There’s plenty of time for weigh-ins at the Big Rock Tournament at Morehead City, but two have already been recorded. Builder’s Choice moved into third at at 431.8, and Maggie had a 414.2. Game Time remains first at 516, just ahead of Release with a 504-pounder.

The first big dolphin has been weighed by Secoten at 45.6 pounds. with C-Student next at 23 pounds. The wahoo leader is Wolverine at just 23.4 pounds. I’ll add a blog tonight with additional weigh-ins.

Capt. Ron Santee Jr. had to travel a bit with his Fishermen from Atlantic Highlands to put together a good catch of sea bass.

The Golden Eagle from Belmar got into some bluefish on jigs before the same lures worked best as they drifted for sea bass.

The forecast is for west winds at just 5 knots before going south in the afternoon.

As noted in yesterday’s blog, Rom Whitaker was on his way in with a blue marlin which turned out to be a 504-pounder — only to be knocked back to second when Game Time arrived with a 516-pound blue. Yet, Whitaker had a good consolation prize as winner of the Fabulous Fisherman division which included carry-over money from last year when there was no 500-pounder weighed. As a result, they got a $1.7 million check and don’t have to sweat out a lead. In addition, there could be more money ahead if they hold up for second or third.

With good weather, 171 of the203-boat field fished the opener.

The only other catch that’s likely to stand up was a 155.1 pound tuna by Trashman.

There are 271 boats out today, and I’ll have an update this evening.

The 66th annual Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament is underway at Morehead City, N.C. — and a blue is already on the way to the scales.

Veteran skipper Rom Whittaker boated the blue on his Release. If everything goes well with communications from the tournament, Ill add a blog tonight.

The Big Rock has 3302 boats entered, with a purse of $7.5 million.

The NY/NJ Bight forecast is for northeast winds at just 5-10 knots.

Who needs a million dollar yacht to catch a huge billfish? Check out the following:

Local kayak angler Tyler O’Neill caught a swordfish from kayak while jigging in the Extreme Kayak Fishing Tournament in Pompano Beach, Florida. With a heart of gold, the swordfish was released due to unknown size limit and lacking an HMS permit. A true angler with respect for our marine laws! Tyler, congratulations on your epic catch! A once-in-a-lifetime catch that will be talked about for many years to come.

Capt. John Contello reports yesterday’s striped bass action on his Just Sayin in NYNJ Bight produced exceptionally large releases as follows:

“Absolute Units this morning!! Several fish over 50” a dozen over 40” One of them around 54lbs. A lot of personal bests broken today

The Golden Eagle from Belmar was able to make long drifts today before the wind got too strong. Lots of sea bass hitting, though shorts dominated. Some ling and whiting also.

The forecast remains good with west winds at 10 knots before going southwest in the afternoon.

Just got the following from the Viking Fleet at Montauk: “Capt Steven Jr reports another great trip with a full load of Tiles up to 42lbs, Fluke up to 9.8lbs and little bonus of 5 Bluefins. We fished a new area Tile fishing and had an abundance of smaller to medium fish and we spent the later part of the day searching in the deep and found a good shot of fish in the 25-40lb range. Fluking was steady fishing the whole time. We had the tide and everyone had their limit at the end of the day. The next Tile/Fluke trip is 6/10-6/12 and there are a couple spots left. Visit vikingfleet.com for all trip info. Book online or give the office a call at (631)668-5700.6/3-6/5 2 Day TILE/FLUKE trip! #vikingfleet#fishing#fluke#montaukfishing#vikingfivestar#offshorefishing#offshore#goldentile#vikingfleetmontauk#tilefish#Fluke

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Capt. Ron Santee Jr. reported a drop-off from yesterday’s good sea bass fishing on his Fishermen from Atlantic Highlands. There seemed to be more ling and whiting than bass in today’s catch. Jigging worked best as he read heavy sand eel concentrations which have moved inshore and the fish are stuffed with them.

The Golden Eagle from Belmar had a similar report as short sea bass dominated along with some ling and whiting.

The NY/NJ Bight forecast is for southwest winds at 10-15 knots plus gusts to 20 and a chance of showers.

Peacock bass have become very common in Florida, but most of them are concentrated on the east coast. Yet, Crazy Alberto Knie didn’t have to make a three-hour drive from Fort Myers in order to find some for a 4:30 p.m. trip yesterday. It didn’t take long for us to release a half-dozen by casting shiners in a very urban lake where there was no competition except for a water skier.

