularly with sea bass, but encountered a tough bite today in a rough sea stirred up by last night’s winds. Tomorrow looks a lot better, and they have room on the afternoon trip.
If you’re looking for a last minute Father’s Day gift, AFTCO has an e-mail gift card service which will allow the angler to choose his own clothing in the desired size and colors. E-mail social@aftco.com
Small craft warnings are coming down this evening, and west winds at just 5-10 knots are predicted in the morning before increasing to 10-15 in the afternoon.
The Jamaica from Brielle has room on tonight’s 7;30 half-night ling trip.
There’s lots of good fishing on tap for the weekend as long as the tropical storm far offshore keeps its distance –and the best gift for a fisherman father is the opportunity to fish that day.
A small craft warning goes up at 5 p.m. and through Saturday afternoon, but it should be fishable early tomorrow with southwest winds at 10-15 knots plus gusts to 20. Seas are 3 to 5 feet, and there’s a chance of showers in the morning and thunder storms later in the day.
Chris DeGennaro of Wall took the opportunity to run far offshore today and was quickly blasted by a pack of bigeyes with four of the five eventually being boated.
Much further inshore, the Queen Mary from Pt. Pleasant had another fine jigging trip for bluefish before adding sea bass to the bags. However, they’re booked until Monday.
The Golden Eagle from Belmar reported sea bass fishing slowed to a grind today, but those who worked at it still did well. There’s plenty of room on the weekend afternoon trips.
The Sea Hunter from Atlantic Highlands continues to enjoy plenty of fluke action even though keepers aren’t plentiful, Anglers are advised to be at the dock by 7;30 over the weekend.
The Bay Head surf looked promising for blues yesterday morning, but the only successful angler this morning was Nick Sardone who released a 29-inch striper on his first cast with a Hopkins — and added a blue on his next cast.
While other party boats have been ignoring them, the Queen Mary from Point Pleasant has been jigging mostly small blues consistently. Today was very good, and there were more 5-7-pounders among them; After everyone is limited, Capt. Dave Riback switches to sea bass which have also been abundant.
More good news today is that surfcasters at Bay Head also got a brief shot at blues. Jim Gates said choppers were blasting peanut bunkers beyond the outer bar at low tide and never came in, but he and another angler each caught one in the 8-pound class by casting metal not far from the beach. Another one was hooked on a salted clam. Yesterday morning an angler who had been fishing clam regularly without success was rewarded with a 30-inch striper.
The sea bass fishery has been holding up despite all the pressure on it. Tank Matraxia fished aboard Tagged Fish out of Highlands yesterday and reported the boat was limited in 2 1/2 hours. There wasn’t much variety, but Tank had a small blue as part of a doubleheader — and was able to put ALS tags in a couple of small fluke and a blackfish.
The Golden Eagle from Belmar reported sea bass limits again today, but noted they are sold out Saturday and Sunday mornings.
Friday’s forecast is for southwest winds at 5-10 knots before going south at 15-20 in the afternoon.
Following is a press release updating the bluefish management situation:
AFMC and ASMFC Approve Bluefish Rebuilding Plan and Revised Allocations
The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) and Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s Bluefish Management Board (Board) jointly recommended approval of the Bluefish Allocation and Rebuilding Amendment. The Amendment updates the Fishery Management Plan (FMP) goals and objectives, initiates a rebuilding plan, establishes new allocations between the commercial and recreational sectors, implements new commercial allocations to the states, revises the process for quota transfers between sectors, and revises how the management plan accounts for management uncertainty.
The Council and Board initiated the Amendment in December 2017 to consider revisions to the commercial and recreational fisheries allocations and the state-specific commercial allocations. In 2019, an operational stock assessment for bluefish indicated the stock was overfished, and the Council and Board subsequently decided to incorporate the rebuilding plan in the Amendment.
During their joint meeting last week, the Council and Board reviewed a summary of the five virtual hearings and written comments submitted by 378 individuals and organizations, in addition to the recommendations of their joint Advisory Panel.
