The school bluefin tuna bite from NY/NJ Bite to far east of Long Island has continued at a high level for all sizes ranging from “unders” to almost too big for heavy casting tackle. Capt. Gene Quigley of Reel Freedom out of Manasquan Inlet reports as follows:

What a trip for brothers @mattgreen831 and @j_gee86 . These guys specifically booked us last spring for inshore bluefin and after at least two or three weather cancelations we were able to finally get out. Despite solid offshore reports of jig and pop yellowfins, they still opted to stay inshore to hunt for big fish on spin and jig tackle. If you have experienced this fishery right now you know there is a lot of downtime waiting for the fish to eat; and these guys were so incredibly stoked to take that time to learn everything we do start to finish to successfully hook and land these bigger Bluefin. From core tackle and terminal tackle to knots, drag settings, leaders, lures, reading the water, and electronics to actually fighting, landing , bleeding and swimming the fish to ensure the meat is pristine. It was amazing for @quigs732 and I to witness their enthusiasm for the sport, and then watching them absolutely mauling this fish with great technique…fueled by extreme adrenaline

. Thanks for a great day on the water and congrats on an awesome fish. Can’t wait to see what you guys accomplish on your own boat next trip and look forward to getting you back on the #REELFREEDOM.”

soon

Capt. Ron Santee enjoyed steady fluking Sunday from his Fishermen out of Atlantic Highlands, and considered that bite to be his best of this season. When the drift got too fast. a move to heavy sinkers solved that problem. Be sure to bring a rod capable of handling large sinkers when they are required.

The forecast for NY/NJ Bight is for northeast winds though at onlt 10-15 knots before dropping to 10 in the afternoon.

Fluke pro Dave Lilly was dubbed the Wiz by an outdoor writer when he was making great inshore catches as a kid in the Raritan Bay area — and he’s lived up to that standard as an adult. After shaking off the winter rust last weekend, Dave came back to win the Raritan Bay Anglers Club Fluke Tournament which is based on a two-fish total weight. That’s the 20th win of his career!

Dave was joined by his son Jeremy while running Bryan Farmer’s outboard as they combined a fluke just over 6 pounds with another just under 7 pounds to also sweep the Calcuttas except for the single largest.

Capt. Ron Santee reported an all-day fluke bite Saturday on his Fishermen out of Atlantic Highlands. Shawn Paul caught seven fluke of keeper size, and the pool went to a 5-pounder.

Though the site is a mess, it appears that there were some significant changes during the last day of Jmmy Johnson’s Quest for the Ring out of Atlantic City and Ocean City, Maryland.

A worthy dolphin was boated by Jersey Nutz when they weighed a 50.7-pounder to beat their previous leader of just 21.8 pounds. They also edged MJ’s in the Box of bigeyes category and had the largest at 135,5pounds.

Though the 510-pound blue marlin by Floor Reel was the feature of the contest, it was Polarizer that won the points category. The totals for 63 teams fishing three out of five days were releases of 7 blue marlin plus 75 whites while 50 yellowfin tuna and 13 dolphin were weighed. No wahoo were entered.

The Golden Eagle from Belmar couldn’t find any bluefish yesterday, but did well with sea bass, ling and fluke.

The Quest for the Ring Tournament out of Atlantic City concludes today with many categories up for grabs. The only weighed billfish has been the 510-pound blue marlin boated by Floor Reel, Polarizer has a slight lead on them in total points.

Relatively few dolphin have been caught, and none have been near the usual size required. Jersey Nutz is leading at just 21.8 pounds. That boat is also a close second to MJ’s in bigeye tuna.

The Golden Eagle from Belmar didn’t find bluefish yesterday, but everyone jigged the one jumbo sea bass presently allowed in N.J., and they added some fluke during the day.

Jersey Nutz and MJ’s are into bigeye tuna to lead at the Quest for the Ring Tournament out of Atlantic City. Jersey Nutz barely leads with a 135.5-pounder over a 133.4-pounder. Lots of yellowfins and dolphin are being weighed, but nothing so far looks big enough to end up in the money.

R

A 510-pound blue marlin was boated by Floor Reel yesterday to lead the Quest for the Ring Tournament out of Atlantic City. I’ve had problems downloading results. but the Day 2 catch seemed to include releases of 7 blue marlin and 53 whites plus weigh-ins of 24 yellowfin tuna, a 103.5-pound bigeye on No Limit, and 10 dolphin.

LidoBogan reports services for Captain Dale Steinert will be this Sunday from 5-8 p.m at Orender Funeral Home in Manasquan. His dedication to our industry and guiding presence will be forever missed. Dale was a regular skipper on the Jamaica from Brielle.

The Golden Eagle from Belmar picked at some bluefish yesterday before jigging a jumbo sea bass by each angler — and then adding some fluke and ling.

Jimmy Johnson’s Quest for the Ring got underway Monday out of Atlantic City with a showing of yellowfin tuna, though none were likely to be contenders in that big money contest.

The first day’s total was 25 white marlin releases along with three blue marlin while 18 yellowfins and six dolphin were weighed.

Dave Lilly will be trying to turn his luck around Saturday in the Raritan Bay Anglers Fluke Tournament’ That fluke pro says this has been the worst start to a fluke season he’s ever seen. Lilly has been everywhere from the bay to 80-foot depths without finding any concentrations of keeper-size fluke. Limit catches which have always been routine are now the exception rather than the rule. and his largest so far was only a 6-pounder. Along with short fluke, there are also lots of sea bass offshore.

Sorry about no blog last night when I was having computer issues again.

Coach Jimmy Johnson’s Quest for the Ring Tournament starts Monday out of Atlantic City along with a southern weigh-in port at Ocean City, Maryland.

Recent offshore reports have been very good for yellowfin and bigeye tuna, though white marlin are just getting started in the northern canyons.

Sorry for no blog last night as I had a computer problem.

Capt. Ron Santee reports his Saturday fluking on the Fishermen from Atlantic City was the thrd day in a row when the bite slowed after the change in tide. The re were some limits, and the pool went to George Layaly with a 4.8-pounder.

The inshore marine forecast in NY/NJ Bight is for southeast winds at just 5-10 knots with a chance of afternoon showers and thunderstorms.

8-pounder;