Vinny D’Anton reports the usual pick of summer school stripers in the N.J. surf continues to be a total blank as even the most skilled anglers haven’t been able to pick at them. Vinny gets an occasional blast on his Chug Bug from a big bluefish, and it’s fortunate that fluke fishing continues to hold up in the Monmouth County surf.

The Jamaica from Brielle reports bonito fishing is underway, and they are sailing daily at 7:30 am. for them along with some ling, blues, sea bass and chub mackerel.

**** The forecast is for west winds at 5 knots.

The fluke tournament season is almost over, but two big ones are on the line Saturday,

The Leonardo Fire Company runs its 28th annual Fluke Masters Tournament with a five-fluke total format. Call Dennis Smith at 732 546-0395 for info.

The Staten Island Tuna Club runs the Grandpa Savino Memorial out of Great Kills for the largest fluke.

Capt. Ron Santee reported no wind or drift today, but still ended up with a good fluke catch. “Pool fish came down to two fish, one at 6.2 the winner at 6.4 caught by Gary. Herb Miller is still in the lead with his 6 pound 10 ounce fish. 3 days left for the Monthly pool now at $1200. Back at it in the AM.”

Fisher Price IV fluke

The NY/NJ Bight forecast is for southwest winds at only 5-10 knots.

Capt. Frank Masseria has been into large fluke all week with his Vitamin Sea from Port Monmouth, but was hardly prepared for the “fluke” bite that turned out to be the first cobia I’ve heard of so far this season in NY/NJ Bight. Frank said it weighed 30 pounds.

Capt. Ron Santee said the weather scared off some customers, but the day worked out well for his Fishermen from Atlantic Highlands as large fluke were common. “June benson landed the first beauty at 5 pounds 14 ounces. John Hrubic had the next one at 6 pounds 6 ounces taking the daily pool and just missing the new leader on the Monthly by a few ounces. High hook landed 7 beauties, several customers with their three, all quality Fish.

Only 4 trips left on the Monthly pool which is over $1,200. Weather looks good all week, don’t miss the bite!”

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The forecast is for northwest winds at a mere 5 knots before going southwest in the afternoon.

It’s been a long time coming, but bigger fluke are starting to dominate catches in NY/NJ Bight. Capt. Ron Santee reported a new leader in the Fishermen from Atlantic Highlands monthly pool yesterday as a 6 11/16-pound fluke was boated by Herb Miller. See photo below.

Tony Trigg came over to N.J. with a friend to boat the first doormat I’ve heard of so far to win the recent Sandy Hook Bay Anglers Tournament with an 11-pounder that was then released to provide other anglers a shot at such a thrill.

Fluking was tougher today for a charter on the Fishermen as the wind came up early and shut down the bite.

The Golden Eagle from Belmar hasn’t found bluefish lately, but their anglers are catching some keeper fluke along with the one jumbo sea bass now allowed in N.J.

Capt. Ralph Leyrer is back into triggerfish with his Last Lady from Belmar along with boat limits of sea bass.

: The forecast is for south winds at just 5-10 knots.

Capt. Frank Massaria of Vitamin Sea from Port Monmouth reports the Steve Applegate party had multiple 4-and-5-pounders in their limit catch this week. and it was the same today when a 5-gallon bucket was almost filled with fillets.

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The forecast remains as good as the fishing with southwest winds at 10-15 knots.

Capt. Ron Santee had tough fluking Tuesday in rough conditions, but Wednesday was the opposite with flat calm and steady fluking. That continued today on the Fishermen from Atlantic Highlands as Gary Karcher led the way by catching four over 18 inches including the 4.7-pound pool winner.

The forecast is for southwest winds at 10-15 knots.

Capt. Frank Masseria reports fluking about as good as it gets from his Vitamin Sea out of Port Monmouth Marina, with enough keepers among loads of shorts.

Tuesday was tougher for the Fishermen out of Atlantic Highlands due to rough seas.

The Golden Eagle from Belmar hasn’t found bluefish this week, but is picking fluke and sea bass on the drift. That boat is chartered tomorrow.

**** The forecast for NY/NJ Bight is for southwest winds at 5-10 knots before gusting to 25 in the afternoon.

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The school bluefin tuna bite from NY/NJ Bite to far east of Long Island has continued at a high level for all sizes ranging from “unders” to almost too big for heavy casting tackle. Capt. Gene Quigley of Reel Freedom out of Manasquan Inlet reports as follows:

What a trip for brothers @mattgreen831 and @j_gee86 . These guys specifically booked us last spring for inshore bluefin and after at least two or three weather cancelations we were able to finally get out. Despite solid offshore reports of jig and pop yellowfins, they still opted to stay inshore to hunt for big fish on spin and jig tackle. If you have experienced this fishery right now you know there is a lot of downtime waiting for the fish to eat; and these guys were so incredibly stoked to take that time to learn everything we do start to finish to successfully hook and land these bigger Bluefin. From core tackle and terminal tackle to knots, drag settings, leaders, lures, reading the water, and electronics to actually fighting, landing , bleeding and swimming the fish to ensure the meat is pristine. It was amazing for @quigs732 and I to witness their enthusiasm for the sport, and then watching them absolutely mauling this fish with great technique…fueled by extreme adrenaline

. Thanks for a great day on the water and congrats on an awesome fish. Can’t wait to see what you guys accomplish on your own boat next trip and look forward to getting you back on the #REELFREEDOM.”

soon

Capt. Ron Santee enjoyed steady fluking Sunday from his Fishermen out of Atlantic Highlands, and considered that bite to be his best of this season. When the drift got too fast. a move to heavy sinkers solved that problem. Be sure to bring a rod capable of handling large sinkers when they are required.

The forecast for NY/NJ Bight is for northeast winds though at onlt 10-15 knots before dropping to 10 in the afternoon.

Fluke pro Dave Lilly was dubbed the Wiz by an outdoor writer when he was making great inshore catches as a kid in the Raritan Bay area — and he’s lived up to that standard as an adult. After shaking off the winter rust last weekend, Dave came back to win the Raritan Bay Anglers Club Fluke Tournament which is based on a two-fish total weight. That’s the 20th win of his career!

Dave was joined by his son Jeremy while running Bryan Farmer’s outboard as they combined a fluke just over 6 pounds with another just under 7 pounds to also sweep the Calcuttas except for the single largest.

Capt. Ron Santee reported an all-day fluke bite Saturday on his Fishermen out of Atlantic Highlands. Shawn Paul caught seven fluke of keeper size, and the pool went to a 5-pounder.