Anglers with a broad interest in fishing are missing a good bet if they don’t participate in the Fisherman magazine Dream Boat 2023 Fishing Challenge. That contest provides a grand prize of a Steiger Craft 21 center console a 150 hp Yamaha outboard, Humminbird Chart Plotter, Minn Kota Riptide electric motor and equipment, along with a trip to Costa Rica’s Marina Pez Vela for second — and great fishing gear in many categories. All you need to enter is a subscription to the Fisherman. You won’t be competing against any pros as captains and mates are among those not eligible — which even includes outdoor writers!

Of course, there’s plenty of competition for those prizes, but you never know when you might get lucky with one of the six eligible species. For instance, in comparing my personal records to the leaders as of the last issue, I would be way out in front of the 8.66-pound weakfish leader — but only because I long ago boated a 13-pounder while trolling a big plug on wire line at night for trophy stripers at Montauk’s Shagwong Reef.

I’d also be in good shape with a 15 1/2-pound fluke (the leader is 13 pounds), and a bluefish at 20 pounds as compared to the present leader of 16.13 pounds. Surprisingly, no one has entered a sea bass (minimum 4 lbs.) or blackfish (minimum 7 lbs.) so far. My bests on those species are 5 1/2 and 12 1/4 pounds. The porgy leader is 3.14 pounds, while I’ve had a 3 1/2-pounder three times over the years. There’s also a sea robin category, with the leader at 3.34 pounds. I’ve only kept length records on that species, with the best at 15 1/2 inches.

In order to be eligible, you must subscribe to the Fisherman. A good time to do so will be at the Sept. 22-24 Jersey Shore Boat Sale & Expo at 2 Stadium Way in Lakewood. The Fisherman is giving away a $20 gift card from Shurhold, a package of BKK hooks and a package of Fishbites with each subscription.

Nick Honachefsky sent the following reminder:

ARRIER ISLAND BEACH BRAWL BONUS ROUND!! *** Anyone who registers by SEPTEMBER 20TH, gets automatically entered to win:

A FREE $350 PRIZE PACK of Costa sunglasses and Savage Gear lures, drawn randomly. If you’ve signed up, you’re already in the drawing.

Register at http://www.saltwaterunderground/barrier island beachbrawl.com

A small craft advisory is up until 6 p.m. Tomorrow starts with a mere 5-10 knots northwest, and turns west in the afternoon.

Fluke fishing remains a best bet. At Atlantic Highlands, Capt. Ron Santee said drifting conditions were tough early and late on his Fishermen, but everyone caught lots of fluke. Wally took the pool with a fluke just short of 8 pounds. Tomorrow looks to be perfect.

The Prowler 5 reported the drift was a bit fast, but the boat ended up with 55 keepers being caught. With a long range forecast of rough seas on the weekend, now is the time to go!

The Golden Eagle from Belmar got into old-fashioned bluefish jigging with long drifts sand limits of 2-7-pounders. Some keeper and short fluke were also jigged.

Capt. John Contello switched back to stripers on Just Sayin from Keyport today, and had good action with bass up to 45 inches after a slow start.

As noted last night, fluke don’t care about rain — and neither should fluke fishermen now that the fishing is as good as it gets just before the season closes/

The Prowler 5 from Atlantic Highlands sailed today with just eight anglers aboard since Capt. Scott Hilliard didn’t want them to miss out on the bite even if it cost him money to make the trip. Everyone limited and released many more fluke. It was the same thing yesterday when Max Zazzarino (12) took the pool with an 8.66-pound fluke.

The Golden Eagle from Belmar was out on a tuna trip today which produced limits of dolphin plus hot catch and release angling. They were into hot bluefishing the day before, and will be back at that sport in the morning.

A small craft advisory is up through Tuesday afternoon. Showers are likely tomorrow.

Hurricane swells can send migrating fish on their way, but that wasn’t a problem for party boat anglers today in NY/NJ Bight.

Capt. Ron Santee had predicted a perfact “10” day, and that’s exactly what it was as anglers on his Fishermen from Atlantic Highlands caught double fluke limits including some some larger fish up to a 7 1/2-pound pool winner by Arnaldo. Showers are possible tomorrow, but that won’t bother the fluke whose season is almost over.

