SHO-NUF usually trolls for giant stripers out of Cape Charles, Virginia during the winter, but switched it up this week to try offshore for giant bluefins. A giant tuna was fought for 4 1/2 hours before being lost at boatside. The next day they missed a couple of hits before settling for a 66-incher that was cut up for fresh tuna dinners.

A small craft advisory is up through Monday afternoon. Southwest winds at 20-25 knots will drop to 15 by the afternoon.

The Miss Belmar is running a tog tournament tomorrow, but the Golden Eagle and Big Mohawk from that port will sail as normal for tog.

Though there’s a small craft advisory up from Sunday afternoon to Monday afternoon, the morning forecast is just south at 10-15 knots.

Fishing on offshore wrecks is at its peak. but the season for sea bass is coming toward closure. Fortunately. there are lots of openings left on N.J. party boats, while New York anglers can fish on the almost daily trips of the Capt. Lou Fleet at Freeport. Call Anthony Gillespie at 516 623-5833 for up to the hour info on the Capt. Lou trips.

The Golden Eagle from Belmar not only had sea bass up to 6 1/2 pounds on yesterday’s trip, but also jumbo porgies plus some weakfish and blues. To top it off, they fed dogfish to big tuna though those fish were lost.

The forecast is for southwest winds at 10-15 knots plus rain before going to west at 15-20 and gusts to 30 in the afternoon.

NW at just 5 knots tomorrow

Cold, but calm weather should prevail for the Christmas period in NY/NJ Bight. With north winds at just 10 knots forecasted for the next two days, conditions should be ideal for another shot at a striper in the surf which shouldn’t interfere with the holiday festivities.

MERRY CHRISTMAS & FISHY NEW YEAR!

No shopping required — just check the site of the angler’s favorite party boat for one of the special deals they are all offering now, and provide what you select in an envelope. What better gift can you offer a fisherman?

Though moderate west winds are in the forecast, there is a likelihood of some rain or snow.

Anyone looking for a last minute perfect Christmas gift for a fisherman can’t go wrong with any item of AFTCO clothing. I virtually live in AFTCO shorts since the move to Florida — after only using them about six months a year in the north. They are virtually indestructible and easy to clean. Add AFTCO Guy Harvey shirts for more “formal” wear and an angler can be all set with clothing that looks good and wears great!

With a small craft advisory down this afternoon, there’s fine fishing weather coming up tomorrow in NY/NJ Bight with north winds at just 5 knots which turn southwest in the afternoon.

The incredible bluefin tuna bite off Ocean City, Maryland continues to produce a great opportunity for Capt. Monty Hawkins on his party boat Morning Star out of that port. Despite some tough weather this week, his last trip produced less size but more volume. Monty will try to get in another tuna trip before Christmas.

Vinny D’Anton reports there was snow on northern N.J. beaches this morning. All of the local pros appear to have given up on the usual early winter run of small stripers.

A small craft advisory is up through Sunday afternoon. The forecast is for northwest winds at 15-20 knots.

A small craft advisory is up in NY/NJ Bight through late Saturday night. The forecast is for very cold northwest winds at 15-20 knots plus gusts to 25 and a chance of rain and snow in the morning.

Mike Monte checked out the Monmouth County surf again this morning and found it to be devoid of fish life though some loons were diving on sand eels. He said the water temperature is under 50 degrees with no sign of the usual small stripers normally hanging out through December.

Following is a Facebook report from New Zealand:

“In an exhilarating fishing expedition off the North Cape Karikari region of New Zealand, captain John Gregory and his deckhand Jim Gigger made headlines after reeling in a colossal swordfish. The duo, aboard their vessel Primetime, hooked the massive fish, which weighed an astonishing 404.4 kilograms (891 pounds, 8 ounces), setting the IGFA Men’s 37-kg (80-lb) Line Class World Record.

The epic battle began when the swordfish took the bait—a skipjack tuna that was being drifted deep in the water. “The fish took a large tuna we were drifting down deep, and it sucked the bait right down into its guts,” Gregory recounted. The fight was intense, likened to “riding a bull in the rodeo,” as the fish delivered powerful head shakes and performed a spectacular jump before diving back into the depths. After an arduous struggle lasting one hour and twenty minutes, the anglers finally brought the behemoth alongside their boat.

Measuring an impressive 14 feet, 5 inches from the tip of the bill to the tail, with a short measurement of 10 feet, 3 inches and a girth of 6 feet, 4 inches, this swordfish not only redefines fishing records but also stands as a testament to the thrill and challenge of big-game fishing in New Zealand’s rich waters.”

The Ocean Explorer from Belmar reported such a calm Wednesday that they had a hard time staying tight on the anchor. There was a pick of blackfish, and the high hook caught four keepers.

Unfortunately, the NY/NJ Bight forecast for Friday is northeast 15-20 knots plus gusts to 25. There’s also a chance of rain.