Tight Lines

The Golden Eagle from Belmer reported reading blues this morning, but only catching a few until the 5–8-pounders came up later in the trip to chase bunkers and also hit Run-Off poppers.The boat added some keeper fluke and sea bass.

Capt. Ron Santee had a charter for the Brian Benevento memorial trip on his Fishermen from Atlantic Highlands. He reported lots of short action along with a nice mix of keeper fluke and sea bass. The pool fluke was 23 inches. Tomorrow’s open trip will be the last shot for anglers to take the monthly pool money.

Vinny D’Anton Said he couldn’t find the Monmouth County surf peanut bunkers yesterday morning, but still caught one small striper on a Chug Bug and saw some adult bunkers further out.

The forecast is for a northeast wind, but at only 5-10 knots.

The off-and-on NY/NJ Bight bluefishing was on this morning when the Golden Eagle from Belmar ran further offshore and found several areas of 6-8-pounders that responded to Run-Off poppers — though some were also boated on jigs. They finished up with some sea bass and fluke.

Capt. Mark DeBlasio of Blue Runner from Point Pleasant had an unusual report as follows: “Anthony and Shane had Dave Duensing and his crew plus Chris Messick out for a trip to the edge .. started off with a good Tilefish bite and a few Mahis .. got on troll looking for Tuna and found a slow bite initially. Eventually they found the Yellowfin and put a 6 man limit in the box .. in the midst of the trip we blew a steering line and with a lot of effort and working together to figure things out, Anthony was able to replace the line with a spare and finish out the trip successfully and safely. I can’t say it enough .. if it’s something you can replace while offshore, carry a spare. Great job team and thanks guys for being patient while we got fixed up and back to a great bite.”

Capt. Dave DeGennaro got word of that tuna bite, and has changed Saturday’s open Barnegat Ridge run with his Hi Flier from Barnegat to offshore yellowfins from 3 a.m. to 4 p.m. – and plans to do the same on Monday. Call him at 732 330-5674.

The marine forecast for Saturday looks great with west winds at 5-10 knots before going northwest after midnight.

The Fishermen from Atlantic Highlands is chartered on Saturday., but will be open on Sunday as anglers have a chance to take the monthly pool from Herb Miller’s 5 13/16-pounder. Friday’s fluking was good as the high hook caught five, and a 6-pound, 5-ouncer was boated along with several from 3 to 5 pounds.

Capt. Ron Santee had a positive report on fluking from his Fishermen out of Atlantic Highlands as action was good on the first couple of drifts — and a new monthly leader was boated. Herb Miller was he previous leader at 5.13 pounds — and he was the one who jumped the lead to 7 1/4 pounds.

Miss Belmar Princess reported a tough day with blues that wouldn’t bite. They filled in with chub mackerel and some sea bass.

The Golden Eagle from Belmar also had a hard time with blues. though some came up on bunker schools in the afternoon and hit Run-Off poppers. That boat is chartered on Friday.

The marine forecast is for west winds at 5-10 knots before going southwest at10-15 in the afternoon.

Today is the deadline for the JCAA Heavy Hitters Fluke Tournament which has been written up in recent blogs.

Bluefish continue to frustrate NY/NJ Bight with just brief bursts of activity. The Golden Eagle from Belmar had a pick of 5-7-pound blues on their first drift, but then had to move offshore for long drifts that produced chub mackerel plus some sea bass and fluke. A few blackfish had to be released.

The Queen Mary from Point Pleasant had some action with 4-8-pound blues until 9:30 before picking some sea bass.

Capt. Ron Santee was unable to get on any long productive drifts, but at least there were some large fluke of 5.5, 4.9 and 4.4 pounds along with several in the 3-pound class. His Fishermen from Atlantic Highlands is chartered on Saturday.

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

Vinny D’Anton reports small peanut bunkers are back into the Monmouth County surf the cold water upwelling. He caught a few small stripers plugging, and saw some Spanish mackerel

jumping.

