With fundraising from the Beach Haven Charter Association and their Junior Mates program, the Little Egg Inlet Artificial Reef received its first replenishment in 16 years last week. Jim Hutchinson Sr. sent the following report:

“Two years after beginning efforts to replenish the Little Egg Reef off Beach Haven, the captains and mates of the Beach Haven Charter Fishing Association saw their efforts pay off on Thursday, January 14. 

Captain John Lewis, Association president, oversaw three vessels sunk on the reef including a 140-foot barge, a tugboat, and a push boat. The boats were brought from Norfolk, Virginia, where they had been cleaned and prepared and sunk on the Little Egg Reef. 

New Jersey’s artificial reefs were originally constructed decades ago as habitat for various species of fish and a place for anglers to fish. Marine life grows on the materials attracting a wide variety of species and resulting fishing opportunities.

Over time the materials placed on the reefs sink in the sand and do not provide the needed structure. As a result, new materials are needed to supplement those original materials. The artificial reefs closest to Long Beach Island have not been enhanced since 2005.

Teenagers in the Association’s Junior Mates Program learned of the reef situation and asked what they could do to improve the situation. This humble beginning sparked a grass roots campaign which snowballed into an intensive campaign by the BHCFA. These efforts attracted the attention of concerned individuals and groups on the local and even national levels.

The group’s original goal to raise $100,000 to begin reef replenishment was reached thanks to the efforts of the mates, local community involvement, and matching funds from the Ann E. Clark Foundation and the Sport Fishing Fund.

Enhancement to the reefs was first expected a year ago, but unexpected delays including the Corona virus and bureaucratic red tape slowed down the time frame. The entire project was done under the watchful eyes of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection which assisted in moving the project along.

Within a short period of time marine, growth will occur on the sunken materials, providing recreational fishing activities for years to come.

Lewis had special words of praise for those assisting in the efforts, especially the Junior Mates participation. “Kids today take a beating for various reasons. Our kids have adopted a ’can-do’ approach and worked their tails off to implement their ideas and dreams.”

Bob Matthews at Belmar Marina reports little winter fishing activity though they still have green and whitelegger crabs in stock. He said the Ocean Explorer had an 11-pound tog recently.

Small craft warnings are up through late Tuesday with west gusts to 25 knots. Tuesday starts with west at 15-20 with gusts to 25 and 2-4-foot seas,

Though it’s still a lot milder than the north, this has been the coldest winter I’ve experienced in Florida as one cold front after another drives early morning temperatures down to the forties. Fortunately, it usually warms up later in the morning and there’s been no fish kills which occur when there are longer periods of very cold temperatures.

It just doesn’t seem to be right to wear long pants in Florida. I live in AFTCO shorts which also permit me to wade into the the largemouth bass ponds I fish in Ft. Myers in order to untangle larger bass that get tangled in reeds as I try to drag them through — while hoping that an alligator doesn’t appear and have to choose between the bass and me.

Bob Correll of Bay Head doesn’t have to worry about that problem while casting from a beach near his Hutchinson Island home as large quantities of small bait have been drawing Spanish mackerel, jack crevalle, and now also bluefish right to the beach for hot action.

Vinny D’Anton of Wall has been wading in waters near his Sarasota winter home to consistently release spotted sea trout and ladyfish every morning while wading and casting such lures as the Z Man paddletails, DOA Shrimp and MirrOlures.

The Big Mohawk from Belmar had good conditions in west winds yesterday, but blackfish didn’t respond. That wind direction will prevail for some time and permit tog fishing to continue. Small craft warnings remain up, but drop a bit tomorrow to 15 to 20 knots plus higher gusts from the west.

Though today’s trip was cancelled due to the winds, the Ocean Explorer from Belmar reported good blackfishing for some on Friday. “Howard”, who released a 14-pounder recently, caught another over the 10-pound mark. There were some limits, though others didn’t score. Whiteleggers worked best.

Small craft warnings are up trough Sunday night. There are west gusts to 30 knots which continue tomorrow.

