With 10-15 knot west winds predicted for Monday, there should be good offshore fishing conditions.

The Ocean Explorer fished out of Belmar on Saturday and reported almost flat calm conditions except for a moderate east swell that probably slowed the bottom fishing. There was a slow pick of mostly small blackfish along with a few ling and small cod — but that could improve as the swell gets knocked down.

With mild winter weather prevailing so far, anglers have been able to continue fishing even though fewer party and charter boats are available.

At Belmar, the Big Mohawk has concluded winter blackfishing, but the Ocean Explorer plans to continue this week. They had a pick of tog in beautiful conditions on Friday, with shorts and a few keepers plus a few cod — and ling for those fishing with Gulp.

There was even better news from South Jersey as Capt. Al Crudele had a party out of Sea Isle City at the end of the week with a limit of blacks that included three trophy tog from 11 to 16.4 pounds! They also had some keeper cod, and jumbo ling plus large cunners (bergalls). To take advantage of the weather and the continuing open season, he’ll try running some open trips this week. Call him at 609 602-2662.

There’s small craft advisory up from 1 a.m. through late Sunday night, though the Sunday morning forecast looks good with only west winds at 10-15 knots. The seas are predicted to be 3-5 feet, but the windy weather should hold off until late in the day.

As noted in yesterday’s blog, calm seas looked like a sure thing this morning based on the forecast. Yet, the Ocean Explorer from Belmar was greeted by a suddenly rough sea upon heading out of Shark River Inlet, and had to back off plans to fish deeper waters for bigger blackfish.

They did end up with slightly better fishing than the day before, though not good enough. The ocean settled after a few hours, and there were a couple of dozen short tog released while a few keepers and ling plus a cod were boated.  They plan to fish in 120-140-foot depths tomorrow in hopes of finding bigger blacks.

The Canyon Runner Seminar tomorrow in Atlantic City is sold out, so there will be no tickets for sale at the door.

The Raritan Bay Anglers Club Fishing Flea Market runs tomorrow in E Hotel & Convention Center, 50 Raritan Center Parkway, Edison from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Admission is $5 for adults, with no charge for kids under 12.  Capt. Vinnie Vetere will also be there with his Ho-Jos and bunker spoons.

The marine weather forecast is even better tomorrow, with north winds at just 5-10 knots.The Jamaica from Brielle will be taking advantage of that to run to far offshore wrecks at 1 a.m. for jumbo porgies and a shot at cod and pollock (see below). All 732 528-5014 for reservations.

Chuck Manny kept going back to his Ty Man in Cape Charles, Va. to take four straight skunking’s while release fishing for striped bass before breaking through again today.

Sorry for missing a day, but my wife and I plus four dogs were driving back to N.J. from Ft. Myers yesterday. Then I had a problem getting back on the internet today.

The weather is looking great for mid-winter. The Friday forecast is for north winds at just 5 knots in the morning with a chance of light rain before shifting to southwest in the afternoon.

The Jamaica from Brielle hasn’t been able to get out on one of their Saturday 1 a.m. trips to far offshore wrecks for jumbo porgies, cod and pollock so far — but Saturday looks great with a forecast of  5-10-knot north winds. Call 732 528-5014 for the required reservations.

On shore the featured Saturday attractions will be the Canyon Runner Seminar in Atlantic City and the Raritan Bay Anglers Association Fishing Flea Market in Edison. More about them tomorrow.

The Ocean Explorer from Belmar took advantage of an ocean without ground swell to get out for some pretty good action with large keepers plus a cod and a few ling. Wednesday’s forecast is for northwest winds at just 10-15 knots — perfect conditions for a tog bite.

West winds did their job and knocked down a big swell. That should set up a good shot of blackfish not too far offshore plus a shot at some cod and ling. The Ocean Explorer from Belmar had poor fishing Sunday when there was a big ground swell, but they’ll be sailing into probably calm seas with northwest winds at 15-20 knots. Light winds dominate the rest of the week.

The Canyon Runner Seminar on Feb. 1 in Atlantic City is almost sold out. Adam La Rosa had reports from Oregon Inlet that bigeye, yellowfin and bluefin tuna have all arrived in their offshore waters where La Rosa will be booking charters this winter on a 55-foot custom Carolina. Charters start at $2,295, and open boat fares at $699. Call 732 272-4445 for tickets and info.

 

Small craft warnings remain up through the afternoon, but better days are coming. Monday’s forecast is for west winds at 15 knots with gusts to 20 and flurries.The Big Mohawk from Belmar is waiting for better blackfishing conditions, and will wait until Thursday and Friday before sailing reservation trips. Call 732 974-9606 to secure a spot.

The weather is fine in Palm Beach as I get ready to give my youngest daughter, and former mate on my charter boat, Cyndi away to Luis Gonzalez at their wedding in St. Ann’s. Luis is also an avid angler and boat owner.

Small craft warnings are up through late tonight in NY/NJ Bight, but will then shift to a calming west at 15 knots plus gusts to 20 tomorrow.

The Fisherman magazine will be hosting the last three winners of their annual Dream Boat contest from 1-2 p.m. in the Steiger Craft booth at the New York Boat Show. Included is Garrett Weir, who lost the 2018 contest on a tiebreaker, but went on to run way with last year’s Dream Boat.

After a period of fishable weather, a small craft advisory is up from late tonight through late Saturday night.

Saturday starts with east winds at 20-25 knots with gusts to 30 — and 6-8-foot seas plus rain. A west wind Sunday will knock down that sea a bit as it blows at 15-20 knots with gusts to 25 as seas drop to 4 to 7 feet.

Monday may be fishable for the Mimi VI blackfish special from Point Pleasant which is limited to 15 fares at $120 for a 6:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. trip. See photo below along with a used surf shot that got attached to it.  Call 732 370-8019 for reservations.

The New York Boat Show at the Convention Center, and the Fly Fishing Show at the NJ Convention & Expo Center in Edison, continue their runs through Sunday.

Looking ahead, The New Jersey Boat Sale & Expo will move into the Edison facility from Feb. 13 to 16.

Calm seas should prevail tomorrow morning as the forecast is for just northeast at 5-10 knots before it goes to east at 10-15 in the afternoon with gusts to 20 in the afternoon. A small craft advisory goes up late Friday night through late Saturday night.

Not only should blackfishing be possible, but there’s an opportunity to release a 50-pound striper at Cape Charles, Va. on a last minute opening aboard Sho-Nuf Sportfishing Charters. Call 757 710-0098. The Fisherman magazine also reports that codfishing has finally broken out at Montauk.

The Ocean Explorer from Belmar reports the ocean was flat calm Wednesday and there was lots of life on bottom — though it was mostly short blackfish. Some keepers plus cod and ling were boated. The Big Mohawk will also sail open from Belmar for tog at 7 a.m.