Jake Many caught this red drum while casting with his Uncle Chuck at the salt ponds in Hilton Head, South Carolina

Though a few boaters have hit it just right on the inshore grounds, tuna fishing has been quite spotty recently.

The recent Jimmy Johnson Qest for the Ring Tournament out of Atlantic City produced some great catches, but the 80-boat fleet struggled to average even a single reportable catch or release per day. Capt. Chris De Stefano joined the crew on Frank Criscola’s Crisdel out of Brielle Yacht Club recently for a canyon run that didn’t produce even a hit in a full day of trolling. He blames that on a lack of “good” water and bait. The tuna bite has been better closer to shore to the east though not consistent there in a lot of boat traffic.

Monday’s Exotics trip on the Golden Eagle from Belmar resulted in just one dolphin boated plus several sharks fought. A few lost fish may have been tuna, but the real problem may have been the poor weather. They will try again every Monday.

The forecast is for southwest winds at 10-15 knots with gusts to 20 before dropping to 5-10 knots by late morning. There’s a chance of morning showers and afternoon thunderstorms.

Miss Belmar Princess reported bluefish didn’t bite well this morning, but it’s usually possible to load up on chub mackerel.

Paul Haertel urges anglers to join the 7^th  Jersey Coast Anglers Association Heavy Hitters Fluke Tournament. Win $25,00 in our doormat fluke category plus $9,000 in cash prizes based on just 150 entrants. 1^st to 5^th place prizes based weight of a single fluke. Calcuttas for 1 fluke, 3 fluke total and sea bass. Ten weigh-in stations from Sandy Hook to Cape May. You pick your one day to fish. $150 per boat (up to 6 anglers/people) by 7/28 or $175 per boat after.

Eric Kerber with a colorful N.J. cobia

Rhode Island health officials have noted a surprising number of smooth puffer catches this summer, and are warning fishermen to discard that potentially toxic species.

What are those warm water fish doing so far north? Actually, the same thing happened several summers ago of the N.J. Shore. It’s not unusual for southern species to migrate up to the NY/NJ-Bight or even to Cape Cod in the summer, but the secret to a brief abundance may be found in the following description in Vic Dunaway’s Sport Fish of the Atlantic: “Basically an offshore fish that’s caught by anglers only when it comes to beaches, or into bays, at unpredictable times.”

Dunaway noted under food value “Provides more meat and just as good as other puffers

but should be cleaned with care.”

When I started saltwater fishing on the south shore of Long Island in the 1950s, the most abundant species was the blowfish (northern puffer). Most people didn’t eat them then, but my Italian uncles were well aware they were good-eating long before “chicken of the sea” became a fish store favorite. I learned how to clean them by cutting through the skin just behind the head and pulling out the “tail ” meat while discarding the rest of the fish — including the toxic and intact guts.

I had read about the Japanese dish fugu had to be prepared by a specially trained chef in order to avoid toxic consequences when eaten. I wondered how that could be accomplished before becoming aware that the fish was a puffer — and I was performing the same feat of cleaning without cutting into the toxic organs. I could have made my fortune in Japan cleaning blowfish!

Smooth puffers have smooth skins and are usually much larger than other puffers. They are strong fighters, and in some areas are called rabbitfish. I caught my personal record of 19 1/2 inches this winter in St. Lucie Inlet on a jig and shrimp.

Paul Haertel of the JCAA got back to fishing after a heart operation by fishing on a friend’s boat in Barnegat Inlet. While he couldn’t keep up in fluking, a live spot intended for a big fluke produced a 22-pound striper that was released.

Paul is running the JCAA Heavy Hitters Fluke Tournament — and reminds anglers that the last day for the $150 early entry is July 28.

August 4-7^th  Jersey Coast Anglers Association Heavy Hitters Fluke Tournament. Win $25,00 in our doormat fluke category plus $9,000 in cash prizes based on just 150 entrants. 1^st to 5^th place prizes based weight of a single fluke. Calcuttas for 1 fluke, 3 fluke total and sea bass. Ten weigh-in stations from Sandy Hook to Cape May. You pick your one day to fish. $150 per boat (up to 6 anglers/people) by 7/28 or $175 per boat after 7/28.  Visit www.jcaa.org to register online or print an application, see our FB page, or call 973-943-8201 for more details.