The Golden Eagle from Belmar reported as follows: “

It was a great day back angling! The weather we had the past few days definitely helped out. There were PLENTY OF BLUES in the 3 to 8lb. range on jigs. Diamond jigs, plain and tailed worked great. There were nice long drifts where we held fish on with flurries at time. We had limits around the boat. We will be on the Mahi trip tomorrow but will be back to our regular 7:30AM departure on Tuesday.“ Vinny D’Anton got out late this morning, but still managed a 23-inch surf striper on a Chug Bug. He said Tommy Cox had fished the Monmouth County surf earlier, and caught three bass around keeper size. The water was clear and perfect for surfcasting. The forecast is for south winds at 5-10 knots before going east in the afternoon. The Mimi VI from Point Pleasant has an open bottom fishing trip at 6:30 a.m. Call this evening for a reservation at 732 370-8019. ********************************************************************* NIGHT BLUEFISHING! SATURDAY NIGHTS SEPTEMBER AND OCTOBER. THE BOAT DEPARTS AT 7PM AND RETURNS AT 1:30AM. These trips are popular and sell out fast so make sure to get your reservations in now. ********************************************************************* WE ARE NOW BOOKING AFTERNOON/EVENING PARTY CRUISES! Call 732-681-6144. ARE YOU READY TO PARTY? Well, we have the place for it to happen. The 100’ Golden Eagle is where the fun begins. We have a huge upper deck for dancing and your DJ and an air-conditioned cabin along with plenty of room for your friends and family on the main deck. Have it catered or bring your own food and drinks. Celebrate while cruising the Jersey Shore! It will be an exciting event you will always remember. Call us at 732-681-6144 to schedule your special occasion. ************************** Our Golden Eagle calendar is filled with trips for everyone so go to our website and make your reservations. We look forward to fishing with you! These are our MANY UPCOMING SPECIAL AND OFFSHORE TRIPS planned such as – *18/20 Hour Canyon Mahi Trip September 17th *23-Hour Canyon Tuna Trips in September and October *Night Bluefishing Trips in September and October *Offshore Giant Sea Bass Trips in December We have GOLDEN EAGLE HOODIES, ZIPPERED HOODIES AND LONG SLEEVE AND SHORT SLEEVE TEE’S. They can be purchased on our website. ——————————————————————– The GOLDEN EAGLE sails every day at 7:30am from Belmar Marina in Belmar, NJ. For more information visit us at www.goldeneaglefishing.com or call 732-681-6144. See you onboard. We look forward to fishing with you.RESERVATIONS ARE A MUST!The GOLDEN EAGLE sails every day at 7:30am from Belmar Marina in Belmar, NJ.For more information visit us atwww.goldeneaglefishing.com or call 732-681-6144.AN EXTRAORDINARY FISHING EXPERIENCE Purchase Your Tickets OnlineAN EXTRAORDINARY FISHING EXPERIENCEThank you for sailing with us.See you on board.Capt. Rich Falcone The Golden EagleGolden EagleBelmar Marina,Belmar, NJ 07719732-681-6144Contact Us    Share This Email Share This Email Share This Email

Capt. Ron Santee wasn’t sure what he would see with a big swell predicted, but when he got out to the deep waters which have been producing the best fluking of the season there was no problem with the long swells in gin clear 69-degree waters as Phil set the pace with a 7-pound, 11- ounce fluke. He ended up catching a double limit plus 16 shorts. The Fishermen from Atlantic Highlands will be out there again tomorrow in a much nicer forecast of calming northwest winds at 5-10 knots before going southwest in the afternoon. The swell forecast is down to 3-5 feet,

The Queen Mary from Point Pleasant has been enjoying great bonito fishing this month, and they are sailing tomorrow. The best lure has been the 5-inch Tsunami Splitail.

Vinny D’Anton said he talked to a few Monmouth County surfcasters who didn’t catch anything this morning — but they did see some mullet. In addition, he had a report of lots of mullet in the surf at Breezy Point in N.Y.

