With most of the fleet taking advantage of the weather to fish the opening day of the White Marlin Open, canyon action remained very poor.

The outstanding catch was a 199-pound bigeye tuna on Instigator, which is well ahead of a 118-pounder in the tuna division by Bow Down. Skid Row is third at 64 1/2 pounds.

Most of the weigh-ins were of yellowfin tuna — some of which didn’t even make the 50-pound minimum. Even dolphin were scarce as the only entry was a 21-pounder on Hey Buddy, as a couple of others missed the 20-pound minimum.

A 55-pound wahoo on Captain Deadley may stand up for a while. No blue or white marlin were brought in for weighing, but there were quite a few white releases — and one large blue was lost.

There will probably be few boats out Tuesday with southwest winds from 15-25 knots predicted.

There will be a lot of excitement this afternoon at Ocean City, Md. as 378 of the 400 boats entered in the White Marlin Open are fishing today. I’ll be adding a blog to bring results up to date after the scales close tonight.

Capt. Dave DeGennaro of Hi Flier out of Barnegat reports as follows:

It’s been an interesting few days of fishing. We started out with live grass shrimping trips in the bay on Fri and Sat. Friday had a mix of species including 5 weakfish for the Rick Masters charter. They had the usual assortment of species that visit our shrimp slick: weakfish, juvenile sea bass, little blues, blowfish, fluke, sand sharks, spots, and sea robins. Non stop action. On Saturday I had Mike and Karen Romance out for an Inshore Shark/Live Grass Shrimp Combo. We got bit off by a few bigger sharks that were not invited to this particular party but Karen did get the best of an Atlantic Sharpnose Shark, the targeted species before we decided to head into the bay. I anchored in the exact same spot as the day before but it was S L O W……..and then S L O W E R. Just doesn’t make sense sometimes, same spot, same tide, but my other spot was infested with silver perch, so we stayed put. We finally hook up and Mike is fighting what I tell him is going to be a big weakfish. The 6 lb ultralite rod is bent, the reel is singing, and as the fish finally gets close enough to land, we see it’s a cobia. Twenty incher. Not legal to keep, but great sport on that tackle. They then proceed to deck two keeper weakies, a 13 and 19 1/2 incher to wrap things up and put a little fillet in the Ziplock. 

Sunday the weather was nice enough to head offshore looking for tuna with the Jim Padilla party. I knew the fleet on the inshore tuna grounds up North has grown to 100 plus boats on a weekday and with a bluebird Saturday, that would surely almost double. I stayed south and after trolling for an hour we had only managed one false albacore and heard of one bonito among the few boats that were there with us. We reeled in and started to run further offshore. After a while, we stumbled on some fresh slicks with a good amount of chick birds picking at them. The machine showed a carpet of bait readings that looked like the squid that have been so prominent on the tuna grounds this season, so we dropped in some squid jigs and started swinging jumbos over the rail. We put them out for bait and proceeded to hook up with shark after shark. Mostly 150 to 200 pound brown sharks but one 12 foot hammerhead that fooled me into thinking it was a tuna run off. He hit and ran so hard. At 1:00 PM we get another good run off on the balloon that was set at 60 feet, and no one is enthused about doing battle with another shark. So I left it in the holder, rod bent, and giving out a good amount of line. I figured, let him bite the hook off. Jim finally said, begrudgingly, “I”ll take him”. He fought him for a while and then his son Greg took over for a while before I realized this fish was deep and starting to spiral. I yelled to Dave Flood, our deckhand for this trip, to get a gaff ready and then we saw color on a good size bluefin. Decked him after a good fight. 51 inches, about 90 pounds. Everyone was ecstatic and we headed for home.

I only have tomorrow, Tuesday Aug 8 available for a Live Grass Shrimp charter in the bay and Thurs Aug 10 for the same or an Open Boat Tuna 9AM to 5PM, we are only running 16 miles from the inlet to the fishing grounds. Thursday looks like the marine forecast is good enough to get to where we need to go. If we go Open Boat Tuna on Thurs, 9AM to 5PM, $300 person, 4 people max, all fish are shared. Call 732 330-5674.

Spot make great live baits for many species, and Absecon Bay Sportsman Center is loading up on them in the creek.

A small craft warning goes up at 6 p.m. and through Tuesday afternoon. Southwest winds at 10-15 knots will gust to 25 — and morning showers are possible.

After Dave Lilly’s team won a fluke tournament last weekend by fishing in Ambrose Channel, they were looking to sweep three contests yesterday before being confronted by a mass of dolphins. Lilly said he’d never before seen such an abundance as the marine mammals were spread from the Verrazano Bridge to Romer Shoal. What should have been productive bottom was so dead that whole squid baits came back up with their tentacles intact. The team ended up way east at Atlantic Beach Reef, along with party boats. Keeper fluke were caught, but none of the big fluke needed to even bother weighing in.

Capt. Ron Santee reported the conditions were good for his anglers on the Fishermen from Atlantic Highlands. “George” caught a triple limit up to a 4 3/4-pound pool winner.