The Mimi VI from Point Pleasant has openings on this Tuesday’s bottom fishing trip at 6:30 a.m. Some of the winter flounders caught on those trips are larger than most fluke. Call 732 370-8019 for reservations.

Capt. Ralph Leyrer is taking individual reservations for Tuesday tuna trips on his Last Lady. Call 732 988-8907.

The Golden Eagle from Belmar reported very good bluefish jigging today, and some were 5 to 10 pounds. A few keeper fluke were also boated.

Small craft warnings are up through Tuesday morning. Southwest winds at 15-20-knots plus gusts to 25 are forecast along with afternoon showers and thunderstorms.

That forecast is enough to convince Capt. Ron Santee to cancel Monday’s fluke trip with his Fishermen out of Atlantic Highlands. He actually had better fluking today, with a few fares bagging three and a 4 5/16-pound pool winner — but the southwest wind will make his best spots unfishable.

A 13.5-foot hammerhead shark that may have weighed over1,000 pounds was tagged and released yesterday off Hilton Head, South Carolina. That fish was far above the S,C, state record, but Capt. Chip Michalove of Outcast Sport Fishing decided to release it out of respect for its old age. That was a good decision because it was fought by multiple fishermen and certainly not a legitimate sportfishing catch by IGFA standards.

The Jamaica from Brielle had an offshore shot of small blues before chumming up chub mackerel and adding some sea bass. A few sharks were also fought. Carl Metzger Jr. of Lresport, Pa. won the pool with a 4-pound sea bass.

Capt. Ron Santee reports fluking was tough in a lack of breeze and current though some fares on his Fishermen out of Atlantic Highlands released over 20 shorts. The high hook caught four legal fluke — and there was also a 3-pound sea bass.

The Golden Eagle from Belmar picked at 2-3-pound blues before getting chub mackerel started while adding some blues on the mackerel baits.

Sunday’s forecast is for southwest winds at 10-15 knots before going south at 15-20 in the afternoon.

In an unusual move, NOAA Fisheries is advising those fishermen licensed to sell giant and large medium bluefin tuna to check with buyers in advance of fishing in order to ensure there will be a market for their catch. Apparently, there’s been an oversupply compared to demand –and waste should be avoided. Any such catches must be reported even if the fish is not sold.

Bob Matthews at Fisherman’s Den in Belmar Marina as follows: “I

 don’t know if you noticed but summer is more than half over or is it just me getting older. Well either way I would get moving as the fishing is good at this time. Fluke fishing has been excellent, we had one rental boat with 9keepers and many short fish. The for hire fleet has been enjoying some good Fluke and Seabass fishing.

The fluke range up to 8 lb.

The Golden Eagle and Miss Belmar have had a very good bite of 

bluefish,mixed size up to 10lb,poppers have been the lure of choice.

The tuna bite has been up and down attracting plenty of anglers.

Stripers and Kingfish are still being taken in the surf, worms and sand

crabs are prime baits.

To our sweetwater fishermen the Largemouth Bass , Calico Bass,catfish

and bluegill bite has been good, low light conditions during this hot spell

has been best. 

Come on down before the summer is gone and kids are back to school, we all know how fast time goes on .   

Bob”

Today’s report from the Golden Eagle was of an offshore pick of 2-pound blues with a few 6-poundersamong them. A cod and some sea bass were added.

Saturday’s forecast is for west winds at 5-10 knots before going south at 10-15 in the afternoon.

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

“

The week began with strong winds and an upwelling of water in the ocean. This resulted in patches of dirty water along with colder water temperatures that slowed fishing. The last few days of hot weather have raised the water temps and increased fish catches.

