Millions are on the line during the last two days as both the white marlin and blue marlin categories are wide open — and tuna leaders are hoping that none big enough to qualify will be caught since those funds will then be added to the tuna winners.

After Big Stick took the lead yesterday with a 246.5-pound bigeye tuna (photo below), Southern C’s weighed another just one pound heavier that could be worth several million dollars. I’ll do an update blog after the scales close tonight. There were 352 of the 408 boats entered fishing today.

The Golden Eagle from Belmar reported reading lots of bluefish though they only jigged a few’ During the afternoon they were milling on the surface. Since the boat is leaving on a canyon trip tonight, the next bluefish trip will be on Saturday.

Capt. Ron Santee had sad news this week about Capt. Marty Haines having died last weekend while running a boat. Marty had been out of the party boat business for some time, but his Sea Pigeon IV at Perth Amboy was one of the best known at the Shore. I made a successful ling trip with him many years ago when mall bergalls were feasting on my clam baits until Marty suggested I switch to strips of bergalls — which solved the problem. I haven’t been able to find any information about services so far.

Santee noted that the rain ended early this morning, and fluke fishing on his Fishermen from Atlantic Highlands was decent. It was great for Louise Lauria as she boa ted a 6.5-pound pool winner that’s also the monthly leader. The Fishermen is chartered on Sunday.

The forecast for Friday is for north winds at 10-15 knots which decrease to 5-10 in the afternoon.

The bigeye tuna blast during the first day of the White Marlin Open was duplicated today, but the only two white marlin brought in didn’t meet the double standard of at least 70 inches in length and 70 pounds.

The bigeye blast started with Big Stick taking over first and a potential payout of $1,200,000 while First day hero Dante Soriento on MJ’s from Beach Haven moved up again with a 230.5-pounder that could be worth $100,000 before being pushed back to third when Big Stick weighed a 246.5-pounder Yet, Southern C’s arrived with a 247.5-pounder to lead for the big money.

There were also changes in dolphin as Jeb took over second at 28 pounds, while Jenny Poo jumped into first in wahoo at 71 pounds.

There will be lots of boats out the next two days to seek out the biggest money for white and blue marlin before the Friday evening conclusion.

With just two more days to fish, the White Marlin Open 208-boat field competing for $8.4 million will be pulling out all stops before the Friday evening awards party.

As noted in yesterday’s blog, not much was expected as only 15 boaters fished in rough seas and the leaderboard was unchanged. However, 279 sailed today and the last of each boat’s three fishing days will be used Thursday and Friday. I’ll do a late blog after the scales close at 9:15 to update the standings.

Monday produced enough large bigeye tuna to make that category a success even if another isn’t caught, but there hasn’t been a single billfish entry for the biggest payoffs in the contest. Even the volume of billfish releases has been far below par — though I suspect that will change in the last few days.

The tuna category is led so far by Reel Tight with a 213.5-pounder that would be worth $1.3 million. MJ’s is second at 198.5 pounds, followed by Right Bite with a 189.5-pound bigeye. Other than that, there are only two dolphin entries that may not stand up (29 pounds on 10-4 Joker, and 26.5 pounds by C-Student ) — plus a 51.5-pound wahoo on Irish Twin.

The long-awaited party boat doormat fluke was boated yesterday on the Big Mohawk from Belmar, and it was well over the 10-pound mark for that designation at 13 pounds. Dan Mancini was the fortunate angler who’s now leading the Big Mohawk monthly pool.

Capt. Alan Shinn reported a fine Tuesday trip on Miss Belmar Princess as 5-8-pound bluefish were jigged early. When that slowed, they moved offshore for “tremendous chub mackerel action along with some bonito, blues, sea bass, and even blacktip and sand tiger sharks.

The Golden Eagle from Belmar marked plenty of blues on the bottom today, but they didn’t want to bite. They ended up picking a few to 6 pounds plus some sea bass and fluke.

