Though small craft warnings went up at 1 p.m. through Saturday afternoon for east gusts to 25 knots, ocean conditions should improve with a shift back to west winds,

The morning forecast is for southwest winds at 10-15 knots before increasing to 15-20 in the afternoon with gusts to 30. Rain is likely in the morning. On Sunday the winds go west at 20-25 knots with gusts to 30 that should flatten the surf for anyone still seeking stripers along the Jersey Shore. The Ocean Explorer from Belmar reported some tog limits Thursday, but some didn’t score with fussy blackfish.

Though the sea bass season is closed, the Jamaica from Brielle is concentrating on far offshore wrecks that hold great quantities of large porgies during weekend trips. The Saturday and Sunday sailings leave at 11:55 the night before. Call 732 528-5014 for reservations.

Last weekend’s trip also produced a few ling and a surprising large bonito as catches ranged up to 30 fish. Chris Clendening of Sellerville, Pa. won the pool with a 4-pound porgy that edged a 3.75-pounder by Rich Stevens of Somerset.

The Ocean Explorer from Belmar reported another good day of blackfishing on Wednesday.

Though the wind is shifting to the east on Friday, the forecast is for only 10-15 knots until it increases to gusts to 20 knots at night along with rain.

Nick Honachefsky has new episodes of his Saltwater Underground coming up on the Sportsman Channel. The first showing is at 10:30 a.m. Friday, and then again Sunday at 4:30 a.m. and p.m.

Party boat blackfishing in N.J. has been generally tough recently, but there was a good report Tuesday from the Ocean Explorer from Belmar as they reported limits for all plus releases. The tog ran up to 7 pounds and hit both green and whitelegger crabs.

Tomorrow should be fine for blackfishing as the forecast is for west winds at a mere 5-10 knots.

The recent sudden death of Capt. Chris Hueth from a heart attack resulted in the Big Mohawk from Belmar taking a break from blackfishing, but Sheepshead Bay pro Capt. Mike Ardolino is now sailing that boat daily.

Bob Matthews at Fisherman’s Den in Belmar Marina says there are still some small stripers in the surf, but few anglers have the patience to scratch them out.

The weather is fine, with a forecast of west winds at 10-15 knots.

Chuck Many reports there was only one bite trolling eels from his Ty Man out of Cape Charles, Va., but it was the right one for Mike Greene and Nikki Bowden

Canyon tuna fishing is months ahead at present, but the most productive period has been in the spring during the last few years. The Canyon Runner from Point Pleasant has only three days in May, none in June — and very little is left in the summer. They recorded over 800 tuna last year, including 44 bigeyes and two giants in 65 trips. If you are interested in joining them during their 39th season, call 732 272-4445.

The weather continues to look good. Tuesday’s forecast is for west winds at 10-15 knots with 2-3-foot seas.

Florida should be where anglers go to enjoy their sport in the winter; but there’s been one cold front after another lately – and yesterday may have been the coldest I’ve ever experienced in Florida during mid-day.

It was 55 degrees in Ft. Myers early. but felt even colder than that with north wind later as I was shivering in a light jacket at noon. Crazy Alberto Knie drove to several freshwater areas that didn’t produce at all as the fish must have also been too cold to respond.

Alberto finally found a county pond where there was some largemouth bass action casting artificial worms. My only catch was at least large enough for Alberto to take a photo before release.

Kevin Markow of the Surf Kings in Sea Girt reported 53 degrees and a north wind in Key Largo that didn’t turn off the snook as he released three at a pier.

Mike Monte thought he heard the fat lady sing this morning at the Belmar surf as there were no hits in good conditions plus no sign of bait.

The Ocean Explorer from Belmar had poor blackfishing Friday, and it wasn’t much better yesterday except for the huge 14-pounder released by “Howard” who wasn’t in either the daily or seasonal pools.

There’s some great weather coming up for tog anglers as the forecast is for 5-10 knot west winds through at least Tuesday.

Though small craft warnings are up, west winds at just 5-10 knots are in the forecast from Monday to Wednesday. North winds at 10-15 knots with gusts 25 are forecasted for Sunday before dropping to 5-10 northwest at night.

If you are going to put up with the potential discomforts of a winter fishing trip, you might as well seek a really special fish. That’s what a couple of N.J. party boats are doing this weekend.

As noted this week, the Ocean Explorer from Belmar is running a Super Pool trip Sunday at 6:30 which costs $100 but also requires another $100 for the pool for the biggest tog. Call 848 565-0519 for a reservation.

