Watching clips of the historic moon landing in 1969 this morning brought back memories of my first foreign fishing trip as I watchd it on a TV in a Los Angeles hotel room after returning from the Sea of Cortez Fishing Tournament in Baja California, Mexico.
I had recently become director of field testing for Garcia Corp., and I jumped at the opportunity to fish for species I’d only read about. Not knowing much about what I’d be doing, I flew down there with an experimental telescopic boat spinning rod that Ed Haenalt had put together.
Not only did I catch five poosterfish one morning at Rancho Buena Vista, but the biggest one which we kept won the roosterfish trophy at 61.6 pounds. After switching to trolling for billfish, a small blue marlin was raised, but wouldn’t hit the flying fish bait. Going back to the telescopic rod and the live goatfish used inshore, the marlin jumped on it and was possibly the only blue marlin ever to be caught on such a rod when eventually boated. It was only 120 pounds, but was second in the marlin on 20-pound tackle category. I had to lug back two heavy trophies, but that trip developed an appetite for foreign fishing that eventually took me around most of the world — though I never experienced anything as exciting on the way back as watching the moon landing.
Bluefish continued to be fussy this morning for the Golden Eagle from Belmar. but sea bass cooperated along with some ling, congers and fluke.
The Sea Hunter from Atlantic Highlands had good action with short fluke plus some keepers both days this weekend, though Saturday’s drift was too fast. There were a couple of limits taken today.
The Queen Mary from Point Pleasant had fine bluefin tuna jigging during last Tuesday’s offshore trip. and is looking for a repeat,
Jim Hutchinson Sr.reports for the Beach Haven Charter Fishing Association that the StarFish had an unusual trolling catch of four king mackerel at Barnegat Ridge.
Tomorrow’s forecast is for northwest winds at 5-10 knots.
There weren’t many changes during the last day of Jimmy Johnson’s Quest for the Ring Tournament out of Atlantic City, but the fish of the contest was recorded Friday when Darren Helwig boated a 679-pound blue marlin on Rool Grove. Though there were some releases, that was the only blue which qualified for weighing with the 105-inch minimum length.
The contest paid out over a milion dollars, and Rool Grove earned the biggest chunk at $295,500 David Johnson on Business had the pargest white marlin by just ounces at 73.3 pounds and earned $205,000. There was an explosion of large bigeye tuna during the week. Mike Savino boated a couple on his Texas Tea up to a 227-pounder and won 182,000.
Michael Jordan got off to a great start on his Catch 23, and his crew kept releasing marlin to easily win the Catch and Release category, while Jordan also led early in the week in weighed white marlin at 70 pounds before being edged back to third. Catch 23 ended up with $94,600 — so I guess we won’t have to start a fundraiser for Jordan.
The fine fishing weather continues with a forecast of southwest winds at 10-15 knots — though showers and thunder storms are possible.
The Jamaica from Brielle reported plenty of fish for all on yesterday’s half-night trip. In addition to blues there were chub mackerel, ling, sea bass and even squid, –plus a 10-pound dolphin.
The Golden Eagle from Belmar reported lots of blues swimmimg around the boat yesterday morning though they were hard to hook. They also caught a few ling, sea bass, triggerfish and fluke.
At Atlantic Highlands, both the Sea Hunter and Fishermen reported lots of short and keeper fluke action Friday. The pool fluke on the latter went 4 5/8 pounds.
With millions on the line, boaters fishing Jimmy Johnson’s Quest for the Ring Tournament out of Atlantic City are putting in their final day that will surely result in more changes to the final scoreboards when the scales close tonight.
Basketball legand Michael Jordan was dropped back yesterday to third in white marlin on his Catch 23 as Business took the lead at 73.3 pounds over Blood Money at 73.1.
Bigeye tuna were also being trolled in surprisingly good numbers as Staten Island tuna pro Mike Savino took over first on his Texas Tea with a 227-pounder over Kevin Pintuzzi’s 215 on Random Chaos. East Coast Hookers boated almost identical tuna of 210 and 209 pounds to push back the208-pounder on Hubris. MJ’S was next at 198 pounds, while Kelly Lynn had three bruisers up to 181 pounds.
The fish count through Day 3 was 77 white marlin, 9 blue marlin, 26 tuna, 7 dolphin and 1 wahoo,
I’ll have the official results when available over the weekend.