Capt. Ron Santee found better fluking today from his Fishermen out of Atlantic Highlands as the swell diminished and there was no southerly wind. The high hook caught six keepers and 25 shorts. The pool went to a 6.9-pounder.

The inshore forecast is for northeast winds at just 5 knots with possible morning showers.

Inshore fishing at Marco Island in southwest Florida was slow in very high water temperatures over the weekend, but Crazy Alberto Knie always seems to have a trick up his sleeve even when conditions aren’t good.

After getting a break in afternoon thunderstorms, we did some small boat fishing with Dave Rizzo. We started with blind casting metal lures at the pass into the Gulf of Mexico which produced a few ladyfish for them while I only hooked a Spanish mackerel which Alberto turned into a live bait for Goliath grouper at the Marco Island Bridge. Alberto knew just where to drop that live mackerel and I was soon involved in a short but intense battle on a Shimano Trinidad reel with a pinned down drag needed to prevent it from cutting off in the pilings. Fortunately, it was the right size for an old man — and we soon released the Goliath that Alberto estimated at 70 pounds.

That species has been protected for years after divers almost wiped them out in spawning aggregations, but they’ve recovered so well that it’s hard to get a snapper off bottom on wrecks before a Goliath swallows it. Florida plans to allow some to be harvested next year by anglers buying permits in a lottery system.

We didn’t get wet that afternoon, but the next afternoon made up for that after Alberto jumped a big tarpon which hit a small blue runner — and got off by that fish on his 80-pound mono. We couldn’t figure that one out as there were no obstructions and the fish was in the air when it cut off. Before heading back Monday morning, we joined John Mueller for a shot at redfish and snook in mangrove areas. but only came up with odds and ends of smaller species in the 83 degree

As noted in last night’s late blog, there were some impressive bigeye tuna boated during the first day of the 49th White Marlin Open at Ocean City, Md. and Cape May. N.J. However, with most of the 408-boat field fishing, there were very few billfish encountered — and none large enough to be brought in for weighing. There were just 29 white marlin released along with a surprisingly high 17 blue marlin. Don’t expect much change today as only 15 boats went to sea. If there are any changes to the leaderboard, I’ll add a late blog after the scales close.

The Golden Eagle from Belmar reported bluefish wouldn’t bite today, though two bonito were lost at the boat. They did catch some Spanish mackerel, chub mackerel, sea bass and ling.

The Fishermen from Atlantic Highlands had poor fluking today in tough drifting conditions. That boat is chartered on Sunday.

Northeast winds at just 5-10 knots are predicted for the morning, but showers and thunderstorms are possible in the afternoon.

The 49th White Marlin Open at Ocean City, Md. and Cape May, N.J. opened today with 408 boats entered and a purse of $8.6 million. Though there were no marlin entered, there was no lack of competition in the tuna category.

Regular tuna tournament winner Dante Soriente got started on MJ’s in fine fashion by taking the lead with a with a 198.5-pound bigeye though he was pushed back to second when Reel Tight weighed a 213.5-ounder. The Right Bite from Brick, N.J. moved into third at 189.5 pounds.

There were also a couple of entries in other divisions. Leading the dolphin entries is 29-pounder on 10-4 Joker, while C-Student is second at 26.5 pounds. There’s no competition in wahoo so far for a 51.5-pounder on Irish Twin.

There were 292 boats using the first of three fishing days on Monday.

As I noted in Saturday’s blog, I was fishing in Florida with Crazy Alberto Knie and MIGHT be back Sunday. As it turned out, I just got back tonight. The White Marlin Open started today at Ocean City, Md, and Cape May, N.J. C heck back later tonight for an update after the scales close. I’ll discuss the Florida fishing tomorrow.

There was good news about bluefishing today on the Golden Eagle from Belmar where there were limits of small blues mixed with some 5-8-pounders plus lots of chub mackerel along with sea bass.

