Just before the storm moved in, Fisher Price IV got in a day of seeking large stripers in the NYNJ Bight area by drifting live baits for a good sampling up to almost 30 pounds. It was too early for migrating bass, though that run may start kicking in after the nor’easter moves off this week. Those large bass can be identified by the purple sheen on their backs — and usually carry sea lice on their bodies.

Dante Soriente has a well-deserved reputation as a bigeye tuna specialist, but has established standards inshore with giant tautog topped by a 21-pounder. He further notes:”Erik and Myself went North to visit a dozen tackle shops! Day 2 on way south we stoped at a random pier and picked up 2 dozen Green crabs! We fished for about an hour and caught a bunch of 12-18 inch #blackfish right before we were about to leave I threw a whole green crab down on a 1 oz @magictail_outfitters #togjigs in Black and hooked a hammer! Fish just swam off with the jig! What a battle it was in light tackle took drag about 6 times before we got to see it! Was just shy of 27 inch! Nice male I’m guessing around 10-11 lbs! Was using our 7’ 3/4-2 oz inshore rod which is perfect for smaller jigs! Happy to catch my first DD from land ! Best part was I wasent even trying or thinking about catching none like that! “

Sunday’s marine forecast in NY/NJ Bight is for northeast winds at 30-35 knots with rain and seas up to 14 feet~

Today may stand as the best in some time as a stormy period moves in. Fortunately, the Barrier Islands Beach Brawl got in a good start this morning and won’t be dependent on tomorrow’s final day.

Capt. Ron Santee had hoped to get Saturday in on his Fishermen from Atlantic Highlands, but the weather is changing too fast. Bottom fishing was good today as a 3-pound sea bass took the pool.

Saturday starts off with east winds at 10-15 knots in Ny/NJ Bight, but soon increases to 15-20 knots plus gusts to 25 and rain.

Vinny D’Anton reports some small blues in the Monmouth County surf though small summer stripers remain scarce. However, there was word of a couple of large stripers being caught.

Surfcasters will be out in force as Nick Honachefsky’s Barrier Island Beach Brawl gets underway along the Jersey Shore. A huge volume of prizes will be distributed as even those who fail to catch an entry are likely to win a drawing. The weather may be marginal, but I’m sure there will be plenty of fish caught in this strictly surf event. The contest concludes Saturday.

Capt. Ron Santee of the Fishermen at Atlantic Highlands has been frustrated with the weather, and only figures to be able to get out Friday and Saturday to catch the numerous sea bass and porgies.

Nick Honachefsky gets his 7th annual Barrier Island Beach Brawl underway on Friday. Nick notes “There’s $6,000 worth of 25 rods and 12 reels from Shimano, Daiwa, St. Croix, Tsunami, Toadfish, Penn, you can win either by placing in a category or even just winning in the free raffle.

And BONUS – You don’t have to even catch a fish to win any of these, along with the $25,000 worth of gear from Yeti Coolers, Savage Gear, Rapala, Fishbites, Yo-Zuri, Mustad, Spro, Grundens, Berkley, Pure Fishing, Tony Maja, The Fisherman, Bubba, Toggy Time Jigs, Grumpy’s Tackle, Betty and Nicks, Hook House, Charlies B&T, Gabriel Tackle, Fishermen’s Supply. A free raffle offers shots nearly all the gear, so everybody goes home with some gear and good times.

Plus, we raise money for St. Jude’s and donate hundreds of pounds of fresh fish to St. Gregory’s Food Pantry to feed the homeless and hungry every year.

$45 entry gets you admission, a T-Shirt, goody bag of Fishbites and gear, admission to tourney and admission to the after party at Heavy Reel Brewing. You can’t lose.

Click SaltwaterUnderground.com under the Barrier Island Beach Brawl Tag to sign up.”

Bottom fishing for porgies and sea bass has been generally very good in northern N.J. offshore waters, though Capt. Ron Santee of the Fishermen at Atlantic Highlands reported Tuesday’s bite was off a bit.

