The N.J. blackfish season from April 1-30 with four fish at a 15-inch minimum opened well for the crew of the Ocean Explorer from Belmar. Since that boat is still in the boatyard, they are using Miss Belmar Princess. Their report follows : “We had some nice day today, ocean was flat calm …Fishing was good to us to…We had non-stop action on the bottom around the boat. Loads of blackfish coming up, lots of shorts yes but in between there were keepers…Joe the Plumber was dialed in and had over a double limit of keepers…Others had a limit to, some just had the shorty curse but in the end scattered around the boat we had a nice number of keeper blackfish..We also had some nice ling and a few codfish as well…Plenty of exotic sharks to keep you entertained as well….Great day all around….Next few days look crummy with hard northeast winds so no fishing…I will let you know next nice day”

Capt. John Contello was impressed with the volume of stripers ne marked on his Just Sayin 37 yesterday even if the bass were a bit lethargic in hitting lures. He has open spots on the weekend.

Winter flounder have become so scarce the few anglers even try for them anymore. However, Gabrial Tackle in Brick reports some are being caught in the canal and bay,

The good weather didn’t last long. A small craft advisory is up to 6 p.m. before going to a gale warning through late Wednesday night. The forecast is for east winds at 30-35 knots plus gusts to 45. Seas build to 9-14 feet with rain and isolated thunderstorms.

Striped bay fishing is picking up in New Jersey. The Raritan Bay fishery is the best bet as noted in this report from Fisher Price IV out of Highlands a couple of days ago:”Great morning for our open boat guys today. Had a few fish early and then found a massive pile of fish. Picked away for awhile before they quit with the traffic and ride. Got away from the crowd and finished up with a few a nice shot of fish at the end of the day. Saw some nicer fish today to 39” and guys boxed their limit and released a few dozen more. We have availability coming up. Call or text 732-861-3394. “see (photos below)

Capt. Chris Di Stefano said Atlantic mackerel showed up suddenly at Shrewsbury Rocks one day last week, when anglers who live-lined them were able to catch jumbo stripers.

Absecon Bay Sportsman Center reports both short and a few keeper stripers are being caught in the backwaters on both bloodworms and Gulp.

The forecast is for SE winds at 5-10 knots before going east at 10-15 in the afternoon plus rain.

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The weather looks good for tomorrow’s opening of the blackfish season in New Jersey.

Southeast winds at just 5-10 knots are forecast before going east at 10-15 in the afternoon.

Capt. Ralph Layrer reports his charter boat, Last Lady II from Belmar will be ready for an open blackfish trip on April 13.

The NJ blackfish season opens Monday, and the Big Mohawk will resume sailing at 6:30.

I haven’t been able to get an accurate weather forecast this afternoon.

Happy Easter!

Absecon Bay Sportsman Center sent the following report:

“

The weatherman seems to be at the helm when it comes to fishing. For the few anglers that have been getting out it seems like the fish don’t mind. There are some great reports on stripers and white perch. I still haven’t gotten on the water, still trying to make sure everything is ready for the big push that always comes right after Easter. Remember Tog Season opens Monday and with the water temperatures up where they are the bite should be HOT. I’m trying to get ahold of Green Crabs, and should have them. Plenty of Jumbo Bloodworms , now at $25 a dozen. Hoping for Surf Clams before the weekend and a new supply of live eels should be on the way. Any questions at all call 609-484-0409″

I thought the world was coming to an end when bloodworms went up to a dollar a dozen!

A small craft advisory is up through Saturday afternoon with NW winds at 15-20 knots.

Fisher-Price IV from Highlands reported as follows this week”

Started our season this morning. Pretty consistent bite all morning throwing shads. Guys boxed their limit and released a few dozen more to around 16#. Great way to start the year and it will only get better the next few weeks. We have availability thru April. Call or text 732-861-3394 for info and reservations.”

A gale watch is up in NY/NJ Bight from this evening to late tonight. Friday’s forecast is for NW winds at 15-20 knots plus gusts to 30 with 4-6-foot seas.

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142Ron McClelland, Chuck Tyman Manny and 140 others

As noted in an earlier blog, famed N.J. striper fisherman Gene Graman passed away on March 21. A Visitation is being held today from 4-7 p.m. at Thompson Funeral Home, 410 Broad St. [n Red Bank. There will also be a graveside service tomorrow at 11 a.m. in Fairview Cemetary, Middletown.

Gene was 87, an Air Force vet, and possibly the best private skipper in NY/NJ Bight — especially when fishing the old Sandy Hook Rip in rough seas. He was also a founding member of the Hi-Mar Striper Club– and their most active member.He’s survived by his brother Marvin, nephew Donald, and sister-in-law Dolly.

I suppose heavenly striper fishing may have dropped off, and Gene was needed to seek them out once again!

A small craft advisory is up through Wednesday afternoon but the forecast for only NNW winds at 5-10 knots. Periods of light rain and drizzle are likely.

One of the strangest fishing catches ever was made on March 9 hen IGFA Chairman Ray Cronacher boated a potential world record 59-pound, 5-ounce swordfish while casting at night off South Florida from his Gladiator. Swordfish are very aggressive fish which will eat almost anything at times, but to get one to the surface at night and being able to make a cast to it with 20-[b tippet tackle is truly exceptional.

A small craft advisory is up in NY/NJ Bight through Wednesday afternoon. The forecast is for NE winds at 5 knots going to south in the afternoon with 4-7-foot seas. Fog, drizzle and light rain is possible.

Capt. Vinny Vetere of Katfish at Great Kills joined Capt. Joe Massa on My Three Sons from Morgan Marina on Friday as they marked lots of stripers in the rivers though they were not biting well. About a dozen up to 33 inches were caught. Massa said he water temperature started at 48 degrees, and went over 50 on the outgoing tide.

Though a small craft advisory is up through Tuesday afternoon, the forecast is for only north winds at 5 knots before going south in the afternoon. Drizzle, rain and fog are all possible.

Famed angler and lure designer Al Gag was inducted into the Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame during the weekend Ct. Fishing Show in Mohegan Sun. It was an honor well deserved!

The gale warning in NY/NJ Bight drops to a still miserable northeast at 20-25 knots after midnight, and then down to 15-20 into Tuesday.

North Jersey surfcaster “FBI Frank” Manzi has retired, and is spending some time wading inshore waters around Sarasota with Vinny D’Anton. Frank had never caught a snook during previous trips, so they took care of that right away during a small boat trip with a local guide that produced lots of small snook on live baits.