The Jamaica from Brielle has room on a tilefishing trip which departs at 10 p.m. Tuesday. Reserve at wwwbigjamaica.com The next morning departure will be at 7:30 a.m. Thursday.

Capt. Ron Santee has good news about fluking on his Fishermen from Atlantic Highlands. He said Saturday was his best trip of the season as one fare limited from nine keepers, and the pool winner was 4 1/2 pounds.

The forecast is for southwest winds at 10-15 knots.

Capt. Dave DeGennaro gave grass shrimp chumming for weakfish in Barnegat Bay a try on Thursday and was surprised to find a steady stream of 13-17-inch weaks coming aboard his Hi Flier from Barnegat though the reports he had were not good. Dave has openings for inshore or offshore on Sunday, Monday and Friday — but then not until Aug. 25.

Bob Matthews reports as follows from fisherman’s Den in Belmar Marine Basin; “

 are now into August,the summer is coming to an end and the best time of the year for us 

locals is coming fast.

The fishing is very good now with the keeper fluke numbers are up in the Rivers and  the

Party and Charter boats nailing some very good fish.

There are Tuna,Sharks, Mahi Mahi,Cobia and Wahoo for the fleet haunting the offshore grounds.

There are good reports of Triggerfish and Kingfish around the jetties,worms and clam are best 

baits.

The Golden Eagle and Miss Belmar have been doing fantastic with Mackerel and Bluefish.

We are hearing of Blackfish in the Inlets and Point Pleasant Canal,the limit is one fish at 15 inches.

We are selling plenty of crabs so the interest is there even with a small bag limit.

Crabbing in some areas of Monmouth and Ocean  counties is very good at this time .

I am seeing lots of bait building up in the our local rivers,Mullet, Spearing and Bunkers,this warms

the heart of us Striper fishermen,it means one thing: our season is coming fast..

Check out our Facebook page where we post some photos of local fish being brought in to be weighed.

Think fall    BOB”

Tomorrow starts well with southwest winds at just 10-15 knots before increasing to15-20 in the afternoon.

Capt. Mark De Blasio had some bad fortune on his Blue Runner from Manasquan Sunday as his party lost a very large bigeye tuna to a pulled hook after a 1 3/4-hour fight — and then another after a 2 1/4-hour battle due to a chafed leader. His luck changed on the next trip with bigeyes of 63 and 67.5 inches plus a 75-incher after a 1 1/2-hour fight.

This blog is going in early as I’m fishing today with Crazy Alberto Knie in Florida. I might be back tomorrow!

   

Last night’s blog identified the ASMFC as a Council, rather than a Commission. I spotted that just as I published, and sure know the difference after having served a three-year term on the original Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council and much longer as a recreational fishing advisor on the ASMFC Striped Bass Advisory Panel.

The Queen Mary from Point Pleasant Jigged a boat limit of 1-3-pound bluefish by 9 a.m. and then picked away at sea bass. The Golden Eagle from Belmar reported plenty of chub mackerel along with some blues, sea bass and fluke. Their Monday night Exotics trip has been cancelled, so the boat will be bluefishing again on Tuesday.

Capt. Ron Santee made one last stop and fished into overtime for his best fluke bite of the day on the Fishermen from Atlantic Highlands. Some anglers ended up with three fluke up to a 5-pounder. Santee emphasizes the need to bring ice for your catch — and a rod with enough backbone to handle heavy sinkers.

Saturday starts with just 5-10 knot southwest winds before they increase to 10-15 plus gusts to 20 in the afternoon. There’s a chance of showers and thunderstorms.

Jim Hutchinson Sr. reports for the Beach Haven Charter Fishing Association as follows: “Captain Max Goldman of the “Star Fish” reports an improvement in fishing with black sea bass and fluke prevalent at their ocean structure hot spots. In addition, the inlet and bay waters are giving up cocktail sized bluefish among other species. He adds that the scenic trips on the “Star Fish” are resulting in some beautiful sunsets.