The Jamaica out of Brielle reported very good bluefish jigging yesterday which included a 13-pounder as well as some sea bass, porgies and fluke. Both plain and tubed jigs worked. Half-night bluefish trips are set for Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m.
Pro Football Hall of Famer Jimmy Johnson is an avid angler who has run a big money fishing tournament in Florida for years. This year he’s expanded north to Atlantic City where his million dollar Quest for the Ring Tournament is based at the Frank Farley Marina and the Golden Nugget.
Fishing got off to a fast start this week with basketball legend Michael Joordan releasing three white marlin to lead his Catch 23 to the lead in the Catch and Release category wth 1150 points over Polorizer with 1000 – and the next day weighed a 70-pound white marlin to take the lead in that rich category from MJ’S 60.5-pounder boated by Brandon Kape. MJ’S,. coming off a great tournament season last year, also had the first day lead in dolphin at 18.1 pounds before getting pushed back to third the next day.
There have been no blue marlin big enough to weigh at the 105-inch minimum so far. but big tuna have cooperated. Bluefins aren’t eligible,but bigeyes quickly filled up the scoreboards. Christopher Conway weighed a 290-pounder from Riptide which dropped Hunter Gutwein on Hubris to second at 208 pounds – ahead of Mike Savino’s 201 on Texas Tea — while Kevin Pintozzi’s 185.3 is down to fourth on Random Chaos.
It’s a little early for trophy dolphin and wahoo with the mahi leader at only 21.4 pounds and no wahoo of at least 15 pounds. Fishing continued today and concludes on Friday, with awards being presented on Saturday.
Paul Baertel of the JCAA was able to stop for a limit of sea bass on the way ofshore from Barnegat on Sunday before running offshore to go 2 for 4 on yellowfin tuna.Don Marantz boated a 30.35-pounder. and Bill Barone a 27.35.
The fine offshore weather continues with light winds into next week. The Friday forecast is for southwest at 10 to 15 knots.T
The Golden Eagle from Belmar had a limit of school bluefin tuna plus many releases during Monday’s Inshore Exotics jigging — and then was into 3-7-pound blues on jigs yesterday morning along with sea bass
Capt. Dave DeGennaro of Hi Flier at Barnegat has been jigging 20-40-pound bluefins just 25 to 40 miles offshore, and is running an open trip for them on Saturday. Call 732 330-4674 for details
Pro Football Hall of Famer Jimmy Johnson is an avid angler who has run a big money fishing tournament in Florida for years. This year he’s expanded north to Atlantic City where his million dollar Quest for the Ring Tournament is based at the Frank Farley Marina and the Golden Nugget.
Fishing got off to a fast start this week with basketball legend Michael Joordan releasing three white marlin to lead his Catch 23 to the lead in the Catch and Release category wth 1150 points over Polorizer with 1000 – and the next day weighed a 70-pound white marlin to take the lead in that rich category from MJ’S 60.5-pounder boated by Brandon Kape. MJ’S,. coming off a great tournament season last year, also had the first day lead in dolphin at 18.1 pounds before getting pushed back to third the next day.
There have been no blue marlin big enough to weigh at the 105-inch minimum so far. but big tuna have cooperated. Bluefins aren’t eligible,but bigeyes quickly filled up the scoreboards. Christopher Conway weighed a 290-pounder from Riptide which dropped Hunter Gutwein on Hubris to second at 208 pounds – ahead of Mike Savino’s 201 on Texas Tea — while Kevin Pintozzi’s 185.3 is down to fourth on Random Chaos.
It’s a little early for trophy dolphin and wahoo with the mahi leader at only 21.4 pounds and no wahoo of at least 15 pounds. Fishing continued today and concludes on Friday, with awards being presented on Saturday.
Paul Baertel of the JCAA was able to stop for a limit of sea bass on the way ofshore from Barnegat on Sunday before running offshore to go 2 for 4 on yellowfin tuna.Don Marantz boated a 30.35-pounder. and Bill Barone a 27.35.
