Sorry about that screwed-up headline yesterday, but if you read the blog there was good news about a showing of keeper pollock from deep waters where the Ocean Explorer from Belmar was blackfishing. Though there was still lots of bergall action out there Thursday in beautiful and mild weather, there were no cod or pollock. They did boat a few ling and legal tog.

Saturday’s early forecast looks good for that fishing as the day starts with southwest winds at just 5-10 knots before increasing to 10-15 with gusts to 20 in the afternoon. There’s a chance of showers.

Only a few anglers showed up for yesterday’s blackfishing trip on the Ocean Explorer from Belmar, though it turned out to be a beautiful winter day at sea. There were only a few keeper tog in deep water along with a keeper cod, a ling and a surprise showing of keeper pollock topped by five for the skipper. With decent weather ahead, they plan on continuing daily trips.

The NY/NJ Bight forecast is for south winds at 10-15 knots.

It may seem like a daunting task, but anglers actually have a good chance to win a boat and motor or many lesser prizes by entering The Fisherman Dream Boat contest which requires subscribing to that publication.

Most winners have had boats of their own, but that’s not necessary as all of the species involved can be caught from party boats. For instance, you could start out in May with the spawning run of porgies in Peconic Bay where 2-pound minimum scup are routine. If you rent a skiff there and change techniques there’s also a chance to catch a qualifying fluke (6 pounds), weakfish (5 pounds) , or sea robin (2 pounds) in the same day. After that you could get in on the summer run of doormat fluke off Nantucket. If you don’t fish for sea bass all summer, that;’s no problem as there are plenty of 4-pound minimum knuckleheads on party boat offshore wreck trips. Blackfish (7 pounds) are most abundant inshore in the fall. The 15-pound minimum on bluefish has become the toughest nut to crush.

You don’t have to compete with professional fishermen as captains, mates and everyone else involved in the fishing industry are ineligible — even outdoor writers!

A good bet for becoming eligible is to subscribe at the Fisherman booth in many upcoming outdoors shows where those signing up receive a $20 credit card for Shurhold boat cleaning products.

Thursday’s forecast in NY/NJ Bight is for northeast winds, but only at 5 knots before going south in the afternoon.

The annual Hi-Mar Striper Club Fisherman’s Flea Market and Seminars is coming up Saturday from 8-2 in the Port Monmouth VFW at 1 Veterans Lane. This event is always mobbed, so it’s advisable to get there early for a parking space. Adult admission is $5, with kids 15 and under admitted free. For info visit fleamarket@hi-mar.com.

A small craft advisory is up through Wednesday afternoon in NY/NJ Bight , The morning starts with northeast winds at 15 knots plus gusts to 20.

During their most recent meeting, the ASMFC Striped Bass Board reviewed Addendum 11 to Amendment 7 of the Striped Bass Fishery Management Plan and recommended very few changes. The ocean recreational fishery would remain at one striper in the narrow 28-31-inch slot with the same seasons where applicable. Over 2,000 public comments were submitted, and the consensus was for status quo. All sectors of the fishery would retain 2022 season dates.

In Chesapeake Bay, the slot limit will be 19 to 24 inches, with 2022 regs and season dates — though the commercial quota will be reduced by 8 percent.

The NY/NJ Bight forecast is for northeast winds at 10-15 knots with gusts to 20 plus 3-5-foot seas from an easterly swell that may result in rough inlets.

The Ocean Explorer from Belmar enjoyed the sun on Saturday, but blackfishing remained tough with just a few keepers and two dozen shorts in a lumpy sea. The seasonal pool is up to $4,000, and there’s a good chance of hooking a winner on one of the deepwater wrecks they’re fishing.

Anglers in NY/NJ Bight look to have another fishable day coming up as the forecast is for north winds at only 10-15 knots.

Chuck Many continues to come up with good fishing in Hilton Head, South Carolina, such as the red drum pictured.

It’s not often that there’s a good weather forecast on the weekend in NY/NJ Bight, but the prediction for tomorrow is for north winds at only 10-15 knots,

The Ocean Explorer from Belmar was out today in good ocean conditions, but blackfishing was slow. However, they are looking forward to working more deepwater drops which may produce the seasonal pool winner.

Capt. Mark DeBlasio of Water Proof reports “

Our commercial season has come to a close but we will be fishing for the next two months out of the Outer Banks of North Carolina. Bluefins are there in great numbers and there has been a sprinkling of Yellowfin and Bigeye in the mix. Just like 2023, we are seeing many more recreational sized fish from 100-200 lbs being caught as well as the true Giants up to 700lbs. It’s truly an incredible fishery ..

We have a few February dates remaining so come on down…”

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The NY/NJ Bight forecast is for north winds at 15-20 knots plus gusts to 25. Sunday is looking better with north at 10-15 knots,

The Ocean Explorer from Belmar got out Thursday for a few keeper tog along with shorts and bergalls in 130-180 feet.

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You never know what you may catch when fishing a live shrimp over rough bottom in the Everglades. During the recent trip Crazy Alberto Knie and I made there with Paul Castelli on his 15-foot duck boat, we were seeking sheepshead and spotted seatrout, but also hooked a puffer, a tiny gag grouper, a small sea robin, a “whiting” (actually a gulf kingfish), and a fish we couldn’t identify.

With bold black stripes on its side and neon blue scribblings on the head, I figured this photo by Paul would be easy to find in the many tropical species books I have in my library — but so far there’s been no match. Any ideas?

The forecast for Friday starts at just 5-10 knots northwest before increasing to north at 10-15 plus gusts to 20 in the afternoon. Unfortunately, Saturday isn’t looking good with north winds of 15-20 knots along with gusts to 25.

The Ocean Explorer from Belmar will continue to try getting out to fish for tautog in 130-180-foot depths as shallower waters have been unproductive.

The Viking Fleet reports “The “Cadillac”… 144ft Viking Starship is hauled out for routine maintenance and USCG inspection. Each of the 6 Montauk based Viking boats must be hauled every 2 years for the United States Coast Guard to inspect the bottoms of the boats, ensuring structural and watertight integrity. We are often asked what we do in the winter. Well, if we are not fishing, it is maintenance, maintenance, maintenance! We are still sailing for Cod on the 104ft Tank, the Viking Star. Did you know… both the 144ft Viking Starship and the 104ft Viking Star were designed and built by Captain Paul Forsberg Sr? He designed them specifically to be the most stable and safe fishing platforms in the northeastt from the Gulf of Maine to George’s Banks to Nantucket to Coxes Ledge to the far east and southern Canyons and everywhere in between.

I remember making a solo trip to Montauk as a high school kid to catch my first big fish (20-30-pound) cod and pollock) on the Star at Coxes. What a thrill that was!

Thursday’s forecast is for southwest winds at 10-15 knots plus gusts to 20.