Captain Dave Wittenborn of “Captain Dave’s Charters” had a canyon trip recently with the Sullivan group. In addition to a pair of large yellowfin tuna in the 60-70-pound class, they picked up another two long-fin tuna. Captain Dave terms the canyon action as “heating up.”

Captain Gary Dugan had the “Irish Jig” out with Gary Wood and the boys recently. The action was good with three nice fluke going into the fish box until some hungry greenhead flies influenced the group to head in.

As usual, Captain Brett Taylor of “Reel Reaction Sportfishing” has been fishing almost every day including some days of two and three trips. He reports finding better action on fluke in the bay than the ocean although structure is giving up limits of sea bass, some ling, and a few keeper fluke. He is jigging some very shallow waters where he has found some very hungry fluke. He has been averaging 4-6 keepers per trip along with numerous throwbacks.

The BHCFA is looking forward to the 53^rd annual Beach Haven White Marlin Invitational sponsored by the Beach Haven Marlin and Tuna Club. Some BHCFA captains fish while members of the Junior Mates Program volunteer to help the event run smoothly. It is possible one or two of the BHCFA boats might still be available for charter to fish in the tournament.”

The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Council reports that the Jersey Department of Environmental Protection’s Bureau of Law Enforcement is recognized for its outstanding efforts to control illegal harvest of Atlantic striped bass from Raritan Bay and its tributaries. New Jersey Conservation Police Officers from both the inland and marine regions throughout the state were involved with the operation across New Jersey’s portion of the watershed. In December 2021, more than 200 summonses were issued and more than 500 illegal striped bass were confiscated. Efforts continued throughout the spring of 2022. From early March to the middle of May 2022, approximately 4,000 inspections were conducted over the course of 650 patrol hours within Raritan Bay, Newark Bay, Arthur Kill, and the Hudson River. These efforts resulted in over 300 summonses being issued for violations including undersized fish, over the limit catch, fishing during the closed season, and interference with the duties of a conservation officer. When possible, some of the seized fish were donated to food banks, while others were submitted to New Jersey Bureau of Marine Fisheries for the collection of biological data. The dedication and commitment of the Bureau’s Conservation Police Officers to the enforcement of sustainable fisheries regulations is truly worthy of recognition.”

Capt. Ron Santee reported a big improvement in drifting conditions and shots of greater volume and fluke on his Fishermen from Atlantic Highlands. Several fares had two or three keepers, and the pool went to a 6-pounder.

The Golden Eagle from Belmar anchored for a hot bite of chub mackerel in the chum slick while adding some limits of blues along with some bonito and sea bass. Sand tiger and blacktip sharks were also present. That boat is chartered on Friday.

Capt. Dave Riback posted the best party boat tuna report I’ve received so far as his Queen Mary from Point Pleasant limited on bluefin tuna up to 44 inches and had yellowfins up to 66 pounds this week. Pete Ziemba was high hook as he jigged all day to catch six bluefins to 42inches plus a yellowfin. There was a pick of bluefins early, and flat line bait fishing was best from 10:30 to 1.

Andreas Toy had to leave the whales and boat traffic on a recent trip to follow rays which produced four yellowfins in the pop and jig mode.

Friday’s forecast is for southwest winds of 5-10 knots with a chance of afternoon showers or thunderstorms.

The Golden Eagle from Belmar was swarmed by chub mackerel today while also catching 2-3-pound blues on bait, jigs and poppers. Dropping to bottom produced some sea bass and a couple of fluke. There was no report on Tuesday’s exotics trip.

The weather forecast remains promising with south winds at 5-10 knots in the morning that increase to 10-15 in the afternoon.

Scott Cusick sent this shot of a 73-inch canyon bigeye boated along with four yellowfins and some tilefish while a white marlin was released.