Tight Lines

Party boat historian Mel Deak passed along the sad news that Capt. Joe Galluccio (1938-2023) passed away on July 6 in Florida. Joe was best known as skipper of the Sea King from Belmar, but also sailed from other Metropolitan ports and out of Stuart, Fl, with the Island Princess.

I caused a bit of confusion this morning when entering that info on my blog for later use as it somehow posted with just the R,I.P. and my name — as if I was writing my own obit. When informed about that, I added a correcting blog to clarify the situation.

The Raritan Bay Anglers Club Charity Fluke Tournament on Saturday turned out to be a close call as Manny Prado weighed a 5.9-pounder that nipped the 5.85-pound entry by Robby Romano. Mike Brunner was third at 5.10 pounds.

NYC Capt. John McMurray reports tuna fishing has been great one day and tough the next, but his son and friends were able to get in on some “manageable” yellowfins this week.

It’s looking good for tomorrow with west winds at just 5-10 knots before going to south 10-15 in the afternoon.

The Big Mohawk from Belmar noted that fluking was tougher today with only a few limits.

Vinny D’Anton has had surface action with his Chug Bug the last two mornings in the Monmouth County surf along with small blues and an occasional bigger one. The only negative is that the bass have had red marks on them that weren’t present on schoolies caught earlier in the summer. To top off this morning, Vinny finally got a keeper fluke on Gulp — and it was a 21-incher.

Fluke tournament pro Dave Lilly fished the Raritan Bay Anglers Club Charity Fluke Tournament (no results supplied so far) on Saturday as his crew caught over 50 that were mostly keepers — but without a single one that had a chance to win anything.

Lilly said he ran out to the offshore areas where he had been doing well before heading back to Ambrose and even into the Hudson River. However, it was the same story everywhere — no lack of action, but nothing worth a trip to Perth Amboy for weighing in. He’ll have to come up with a new game plan for this weekend’s 41st annual Sandy Hook Bay Anglers Two-Day Fluke Tournament. The captains meeting for that contest is on July 14 at 7 p.m. in the Senior Citizen’s Building at Atlantic Highlands Marina. Call 732 787-4008 for info.

At Belmar, the Big Mohawk reported another good day of fluking with many limits and a pool fish of about 6 pounds.

The Golden Eagle had good chumming yesterday for chub mackerel and bluefish before it slowed to a pick during the afternoon. Since they cancelled today’s offshore trip, they will sail tomorrow for blues.

Tuesday’s forecast is for northwest winds at just 10 knots before going southwest in the afternoon.

That would be a real doormat if it wasn’t actually a halibut taken on an Al Gag’s jig at Icy Bay Lodge in Alaska by Kil Song. Up there that’s the “fun” size for jigging with lighter tackle.

Capt. Ron Santee of the Fishermen from Atlantic Highlands said everything finally came together on today’s fluke trip, with fine weather and good drifting conditions producing a steady bite as one angler managed a double limit plus. Though shorts were numerous, there were many 3-4-pounders included and the pool fluke went 4 pounds, 11 ounces.

The Big Mohawk from Belmar had a similar fluke report with many limits.

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Big Mohawk fluke

Light winds continue with a forecast of northwest at only 5-10 knots. A shower or thunder storm is possible.

The spotty bluefishing took a turn for the better today on the Golden Eagle from Belmar.

After they started chumming in the Mud Hole for chub mackerel, 2-pound blues were mixed in with the abundant chubs. When the mackerel fishing slowed, some moves put them into more blues that included bigger ones. Steve Boxer of Middletown was high hook with 22 blues that included a pool-winning 10-pounder. Several anglers caught more than their limit of five — releasing the rest. Both jigs and bait produced.

The Big Mohawk from Belmar reported a good day of fluke fishing including many limits and a pool fluke around 6 pounds. They are fishing on sticky grounds, and anglers should bring plenty of jigs and Gulp to stay in the game.

