It’s hard to believe that a fishing tournament could offer almost a sure opportunity to win valuable prizes for catching barely legal entries — or even none at all!

Yet, that’s the case with tomorrow’s JCAA Fluke Tournament. Tom Fote sent the following to someone asking about the contest: These ports had fewer boats entered than the 15 prizes offered:

JCAA FLUKE TOURNAMENT 6/11/22
Please pass this on.

I sent this email to someone yesterday asking about the JCAA Tournament.  “Below is also the number of boats in each port as of 6/10. Paul Haertel release is below. It is no longer possible to do it by mail but there are other ways of joining spelled out below in Paul’s release.  Two ports as of today everyone will win a prize. What I can tell you is that we have 7 prizes in each region and that comes to 49 prizes. We are still giving a 14ft boat, motor and trailer as a door prize at the ceremony. We will have a number of door prizes as we always have at the awards ceremony. As of this morning we had 63 boats registered and not all those boats will show up at the ceremony. Historically it is usually 60% of registered boats.  We are running this tournament as a charity since we are not going to make any money, but it is a great deal for anyone who enters.  You are paying $175 for a chance to win a boat, motor and trailer worth about $9,000.  If this doesn’t convince you to enter, I don’t think anything will.  I have already entered.”

1. Barnegat Bay (South Harbor) 12
2. Jersey City 4
3. LBI 9
4. Manasquan 9
5. Sandy Hook 11
6. Shark River 3

“

3. Barnegat Bay (South Harbor) 12
4. Jersey City 4
5. LBI 9
6. Manasquan 9
7. Sandy Hook 11
8. Shark River 3

These three ports are one region with 15 boats total

1. AC 4
2. Cape May 2
3. Great Bay 4
4. Ocean City 5

 JCAA FLUKE TOURNAMENT 6/11/22
 WIN 50 K, WIN A BOAT, MOTOR AND TRAILER, WIN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS WORTH OF PORT AND DOOR PRIZES.

Please consider joining our 26th annual fluke tournament. We only had 63 entrants as of 6/10 and we are giving out thousands of dollars worth of prizes. Enter our doormat fluke category for just $25 and if you catch the largest fluke over 12 lbs. you will win 50 K cash. There is also a $1200 cash prize for the largest fluke caught in each of our 7 regions. The cash prizes are guaranteed regardless of the number of entrants. There are 1st to 7th prizes for each region so just about everyone may win a prize.

To top it off there will be a Grand Prize Raffle for a 14′ G3 boat, 20 HP Yamaha engine and a Yacht Club Trailer. All entrants who come to the awards ceremony will be eligible for the drawing. The awards ceremony will be at Resorts Casino in AC with registration beginning at around 5 PM on 6/17/22. We will have plenty of door prizes, a 50/50 and all those who come will receive $25 in match play or $10 in slot play. We need to fill up the room so bring all you family and friends and make a night of it!

For complete details or to enter online or to print out a mail in or fax in application go to www.jcaa.org The fax number is 732-506-6965. Applications will also be taken via phone at 732-506-6965. If there is no answer please leave a message and we will call you back.

The weather is looking fine, with a northeast wind at just 5 knots before going south at the same breeze in the afternoon.

Chuck Many reported good action once again as he was releasing by himself Wednesday his Tyman from Highlands.

The Golden Eagle from Belmar reported yet another good day of sea bass fishing along with lots of shorts and some ling

 

An IOU is as good as a present on Father’s Day for anglers as long as it involves something for fishing.

I virtually live in AFTCO shorts, and hate the rare occasions when I have to put on “big boy pants”. I’ve been wearing AFTCO shorts since they came out, and some of those I have may be decades old. It’s hard to wear them out, and even blood stains come out in the wash. There’s a 10 percent discount on the AFTCO web site now for the shorts, Guy Harvey shirts and many other products — or you can find them at many fishing tackle retailers.