Ever since big ocean swells from offshore hurricanes have started hitting the Jersey Shore, I’ve been warning about dangerous conditions at the inlets. Unfortunately, that warning turned into the reality of a drowning death in Manasquan Inlet yesterday. I ran a center console charter boat out of that inlet, and felt it was relatively safe in comparison to inlets with sand bars in front of them , such as Barnegat in N.J, Jones on Long Island, and Hatteras in N.C. Yet, even then I was always on high alert while riding a wave on the ebb between those jetties which don’t allow much room for corrections if you’re not lined up correctly. Several years ago I was aboard a sportfishermen going through Manasquan Inlet on such a day when I looked back and noticed a pontoon boat getting ready to run the inlet. It wasn’t until I was watching TV later that I found out it hadn’t made it as lives were lost.

Applying just enough power to stay on top of the wave without running over it is critical. A much better idea is to postpone your trip or arrange to go out on the ebb when you’ll be facing into the waves — and return on the flood.

Though the forecast of 15-20-knot northwest should provide some calming, inlets will still be a problem at times in 7-10-foot long period swells which won’t bother boaters at sea.

I didn’t get any reports today, but Jim Hutchinson Sr. sent in the following report for the Beach Haven Charter Fishing Association.”As Hurricane Lee and its rough seas pass by Beach Haven many miles offshore, the captains of the Beach Haven Charter Fishing Association prepare to do some serious fishing once things calm down.

This is the time of the year when the summer species of fish are still around before making their departure until next year. In addition, the fall species are starting to arrive. Finally, the warm waters of this time of the year always drive some unfamiliar fish from the south into local waters. This makes for a real variety of fish that can be found if you know where and how to look.

Adding to the mix are good numbers of small mahi-mahi not that far off the coast. Many anglers are finding them as they prepare to do some inshore bottom fishing.  As is typical of these fish, anglers are smart to check weed lines and floating pieces of debris for  these colorful fish lurking under.

Captain Gary Dugan had a pair of ocean trips this past week fishing inshore ocean structure for fluke.  He notes that his anglers had good steady action, it was tough at times to find keeper fish. However, on each of his trips they returned to the dock with fish in the cooler including a nice triggerfish.

The 2023 fishing season in New Jersey for summer flounder ends on September 27. Anglers are encouraged to take to the water when the seas are calm to get in on these delicious eating fish.”

NOAA Fisheries has transferred 21.7 metric tons of giant bluefin tuna quota from Reserve to the General category for commercial fishermen. That will keep the fishery going until a Sept. 17 closing. It will reopen Oct. 1 with a limit of one.

The nation’s leading marine conservation organizations have released a white paper on the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) findings that its Marine Recreational Information Program – Fishing Effort Survey (MRIP-FES) may be overestimating recreational catch and effort data by 30 – 40%.  

That’s not a surprising conclusion as those actually involved in the fisheries have complained about obvious discrepancies for many years which have led to overly restrictive regulations on healthy stocks. Capt. Monty Hawkins of Morning Star from Ocean City, Maryland has been particularly critical of the inflated figures for many years without making much progress until now.

Though best known for his sea bass and blackfish skills, Hawkins has also developed a specialty of dolphin fishing at areas well inshore of the canyons. Limits have been common recently.

The Golden Eagle from Belmar had lots of action and lost tuna on Monday’s 23-hour tuna trip. There were no specifics on how many tuna were caught, but they reported a large swordfish and plenty of dolphin.

A small craft advisory is up through Saturday evening. Friday’s forecast is for north winds at 20-25 knots, dropping to 15-20 in the afternoon. The offshore hurricane is sending in long period swells of 7 to 10 feet. Inlets will be rough on outgoing tide.

The note at the end of yesterday’s blog about the best fluking of the year on the Fishermen from Atlantic Highlands didn’t get through to enough fluke anglers as Capt. Ron Santee barely had enough to sail this morning — but couldn’t miss what looked to be another great day. Once again, there were limits for all with several 3-5-pounders included plus a personal best 8 13/16-pounder for Gary. The Prowler 5 was also in on yesterday’s best day of the season only to find that a rain forecast had scared off most customers. They also sailed with few fares who were all limited by mid-morning before heading in early on a day with no rain.

