The Big Fish Classic has 69 boats fishing for a purse of $746,000 out of Ocean City , Maryland. With the offshore forecast for Monday looking good, most boaters are expected to start their overnighters tomorrow.

Capt. Dave DeGennaro will be running open with his Hi Flier from Barnegat to the 20-mile tuna spot from 4 a.m. to 2 p.m. tomorrow and Monday. A big bluefin tuna was lost after a two-hour fight on Tuesday, but Matt Dlugosz of Berkeley Hts., NJ. boated a 45-inch. 30-pound cobia. Call Dave at 732 330-5674 for reservations.

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

Jim Hutchinson Sr. reports:

Recent hot temperatures show it is mid-summer in Beach Haven, making a fishing trip on the water aboard one of the boats of the Beach Haven Charter Fishing Association a cooling activity.

Add in the excitement of fishing and the chance to bring home a fresh fish dinner, it becomes a winning situation all the way around. Summer flounder fishing continues to dominate the inshore fishing scene with more yellowfin tuna showing up in the canyons.

The party boat “Miss Beach Haven” has been scoring well on both fluke and black sea bass with the best action at the Little Egg Reef. Although most trips have seen crowds, they advise there are seats available for future trips.

Captain Gary Dugan on the “Irish Jig” reported tough fishing on a recent trip but his hard-working group managed black sea bass, a 21-inch fluke, and a big cownose ray caught by Derrick along  with numerous released fish.

Captain Connor Smilon of “FishHawk Charters” had a 2-hour afternoon trip with returning clients Krystal and Rob that turned into a 3-hour trip due to constant action. They finished with over twenty short fish and two keeper fluke to 21-inches.”

Sean Worrell boated an amberjack of about 40 pounds today while fishing a live threadfin herring from Bob Correll’s new Sea Vee 32 out of Hutchinson Island, Florida along with Luis Gonzalez and me.

Fluke pro Dave Lilly has been impressed with this year’s fluke fishing as every trip has produced lots of action even if the big ones he’s seeking don’t always cooperate. He only had one angler with him a couple of days ago as his offshore spots produced 40 fluke.

The Big Mohawk from Belmar reported another good day of fluking with a bunch of limits and a pool fish of about 6 pounds today.

The forecast is for southwest winds at 5-10 knots before increasing to 10-15 plus gusts to 20 in the afternoon. Showers and thunderstorms are possible.

Vinny D’Anton continues to enjoy a good bit of action with small stripers and blues which are hitting both poppers and swimming plugs in the Monmouth County surf where small peanut bunkers are providing the attraction. A couple of mornings ago there was a 26-inch striper included.

Capt. John Contello has been doing well with fluke on his Just Saying from Highlands.

Capt. Ken Zwirko was back before breakfast this week with this bluefin

Paul Haertel of the JCAA reports as follows:

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• Jersey Coast Anglers Association Heavy Hitters Fluke Tournament 8/3 – 8/6
  Once again, JCAA is running its Heavy Hitters Fluke Tournament for four days, 8/3-8/6. We realize that not everyone can fish two, three, or four days so to be fair to everyone, each boat will be limited to fishing only one day. However, each entrant will be able to choose the day they fish. We are hopeful that we will have nice weather on at least one of those days. We have made some significant adjustments to our rules. It is most important to read the rules pertaining to the doormat fluke category where you can win $25,000., as the names the Captain and crew members must be provided to SCA promotions by 9 PM on 8/4. Of course, that is only for those who designate Saturday, 8/5 as their fishing day. There is no special entry fee for the doormat fluke category. We also lowered the entrance fee with hope that we will attract more participants. As we did last year, prizes will be based on the weight of the single largest fluke. We would prefer to use a 3 fluke total but did this because New Jersey only allows one fish over 18”, which means 3 different anglers would have to catch a larger fluke to be competitive. Some of our entrants fish with only one or two anglers. However, we will still have 1 fluke and 3 fluke Calcuttas for those who want to compete in that more skilled category. We will also have sea bass Calcuttas. We plan on paying out about 50% of the entrance fees minus the cost of the doormat fluke category insurance for the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place prizes. The entry fee per boat is $150 after 7/26 for up to 6 anglers/people per boat. Visit www.jcaa.org to register online or to print an application or for complete details.
• Capt. Ron Santee is glad he made a move to the ocean on Wednesday with his Fishermen from Atlantic Highlands as large fluke cooperated. Lou Lauria started off with a personal best of 7 5/16 pounds which was just short of the monthly leader that only held up until Richie Gringo boated an 8 1/16-pounder.
• The Golden Eagle from Belmar had jumbo sea bass action in the Mud Hole today, but the chub mackerel and bluefish they read in the slick weren’t hitting.
• The weather looks a lot better tomorrow, with a west wind at just 5-10 knots — shifting to south in the afternoon.