The fine offshore weather continues with light winds into next week. The Friday forecast is for southwest at 10 to 15 knots.T
The Golden Eagle from Belmar had a limit of school bluefin tuna plus many releases during Monday’s Inshore Exotics jigging — and then was into 3-7-pound blues on jigs yesterday morning along with sea bass
Capt. Dave DeGennaro of Hi Flier at Barnegat has been jigging 20-40-pound bluefins just 25 to 40 miles offshore, and is running an open trip for them on Saturday. Call 732 330-4674 for details
Post
Block
Status & visibility
VisibilityPublicPublishImmediatelyPost FormatAsideAudioQuoteStandardVideoStick to the top of the blogPending reviewEnable AMPMove to trash
Template
Permalink
Categories
Tags
Featured image
Selecting a featured image is recommended for an optimal user experience.Set featured image
Excerpt
Discussion
Open publish panel
Post
NotificationsSelecting a featured image is recommended for an optimal user experience.
Pro Football Hall of Famer Jimmy Johnson is an avid angler who has run a big money fishing tournament in Florida for years. This year he’s expanded north to Atlantic City where his million dollar Quest for the Ring Tournament is based at the Frank Farley Marina and the Golden Nugget.
Fishing got off to a fast start this week with basketball legend Michael Joordan releasing three white marlin to lead his Catch 23 to the lead in the Catch and Release category wth 1150 points over Polorizer with 1000 – and the next day weighed a 70-pound white marlin to take the lead in that rich category from MJ’S 60.5-pounder boated by Brandon Kape. MJ’S,. coming off a great tournament season last year, also had the first day lead in dolphin at 18.1 pounds before getting pushed back to third the next day.
There have been no blue marlin big enough to weigh at the 105-inch minimum so far. but big tuna have cooperated. Bluefins aren’t eligible,but bigeyes quickly filled up the scoreboards. Christopher Conway weighed a 290-pounder from Riptide which dropped Hunter Gutwein on Hubris to second at 208 pounds – ahead of Mike Savino’s 201 on Texas Tea — while Kevin Pintozzi’s 185.3 is down to fourth on Random Chaos.
It’s a little early for trophy dolphin and wahoo with the mahi leader at only 21.4 pounds and no wahoo of at least 15 pounds. Fishing continued today and concludes on Friday, with awards being presented on Saturday.
Paul Baertel of the JCAA was able to stop for a limit of sea bass on the way ofshore from Barnegat on Sunday before running offshore to go 2 for 4 on yellowfin tuna.Don Marantz boated a 30.35-pounder. and Bill Barone a 27.35.
The fine offshore weather continues with light winds into next week. The Friday forecast is for southwest at 10 to 15 knots.T
The Golden Eagle from Belmar had a limit of school bluefin tuna plus many releases during Monday’s Inshore Exotics jigging — and then was into 3-7-pound blues on jigs yesterday morning along with sea bass
Capt. Dave DeGennaro of Hi Flier at Barnegat has been jigging 20-40-pound bluefins just 25 to 40 miles offshore, and is running an open trip for them on Saturday. Call 732 330-4674 for details
Post
Block
Status & visibility
VisibilityPublicPublishImmediatelyPost FormatAsideAudioQuoteStandardVideoStick to the top of the blogPending reviewEnable AMPMove to trash
Template
Permalink
Categories
Tags
Featured image
Selecting a featured image is recommended for an optimal user experience.Set featured image
Excerpt
Discussion
Open publish panel
Post
NotificationsSelecting a featured image is recommended for an optimal user experience.
That title is the best news I have right now as I continie to struggle to stay connected.
A comprehensive blog dome a couple of hours ago wouldn’t publish, and didn’t automatically save. I finally got a response from Optimum. and was assured the problem was fixed — but I’m not betting on that.
Last weekend’s fluke tournaments in northern N.J. produced lots of quality fish but none big enough to run away from the crowd.
The Raritan Bay Anglers Tournament on Saturday was won by Mike Mangual at 7.6 pounds over Jake Linder’s 7-pounder. However. it was Daniel Nykforuk in third place at 6.95 pounds who turned out to be the weekend’s big winner as he was also in the Sandy Hook Bay Anglers contest where his fish weighed 7.11 pounds — and was the winner. Joe Rilley was next there at 6.82 pounds, ahead of Bill Distaso at 6.02 pounds.
Fluke pro Dave Lilly fished aboard Brian Farmer’s boat as they limited both days and released many other keepers while hooking hardly any shorts. They just couldn’tget that one bigger fish, though a nearby angler who wasn’t entered boated a 9-pound fluke. They did make it into the seventh and last money position with a 4.95-pound fluke. There was also a big surprise when a 26-inch cod ate a whole squid.