After weighing the pros and cons of shorter and longer rebuilding plan timeframes, the Council and Board ultimately selected the rebuilding plan which utilizes a constant fishing mortality approach and is projected to rebuild the stock in 7 years. Rebuilding progress will be analyzed through management track stock assessments every two years. The management track assessment scheduled for later this month will be the first step in informing specifications for the 2022-2023 fishing years.
The revised sector allocations increase the recreational allocation from 83% to 86% of the acceptable biological catch and decrease the commercial allocation from 17% to 14%. The Council and Board used catch data from 1981-2018 as the basis for sector allocations since it more accurately captures the cyclical nature of the fishery, while providing each sector with sufficient access to the resource considering historical usage.
The Council and Board based state commercial allocations on more recent data to improve efficiency within the commercial fishery and better reflect the current distribution of the stock. As such, the Amendment allocates a baseline quota of 0.1% to each state, and then allocates the rest of the commercial quota based on landings data from 2009 to 2018 (see Table 1 below). Recognizing that several states will be losing quota during a time when the coastwide commercial quota is already at an historic low, the Council and Board decided to phase-in the allocation changes over 7 years in order to reduce short-term economic impacts to the affected commercial fishing industry. The Council and Board also committed to reviewing the approved state allocations within 5 years
The Amendment also updates the sector transfer process to allow for quota transfers in either direction between the commercial and recreational sectors. Previously, quota could only be transferred from the recreational sector to the commercial fishery. The transfers will now be capped at 10% of the acceptable biological catch for a given year.
Finally, the Amendment modified the management uncertainty tool within the FMP to a sector-specific approach. It allows the Council and Board to apply a buffer to either sector, in the form of a quota reduction, to account for management uncertainty during specifications. While this tool has not been used often, the modified approach allows managers to better target areas of uncertainty within one sector without reducing the quota or harvest limit in the other sector.
As next steps, the Council will forward its recommended approval of the Amendment to NOAA Fisheries for final consideration and implementation. The Commission will consider final approval of the Amendment at its August meeting.
Fine weather continues with a forecast of northwest winds at 5-10 knots before shifting to southwest with gusts to 20 in the afternoon.
Sea bass reports continue to be excellent as the season draws to a close. The Golden Eagle from Belmar had a boat limit and added some fluke and also some spot — a small fish normally only found close to shore. On the way in they spotted a 10-foot hammerhead shark plus whales and dolphins fairly close to shore..
The Monmouth County striped bass surf bite on sand fleas didn’t happen this morning for Frank Manzi and I, but Frank cast a popper before leaving and caught a bluefish.
Bluefish seem to be showing up in the warmer waters of Ocean County as Betty & Nick’s Fishing Club members were posting shots of small to medium choppers that were hitting just about everything. There was even a semi-tropical houndfish — but no Spanish mackerel so far.
Not many stripers seem to be getting through, but that wasn’t the case yesterday as Robert Kopf landed a 54-inch linesider while casting a green Ava jig. It was only photographed on the sand before release and the lure is the only thing to give an indication of size. See photo at bottom of page.
Chuck Many said blues were relentless today in the ocean off northern Monmouth County as his crew on Tyman out of Highlands only managed one big striper.
There was no bluefish problem for Vinny D’Anton and I as we cast in Shark River to no avail before heading to the nearby surf to fish with sand fleas. Tommy Cox had been casting a small plug that produced three small bass, and we knew Jim Louro had caught a 27-incher on a Band of Anglers Dart Spin We landed three stripers during a brief try with sand fleas– and I enjoyed a good battle before releasing a 30-incher. That was my second legal bass since starting surf fishing this year with a 28-incher yesterday.
Good weather continues with a marine forecast of northwest winds at 10-15 knots before shifting to 5-10 west in the afternoon.
The Golden Eagle from Belmar reported a boat limit of sea bass by 10:30 this morning.
The Paramount from Brielle has also been sticking with the outstanding sea bass fishing along with some ling. They sail daily at 6:30 a.m.
The Sea Hunter from Atlantic Highlands reported the best fluke action of the season today. It was mostly shorts, but one angler limited.
Matt Calabria put his brother Kevin into a huge 457-pound thresher shark a few days ago. Matt said it was Kevin’s first shark! I’m trying to get a photo and more info.
Tight Lines 