Catching a 1000-pound game fish is a great challenge, but not being able to find a scale large enough to weigh it has to be a disappointment. That was the case recently at Cabo San Lucas, the famed fishing port at the end of Baja California, Mexico.
There was no question about an IGFA world record as not only did two anglers in a charter party fight the great fish, but they did so on two rods as the marlin hit two baits. The 1000-pound estimate was based on comparison to marlin that weighed somewhat less.
The NY/NJ Bight forecast is for northeast winds at 5-10 knots with likely rain or snow showers in the morning changing to rain in the afternoon.
Almost every place in Florida has changed greatly since I first started fishing in the Sunshine State, but that doesn’t apply to Chokoloskee in the southwestern portion of the state.
I was last there in March,1971, and don’t remember it looking any different. Paul Castelli spends most of the year in Atlantic City, N.J., but also has a winter home in Chokoloskee which Crazy Alberto Knie and I visited this week.
Fishing was off after the recent near-frost cold front, and a southeast wind didn’t help as we fished two half-days in Paul’s 24-foot Robalo flats boat. Fortunately, it’s possible to fish the Everglades area in almost any conditions as the multitude of mangroves break the wind and the shallow waters warm up rapidly. The cold front had dropped the waters into the 50s, but were back up over 66 by the time we left. Yet, the fish still seemed to be in shock.
Crazy Alberto stuck to casting a small paddle tail and kept picking away at small spotted sea trout (including one keeper) plus ladyfish, while I stuck with bait in hope of finding a bigger fish which I did with a 23 1/2-inch redfish (red drum) on a ladyfish chunk. Crazy Alberto turned those keepers into a gourmet fish dinner better than anything I’ve ever had in a restaurant.
Tommy Cox is visiting in Florida this week, and joined a neighbor in his small boat to catch a 32-inch redfish in Lemon Bay at Englewood.
Vinny D’Anton found some active sea trout near Sarasota on Tuesday and caught seven up to 17 1/2 inches on a Mirrolure.
The forecast for NY/NJ Bight is for northeast winds at just 5-10 knots before changing to southeast in the afternoon. Seas are down to 2 to 3 feet.
Tomorrow’s Canyon Runner Seminar at Harrah’s Resort in Atlantic City is probably sold out by now, but there’s a chance you may be able to find a ticket by calling 732 272-4445. Don’t make the trip without tickets as they aren’t sold at the door.
Though the weather will improve, fishing may be a couple of days to come. Saturday’s forecast is for calming northwest winds at 15-20 knots with gusts to 30. By Sunday the seas will be down to 2 to 3 feet with northeast winds of 5 to 10 knots.
The annual Canyon Runner Seminar will be held Saturday in Harrah’s Resort at Atlantic City. Only 20 tickets at $150 were available as of this morning for the event which covers all aspects of offshore fishing. I’ve attended this seminar in the past and I highly recommend it. Call 732 272-4445.
A coastal storm is coming, but the wind only starts at southwest 10-15 knots before becoming north in the afternoon with gusts to 20. The day begins with rain that changes to snow.
It’s occured to me that I’ve never identified the fish you see at the head of my blog every night. It’s the largest Pacific cubera snapper I’ve ever seen — and you may be able to catch it!
It was caught on March 20, 2018 while drifting a large chunk of black skipjack over an underwater peak off Isla Coiba, Panama on a heavy Shimano spinning outfit from a Pesca Panama center console — and released moments after the photo was taken.
I took the length and girth measurements, and by formula the weight came out to 73.58 pounds. That was just a few pounds shy of the IGFA all-tackle world record.
Though the cubera of a lifetime was caught in deep waters, that species provides the most exciting surface strikes on poppers in shallower depths as what looks like a bottom fish explodes through the air to pounce on the fast-moving plug and often breaks off in the rocky bottom before you can turn your reel handle. When they miss the plug, it sounds as if a garage door fell into the water!
If you’d like to take a shot at that cubera, check out pescapanama.com. That conservation-minded operation as adopted a release policy on cuberas even though they are an excellent eating fish at any size.
Thursday’s forecast is for southwest winds at 5-10 knots with a chance of rain.
Fishing in the ocean may be an option as seas are dropping to 3 to 5 feet by Thursday — and tomorrow’s winds are predicted to be just 5-10 knots northeast in NY-NJ Bight.
The Raritan Bay Anglers Club Fisherman’s Flea Market will be held Feb. 5 from 8:30 to 2 in St. Cecelia’s Hall at 45 Ruth Ave., Iselin.
Hi-Mar Striper Club Fishing Flea Market has been set for Feb. 12 at the Port Monmouth VFW from 8 to 2.
Ric Gross said this sailfish (noted in last night’s blog) was his largest. The boat’s beam is 10 feet.
While a blizzard pounds the northern coast and southwest Florida braces for possible frost in the morning, anglers can warm up by bidding on fishing trips, tackle and marine art at the IGFA Auction which starts at 8 p.m.
I had this listed at 6 p.m. in last night’s blog, but that’s when the dinner for those signed up begins.
To join the event, you must register at info@IGFA.org.
Needless to say, there will be no ocean fishing for some time along the northern coast as storm warnings are up for gusts to 50 knots plus huge seas.
The 38th annual IGFA Auction starts at 6 p.m. Saturday in the Ritz-Carlton in Ft. Lauderdale. Those frozen into home by the blizzard can enjoy bidding on fishing trips to exotic, and much warmer, locations while everyone can look for bargains in fishing tackle, marine art and many other categories by visiting the IGFA web site,
It’s probably safe to say there will be no fishing in northern areas this weekend as tonight’s gale warning increases to a storm warning Saturday with north winds gusting to 50 knots adding to snow and 5-8-foot seas. It may also be too late to flee south as a record low of 35 is predicted for Ft. Myers on Sunday morning.
The Big Mohawk from Belmar reported beautiful conditions Thursday though blackfishing was picky. Some tog up to a 5-pounder were hooked as one limit was taken.
Tight Lines 