Dave Lilly expected to see earthworms on the sidewalks after the latest rain, but once again that sure sign of the real start of the striper season failed to appear. Dave noted that the Prowler from Atlantic Highlands also failed to find any stripers in still very cold local waters.

Chuck Many with one of the gag groupers caught off Hilton Head, S.C. as noted in yesterday’s blog.

The forecast for NY/NJ Bight is for west winds at 10-15 knots plus gusts to 20.

Chuck Many is in no rush to get his N.J. striper season underway — especially when there’s plenty of warm water species to be caught at his second home in Hilton Head, South Carolina. A good forecast for Sunday produced a catch of gag groupers plus other species on his Isabella, an Avenger perfect for working those waters.

The NY/NJ Bight forecast includes unusual rain with a west wind of 10-20 knots.

I don’t expect it will amount to much, but snow is in the forecast for tomorrow along with northwest winds at 10-20 knots.

Rain is in the NY/NJ Bight forecast. Could this be the time for earthworms to emerge on sidewalks as Dave Lilly believes will signal the opening of the real striper season in the bight?

A gale warning is up on Monday along with the rain. South winds at 15-20 knots plus gusts to 35 will be a problem.

The Ocean Explorer from Belmar reported a calm Saturday with a pick of ling but no cod.

It’s not easy to set low temperature records in southwest Florida, but that’s what happened at dawn when 40 degrees was recorded in Punta Gorda, just north of Ft. Myers. However, it should be back up over the normal low of 60 by tomorrow.

At least there was no small craft warning along with the chill. Back in NY/NJ Bight,one is presently in place. Sunday starts with northwest winds at 15-20 knots before dropping to west at 10-15 in the afternoon.

Striper anglers will probably be giving it a try this weekend in NY/NJ Bight as the gale watch comes down at 8 p.m., and the forecast for Saturday is just southwest at 10-15 knots before some afternoon showers.

A gale warning is up for NY/NJ Bight on Friday. Northwest winds of 20-25 knots gust to 35, and morning showers are also predicted.

As noted previously. Dave Lilly of Hazlet. N.J. has a proven track record of success in predicting the start of the striped bass season in NY/NJ Bight simply by observing the appearance of earthworms on the sidewalk after a hard rain. When he called yesterday. that still hadn’t happened. Therefore, he wasn’t surprised when the Prowler from Atlantic Highlands gave it a try this week without any success. They did find bunkers, but stripers weren’t with them.

Some stripers are being caught every day in Raritan River and other backwater areas where waters are warmed by the sun, but Lilly is sure the bay and ocean won’t open up until those earthworms come out after a rain.

A small craft advisory is up in the bight from Thursday afternoon to that night. The forecast is for southeast winds at 10-15 knots by Thursday morning with patchy fog and possible drizzle.

Anthony Gillespie reports tilefish trips have been set on the Capt. Lou Fleet from Freeport if weather reports permit.

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Call 516 623-5823

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Wednesday’s forecast in NY/NJ Bight is for east winds at just 5-10 knots.

Here’s a bit of fascinating history about Keys fishing picked up from Facebook. It was somewhat later that I met Ted there at the breakfast joint where the guides and regulars dined.

WONDERFUL WOMEN IN KEYS HISTORY: Pictured is Frankie Albright with baseball icon Ted Williams, and golf legend, Sam Snead. In true pioneer spirit, Frankie became one the first female backcountry guides in the early 1940’s. Her fishing prowess attracted anglers from all parts of the country. She would retire with several record catches and is still viewed as one of the most successful and respected guides in Florida Keys history. #holidayisleresort#islamorada#UpperKeysHistory#JerryWilkinson#LoraleaCarrera#keysmuseum#FKHDF#HPSUK#laidlawsisters#tedwilliams#samsnead#KeysPioneers#upperkeysfishing#igfa#fishingrecords#TheIslanderResort

All reactions:

244244WONDERFUL WOMEN IN KEYS HISTORY: Pictured is Frankie Albright with baseball icon Ted Williams, and golf legend, Sam Snead. In true pioneer spirit, Frankie became one the first female backcountry guides in the early 1940’s. Her fishing prowess attracted anglers from all parts of the country. She would retire with several record catches and is still viewed as one of the most successful and respected guides in Florida Keys history. #holidayisleresort#islamorada#UpperKeysHistory#JerryWilkinson#LoraleaCarrera#keysmuseum#FKHDF#HPSUK#laidlawsisters#tedwilliams#samsnead#KeysPioneers#upperkeysfishing#igfa#fishingrecords#TheIslanderResort

All reactions:

244244WONDERFUL WOMEN IN KEYS HISTORY: Pictured is Frankie Albright with baseball icon Ted Williams, and golf legend, Sam Snead. In true pioneer spirit, Frankie became one the first female backcountry guides in the early 1940’s. Her fishing prowess attracted anglers from all parts of the country. She would retire with several record catches and is still viewed as one of the most successful and respected guides in Florida Keys history. #holidayisleresort#islamorada#UpperKeysHistory#JerryWilkinson#LoraleaCarrera#keysmuseum#FKHDF#HPSUK#laidlawsisters#tedwilliams#samsnead#KeysPioneers#upperkeysfishing#igfa#fishingrecords#TheIslanderResort

244244WONDERFUL WOMEN IN KEYS HISTORY: Pictured is Frankie Albright with baseball icon Ted Williams, and golf legend, Sam Snead. In true pioneer spirit, Frankie became one the first female backcountry guides in the early 1940’s. Her fishing prowess attracted anglers from all parts of the country. She would retire with several record catches and is still viewed as one of the most successful and respected guides in Florida Keys history. #holidayisleresort#islamorada#UpperKeysHistory#JerryWilkinson#LoraleaCarrera#keysmuseum#FKHDF#HPSUK#laidlawsisters#tedwilliams#samsnead#KeysPioneers#upperkeysfishing#igfa#fishingrecords#TheIslanderResort

All reactions:

244244WONDERFUL WOMEN IN KEYS HISTORY: Pictured is Frankie Albright with baseball icon Ted Williams, and golf legend, Sam Snead. In true pioneer spirit, Frankie became one the first female backcountry guides in the early 1940’s. Her fishing prowess attracted anglers from all parts of the country. She would retire with several record catches and is still viewed as one of the most successful and respected guides in Florida Keys history. #holidayisleresort#islamorada#UpperKeysHistory#JerryWilkinson#LoraleaCarrera#keysmuseum#FKHDF#HPSUK#laidlawsisters#tedwilliams#samsnead#KeysPioneers#upperkeysfishing#igfa#fishingrecords#TheIslanderResort

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A small craft advisory is up in NY/NJ Bight through Tuesday. The forecast is for north winds at 10-15 knots plus gusts to 20 before dropping to 5-10 in the afternoon.