A small craft advisory is up through Thursday afternoon in NY/NJ Bight.

The Golden Eagle from Belmar started the week with a canyon tuna trip described as follows:

“The boat just returned from a GOOD TUNA TRIP and they brought some fish back with them!

They caught nice YELLOWFIN TUNA ranging from 30 to 60 pounds, and also lost some. Most everyone on board got to fight a YELLOWFIN and some had as many as two in the boat. They also caught 5 or 6 BLUEFIN but since BLUEFIN season is currently closed, they were safely released. Some SKIPJACKS made it into the mix as well.“

Tomorrow’s forecast hhas resulted in cancellation of the daily bluefish trip.

The Fishermen from Atlantic Highlands reported good bottom fishing yesterday for sea bass and large porgies.

Gen Wong fished aboard Tagged Fish from Highlands yester for lock-and0load sea bass action as limits were the rule.

The odds of catching a swordfish from great depths in daytime seemed impossible not many years ago, but Capt. Nick Stanczyk has proven otherwise out of Bud’N Mary’s Marina in Islamorada, Florida Keys.

 ·Islamorada ·

Epic trip yesterday on the 47’ Freeman! It was my Dads first time on the boat and by the end of the day we caught 13

 ·Islamorada ·

A couple were kept and the rest released.

The Golden Eagle from Belmar returned from a good canyon trip tuna trip today. More about that tomorrow when they will be seeking blues.

The marine forecast for NY/NJ Bight is for southwest winds at 10-15 knots before going south at 15 in the afternoon.

Capt. Mark DeBlasio of Water Proof from Point Pleasant found no lack of tuna for chunking on the latest trip as noted: “Anthony had Rick Lorfing and crew out for an all out chunk crush job .. best bite of the year was how it was described to me .. needless to say they caught their limit and had plenty more releases. Overnight they lost a Sword and wrapped up with some Mahi in the morning .

Capt. Ron Santee reported non-stop bottom action today for the Old Bridge Fire & Rescue charter with big sea bass and porgies on the Fishermen from Atlantic Highlands.

The Golden Eagle from Belmar had another good Saturday night trip with limit bluefish catches mostly on bait along with some sea bass.

The marine weather forecast remains good with southwest winds at 5-10 knots before going south at 15 with gusts to 20 in the afternoon.

Capt. Ron Santee was happy to find the ocean swell gone this morning as the LA Design party on his Fishermen from Atlantic Highlands loaded up with jumbo porgies before sea bass turned on with the change of tide. He’s chartered again on Sunday, but returns to daily bottom fishing Monday.

The Golden Eagle from Belmar found blues that readily hit diamond jigs along with a showing of bonito and triggerfish. Some anglers limited on blues and then again with sea bass. Most of the blues were 2-5 pounds, with a few up to 8 pounds.

The marine forecast for NY/NJ Bight is for west winds at a mere 5 knots before changing to south in the afternoon.

Nick Honachefsky’s 7th annual Barrier Beach Surf Brawl on Columbus Day weekend must be entered by this weekend to be eligible for the many prizes available to even those who don’t catch a fish. Nick has once again accumulated a tremendous volume of fishing tackle that will not only go to winners in categories for all popular surf species as well as in drawings. Last year’s event distributed over $35.000 in prizes and contributed $12.000 to St. Judes. Many of the fish caught were contributed to the Food Pantry. Entry forms are available at area tackle shops, or you can enter online at http://www.saltwaterunderground.com.

With the N.J. sea bass season open, the party boat fleet should be very busy this weekend. Anglers are advised to arrive well before sailing time in order to avoid being left at the dock.

The Golden Eagle from Belmar may have room left on their Oct. 5 canyon tuna trip.

The marine forecast for NY/NJ Bight is for west winds at 10-15 knots before dropping to 10 in the afternoon.