Atlantic yellowfin tuna caught on his boat from Brielle — 69 inches – 178 pounds

The Golden Eagle from Belmar ran their first Exotics trip yesterday as signs of tuna only turned into a couple caught plus some losses. There was bait showing along with whales and dolphins — but bites were hard to come by. That’s the way it is with tuna fishing, but being there when the bite is on is a thrill not to be missed.

The Golden Eagle got its regular inshore trip in today as chumming in the Mud Hole produced a pick of chub mackerel, jumbo sea bass and blues.

A Happy Birthday fluke for Maeve Donnelly, daughter of Brielle dentist and N.J. Marine Fisheries Council member Pat Donnelly who’s also among the best fluke anglers in NY/NJ Bight.

A small craft warning is up for Thursday. South winds at 15-20 knots increase to 20-25 plus gusts to 30 in the afternoon.

Capt. Ron Santee was upset wth the NY/NJ Bight water quality yesterday, but that changed today as he also had good drifting conditions with his Fishermen from Atlantic Highlands throughout the day. Several fares caught limits plus and the pool winner was a 5-pound fluke. That boat is chartered Saturday and Sunday.

The Big Mohawk from Belmar got off to a good start fluking this morning before a south wind interfered. There were several limits, an the pool fish was just short of 6 pounds.

The Big Mohawk from Belmar reported a relatively slow fluke bite today due to a strong southerly current. They still picked away at keepers with one limit and a pool fluke just short of 6 pounds.

Capt. Dave De Gennaro offers a last minute opportunity to get in a tuna trip aboard his Hi Flier from Barnegat as follows:

“We have two people signed on for our Open Boat Tuna trip tomorrow, Tues July 25, there is still room for two more.

Call right up until “go time” at 732 330-5674.

It looks like the nice weather is going to extend through Wed July 26 now so we are adding that date, as well.

These are 20 to 30 mile trips. Drifting with bait and possibly some trolling. We have been catching our own live bait right at the fishing grounds.

4AM to 2PM each day. $350 person, 

4 people max, all fish are shared.

We are also available for charter for bay, inshore, or offshore fishing. We are currently catching bluefish and fluke in the inlet and in the bay. “

The inshore forecast is for southwest winds at a mere 5 knots before going to south in the afternoon.

Dante Sorriente not only caught the winning 188.8-pound bigeye tuna during Jimmy Johnson’s Quest for the Ring Tournament out of Atlantic City, but reported on Facebook that they also lost a big blue marlin.

“Well, another Tounry in the books. Jimmy Johnson Quest for the ring. 3rd year Team MJs has fished and back to back Tuna champions. Captain Michael Yocco does it again. 22 years of Tourney fishing together dozens of wins but this one was up there in the top. My daughter Gianna was with us all 3 days and got to see her first Bigeye, Blue marlin and White marlin. Day one we fished for Tuna as most know the fishing has been awfully slow this season from Hudson south. We grinded all day but around 1:30 after a quick lure change we got our shot and made quick work of her.

Day 2 we opted to go Blue Marlin fishing as there was none on the board and best chance of winning the ring. Slow day but around 2 we got our fish. Came on hard on teaser and it quickly switched to flat line plug. Fish went nuts and jumped all over the ocean. Unfortunately we pulled the hook 20 feet from the boat. Can’t say it was the winner but it was a qualifier for sure. I’d venture to say 500 plus. Heart breaker for sure.

