Harry Aiken remembered

When it came to using surf tackle for distance and accuracy at the many competitions over half a century ago, even the pros from Long Island and Cape Cod often couldn’t stand up to Harry Aiken who lived in Georgetown, Delaware — an area hardly noted for great surfcasting.

Harry was a Top Gun in the Garcia Casting Accuracy contests which I helped conduct while working for Garcia at that time. However. Harry’s proudest moment came as he cast a ball over the center field fence in Yankee Stadium!

We fished together in Delaware many times over the years, but blindness made life much more difficult as he fought off one thing after another to make it to 90. His son, Scott, said his death over the weekend was simply attributed to old age rather than anything in particular.

Scott said he will be buried with his old Garcia casting rod so he’ll be ready to regain his form in Heavenly surf.

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It’s not looking good for anglers in NY/NJ Bight the next couple of days as snow works its way Harry north. A gale warning goes up Wednesday morning though late night.

Salt Water Sportsman reports a new all-tackle blackfin tuna world record has been certified by the IGFA. Robert Kowalski caught the 50-pound,1ounce blackfin in June from Miss Britt out of Miami.

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Though one of the smallest members of its family, the blackfin is a fine fighting fish on suitable tackle — and very good eating. While fairly common offshore of Florida reefs. they don’t often migrate much further north. I only remember once coming across them while trolling canyon waters off New Jersey.

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The Ocean Explorer from Belmar didn’t find any of the hoped-for cod on Saturday, though some ling were boated on every drop.

A small craft advisory in NY/NJ Bight comes down at 6 p.m. The forecast is for northwest winds at 10-15 knots by morning before dropping to 5-10 in the afternoon.

Ebb often best for early stripers

As a general rule, outgoing tides are generally the best bet for very early stripers in the internal waters of N.J. which reopened today. Ocean water is at very low levels at this time, but the sun-warmed ebb can be much warmer — and may inspire some feeding activity.

A gale warning is up in NY/NJ Bight from 6 p.m. to late tonight. The forecast is for northwest winds tomorrow at 15-20 knots with gusts to 25 and light freezing spray in the morning. Monday is looking much better.

Release Marine posted the following: “The South Florida sailfish bite was on

for the @fishbluewater Sailfish Challenge this past weekend. Over the course of the two-day tournament, 61 teams released an incredible 1,467 sailfish, competing for the Quest for the Crest championship

N.J. internal waters reopen Saturday

The march 1 reopening of N.J. internal waters provides an opportunity for anglers to fish for stripers in Raritan Bay and backwaters throughout the state . In recent years that bite has started much earlier than normal, but recent cold snaps have driven water temperatures down. The Perth Amboy area is a good place to seek out an early striper on bloodworms.

Winter flounder fishing also becomes legal on Saturday.

A small craft advisory is up through Saturday afternoon in NY/NJ Bight,

The forecast is for southwest winds at 15-20 knots before increasing to 20-25 in the afternoon.

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Vinny D’Anton had another hot bite of spotted sea trout this morning while casting MirrOlures in the Longboat Key area along with Trooper Tom, a Dog Beach regular visiting southwest Florida from N.J.

Bluefin tuna are amazing fish

The following message was received today from Bud’ N Mary’s Marina in Islamorada, Florida Keys:

“I’s that time of year again! Bluefin tuna are known to pass through the reefs of Islamorada in February primarily due to the seasonal migration patterns and favorable conditions in the area. During winter months, particularly in February. Relentless had their run in with a huge pack of Bluefins yesterday on the reef in about 30 feet of water, unfortunately didn’t get a bite but what an incredible sight to see.”

It’s amazing that the same species appearing in the very warm waters of the Keys is also being caught almost every day from cold North Carolina mid-winter waters.

It’s also strange that when giants appear in the Keys they are also passing through very shallow areas rather than offshore. Boaters who are fortunate enough to be there at the right time aren’t likely to have giant tuna tackle aboard, but have a chance to catch one on lighter tackle since the tuna can’t dive into deep waters.

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A small craft advisory is up through Friday evening in NY/NJ Bight. The forecast is for northwest winds at 10-15 knots plus gusts to 20.

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The Ocean Explorer from Belmar Had a nice day at sea on Wednesday, but the water was very cold at 38 degrees — and only a few ling were caught.

Tuna still hitting along Mid-Atlantic coast. Giant bluefin tuna continue to be boated during a never-ending season. An 890-pounder was weighed at Chasin Tails, and Speechless Sportfishing had a 377-pound dressed weight.

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A small craft advisory is up in NY/NJ Bight from tonight to late Thursday night. The forecast is for south winds at 15-20 knots plus gusts to 25. There’s a chance of showers.

Andreas Toy hits pollock & tilefish offshore

Andreas Toy from Perth Amboy reports as follows:

“Had some of my regulars chomping at the bit to get out, cabin fever sucks. Had a small window to get out today so we made the run. Hit an offshore wreck and had a nice bite of pollack to 35lbs. Then we dropped for tiles till lunchtime getting close to 30. Had them on bait and on UVT jigs which is now a sponsor. Couldn’t be happier with the performance of their jigs up to 500 grams.”

The Ocean Explorer from Belmar had decent bottom fishing Sunday with some blackfish and ling plus a few cod up to one around 20 pounds. However, on Monday the water temperature had dropped three degrees and there were few bites of any kind.

The forecast is for northwest winds at 10-15 knots before going west at 5-10 in the afternoon.

World record cobia caught off Perth, Australia

News was just received of a new world record cobia weighing an incredible 175.49 pounds. It was caught off Perth, Australia — and hardly resembles that species at such a huge size.

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

Another good start in the NE

NY/NJ Bight anglers should have a good start Monday with a forecast of south winds at a mere 5 knots. They increase to 10-15 plus gusts to 20 in the afternoon.

Leah Grady with a 98-inch bluefin out of Drum Inlet. Carolina Sportsman magazine photo.

Finally a calm day in NE

The forecast for Sunday in NY/NJ Bight could hardly be better as it calls for west winds at a modest 10-15 knots. That leaves anglers with a wide range of choices, though internal waters for stripers remain closed until March 1.