The Big Mohawk from Belmar had to make a late morning move yesterday to get into the fluke bite, but stayed out longer than usual to get everyone limited.

A small craft advisory is up through Thursday night. It may be fishable early in the morning with north winds at 15-20 knots plus gusts to 25 before swells start increasing to 8-11 feet in the afternoon.

The Queen Mary from Point Pleasant has been into very good bonito fishing along with some blues. Skilled anglers have a big advantage in that sport as George demonstrated Sunday by catching over 20.

Scot Cusick got into a hot yellowfin tuna bite this week which included an Allison. Note the long fins! They were first thought to be a different tuna species, but scientists decided they are only a variation of the yellowfin which are usually seen on some larger specimens.

The yellowfin tuna fishing within range of seaworthy small boats that NY/NJ Bight anglers have been getting used to every summer seems to be holding up nicely in areas such as the Triple Wrecks. That was the case this week for Capt. Fred Gamboa of Andreas Toy as follows:”Had my dad’s 87th birthday trip today. Had all of my family including my 2 sons. Got to the grounds at lunchtime and had the fish boiling on the baits. unfortunately we couldn’t land all the bites we had, still had a great time, with tons of laughs and lots of trash talk, ended the session with some mahi for tacos.”

At 87, I think I’ve caught enough yellowfins to last me for a lifetime!

Capt. Joe Massa had his cousin with his son aboard My Three Sons from Morgan Marina as he ran down the beach Saturday to get into both lots of big porgies plus blackfish — while releasing many large sea bass. It was a great start for Anthony D’Angelo Jr. (9), who had previously only caught a few small fish on a Florida party boat.

There’s a last minute opportunity to join an open boat bottom fishing trip tomorrow on the Mimi VI from Point Pleasant. Call 732 370-8019 this evening for a reservation.

Capt. Ron Santee reports the best day of fluking this season on his Fishermen from Atlantic Highlands. Jong started with a 6.13-pound fluke, and ended up catching a quadruple limit. Everyone limited!

The Golden Eagle from Belmar reported good bonito fishing plus some blues, though anglers had to stay at the rail and work for them.

There’s a small craft advisory for tomorrow, but it starts out with south at just 5-10 knots before increasing later to 20-25 plus gusts to 30.

Unfortunately, sad memories last as long as the good ones. My Sept.11 started well as I joined Capt. Bob Pisano to fish a wreck area which had produced a few giant tuna hits recently. However, my last trip with hat greatest of N.J. tuna skippers was a short one in a hard northwest wind as we started hearing accounts of a plane flying into the World Trade Center towers. Though we should have been within sight of the resulting smoke, that northwest wind blew it so low that we never saw it until almost getting back to Belmar. The re was no reception on the TV that far out, but I got enough audio to assure us something bad was happening — and Pisano decided to head back.

Vinny D’Anton reports there are still plenty of small blues in the Monmouth County surf. He also managed a couple of small stripers among them yesterday morning.

Tuesday’s forecast is for north winds at a mere 5 knots before going southwest in the afternoon with a chance of showers.

Little tunny are also showing in the surf as well as for boaters such as Mx DeGennaro of Hi Flier from Barnegat.

Jeff Merrill reports as follows:

“

Six Canyon Club Resort Marina Boats Score the Coveted Billfish Catch!

The late summer white marlin bite off the south Jersey coast has been well documented as recent years have seen double-digit days leading some to say these are the good old days of billfishing and it appears that trend is continuing this year!  Sea-Surface temperature analysis indicate filaments of Gulf Stream blue water have pushed northward near the 1000-1500 fathom line of the Norfolk to Washington and Poor Man’s Canyon and offshore of the Baltimore Canyon.  With it comes nutrients and baitfish billfish, tuna, mahi mahi and wahoo feed on and several boats from the marina have been part of a record-setting week of billfish action. 

The red hot billfish bite of the 2023 MidAtlantic tournament has not let up as the backside of the full moon that occurred on August 30 has seen numbers of white marlin and blue marlin spike even higher!  Interestingly, the numbers of sailfish also being caught has been surprising to many and Grand Slams have become quite common around the marina!  In fact, no less than six Grand Slams were recorded by boats fishing out of Canyon Club Resort Marina over a recent three-day period since Labor Day!  While some slipholders are making day trips, others have been focusing on overnighters to provide maximum opportunity to cash in on “the bite.” 

