If a book is ever written about the early days of fishing along the northern N.J.Shore, Joe Julian will surely be among the leading characters, The owner of Julian’s Tackle in Atlantic Highlands passed away last week at 94.

Untold numbers of anglers have stopped at Julian’s Tackle for decades on their way to fishing the Shore, and Joe was almost always there to set them up with the bait and tackle they needed. Joe, who also had a big ice business across the road, popularized his Montauk bunker spoons which feature a single large Siwash hook that was a big improvement over the huge built-in hook on standard bunker spoons which required the addition of a large treble hook to be effective– but damaged a lot of stripers and blues that were to be released.

Joe had many other interests as well as fishing. In his earlier days, he flew a single engine airplane, and competed in Jersey Skiff speed races which he often won. He was the first to build one of those skiffs in fiberglass. and his My Way was a familiar sight across highway. In his later years, Joe became an accomplished artist, and I treasure sketches he gave me of the Twin Lights and the Highlands Bridge.

Publicizing Shore fishing was a priority for Joe, and he was a big help when I was running the Metro Fishing Classic and the Harbor Festival Fishing Rodeo.

Julian lost his wife Margaret last year, but leaves two daughters plus his son Joe who’s running the business.

Miss Belmar Princess had a breakthrough with big blues today. Bait was best, with up to five on at a time, but jigs also worked on the 6-12-pounders as many fares limited. Some also had sea bass limits.

More big stripers seem to be moving into range of N,J, striper trollers. Chuck Many put Dave Glassberg into a 48-pounder yesterday morning on Tyman from Highlands — and also a thresher shark.

The Queen Mary from Point Pleasant only found a “handful” of bass on Tuesday’s first Striper Marathon, but they were ;large.

The Fishermen from Atlantic Highlands reports bottom fishing has remained slow. Anglers who for blackfish today caught their one keeper, but only a couple of porgies were boated along with as many keeper sea bass from among many tiny ones. Capt. Ron Santee Jr. is anxious to start striper fishing, but hasn’t seen schoolies from the east as yet.

Small craft warnings are up from tomorrow through Friday afternoon for increasing seas. The morning forecast is only for west winds at 5 knots before shifting to south in the afternoon. Fog is possible.

Capt. Lou Grazioso has been keeping track of the remarkable yellowfin tuna run in the Triple Wrecks area, and reports that they are still there feasting on large sand eels. Bluefins have also moved into that location.

The Golden Eagle from Belmar had an :OK” trip there this week, catching some tuna and losing others. Some blues and little tunny were also caught. They had a pick of big blues and sea bass on both bait and jigs today, but will be fishing for tuna tomorrow.

Miss Belmar Princess reported a pick of 8-12-pound blues mostly on bait today.

Capt. Rob Semkewyc really didn’t have enough fares to sail his Sea Hunter from Atlantic Highlands today, but he went anyway because the weather was so nice. All but one of the eight anglers caught their one striper limit.

Betty & Nick’s in Seaside Park had good news on the surf front as bass up to 35 inches were reported from the pocket area at the park.

Wednesday’s forecast is for south winds at 5-10 knots before increasing to 10-15 in the afternoon with gusts to 20 knots.

The Canyon Runner from Pt. Pleasant has been sold out for canyon fishing for some time, but they had a cancelation for a Thursday overnighter that they’d like to fill in with a good forecast ahead while canyon fishing is hot. They’re been getting a bigeye every trip along with both yellowfins and bluefins chunking — and a shot at swordfish during the night. Call 732 272-4445.

Email or Call 732-272-4445

Reports Deane’s been catching a big-eye every trip for the past few weeks and the day time chunking for yellowfin and now bluefins is still on fire. Multiple big-eyes caught by Canyon Runner Members their last few trips as well.

++

Capt. Rob Semkewyc reports striper fishing on his Sea Hunter from Atlantic Highlands turned around overnight as half of his 18 fares boated a bass today. He’ll be following up in the morning.

Chuck Many posted on Facebook the following about his latest trip with Tyman from Highlands. “Decided to go Monster hunting with Mike Michael Greene & Bob Nikki Bowden. Put out the eels and bam!!!! Awesome early morning and then a pick!! Ended with 11 Bass, 3 over 40 to 45 pounds!! All Released of course.”

Blog reader Dan fished in calm conditions Sunday morning and reported lots of adult bunker both in Raritan Bay and out front, but no takers on a live bait or swim shad before the wind came up at 11.

Miss Belmar Princess reported decent readings of blues which rarely hit. Some anglers managed one or two mostly 8-12-pound blues. They also jigged some keeper sea bass.

Tuesday’s forecast is for south winds at a mere 5-10 knots.

