Ebb often best for early stripers

As a general rule, outgoing tides are generally the best bet for very early stripers in the internal waters of N.J. which reopened today. Ocean water is at very low levels at this time, but the sun-warmed ebb can be much warmer — and may inspire some feeding activity.

A gale warning is up in NY/NJ Bight from 6 p.m. to late tonight. The forecast is for northwest winds tomorrow at 15-20 knots with gusts to 25 and light freezing spray in the morning. Monday is looking much better.

Release Marine posted the following: “The South Florida sailfish bite was on

for the @fishbluewater Sailfish Challenge this past weekend. Over the course of the two-day tournament, 61 teams released an incredible 1,467 sailfish, competing for the Quest for the Crest championship

N.J. internal waters reopen Saturday

The march 1 reopening of N.J. internal waters provides an opportunity for anglers to fish for stripers in Raritan Bay and backwaters throughout the state . In recent years that bite has started much earlier than normal, but recent cold snaps have driven water temperatures down. The Perth Amboy area is a good place to seek out an early striper on bloodworms.

Winter flounder fishing also becomes legal on Saturday.

A small craft advisory is up through Saturday afternoon in NY/NJ Bight,

The forecast is for southwest winds at 15-20 knots before increasing to 20-25 in the afternoon.

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Vinny D’Anton had another hot bite of spotted sea trout this morning while casting MirrOlures in the Longboat Key area along with Trooper Tom, a Dog Beach regular visiting southwest Florida from N.J.

Bluefin tuna are amazing fish

The following message was received today from Bud’ N Mary’s Marina in Islamorada, Florida Keys:

“I’s that time of year again! Bluefin tuna are known to pass through the reefs of Islamorada in February primarily due to the seasonal migration patterns and favorable conditions in the area. During winter months, particularly in February. Relentless had their run in with a huge pack of Bluefins yesterday on the reef in about 30 feet of water, unfortunately didn’t get a bite but what an incredible sight to see.”

It’s amazing that the same species appearing in the very warm waters of the Keys is also being caught almost every day from cold North Carolina mid-winter waters.

It’s also strange that when giants appear in the Keys they are also passing through very shallow areas rather than offshore. Boaters who are fortunate enough to be there at the right time aren’t likely to have giant tuna tackle aboard, but have a chance to catch one on lighter tackle since the tuna can’t dive into deep waters.

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A small craft advisory is up through Friday evening in NY/NJ Bight. The forecast is for northwest winds at 10-15 knots plus gusts to 20.

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The Ocean Explorer from Belmar Had a nice day at sea on Wednesday, but the water was very cold at 38 degrees — and only a few ling were caught.

Tuna still hitting along Mid-Atlantic coast. Giant bluefin tuna continue to be boated during a never-ending season. An 890-pounder was weighed at Chasin Tails, and Speechless Sportfishing had a 377-pound dressed weight.

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A small craft advisory is up in NY/NJ Bight from tonight to late Thursday night. The forecast is for south winds at 15-20 knots plus gusts to 25. There’s a chance of showers.

Andreas Toy hits pollock & tilefish offshore

Andreas Toy from Perth Amboy reports as follows:

“Had some of my regulars chomping at the bit to get out, cabin fever sucks. Had a small window to get out today so we made the run. Hit an offshore wreck and had a nice bite of pollack to 35lbs. Then we dropped for tiles till lunchtime getting close to 30. Had them on bait and on UVT jigs which is now a sponsor. Couldn’t be happier with the performance of their jigs up to 500 grams.”

The Ocean Explorer from Belmar had decent bottom fishing Sunday with some blackfish and ling plus a few cod up to one around 20 pounds. However, on Monday the water temperature had dropped three degrees and there were few bites of any kind.

The forecast is for northwest winds at 10-15 knots before going west at 5-10 in the afternoon.

World record cobia caught off Perth, Australia

News was just received of a new world record cobia weighing an incredible 175.49 pounds. It was caught off Perth, Australia — and hardly resembles that species at such a huge size.

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Tuesday’s forecast in NY/NJ Bight is for southwest winds at just 5-10 knots.

Another good start in the NE

NY/NJ Bight anglers should have a good start Monday with a forecast of south winds at a mere 5 knots. They increase to 10-15 plus gusts to 20 in the afternoon.

Leah Grady with a 98-inch bluefin out of Drum Inlet. Carolina Sportsman magazine photo.

Finally a calm day in NE

The forecast for Sunday in NY/NJ Bight could hardly be better as it calls for west winds at a modest 10-15 knots. That leaves anglers with a wide range of choices, though internal waters for stripers remain closed until March 1.

Andreas Toy from Perth Amboy encourages tagging. They report “Our first tagged fish recapture of the year traveled 327 nautical miles in 275 days! The past few years we have been seeing about 15-20 recaptures and those number should only go up!

For charters call/text 201-421-8653

Sailing out of Perth Amboy where spring stripers usually show up first in March.

The forecast is for northwest winds at 10-15 knots plus gusts to 20 before going west in the afternoon.

Winds finally dropping in NY/NJ Bight

After what appeared to be an never-ending windy winter, there may be some fishable days coming up in NY/NJ Bight this weekend.

The Friday forecast is for northwest winds at 20-25 knots plus gusts to 30 before winds drop down Saturday,

Blackfish and ling will be the best bets inshore, while those venturing a bit further offshore may be able to catch large cod on mid-range wrecks.

There’s been no word of any mackerel, as has been the case for several years, but those fish have shown up out of nowhere in the past — and hope springs eternal.

You certainly won’t catch a roosterfish this weekend, but that’s a species which should be on every angler’s bucket list. A great fighter that also jumps !