The Gambler from Point Pleasant will be making a limited trip 35 to 50 miles to trophy tog wrecks and rocks to the south on Saturdays and Tuesdays this month. The fare is $200, and there will be big money pools. Call 732 295-7569 for reservations.

Mike Monte gave the Belmar surf 45 minutes of casting under perfect conditions this morning without a hit. Yet, he plans to keep trying as the water temperature is 47 degrees and stripers should still be around.

Surfcasting conditions remain favorable Saturday as the forecast is north winds at 15-20 knots with gusts to 25 that drop to 10-15 after midnight and set up a calmer northwest on Sunday.

The N.J. party boat fleet continues to contract. The Elaine B II from Highlands made its last trip of the winter on Tuesday. The weather and conditions were good though blackfishing was slow. Yet, everyone went home with something.

The Ocean Explorer from Belmar has scheduled a limited Super Pool trip for Sunday at 6:30. The fare is $100, and there’s a required $100 for the winner-take-all super pool for biggest tog. Call 848 565-0519 for a reservation.

Friday’s forecast is for north winds at 10-15 knots with gusts to 20 before diminishing to 5-10 in the afternoon.

Following is a press release from the NY DEP relative to a circle hook requirement that’s already in effect in N.J.

RECREATIONAL STRIPED BASS FISHING SEASON Comments Accepted until Mar. 8, on Proposed Regulation for Circle Hooks to Help Improve Striped Bass Survival

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) today released a new proposed regulation for public review and comment that would require the use of circle hooks when recreational fishing for Atlantic striped bass. This proposed regulation would reduce release mortality in recreational striped bass fisheries as required by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC). Catch-and-release practices contribute significantly to overall fishing mortality in recreational striped bass fisheries and circle hooks work effectively to increase survival. DEC is accepting public comments on the proposal through Mar. 8, 2021. “From Montauk Point to the Hudson River, New York’s waters provide critical habitat for striped bass of all ages and offer some of the best striped bass fishing along the East Coast,” Commissioner Basil Seggos said. “Circle hooks improve the survival of fish that are returned to the water, and this requirement further supports conservation efforts that ensure we’re protecting this highly sought-after sportfish for future generations of anglers to enjoy.” The Atlantic coast-wide harvest of striped bass is managed by ASMFC. To address the finding that the striped bass resource is overfished and experiencing overfishing, ASMFC initiated and approved Addendum VI to Amendment 6 of the Interstate Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for Atlantic Striped Bass to reduce harvest, end overfishing, and bring fishing mortality to the target level. New York State adopted recreational slot size limits regulation changes in 2020 that reflect ASMFC’s Addendum measures and are in accordance with the FMP. In marine waters the recreational slot size is 28-35 inches total length and in the Hudson River the slot size is 18-28 inches total length; the possession limit is one fish per angler. The open seasons and size limits for striped bass in all New York waters have not changed for 2021. Recreational striped bass seasons start April 1 in the Hudson River and tributaries and April 15 in marine waters. New York State worked cooperatively with other members of ASMFC to adopt consistent slot limit regulations and comparable season dates. The proposed regulation includes all New York State waters where recreational fishing for Atlantic striped bass occurs, including coastal waters of Long Island and New York City, the Delaware River, and the Hudson River to the Federal Dam in Troy, New York. The full text of the proposed regulation can be found at https://www.dec.ny.gov/regulations/106216.html. Comments on the proposed circle hook regulation should be sent to fw.marine@dec.ny.gov or by mail to: Division of Marine Resources, 205 N. Belle Mead Rd. Suite 1, East Setauket, NY 11733. The public comment period closes on March 8, 2021. After reviewing public comments, DEC will be adopting and publishing a final regulation. DEC encourages anglers to check DEC’s Recreational Saltwater Fishing Regulations for the most up-to-date information before going fishing. Make sure to also enroll in the annual no-fee Recreational Marine Fishing Registry before going fishing in New York’s Marine and Coastal District waters or when fishing in the Hudson River and its tributaries for “migratory fish of the sea” (which includes striped bass.) Anglers can enroll in the registry online or by phone or by visiting a license issuing agent location. To enroll, go to https://www.dec.ny.gov/permits/6101.html.  A small craft warning is up to late tonight for gusty northwest winds which are forecast to drop to 15 knots plus gusts to 25 with 2-4-foot seas by morning.