The calm weather continues with a forecast of southeast winds at 5-10 knots. Showers and thunderstorms are possible both early and late.

This 714-pound blue marlin was the runner-up in the July 4 World Cup , but won the Bermuda tournament.

Capt. Jim Freda of Shore Catch Charters likes the Nomad jig in pink for bluefin tuna.

Anglers in NY/NJ Bight appear to have a nice weekend coming up as light winds prevail throughout.

The forecast is for southeast winds at just 5 knots in the morning before increasing to 5-10 in the afternoon.

Capt. Fred Gamboa of Andreas Toy from Point Pleasant reported as follows:

“Had Jim Prueniger and buddies out today. Got out to the grounds an put the guys on some nice yellows with chatter tracker bars. Decided to give the guys a different experience so we threw down the Nomad jigs, had a double header and landed another. Changed up gears then went to do some tile-fishing landing a dozen blues and goldens. Checked the pots with 73 degree water temps but no one home yet.”(see photos below)

Capt. Ron Santee said it was hot out there today on his Fishermen from Atlantic Highlands, but fluke fishing was decent. Johm Pantane caught four keepers up to the 4 1/2-pound pool winner. The Fishermen is chartered tomorrow.

Miss Belmar Princess had a good chumming catch of chub mackerel and bluefish plus the one sea bass per angler now allowed.

Vinny D’Anton didn’t find a repeat of school stripers in the Monmouth County surf as was the case yesterday, but got a real battle from a 8-pound blue that hit his Chug Bug. Frank Manzi landed a 4-pound blue.

Capt. Ron Santee said it was sure hot out there today with his Fishermen from Atlantic Highlands, but there was a decent pick of fluke. Jim Patane caught four keepers up the 4 1/2-pound pool winner. That boat is chartered on Saturday.

Miss Belmar Princess reported a good day with chub mackerel plus blues and sea bass.. Royal Miss Belmar had decent fluke fishing plus the one sea bass per man presently allowed.

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All rea

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Jim Prueniger and buddies out today. Got out to the grounds an put the guys on some nice yellows with chatter tracker bars. Decided to give the guys a different experience so we threw down the Nomad jigs, had a double header and landed another. Changed up gears then went to do some tile-fishing landing a dozen blues and goldens. Checked the pots with 73 degree water temps but no one home yet.

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The annual July 4 Blue Marlin World Cup competition was won this year in Hawaii as Apex boated an 834.5-pounder at Kona. That was worth $1.24 million to Cyrus Widhelm, who payed the $5,000 entry fee. With a minimum size of 500 pounds, there was only one other entry — a 714-pounder on Mike King’s Blue Bill at Bermuda. Last year’s winner was a 950-pounder at Africa’s Cape Verde which has become the hot spot for outsized blues. All the fishing is during the same local time hours worldwide.

Dave Lilly could do no wrong today while drifting for fluke at a favorite offshore spot as a four-man limit was put together in just 90 minutes of fishing. Dave’s largest was a 7-pounder, and fluke of 22 to 23 inches were being released. There were also a few sea bass on the rough bottom.

Capt. Dave DeGennaro says 40-60-pound yellowfin tuna are now within range for him to run open tuna trips this Friday and Saturday with Hi Flier from Barnegat. The trips will be from 3 a,m to 4 p.m. and cost $450 with a limit of four. Call Dave at 732 330-5674.

The inshore forecast is for southeast winds at 5-10 knots.

Vinny D’Anton got a pleasant surprise this morning when he caught school stripers in the Monmouth County surf on his Chug Bug as the bass were feeding on tiny peanut bunkers. One was 28 inches, but most were around 24 inches. The only negative was the red blotches on the bass which had been perfectly clear earlier in the summer.

The Big Mohawk from Belmar found mostly short fluke yesterday, though there were some limits up to 5 pounds.