Captain Dave Kreines of the “Byte Me” has been working hard to land fish for the box but is finding enough action to keep his family charters excited. He had the Vaughn family out, and the 6- and 7-year-old cousins had a fun time with small sharks while Dad lost a big cownose ray at the boat. Another trip with the Stoltz family resulted in small sharks and undersized fluke while fishing in Little Egg Inlet.

Max Goldman reports the “Starfish” has been finding constant action of fluke, black sea bass, and porgies among other species coming over the rails in the ocean. Captain Max adds the fishing is improving with each increase in water temperature.

Captain Gary Dugan of the “Irish Jig” has been finding a mix of action on the inshore ocean reefs with groups of anglers who have been willing to work hard for their catches. A recent family group returned with fluke of 18-and 22-inches along with an 18-inch black sea bass.

Captain Frank Camarda has been finding decent numbers of fluke and other bottom fish with the head boat “Miss Beach Haven.” One of his top anglers, Daryl, had an especially good day recently with a pair of beauties. The “Miss Beach Haven” is the only head boat at the southern end of Long Beach Island.

Captain Brett Taylor of “Reel Reaction” Sportfishing reports good catches of fluke and black sea bass despite some very unfavorable weather conditions. He had Andrew Wilk Sr. and Jr. on a 3-hour trip “all over the bay” before they got into real action. The water was dirty and cold, but the father and son team boxed 2 keeper fluke along with a grill-sized bluefish. Andrew Jr. just got back from pitching in the Junior College World series for Mercer County College. The Bob Dodds group eked out 4 solid keepers to 19.5 inches while catching a total of 28 fish.

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

The following offshore news was submitted by the Canyon Runner out of Pt. Pleasant: Canyon Runner Coaching Members Epic Tournament Week – Multiple Wins at Jimmy Johnson and Montauk Canyon Challenge: “To say that the CR Membership showed well at the MCC would be an understatement to say the least as our Team took the far majority of wins – but none bigger than when one of our Coaching Partners – Capt. Mark DeCabia – and the crew of the “Rebel” and owner Mike Tucci took top money honors with a 256 Big-Eye. Team “Rebel” and Canyon Runner – want to specifically give a big shout out to a great tournament run by great folks in Capt. Chris Squeri and Rich Lucas. FYI – “Rebel” has done the MCC from day 1 and this is their third win. “Regis D” Big Win at MCC From left to right is the crew of the “Regis D” owner / captain martin Thurston the Yacovou brothers Nick and Loucas the Mahi slayer, captain Gary Savard of the Tiger Shark Boat, Chuck House, and First mate Joe Grenus – these boys took first place for the three heaviest yellows, first place trifecta, second place 500 albacore Calcutta & third place mahi. Way to go Martin and team “Regis D”!! Jimmy Johnson Quest for the Ring Winner! of our Members – Ken Hager – Owner of the “Taylor Jean” was happy for us to inform you that for the Jimmy Johnson tournament, the “Taylor Jean”, teamed up with their buddies from another boat, the well known and well respected “MJ’s” crew and fished the tournament together on the “Taylor Jean”. On Monday they went fishing in the Washington and with an hour left caught a big eye tuna that Brandon Kape fought for over 2 1/2 hours. They were getting nervous that they wouldn’t make it back to scales in time if the fish took another run but at the at the end of the day they landed a 231 big eye that they weighed in at 8 pm on Monday that held for the week. Trying to win the ring they marlin fished the other 2 days. They ended up winning first place tuna division and brought home $170,000. Congrats to a GREAT TEAM!! Capt. Craig Angelini put Titan Up into the most tuna points title and was second in the Small Boat Calcutta. “ Vinny D’Anton said the Monmouth County surf was quiet this morning though he did release a 20-inch striper on a Chug Bug. He also reported seeing cownose rays in the surf for the first time this summer. Bluefish cooperated for the Golden Eagle from Belmar. They were 6-9-pounders, and there were many limits as Run-Off poppers worked best. The boat added a pick of sea bass. The morning forecast is for west winds at just 5 knots before going south at 10-15 with gusts to 20 in the afternoon.