Capt. Rob Semkewyc barely had enough fares to sail for stripers on cold Saturday, but everyone was happy as stripers provided a boat limit on Sea Hunter from Atlantic Highlands while others were released. That should have set up a great Sunday in good conditions, but it turned out to be a “You should have been here yesterday” trip as the bass just didn’t bite.

Capt. Rob said October stripers are unpredictable from day to day, and he will be shaping up in the morning even though he only has a few reservations so far — and would appreciate calls in advance. The forecast is very good, with only 5 to 10 knot southeast winds.

The Golden Eagle from Belmar has will probably be running their last tuna trip with the Tuesday 11 p.m. offshore sailing. Call for reservations.

The Mimi VI from Point Pleasant will run an open bottom fishing trip on Thursday at 6:30 a. m. The fare is $90 on the limited trip. Call 732 370-8019 for reservations.

The report from Miss Belmar Princess didn’t mince words — it was terrible. Only a few were caught where they had been cooperating

Though Grumpy’s Tackle in Seaside Park saw their first fall surf striper on Wednesday, a 29-incher that hit mullet, surfcasting has generally been dismal as we are still awaiting arrival of stripers from the east. The migratory run has been delayed by very warm waters and probably a lack of bait in the N.J. surf.

Chuck Many has neen catching some large stripers from his Tyman out of Highlands which he’s identified as migrating fish due to the sea lice on them and their purple sheen.

The Queen Mary from Pt., Pleasant reporting seeing the first signs of migrating bass Friday afternoon and this morning. They run their first Striper Marathon on Tuesday, and have also set a tuna trip for 1 a.m. Oct. 21.

Capt. Dave De Gennaro is still catching blowfish in the bay and 4-6-pound blues casting in the inlet when he can’t get offshore with his Hi Flier from Barnegat. He’s open Sunday and Monday for offshore fishing if possible. Call 732 330-5674.

The Sunday marine forecast is for southeast winds at 5 to 10 knots.

The 2020 edition of the International Game Fish Association’s World Record Game Fishes contains every record updated through 2019 in both all-tackle and various line tests plus the many clubs now available to honor grand slams of a variety of species.

There were 448 records approved last year from 39 countries. Saltwatrer records dominated with 259, and 45 % of all records were released alive. A few more will be open this year because bonefish will have separate records for the Atlantic and the Pacific — just as with sailfish and blue marlin. All the rules and regulations pertaining to setting records are included, along with articles including one by Nick Honachefsky about catching monster fish from the surf. The book comes with IGFA membership along with many other incentives. Call 954 927-2628 for info.

Chuck Many reports the main body of striped bass “is still to our East, so Had to work super hard for every bite today!! Wind wouldn’t let up in the morning, but Ian Gardner& Nellie Nawd Ical Greer just stuck with it and it paid off. Only 5 fish, but size made it worth it with 3 over 30 pounds (31, 37, & 42). All released to fight another day!!+“

Bob Matthews reports from Fisherman’s Den in Belmar Marina that a shop regular chummed from a private boat in Shark River to get into winter flounder, keeping his two up to 2 1/2 pounds that hit sandworms. Bob also noted that some blackfish are being caught from the Shark River jetty.

I tried the Manasquan surf this morning well before the rain started. There was a pounding surf, but it was fishable — though fishless.

Small craft warnings are up from 8 p.m. through Saturday afternoon as north winds gust up to 25 knots tonight. Tomorrow looks good for surfcasting with northwest winds at 15-20 knots plus gusts to 25 before diminishing to 10-15 in the afternoon. Sunday looks best for boating with southeast winds of just 5-10 knots,

 · 

Chesapeake Bay Young-of-Year Survey Results Released

October 13, 2020

Striped Bass Among Species Below Average, Others Flourish

Maryland DNR scientists examine juvenile striped bass for the annual index, before carefully releasing them back to the water.

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources announced results of the most recent juvenile striped bass survey, which tracks the reproductive success of the state fish in Chesapeake Bay. The 2020 young-of-year striped bass index is 2.5, below the long-term average of 11.5.

Although the size of the striped bass population has decreased recently, the number of mature fish is not believed to be a limiting factor in reproduction. Striped bass are known for highly variable annual reproduction that is often influenced by environmental factors. Other species with spawning strategies similar to striped bass such as white perch, yellow perch, and river herring also experienced lower reproductive success. 

“We have implemented sound conservation measures to enhance the striped bass population in recent years and will continue to monitor and protect this important and iconic resource,” said Bill Anderson, Department of Natural Resources assistant secretary for Aquatic Resources.

The mild winter appears to have favored species that spawn in the fall off the coast, such as Atlantic croaker and spot. The survey documented a resurgence in abundance of these sought-after species. Spot abundance was the highest since 2010 and Atlantic croaker abundance was the highest since 1998.