When I was a kid, there were no medications to prevent seasickness. You just had to tough it out until your body adapted to the motion. Fortunately, there are now some medications that work for most people if they take them before going to sea. However, they usually do no good if taken after you get sick.

That may no longer be the case. Capt. Monty Hawkins of the Morning Star from Ocean City, Md. had some youngsters aboard in rough conditions that weren’t doing well before a doctor aboard gave them a Zofran pill to put under heir tongue. After that they were fine. Monty said he’d never seen anything like that in his 43 years at sea. The only problem at present is that the pill requires a prescription.

Today was just too nice for fluke anglers aboard the Fishermen from Atlantic Highlands. Capt. Ron Santee tried many areas, but couldn’t find anywhere with a current as only eight keepers up to a 4-pounder plus a few sea bass were boated.

The Golden Eagle from Belmar had a couple of blues right away, but the current died. They then went off to pick away at chub mackerel and sea bass.

Betty & Nick’s Fishing Club in Seaside Park sent a shot of Charles Kirk with a 23 1/2 inch, 5-pound fluke from the local surf.

Bruce Hrobak of Billy Bones Tackle in Port St. Lucie with an impressive 31-inch mutton snapper

Bluefish have become fussy in NJ/NY Bight, but chumming usually adds plenty of good eating fish in the form of chub mackerel. The Queen Mary from Point Pleasant had a very good day with the chubs today as anglers caught all they wanted. Sea bass were added, as there’s now a one sea bass limit for N,J. anglers.

The Golden Eagle from Belmar has been picking away at chubs, blues and sea bass plus some ling — and yesterday spotted some non-biting bonito as well as seeing hammerhead sharks in the 80-100-pound class.

Fluking wasn’t up to yesterday’s standard for the Big Mohawk from Belmar as a wind against current situation resulted in a poor drift/ However, there were some limits and fluke up to 5 pounds.

Tomorrow’s forecast is for northeast winds, but at only 5 knots before going to south in the afternoon.

Wishing all a happy Fourth of July!

Fluke fishing was good today on the Fishermen from Atlantic Highlands, but apt. Ron Santee emphasized that anglers have to work hard in deeper waters to come up with a limit. The highlight today was the new monthly pool leader as Lou Lauria boated a 5-pound, 11-ouncer.

Vinny D’Anton didn’t have any good news from the Monmouth County surf as no bass were caught. Fluke did return to the surf yesterday, but all were shorts today. There was some upwelling, but it didn’t seem to be too cold for good action.

The forecast is for southwest winds about 10 knots with showers and thunderstorms a possibility in the morning and likely in the afternoon.

The Jamaica from Brielle has added a tilefish trrp leaving at 10 p.m. July 18. Their last trip was hurt by a fast drift, but some fares still limited on golden tiles and added a few bluelines. Call 732 528-5014.

Ocean fluke fishing has been generally good in NY/NJ Bight, and the Big Mohawk from Belmar described today’s action as “awesome” after the wind didn’t come up to ruin their drift. There were many limits, and several fluke in the 6-pound class competed for the pool.

There have been good surf fluke reports from Grumpy’s Tackle and Betty & Nick’s in Seaside Park as anglers have been scoring with Gulp.

Grumpy’s sent this shot of Donovan McCormack with a 24-inch, 5.05-pounder.

Hans Kaspersetz said offshore tuna fishing with Dru and Mack was up to par on the Blue Runner from Point Pleasant.

The Golden Eagle from Belmar found chumming for blues and chub mackerel to be slower today, but managed to pick away at the chubs primarily on bait.

Monday’s forecast is for south winds at 10-15 knots plus gusts to 20. Showers and thunderstorms are possible in the morning and likely in the afternoon.

New Jersey has officially changed their striped bass regs to allow keepers at only 28-31 inches as of July 2 in accordance with the ASMFC Emergency Action. This doesn’t affect the Striped Bass Bonus Program provision of one bass between 24 and less than 28 inches for those with a permit.