Jamie Diller’s Canyon Lady recently scored nine white marlin and seven sailfish and followed that trip up with a Grand Slam that included releasing a 600-pound class blue marlin, six white marlin and two sailfish.  Marty Judge’s Judge with Captain Heath Brown on the bridge scored a Grand Slam as the crew released a blue marlin, five white marlin and two sailfish.  Captain Keith Greenberg has put Dave Anderson’s Krazy Salts in mix as one trip saw 10 white marlin and two blue marlin released while a follow-up trip netted a Grand Slam that included one blue marlin, nine white marlin and one sailfish.  Steve Colenaro’s La Barca also got into the action as Captain David “Coop” Cooper put the crew into a Grand Slam that saw one blue marlin, seven white marlin and two sailfish released.  Pat Healey’s Viking factory demo Viking 80 has seen several successful trips recently that included a mix of day trips and overnighters.  Captain Sean Dooley has the crew dialed in as one trip saw six white marlin released while two trips produced Grand Slams that included one blue marlin, five white marlin and two sailfish while the next saw one blue marlin, two white marlin and five sailfish let go!  Ed Katzainer’s Wish You Were Here has also been part of the Grand Slam fiesta as Captain Chris Carron wheeled the crew to one blue marlin, four white marlin and one sailfish released.

As we say, September is prime time to catch billfish off the south Jersey coast so why not make plans to get in on this epic bite!  Cape May is in the heart of marlin country and Canyon Club Resort Marina offers a prime location whether overnight, short term or seasonal dockage is in your itinerary.  Just minutes from Cape May’s Cold Spring Inlet, you’ll have direct access to the Atlantic without the hassle of bridges.  Concrete floating docks with finger piers, bow and mid-ship pilings makes tying up easy and care free.  Uniformed dock attendants are always available to assist visiting vessels with fuel, ice or any other needs.  As a full service marina Canyon Club Resort Marina offers in-slip fueling as well as a 100-foot fuel dock.  Electric, water and complimentary Wi-Fi are also provided while the Ship’s Store is well-stocked with all your boating needs.  Should repairs or maintenance be required during a visit during your stay our on-site Service Department has two travel lifts while also offering gas and diesel engine repair, electronic installation and repair, running gear repairs as well as aluminum and canvas repairs.As we say, September is prime time to catch billfish off the south Jersey coast so why not make plans to get in on this epic bite!  Cape May is in the heart of marlin country and Canyon Club Resort Marina offers a prime location whether overnight, short term or seasonal dockage is in your itinerary.  Just minutes from Cape May’s Cold Spring Inlet, you’ll have direct access to the Atlantic without the hassle of bridges.  Concrete floating docks with finger piers, bow and mid-ship pilings makes tying up easy and care free.  Uniformed dock attendants are always available to assist visiting vessels with fuel, ice or any other needs.  As a full service marina Canyon Club Resort Marina offers in-slip fueling as well as a 100-foot fuel dock.  Electric, water and complimentary Wi-Fi are also provided while the Ship’s Store is well-stocked with all your boating needs.  Should repairs or maintenance be required during a visit during your stay our on-site Service Department has two travel lifts while also offering gas and diesel engine repair, electronic installation and repair, running gear repairs as well as aluminum and canvas repairs.

Although the summer season may have unofficially ended with Labor Day weekend, the billfish season is far from over and the best may be yet to come!  Make plans today to visit Canyon Club Resort Marina and get in on this epic bite!  You may not get the Slam but you’ll have an excellent shot at catching white marlin and perhaps even a blue one as well!  For more information and to reserve dockage space contact the marina at 609-884-0188!   

The Jamaica from Brielle reports more fine bonito fishing during Saturday’s trip when there was also a 10-pound bluefish to win the pool and some chub mackerel.

The Big Mohawk from Belmar reported that anglers who fished through Saturday’s rain did well with fluke as there were limits around the boat up to about 6 pounds.

Monday’s forecast is for north winds at 5 knots before going southwest at the same speed. There’s a chance of showers.