Though the N.J. sea bass season has been open for some time, it appears to be standing up quite well. Capt. Ron Santee reports he only needed two drops with his Fishermen out of Atlantic Highlands for a good Sunday catch of sea bass up to a 3-pounder plus a few fluke and ling and the first mackerel which I assume were chubs rather than Atlantics.

Tuesday looks to be ideal for that fishing with a forecast of northwest winds at 5-10 knots which shift to southwest in the afternoon.

Nick Honachefsky was surfcasting for black drum with clams on the southern Jersey Shore when this surprise visitor joined the party.

Betty & Nick’s in Seaside Park reports Kat caught this 24-inch, 5 1/2-pound fluke in the surf.

Anglers have the opportunity to fish for stripers and blues with combat veterans on Friday as the annual Manhattan Cup is run out of Liberty Landing in Jersey City. The contest is a fun occasion right from the big breakfast to clams and oysters before a huge dinner — and there are some impressive prizes to be won while raising funds for vets plus Gray Fishtag Research’s Northeast Striped Bass Study.

For info call Mike Dean at 917 873-6651 or visit manhattancup.com

A small craft advisory in NY/NJ Bight ends at 6 p.m. The forecast is for southwest winds at just 5-10 knots.

The sea bass fishery continues at a good pace in N.J. even though it’s necessary to fish through lots of shorts. The Miss Belmar reports “Both Miss Belmar boats went out today and did good despite the howling winds! ALOT of short SEA BASS came over the rail today and had to go back. A few people had their LIMITS but you had to weed through them today! Some LINGand BLACKFISH came up as well. Back at it again tomorrow.”

Capt. Frank Masseria has been fighting the weather with his Vitamin Sea from Leonardo while N.J. fluking has been slow as spots which were producing lots of keepers last year at this time now only yield shorts.

Amandas Toy made its first offshore trip which produced good action with both tuna and tilefish.

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A small craft advisory is up through Sunday morning. The morning forecast is for west winds at 10-15 knots plus gusts to 20.

Every dedicated striper angler hopes to break the 50-pound mark which is achieved only by a few during a lifetime. However, those odds change greatly for those with the last name of Many.

Chuck Many has put many anglers into 50-pounders aboard his Tyman from Highlands, and Kevin Many joined that elusive club last week when he released a 51.

Kevin Many with his 51 before release.

Chuck Many specializes in big bass off the northern N.J. Shore by slow-trolling live eels. He uses a certified 60-pound Boga Grip scale to weigh bass in the course of tagging them with a Gray tag.

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Saturday’s forecast in NY/NJ Bight is for west winds at 10-15 knots plus gusts to 20 and showers.

The Jersey Nutz got the North Jersey offshore season underway yesterday by trolling up a “ton” of bluefins along with some yellowfins and dolphin

.The report continues: “There are more yellowfin there for sure as we found the perfect water late in the day before a long ride home…… And that means we are officially underway for the 2025 offshore season! The boats are ready to roll, the crew is ready to rock – this is what we live for!”

Text 609 354 2734

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A small craft advisory is up through this evening. Friday’s forecast is for is for south winds at just 5-10 knots with showers likely.

The Fisherman magazine’s Dream Boat contest for subscribers already has several worthy leaders posted as of May 14.

Thomas Luciano got on the board right away with his May 1 catch of a 6.5-pound weakfish.

Vince Zorskas took over the sea robin lead on May 4 with a 2.18-pounder, and Scott Waterman established a lead in scup (porgy) with a 2.78-pounder on May 3.

This year’s dream boat is a Steiger Craft 21 center console with 150 hp Yamaha, Humminginbird fish finder, and Minn Kota electric motor. The second place trip to Tropic Star Lodge in Panama plus a mount from Gray Taxidermy also sounds pretty good!

There are many other prizes for big fish in all categories including bluefish, fluke, sea bass and tautog. The Fisherman also has another contest for kayak anglers who subscribe. Call 866 347-4836 or visit http://www.THEFISHERMAN.com

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A small craft advisory is up from tonight to Thursday afternoon. The forecast is for east winds at 10-15 knots plus gusts to 20 before going west at 10-20 in the afternoon.

Mel Deak chronicled the party boat industry for decades with a labor of love providing photos of virtually every party boat that ever fished in the Mid-Atlantic. Will anyone follow up that lifetime dedication now that Deak has passed away?

The search for trophy striper releases continues on Chuck Many’s Tyman from Atlantic Highlands. Jake Many with a 46-pounder.

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The forecast is for southeast winds at 5-10 knots plus gusts to 20 in the afternoon.

Capt. John Contello reports a jumbo bass trip of a lifetime on his Just Sayin from Keyport as over 30 from pounds and up to a 50-incher were released.

Vinny D’Anton broke the ice on stripers this season by releasing two 20-inchers that hit his Chug Bug in the Monmouth County surf. He also saw a bass of about 32 inches that was caught on a metal lip swimmer in the still chilly 58 degree surf. There was one big school of adult bunkers after another outside the bar with only one whale on them. Boaters ran right past those bunker schools.

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The forecast is for west winds at 5-10 knots before going south in the afternoon. There’s a chance of showers.

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Capt. Ron Santee reports from his Fishermen out of Atlantic Highlands as follows:”Awesome day on the ocean with non-stop life and a great group of Fishermen Regulars!

Bait worked better than the jigs today for what ever reason and we had several beauties going for the pool.

Ralph took the pool with a beautiful 3 pound Sea Bass. A few ling in the mix and some Tog. Everyone went home with plenty for dinner, the guys were still cutting an hour after we docked!

Weather looks good for the next few days.”

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Monday’s forecast is for northwest winds at a mere 5-10 knots before going southwest in the afternoon

This 70-pound black grouper was caught by Zachary D. Willis on a live pinfish at Big Rock before being weighed at Chasin Tails Tackle in Atlantic Beach. N.C.

John Bushell Jr. reports from Betty & Nick’s Tackle in Seaside Park that despite cabbage in Barnegat Inlet and too many boats, anglers have been doing better casting metal to blues there than in a rough surf.

Capt. Ron Santee only had to make one stop with his Fishermen from Atlantic Highlands on Friday for good sea bass action plus some large ling.

Sunday’s weather looks ideal with a forecast of west winds at 10-15 knots.