Sorry for the late blog, but I was tied up in a “wild” third birthday party for my granddaughter, Liz Gonzalez, in Palm Beach Gardens.

As noted in yesterday’s blog, the Sunday forecast in NY/NJ Bight could hardly be better for mid-winter, with north winds at only 10 knots or so before shifting to southwest in the afternoon.

Anglers in NY/NJ Bight should have a chance to wet a line this weekend.

A small craft advisory is up through Saturday afternoon, but the northwest 15-20-knot wind Saturday should knock down the big swell before Sunday’s great forecast of just 5-10 knots from that direction which will likely result in a flat calm ocean.

The Ocean Explorer from Belmar had to fight a big swell yesterday, but it wasn’t rough. There were a few short blackfish hooked from among bergall bites, but those who stuck with jigs picked at pollock, including a doubleheader, plus one cod. They expect to sail tomorrow.

This beautiful shot of bluefin tuna feeding in the Channel Islands was posted by John Overton Photography.

It’s been very windy and rough off Florida’s east coast this winter, but on Feb.19 a couple of fishermen were able to get offshore with their 42-foot Duffy to deep drop for swordfish. Everything went well for them as they boated a sword estimated at 500 pounds by formula. Unfortunately, this wasn’t a qualifying sportfishing catch as an electric reel was used.

A small craft advisory is up in NY/NJ Bight from this evening to next. Friday starts with southwest winds at 10-15 knots plus gusts to 20. Seas are 4 to 6 feet in an easterly swell which produce rough inlets. Rain is also predicted.

My phone has been down all day. Anyone trying to reach me should e-mail cristori@aol.com

The historic photo published here recently showed Asbury Park Fishing Club anglers with striped bass caught around 1910. I’m running that again in order to illustrate how fishermen dressed in the “good old days”. It’s been a long time since even party boat fishermen came aboard in coat and tie. The great NYC fisherman Vince Scotti showed me how he consistently trolled big bass with his long tube lure decades ago — and always arrived at his boat in an old suit before putting foul weather gear on top. Could that be the secret to catching big stripers?

The Ocean Explorer from Belmar reported about yesterday’s blackfish trip as follows:

“We made it out this morning in lumpy condtions but it did lay down and we had a comfortable day offshore…We had life to,,plenty of perch biting along with some short blackfish…handful of keeper blackfish onboard,,no Jumbos so your safe another day Timmy..No cod or pollock today,,guess they werent in the mood..Seasonal pool is 4400 bucks and wide open for the taking so come down and take a shot..We are fishing everyday unless weather stops us..See ya tomorrow.”

The forecast is for east winds at 5-10 knots before shifting to south in the afternoon. Seas will be 4-6 feet with a chance of afternoon rain.

The Ocean Explorer from Belmar got offshore yesterday and reported as follows:

“We had nice conditions offshore today,,a little rocky but not bad with Northwest winds..Had decent life again with water temps up to 43 degrees out there….Lots of perch biting kept you busy…But also had a few keeper blackfish,.6 or 7 keeper pollock and a nice codfish and ling to…So not a lot of fish and not everybody caught but enough to keep you interested..Caught the cod on a jig again and double header pollock on jig teaser as well.”

The NY/NJ Bight forecast is for east winds at 10-15 knots.

George Poveromo is bringing his Salt Water Sportsman Seminar Series to Ct. on Saturday Feb. 24 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Trumbell Marriott Shelton. Crazy Alberto Knie will be among the national experts along with many local pros. Call 954 755-6898 for tickets and details.

Anglers in NY/NJ Bight will be facing a northeast wind in the morning, but unlike most such winds it is forecast to drop off from 10-15 knots plus gusts to 20 down to east at 5-10 knots in the afternoon.

NY/NJ Bight anglers have seen enough snow, rain and wind, but it looks better tomorrow.

A small craft advisory is up until late tonight before the morning starts with northwest winds at just 10-15 knots. As a result, the Ocean Explorer from Belmar is planning to fish for blackfish.

A bit further south, Charley Levine caught this fine mutton snapper while fishing with Capt. Chris Trosset at Key West.

A small craft advisory is up through late tonight in NY/NJ Bight with northwest winds to 30 knots which drop to 20 after midnight before shifting to southwest 20-25 plus gusts to 30 and 4-6-foot seas in the morning.

The Ocean Explorer from Belmar cancelled weekend blackfish trips, but expects to sail on Monday.

The Philadelphia Fishing Show concludes today at the Expo Center in Oaks — as does the N.J. Boat Sale and Expo in the N.J. Expo Center at Raritan Center.

THE WAY IT WAS —posted by Tom Fernicola

The weather forecast for Saturday remains marginal for fishing, but a good one for talking fishing at the N.J. Boat Sale & Expo at the N.J. Expo Center in Raritan Center — or the Philadelphia Fishing Show in the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center at Oaks.

A small craft advisory is up until 6 p.m. in NY/NJ Bight. Saturday starts with just 5-10-knot northeast winds before switching to northwest 15-20 plus gusts to 25 in the afternoon. Snow is likely in the morning, and snow showers in the afternoon.

The Ocean Explorer from Belmar found a lively bottom yesterday while fishing for blackfish. There were lots of bergall bites along with some short tog and three keepers. One cod was jigged and another followed to the surface — and one other hit a green crab.

The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) reports that their Striped Bass Management Board will be meeting on March 26 from 1-3 p.m., and that will be available to the public via Webinar. Details will be posted as the meeting gets closer.

A gale warning is up this evening through Friday afternoon in NY/NJ Bight. Friday’s forecast is for west winds at 25-30 knots shifting to northwest at 20-25 plus gusts to 35 in the afternoon. The shows also look like a better bet on Saturday. which starts out at west 10-15 with gusts to 20 before getting stronger in the afternoon.