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.

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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.

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.