Though small craft warnings went up at 1 p.m. through Saturday afternoon for east gusts to 25 knots, ocean conditions should improve with a shift back to west winds,

The morning forecast is for southwest winds at 10-15 knots before increasing to 15-20 in the afternoon with gusts to 30. Rain is likely in the morning. On Sunday the winds go west at 20-25 knots with gusts to 30 that should flatten the surf for anyone still seeking stripers along the Jersey Shore. The Ocean Explorer from Belmar reported some tog limits Thursday, but some didn’t score with fussy blackfish.

Though the sea bass season is closed, the Jamaica from Brielle is concentrating on far offshore wrecks that hold great quantities of large porgies during weekend trips. The Saturday and Sunday sailings leave at 11:55 the night before. Call 732 528-5014 for reservations.

Last weekend’s trip also produced a few ling and a surprising large bonito as catches ranged up to 30 fish. Chris Clendening of Sellerville, Pa. won the pool with a 4-pound porgy that edged a 3.75-pounder by Rich Stevens of Somerset.

The Ocean Explorer from Belmar reported another good day of blackfishing on Wednesday.

Though the wind is shifting to the east on Friday, the forecast is for only 10-15 knots until it increases to gusts to 20 knots at night along with rain.

Nick Honachefsky has new episodes of his Saltwater Underground coming up on the Sportsman Channel. The first showing is at 10:30 a.m. Friday, and then again Sunday at 4:30 a.m. and p.m.

Party boat blackfishing in N.J. has been generally tough recently, but there was a good report Tuesday from the Ocean Explorer from Belmar as they reported limits for all plus releases. The tog ran up to 7 pounds and hit both green and whitelegger crabs.

Tomorrow should be fine for blackfishing as the forecast is for west winds at a mere 5-10 knots.

The recent sudden death of Capt. Chris Hueth from a heart attack resulted in the Big Mohawk from Belmar taking a break from blackfishing, but Sheepshead Bay pro Capt. Mike Ardolino is now sailing that boat daily.

Bob Matthews at Fisherman’s Den in Belmar Marina says there are still some small stripers in the surf, but few anglers have the patience to scratch them out.

The weather is fine, with a forecast of west winds at 10-15 knots.

Chuck Many reports there was only one bite trolling eels from his Ty Man out of Cape Charles, Va., but it was the right one for Mike Greene and Nikki Bowden

Canyon tuna fishing is months ahead at present, but the most productive period has been in the spring during the last few years. The Canyon Runner from Point Pleasant has only three days in May, none in June — and very little is left in the summer. They recorded over 800 tuna last year, including 44 bigeyes and two giants in 65 trips. If you are interested in joining them during their 39th season, call 732 272-4445.

The weather continues to look good. Tuesday’s forecast is for west winds at 10-15 knots with 2-3-foot seas.

Florida should be where anglers go to enjoy their sport in the winter; but there’s been one cold front after another lately – and yesterday may have been the coldest I’ve ever experienced in Florida during mid-day.

It was 55 degrees in Ft. Myers early. but felt even colder than that with north wind later as I was shivering in a light jacket at noon. Crazy Alberto Knie drove to several freshwater areas that didn’t produce at all as the fish must have also been too cold to respond.

Alberto finally found a county pond where there was some largemouth bass action casting artificial worms. My only catch was at least large enough for Alberto to take a photo before release.

Kevin Markow of the Surf Kings in Sea Girt reported 53 degrees and a north wind in Key Largo that didn’t turn off the snook as he released three at a pier.

Mike Monte thought he heard the fat lady sing this morning at the Belmar surf as there were no hits in good conditions plus no sign of bait.

The Ocean Explorer from Belmar had poor blackfishing Friday, and it wasn’t much better yesterday except for the huge 14-pounder released by “Howard” who wasn’t in either the daily or seasonal pools.

There’s some great weather coming up for tog anglers as the forecast is for 5-10 knot west winds through at least Tuesday.

Though small craft warnings are up, west winds at just 5-10 knots are in the forecast from Monday to Wednesday. North winds at 10-15 knots with gusts 25 are forecasted for Sunday before dropping to 5-10 northwest at night.