Congratulations to Capt. John Contello and Matt Calabria on Just Sayin Sportfishing on releasing a 53-inch 51-pound striper in NY/NJ Bight.

The forecast there is for west winds at 10-15 knots plus gusts to 20.

The Queen Mary from Point Pleasant had a boat limit of blues that hit mostly after 10 a.m.

Betty & Nick’s in Seaside Park reports surfcasters catching stripers on fresh clam baits.

The Viking Fleet at Montauk sent the following report:

Sun June 2– 2 Day Tile/Fluke

Capt Steven Sr. reports a fantastic offshore trip on the Viking Starship. Our mission for this trip was to seek out large Fluke and Tiles and we definitely succeeded! We started the first leg of the trip loading up on Golden Tiles of all sizes and made our way back Fluking pulling aboard some serious DOORMATS. All around it was a great trip with lots of fish and an even better group of guys. Steve Scanapico from East Moriches had the pool winner for both the Tile and Edible pool with a 34.6 Golden Tilefish and a 16.5 lb Hake! Jon Gossard from Teaneck, NJ had the Fluke pool with a 9.9 lb fish.

We have VERY LIMITED spaces left on our 30 Hour Nantucket Sleigh Ride leaving tomorrow (Thursday, June 6th) at 9 pm, this is one of our last offshore trips for the season! Don’t miss out, call or book online!

The forecast for NY/NJ Bight includes a small craft advisory late tonight. Friday starts with west winds at just 5-10 knots before going southwest 10-15 plus gusts to 20

Capt Steven Sr. reports a fantastic offshore trip on the Viking Starship. Our mission for this trip was to seek out large Fluke and Tiles and we definitely succeeded! We started the first leg of the trip loading up on Golden Tiles of all sizes and made our way back Fluking pulling aboard some serious DOORMATS. All around it was a great trip with lots of fish and an even better group of guys. Steve Scanapico from East Moriches had the pool winner for both the Tile and Edible pool with a 34.6 Golden Tilefish and a 16.5 lb Hake! Jon Gossard from Teaneck, NJ had the Fluke pool with a 9.9 lb fish.

We have VERY LIMITED spaces left on our 30 Hour Nantucket Sleigh Ride leaving tomorrow (Thursday, June 6th) at 9 pm, this is one of our last offshore trips for the season! Don’t miss out, call or book online!

Bluefish didn’t show early today for anglers on the Golden Eagle from Belmar, and a switch to drifting for sea bass produced mostly shorts before 2-4-pound blues showed up and saved the day. Plain diamond jigs worked best.

It was a different story on the Fishermen from Atlantic Highlands as Capt. Ron Santee Jr. reported much better sea bass fishing even on spots where there was a poor bite yesterday.

The forecast is for south winds at 10-15 knots plus gusts to 20. There’s a chance of thunderstorms and showers.

Dr. Pat Donnnelly took over the family Jersey sea skiff from his father many years ago, and Shanakee is still going strong at year 53! The Brielle dentist is also one of the finest bottom fishermen at the Shore — rarely failing to limit out with fluke or sea bass for all aboard. The same boat also serves well for the occasional tuna trip when they move closer to the Shore.

Maeve Donnelly with a sea bass on Shanakee .

The Golden Eagle from Belmar got into some 3-5-pound blues before switching over to drifting for sea bass.

Though winds remain light at 5-10 knots from the southeast, dense fog is also expected in the morning.

Capt. Ron Santee Jr. had an unusually tough sea bass trip Sunday, but it was back to normal today on his Fishermen from Atlantic Highlands as noted “We had better fishing today with some Big Sea Bass coming up.

Had to make a bunch of drops all day to get it done. We would anchor, catch for 15 minutes then the bite would die, this went on all day no matter what area we fished. Several guys still did well both on the Bait and plain jigs.

Mustacio Richie & Dennis split the pool with two 3 pound fish each. Weather looks good all week, come on down.

Sailing everyday 7:30am-2:30pm. Open Boat”

At Belmar, the Golden Eagle reported a shot of 3-5-pound blues close to shore at today’s start. Those blues preferred plain diamond jigs. A move to drifting seas bass produced lots of shorts along with some keepers plus a few ling and whiting.

The Queen Mary from Point Pleasant had some blues to start Sunday, and a surprisiningly good sea bass bite after that for jiggers.

Capt. Lou Grazioso had his best fluking of the season today in Naversink River with a limit catch on very light tackle,

The fine weather continues with a forecast of east at just 10 knots tomorrow.