The Jamaica from Brielle reported everyone caught at least a dozen chub mackerel from their chum line yesterday, while high hooks had over 50. Dropping to bottom produced the one sea bass each angler is presently allowed.

Betty and Nick’s Tackle in Seaside Park reports fluke and bluefish in the surf, while the bay is producing blowfish, spot and snappers.

Jim Hutchinson Sr. reports for the Beach Haven Charter Fishing Association as follows: “

Late summer fishing action in the Long Beach Island area is progressing according to schedule as the fluke are moving into the ocean around structure and artificial reefs while the tuna are making their presence known in the canyons.

The only regret for the captains of the Beach Haven Charter Fishing Association is that the daily bag limit for black sea bass is only one per angler. The black sea bass are around the inshore ocean structure in good numbers, but anglers can only take one home daily for the dinner table.

“StarFish” crew member Max Goldman reports “decent” fishing for the anglers on the “StarFish” with good numbers of shorts and keepers both of fluke and sea bass. Most of the trips do not have to venture far to find good fishing action.

The party boat “Miss Beach Haven” has seen its ratio of keeper fluke to throwbacks rising for its anglers. A recent trip had triggerfish and a porgy boated in addition to its fluke action and daily limits of black sea bass.

Captain Ray Lopez had an overnight canyon trip recently that produced good numbers of yellowfin tuna and mahi-mahi for his happy anglers on the “Miss Liane.”

Captain Brett Taylor has been busy fishing the waters around Barnegat Inlet for clients of “Reel Reaction Sportfishing.” He recently had a day with three charters which resulted in a total of 128 fluke released and nine keepers, all in bay waters. Strong winds kept the trips in the bay, but the nasty conditions did not seem to bother the busy anglers.

Additional information on the Beach Haven Charter Fishing Association can be found at www.BHCFA.org“

Monday’s inshore forecast is for south winds at 10-15 knots plus gusts to 20 and possible showers. Boaters in the White Marlin Open at Ocean City, Md. will be facing south winds at just 5-10 knots early before increasing to 10-20 in the afternoon.

Kil Song had three giant tuna on last week at Cape Cod, but all

were lost.

Sorry for the delay. Was hoping to get a report from the Flukemasters Tournament, but nothing so far.

At Belmar, the Big Mohawk had a decent pick of fluke until they lost the drift in the afternoon. There were some limits, and the pool fluke was about 6 pounds.

The Golden Eagle reported getting into big porgies as well as bluefish and even little tunny.

the forecast is for northeast winds at just 5-10 knots before going southeast in the afternoon.

Michael Caruso, president of The Fisherman. reports Tanaku Lodge at Elfin Cove. Alaska is loaded with fish that all seem to be big!

One of the world’s biggest offshore tournaments is coming up this week as the White Marlin Open at Ocean City, Maryland runs its 50th event from Aug. 7-11. Fishing starts Monday with an even bigger purse for high rollers as $50,000 will get you into a winner take all division for the biggest white marlin. Last year there were 408 boats entered in the WMO competing for a purse of $8.6 million.

NYC Capt. John Mc Murry reports yellowfin tuna are well within range and bigger than ever. He estimated the 63-incher shown to be 125-150 pounds. Poppers have been most effective– and you can imagine what a thrill it is to get a surface strike from a fish like that! Fortunately, the relatively shallow depths to the east are in the angler’s favor. Years ago, I hooked a 170-pounder off Panama on a popper that went down to the “bottomless” depths of the Pacific and tied me up on spinning tackle for 5 1/2 hours.

The forecast for Saturday is great with northwest winds at just 5-10 knots.

The Golden Eagle from Belmar had a charter today and stayed closer to shore for a pick of sea bass and fluke . That boat’s Exotics trip on Monday has been postponed, so they will be making their daily bluefish trips instead.

Grumpy’s Tackle in Seaside Park reports Spanish mackerel are showing up for surfcasters.

Not only is it Shark Week on TV, but the August issue of The Fisherman includes my article “Why is the public falling in love with sharks? Check that out to get both sides of the story.

The grand champion of the 2023 Bermuda Triple Crown Billfish Championship is the highly experienced team fishing aboard Builder’s Choice, composed of Capt. Brent Gaskill, angler-owner Harris Huddle, Meredith Huddle, Eli Blake, Nathan Newlin, David Herbst, Robert Cowan and Rick Scheper. Fishing aboard their 64-foot Jarrett Bay, the team released 16 blue marlin and five white marlin for a total of 8,500 points during the three-tournament series. The team was awarded champion’s trophies, VanMark Jewelry championship rings, a lavish prize package, the first-place check for $49,500, and an invitation to the Costa Offshore World Championship. Builder’s Choice collected a total of $149,500 in cash awards throughout the tournament season.

The inshore bluefin run continues to be impressive. Shore Catch has been boating those 55 to 68-inch tuna regularly. Mate James Tafaro shows off a typical bluefin

Joe Tomaszewski also got into that action on his boat with this 54-incher:

Fisher Price IV from Highlands put the Bob Dennis party into a 59-inch bluefin while also releasing a 48-incher.