The IGFA Auction ends on June 12, but there’s still plenty of tackle, marine art and trips available at their web site. I’ll have some other suggestions tomorrow.

Capt. Vinny Vetere has room for two anglers for live bait striper fishing in the morning on his Katfish from Great Kills.

The forecast for Raritan Bay is fine with west winds at 10-15 knots plus gusts to 20 before going southwest in the afternoon.

Tony Arcabasio reports ocean trollers continue to release big stripers that can’t resist his Tony Maja bunker spoons.

With thunderstorms in the forecast on Tuesday, Chuck Many again switched over to nearby NJ freshwater action.

Capt. Dave DeGennaro is looking ahead to Saturday’s forecast of light winds suitable for a center console canyon tuna trip with his Hi Flier from Barnegat. This ls an open trip limited to four anglers at $650 each plus the mate’s tip. Call 732 330-5674 for details.

The Canyon Runner from Point Pleasant reported that 80% of their Coaching members boated at least 10 tuna during last weekend’s trips, and there have been similar reports this week from other pros such as Andreas Toy, Blue Runner and Water Proof. Yellowfins dominate, and some dolphin are also showing, but the mid-range bluefin have been missing

The Jersey Coast Anglers Association Fluke Tournament is coming up statewide on Saturday and provides a unique opportunity for all those entered to win valuable prizes even if they never weigh a single fish.

There are seven regions to choose from, and seven prizes in each up to $1200 for first. Many of the most expensive prizes will be drawn for at the June 17 awards ceremony in Resorts Hotel & Casino, Atlantic City — including the boat, motor and trailer grand prize.

The entry fee for a boat with up to six anglers is $175, and for another $25 you can take a shot at the doormat fluke prize of $50,000 for the largest over 12 pounds.

Visit jcaa.org for details and entry info.

The ocean was rough today, and tomorrow doesn’t look good with south winds at 15-20 knots with gusts to 30 plus showers. Capt. Ron Santee has canceled with his Fishermen from Atlantic Highlands until Friday.

Yesterday’s photo of the doormat fluke had info included when I downloaded it, but it didn’t show in the blog. The angler was Jared Goldy, the fluke weighed 10.2 pounds.

I tried copy of a report from Bill Klimas, but lost everything. Please try again.

Chuck Many said striper fishing was tougher yesterday as bluefish were hitting his eels, but some big bass were released from his Tyman out of Highlands.

There was a lot more wind than forecast today, and that was a problem for boaters seeking sea bass. On the other hand, a south wind is fishable in Raritan Bay where Capt. Vinny Vetere put two anglers into 25 bass up to 25 pounds by casting live bunkers in skinny waters from his Katfish out of Great Kills

The JCAA is kicking off the fluke tournament season with Saturday’s statewide contest that was detailed in last night’s blog. However, there will be one less doormat to be a big winner after this first northern 10-pounder was boated this week

Southern species are spreading into more northerly surf areas. Jeff Bajek caught this 43.25-inch cobia at IBSP before weighing it at 25 pounds in Grumpy’s Tackle, Seaside Park.

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Capt. Ron Santee said he no sooner got offshore with his Fishermen from Atlantic Highlands than the south wind came on and made for tough fishing. He noted that the most effective lure for sea bass the day before was Gulp Sand Eels. Santee is finishing sea bass fishing before switching to fluke June 20.

The Golden Eagle from Belmar also had to work harder for a decent sea bass and ling catch in the rough ocean.

Small craft warnings went up at 2 p.m. and into Wednesday afternoon. The morning forecast is for southwest winds at 10-15 knots plus gusts to 20 along with possible showers and thunderstorms before gusting to 20 in the afternoon.

Paul Haertel of the JCAA sent the following release about Saturday’s statewide JCAA Fluke Tournament in which it appears most entrants will be hard-pressed to avoid winning valuable prizes.