The Department of Natural Resources has monitored the annual reproductive success of striped bass in Maryland’s portion of Chesapeake Bay since 1954. During the survey, biologists collected more than 36,000 fish of 59 different species, including 327 young-of-year striped bass.  

Twenty-two survey sites are located in four major spawning areas: the Choptank, Nanticoke, and Potomac rivers and the Upper Chesapeake Bay. Biologists visit each site three times per summer, collecting fish with two sweeps of a 100-foot beach seine net. The index represents the average number of recently hatched striped bass, commonly called rockfish, captured in each sample.

The Virginia Institute of Marine Science conducts a similar survey in the southern portion of Chesapeake Bay

Though the above press release paints a poor picture of migratory striped bass prospects for the future, it must be understood that annual results often vary wildly — and only results over a period of time are meaningful except for the rare super year which can fuel the coastal fishery for decades. It should also be noted that our Hudson River stock has been in good shape and carries the NY/NJ Bight fishery.

Miss Belmar Princess had the striper catch of the day, but it hit while they were bluefishing to the east where they were jigging fussy blues. The 46-incher was probably in federal waters and too big to keep in any case. They had to work hard for every blue ranging from 3 to 12 pounds.

The Golden Eagle from Belmar had a good early shot at mostly gaffer blues, and another around noon. They also jigged some bonito, sea bass and even blackfish.

The Queen Mary from Pont Pleasant had poor bluefishing Wednesday but many sea bass limits. They won’t sail tomorrow.

The Fishermen from Atlantic Highlands is canceling for Friday. It was nasty today, and the bottom is still disturbed from the storm with few fish being caught.

Though small craft warnings are up this evening for south gusts to 30 knots, the marine forecast for Friday is northwest at 10-15 knots with showers.

Striped Bass Among Species Below Average, Others Flourish

Maryland DNR scientists examine juvenile striped bass for the annual index, before carefully releasing them back to the water.

Reports from the beaches today were negative, and there were no boat reports — but better conditions are ahead.

The marine forecast for Wednesday is 10-15 knots northwest with gusts to 20 and seas down to 4-6 feet before a switch to west at 5-10 in the afternoon as seas drop to 3-5 feet. It goes to south on Thursday, but at only 10-15 knots until increasing to 15-20 in the afternoon.

The Golden Eagle from Belmar had to cancel their tuna trip due to the weather, but has added an 18-hour tuna sailing on Tuesday, Oct. 20 at 11 p.m. Miss Belmar Princess will make their daily bluefish trip tomorrow.

The Jamaica from Brielle has three spots open at the last minute for the 7 p.m. offshore tuna trip with a $335 fare. Call 732 528-5014. There is also space on Sunday’s 10 p.m. sailing.

Though the surf was rough and dirty today, it may be fishable tomorrow in the calming west wind.

Nick Honachefsky got lucky with his second annual Barrier Island Beach Brawl as there was a nice weekend for surfcasting before a blowout Monday. His wrap-up follows:

“Thank you to all participants, sponsors, tackle shops and facebook groups who made the 2nd Annual Barrier Island Beach Brawl a success! We were blessed with friendly surf and the bite was on. While hundreds of fish were caught, at the end the leaderboard reflected the heaviest of the brawlers. In the Locals Classics category, 1st place went to Nick Petries’s 6.04 pound bluefish, 2nd was Nick Duefemia’s 4.38 pound blue and 3rd was claimed by Jenni Ackerman’s 4.32 pound blackfish. In the Wildcard bracket, 1st went to Zach Vendettis 4.17-pound triggerfish, 2nd was taken by Nick Petrie’s 1.91-pound trigger and 3rd was won by Cole Speiser’s .87 pound kingfish. There were 6 Photo/Release striped bass in the tourney and the Mystery Fish (catch) went to John Westerdale with his live bat, yes the flying mammal, that got tangled in his line. ”

Another “winner” in the contest was St. Gregory’s Pantry in Point Pleasant which received a bag of fish fillets donated by the participants.

The gale watch stays in effect until midnight. Tuesday starts with east winds at10-15 knots plus patchy fog and showers. Seas of 6-9 feet drop to 4-7 feet in the afternoon when the wind shifts to north at 5-10 knots.

The surf will be dirty. and may take one or two tide changes before cleaning up as winds go to the calming west. Hopefully this storm may bring in a first charge of migrating stripers from the east. .Chuck Many did find a few large migratory stripers that hit his trolled eels a few days ago,

Bob Matthews, at Fisherman’s Den in Belmar Marina, is looking for an improvement in slow surfcasting after the storm, and notes that kingfish are still biting in Shark River.