That boat has an opening for fluke on Saturday from 6-2. Call 732 861-3394.

TheThursday forecast is for southwest winds at just 5-10 knots before going south at 15-20 with gusts to 25 in the afternoon.

Kil Song warmed up for giant tuna fishing in Cape Cod Bay yesterday with this yellowfin from Westport, Massachusetts — but lost two giants estimated at 300-400 and over 550 pounds with Jimmy the Greek this morning.

The up-and-down fluke fishing which has been the norm this season took a break Tuesday as Capt. Ron Santee of the Fishermen from Atlantic Highlands reported a second straight days of excellent action with many limits. That boat is chartered Wednesday, but will be back on its daily schedule Thursday,

Port-A-Bella won theHUK Big Fish Classic last week at Ocean City, Maryland by boating a 228.5-pound bigeye tuna worth $224,205 in the 69-boat, $740,900 purse contest.

Reel One added a 171-pound bigeye . and Black Irish had a 130-pound swordfish during the event. Take Em won the dolphin division at only 15.5 pounds. No Slack weighed an impressive 99-pound yellowfin which was leading in tuna until the last day.

Max DeGennaro fought this bluefin tuna from Capt. Dave DeGennaro’s Hi Flier out of Barnegat.

Capt. Frank Masseria had his family out for a fine catch of fluke this week. His Vitamin Sea from Keyport is available on Friday. Call 917 439-6448.

Wednesday’s forecast is for northeast winds at only 5-10 knots before going southeast in the afternoon.

The porgy season in New Jersey opened today with a limit of 30 at a 10-inch minimum through the rest of the year.

At Belmar, the Big Mohawk had tough morning fluke fishing due to a 20 mph north wind, but ended up with some limits as conditions improved.

The Golden eagle only picked at small blues today after hitting large quantities yesterday. Some sea bass and fluke were added.

Capt. Joe Massa of My Three Sons at Morgan Marina is best known as a striper and fluke pro, but he ran down the beach yesterday to fish on a lump loaded with squid which produced a 54-inch bluefin on relatively light tackle for him. Best of all, he also ended up jigging lots of calimari!

As noted in yesterday’s blog. Dave Lilly’s team came down to the weigh-in for the Holiday Bay Beach Club Fluke Tournament to be the big winner. but Sue Misak claimed a second place — and she’s better-looking!

Capt, John Contello reported yesterday as follows: “Very good Fluke fishing today once again! Joey and crew of experienced anglers fished hard from start to finish. Boxed our 6 man limit of 18 keepers and released another dozen Fluke over 18 inches!! Scales was high hook with a triple limit of 9 keepers himself! (Orl) Great fishing with a great crew. Having a lot of fun down here. Tuna fishing was no good today after the madness they had yesterday. That’s how it goes, everyday is different. Back at it again soon. Thanks guys! #justsayinsportfishing #justsayintackle #sharpie”

At Belmar. the Golden Eagle fished inshore yesterday to catch sea bass and fluke. including some keepers. The Big Mohawk had slower fluking yesterday, but that fishing was better today.

Capt. Ron Santee had two productive fluke charters over the weekend, and found some bigger fish today on his Fishermen from Atlantic Highlands as a 7 7/16-pounder barely missed the monthly pool — and many over 3 pounds were boated. That boat is chartered Wednesday.

The forecast is for north winds at 5-10 knots.

The Wizz did it again! Since weigh-ins by car were acceptable in the Holliday Beach Club Fluke Tournament, Dave Lilly’s team was able to fish their familiar and productive NY/NJ Bight waters before driving to Creekside Outfitters in Waretown to sweep everything in the contest– starting with Nick LaViola’s 9.5-pounder They added 6-and-5 1/2-pounders while releasing many 3-4-pound fluke despite wind against current conditions in the depths of Ambrose Channel.

Lilly said they ended up fishing with 16 ounces in order to hold bottom in 105 feet at the time the big fluke turned on to jigs and Gulp for the seventeenth win of his tournament career.

Dave Lully’s son Jeremy holds Nick La Viola’s 9.5-pounder plus a 6 as his father’s team weighed in at Waretown

As the annual JCAA statewide fluke tournament illustrates, the top 10 at northern Jersey ports are much larger than those at southern ports.

Striped bass are still a target in the N.Y. Harbor area. Capt. Joe Massa has not only been targeting them at times, but also released a 46-incher while drifting Gulp for fluke.

apt.

Chris Hendo with one of the many large stripers still being caught from Capt. Vinny Vetere’s Katfish out of Great Kills.

Gen Wong with a NY/NJ Bight fluke

The cold front this morning was a negative for the school stripers and small blues that had been hitting plugs for Vinny D’Anton in the Monmouth County surf. Yet that was no problem at all for the fluke as there was a hit on every cast with Gulp — though none were keepers.

Monday’s forecast is for northwest winds at just 5-10 knots before going west in the afternoon.