“Please consider joining our 26th annual fluke tournament. We only had 53 entrants as of 6/3 and we are giving out thousands of dollars worth of prizes. Enter our doormat fluke category for just $25 and if you catch the largest fluke over 12 lbs. you will win 50 K cash. There is also a $1200 cash prize for the largest fluke caught in each of our 7 regions. The cash prizes are guaranteed regardless of the number of entrants. There are 1st to 7th prizes for each region so just about everyone may win a prize.

To top it off there will be a Grand Prize Raffle for a 14′ G3 boat, 20 HP Yamaha engine and a Yacht Club Trailer. All entrants who come to the awards ceremony will be eligible for the drawing. The awards ceremony will be at Resorts Casino in AC with registration beginning at around 5 PM on 6/17/22. We will have plenty of door prizes, a 50/50 and all those who come will receive $25 in match play or $10 in slot play. We need to fill up the room so bring all you family and friends and make a night of it!

For complete details or to enter online or to print out a mail in or fax in application go to http://www.jcaa.org The fax number is 732-506-6975. Applications will also be taken via phone at 732-506-6565. If there is no answer please leave a message and we will call you.”

To top it off there will be a Grand Prize Raffle for a 14′ G3 boat, 20 HP Yamaha engine and a Yacht Club Trailer. All entrants who come to the awards ceremony will be eligible for the drawing. The awards ceremony will be at Resorts Casino in AC with registration beginning at around 5 PM on 6/17/22. We will have plenty of door prizes, a 50/50 and all those who come will receive $25 in match play or $10 in slot play. We need to fill up the room so bring all you family and friends and make a night of it!

For complete details or to enter online or to print out a mail in or fax in application go to www.jcaa.org The fax number is 732-506-6975. Applications will also be taken via phone at 732-506-6565. If there is no answer please leave a message and we will call you back.”

Vinny D’Anton fished sand fleas in the Monmouth County surf and hooked into a striper considerably larger than expected. After a good battle on light surf tackle he released a 34-incher. A couple of small bass were added, but nothing else hit there this morning.

The Golden Eagle from Belmar reported another beautiful day at sea along with lots of sea bass and some ling.

The forecast is for south winds at 10-15 knots before increasing to 15-20 plus gusts to 25 in the afternoon.

Fisherman’s Headquarters in Long Beach Island reported a surfcasters day of a lifetime yesterday for Jim Crane who not only released a 51-inch striped bass (probably weighing in the upper forties) — and then added a large black drum plus two bluefish. Crane said the bass took him one beach south and then four beaches north. No details yet on bait used.

Vinny D’Anton has been trying to catch stripers on sand fleas from Monmouth County beaches without getting a hit until this morning when he and Frank Manzi caught mostly 26-to-30-inchers on the mole crabs.

Boat fishing for stripers continued at a high pace from plenty of keepers in Raritan Bay to trophy bass in the ocean such as the one below on Tyman from Highlands,

The Fishermen from Atlantic Highlands ended up with another good catch of sea bass plus a few ling while a cod that hit a jig took the pool.

The Golden Eagle from Belmar had a slow start to sea bass fishing this morning in a strong current, but the bite improved along with better conditions as some ling and whiting were also boated. The Queen Mary from Point Pleasant reported Friday’s sea bass fishing produced an early boat limit on jigs.

Northeast winds at just 5 knots are predicted for Monday before shifting to south in the afternoon.

Capt. Mark DeBlasio reports his second offshore trip was another great success.

The Whitesell party boated 18 yellowfin tuna, a bluefin tuna, a mako and the first three dolphin reported to the north during the June 2-3 trip. The area fished wasn’t specified, but I suspect it’s far to the east,

The weather was perfect for that trip, and it continues as the forecast is for northeast winds at 5-10 knots before going south in the afternoon.

No official results have been issued for Friday’s Manhattan Cup, but Capt. Brian Rice of Jersey Devil Sportfishing noted on Facebook that his winning streak with Jim Hutchinson’s party continued as they had the winning wounded warrior and also the largest striper om bait.