The Golden Eagle from Belmar will be back to jigging bluefish tomorrow, but today’s jigging was for school bluefin tuna as they had a boat limit and released at least 15 more.
The Jamaica from Brielle will be chummining and chunking an area for bluefish from Wednesday to Friday where they also expect to catch bonito and little tunny — and where some bluefins have been spotted.
Chuck Many avoided the Monday evening storms to get into hot striper action with his Tyman from Highlands. There was a period when doubleheaders were hooked on every drift.
I’m still having a problem staying connected — and hoping for the best.
Though fluking was pretty good over the weekend. there were no really large fluke entered in the Raritan Bay Anglers contest on Saturday or the two-day Sandy Hook Bay Anglers affair. I’m still struggling to get this blog out as I keep losing the connection and haven’t been able to get any help from Optimum despite hours on the phone. Hopefully, I’ll have those contest results tomorrow.
The Golden Eagle from Belmar reported a return to good bluefish jigging today. and added some sea bass.
The Mimi from Pt. Pleasant has room on tomorrow’s limited bottom fishing trip.
I wasn’t able to connect with AOL yesterdsy evening, and have only been on-and-off today. As a result. I’m trying to get something out ASAP. Hope to have the fluke contest results tomorrow.
The Golden Eagle from Belmar found that bluefish were still very fussy in the large swell and strong current. Those whostayed at the rail and worked their jigs still managed a five blue limit. Not surprisingly, sea bass fishing was also tougher under those circumstances, though some were able to add the two allowed as a by-catch during the summer in N.J. waters. This fishing should improve as the ocean settles. Tonight’s. southeast blow is predicted to drop to south at 5-10 knots. Showers are possible.
Capt. Jim Freda ran his Shore Catch out of Manasquan Inlet very early in order to start jigging on the bluefin grounds at 5:30. His crew tripled up with unders right away and added two king mackerel while losing a large tuna that was cut off by another boat.
hick any took a break for somq freshwater fishing, but also got back on stripers one evening earl in the week on Tyman from Highlands.
As noted in yesterday’s blog, I’m running a garage sale in the morning at my home — 1552 Osprey Ct; , Manasquan Park, NJ 08736; The hours are from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. , and there is a wide selection of tackle and accessories for most types of fishing –ranging from ultra lght to giant tuna rods selling for just $20. If tjere’s enough interest, I may add Sunday morning hours. . Call me at 732 757-5531, or e-mail cristori@aol.com
I’ll also have my surfcasting book for sale, and some old and new fishing magazines can be picked up at no charge.
Elsa eliminated fishing today, but the weather looks good tomorrow with northwest winds at 5-10 knots.
Chuck Many is usually pictured with fish that have stripes, but he also catches big fish in fresh waters as with yesterday’s carp.
Kathy and I are downsizing homes, and I have to sell off a lot of fishing tackle and accessories to prepare for less space. As a result, I’m running a garage sale at 1552 Osprey Ct. in Manasquan Park (Wall) N.J . on Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Almost everything must go, and there are such bargains as giant tuna rods at $20. Lots of rods are available along with some reels and many lures from freshwater to big game. Some household items will be displayed and everything is available — including the house. For info call me at 732 757-5531 — or e-mail cristori@aol.com
I’ll also have my surfcasting book for sale plus many fishing magazines that anglers may be interested in which are free for the taking.
Though I never got any notice of them, I found out that the Raritan Bay Anglers Fluke Tournament is set to run on Saturday — as is the Sandy Hook Bay Anglers Fluke Tournament over the weekend. Though tomorrow looks like a total washout from Tropical Storm Elsa, Saturday should be much better. The forecast for Friday is north winds at 15-20 knots with gusts to 30 before going southwest in the afternoon. Showers and thunderstorms are also in the mix, but party boats expect to be sailing again on Saturday.
Doug Rusch with a hefty fluke on his boat out of Manasquan Inlet.
The Golden Eagle from Belmar has had decent jigging for blues from 2 to 8 pounds plus some sea bass and fluke the last two days. Those who work at it mange limits.
The Monmouth County surf has been quiet recently, but i did manage two small stripers Wednesday morning on sand fleas while Vinny D’Anton added another. I just did some casting this morning and scratched out a small bass on a purple Band of Anglers Dart Spin.