Thankfully after a week of slow fishing we were able to bring home 2nd place overall and first place Tuna. Thanks again to the Goat Wesly pipes, Cappo the legend, Willy scissor hands Will Kayhart. The best mate is the business Kyle Shipp. My brotha from another mother Beans Aka Frank Crescitelli, Tyler , Nicky 6 guns Perello, Big Jeremy Gers, My partner and boy Bob Wilson. Great times many more to come. On to the Huk.

Fish ate a 6 oz hoomagic Wine head custom hair color in the flat line on a 60-100 Magictail Rod which worked perfect!! Check out all your offshore needs at www.magictailoutfitters.“

Small blues reappeared yesterday in the Golden Eagle’s chum slick. That Belmar boat was picking away at chub mackerel and sea bass when the 2-4-pound choppers started hitting bait and poppers. Some anglers limited. There was no repeat of that today as they just picked at chubs which were unusually tough to catch.

The forecast is for southwest winds at just 5 knots before going south at 10-15 knots in the afternoon.

Capt. Ron Santee started out well with fluke yesterday on his Fishermen from Atlantic Highlands, but then had to struggle with either too little or too much current. Dano won the pool with a 5 1/2-pound fluke.

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It’s all over in Atlantic City but the shouting by those currently receiving checks for their winnings. Hopefully, there will be more specific info about who won what after that.

The one thing we can be sure about is that canyon fishing was terrible this week despite fishable weather throughout. The tournament listed the species count as 13 blue marlin, 24 white marlin, one sailfish, two bigeye tuna, 16 yellowfin tuna, nine dolphin and three wahoo. The 80-boat fleet fished three days for a total of 240 fishing days without being able to average even a fish per day. After there was a sign of life Thursday, the last day turned out to be another flop despite all the money on the line. What went wrong?

Calm weather continues as the Sunday forecast is for north at 5 knots before shifting to south in the afternoon.

Bruce Casagrande caught this 8-pound, 10-ounce fluke last week on the Jamaica II from Brielle.

One of several large fluke on Capt. Ralph Leyrer’s Last Lady from Belmar.

After yesterday’s heroics, TLC only had to watch a last day of very few weigh-ins which didn’t impede their path to defending last year’s title.

I don’t remember any other large offshore tournament that produced so little on the last day. It started well with only the second wahoo of the tournament as Canyon Lady took over first at 43 pounds only to be knocked back by Roll Grove at 43.3 pounds. After that there wasn’t much except a few average-sized yellowfin tuna. I’ll have details tomorrow after everything is official.

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The second last day of Jimmy Johnson’s Quest for the Ring out of Atlantic City proved to be a fantastic one for the TLC as they not only boated the biggest fish of the contest so far, a 568-pound blue marlin, but also added the first white marlin weigh-in and even a dolphin that moved into third. To top it off, TLC moved to first in the high points boat category with 1048.3.

Capt. John Thompson said the big blue came up on a teaser, allowing them to throw the pitch bait attached to an 80W rig for the hook-up by Devin O’Neill who won the battle in just 45 minutes. He also had the dolphin entry. Jeremy Warner caught the 67.5-pound white marlin , but that first place entry was dropped to second when the Viking 80 factory team arrived with a 69.8-pound white.

There are many other categories which will be settled during today’s final session. For instance, Miss Melanie has been leading Small Boat Tuna since the first day with 57.4 and 55.7-pound yellowfins, but Highly Leveraged is close behind at 96.7pounds. Any boat in that category could win with just one multiple blast.

There are also categories this year for Box Full of Tuna, which MJ’s leads with their 188.8-pound bigeye — and for Box Full of Yellowfins which Too Many Martinis leads with 155 pounds. after one of yesterday’s yellowfins fell just short of the 50-pound minimum.

On this last day, nothing appears to be unbeatable, even that 568-pound blue marlin. The white marlin lead is a target, and n the case of both dolphin and wahoo the leaders are only about half the weight of what the usual winners in large offshore tournaments weigh.

There are 65 boats fishing the last day, and I’ll do another blog with the results after the scales close at 9 p.m.

Calm weather continues over the weekend, with northwest winds at 5-10 knots forecast for Saturday.