The Golden Eagle from Belmar reported another super day of sea bass fishing as most fares limited.

Vinny D’Anton has heard of some surf stripers on sand fleas though he hasn’t been able to get a hit on then so far at Spring Lake. Yet, Vinny continues to pick a few bass on the same lures he uses for sea trout in Sarasota.

Striped bass fishing has been so good for so long this spring that it’s hard to believe that ever bigger linesiders continue to be hooked. Indeed, the big problem for those wanting a striper for dinner is often finding one small enough to be legal.

Ironically, bunker schools have been scarce this year. However, if you can find those baits Capt. Joe Massa at Morgan Marina says you should have no problem catching keepers in the back of Raritan Bay.

The largest stripers seem to be falling to those trolling or using live baits off the Jersey Shore out to the three-mile limit. Since all of those fish have to go back, be sure to get the fork length and girth so you can release them without harm and use the formula (length x girth squared divided by 800) to get a personal record weight.

Sea bass continue to please most anglers, and fluke fishing remains best in warmer internal waters. The Golden Eagle from Belmar reported good sea bass action when drifting conditions improved after a slow start. Some ling and a big monkfish (angler) were added.

The forecast is for calm waters with a northwest breeze at 5-10 knots before shifting to south in the afternoon.

I didn’t get a press release this year, and the Manhattan Cup is suddenly upon us. That very worthy event raises funds for disabled vets while also giving them a chance to enjoy a day of sportfishing for stripers and blues with captains who volunteer their boats for the contest. The weather looks good, and anyone wishing to participate can check for a spot on one of the boats sailing out of Liberty Landing in Jersey City can e-mail manhattencup.com. Some years they end up after the big breakfast with skippers short of anglers.

The forecast is for northeast winds at just 5-10 knots before switching to southwest in the afternoon. Patchy fog and showers are possible in the morning.

Capt. Vinny Vetere will be fishing the contest,but is open over the weekend with Katfish from Great Kills for charter or even individual reservations.

Capt. Ron Santee reported a return to comfortable drifting conditions for sea bass on his Fishermen from Atlantic Highlands. He said everyone went home with plenty of meat, and a fluke took the pool. That boat is chartered Saturday.

The Golden Eagle from Belmar had a similar report with most fares limiting on sea bass while adding some ling.

Betty and Nick’s Tackle in Seaside Park reported a repeat of afternoon surfcasting for big blues on bunker and topwater lures.

New Jersey has a free freshwater fishing day on Saturday. Anglers don’need a license or tout stamp, but all other regulations remain the same.

The IGFA continues its preview of their annual online auction which goes live at 8 a.m. Sunday.

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Jim Gates is a regular at Point Pleasant Canal and in the Bay Head surf, but had to troll for this big striper.

Justin Strehl fished a jig and crab on light tackle off the Jersey Shore last fall to boat a 22 1/2-pound tautog which has been accepted as a 20-pound line class world record by the IGFA

Justin was fishing on Capt. Frank Tenore’s Fins on Feathers when the huge tog hit. That catch broke a record which had stood for over 60 years.

The forecast for today looked good, but it turned out to be cool, windy and rough. That worked at well for surfcasters fishing the beach at Seaside Park when Betty and Nick’s reported a blitz of big bluefish on topwaters going on at 12:58.

Boaters took a beating getting out to the sea bass grounds, but still did well at anchor. The Fishermen from Atlantic Highlands added ling to the large sea bass topped by a 2 1/2-pounder for Scott Scuderi.

The Golden Eagle from Belmar released blackfish up to 10 pounds. Fluke and ling also hit.

I haven’t been hearing anything about sportfishing for sharks at this prime time since makos have been protected. Yet a mako got stranded this morning at Point Pleasant on Long Island. That’s very unusual for a strictly oceanic shark species which looked to be unmarked, but must have been sickly.

Greg Prestosh had all the action with stripers from 26 to 43 pounds that he could handle during a solo trip.