Capt. Michael Ardolino had the best news of the day as he reported bluefish up to 8 pounds providing great jigging for anglers on Miss Belmar Princess — and not far from the dock.
Fluke fishing has been a different story as Capt. Ron Santee reported a tough couple of days after finding the best showing of larger fluke in deep waters last Thursday with his Fishermen from Atlantic Highlands.
Blue marlin specialists around the globe are seeking the largest of that species during the winner-take-all Blue Marlin World Cup. The leader at mid-day in our time zone was a 656-pounder on Joker fishing at Bermuda — but that might not be a sure thing before the day is out!
Andrea’s Toy wasn’t looking for marlin offshore today, but did troll a yellowfin tuna on a chatter bar side tracker before finding some cooperative school bluefins to cast jigs and poppers to.
The forecast is for southwest winds at 10-15 knots before increasing in the afternoon to 15-20 with gusts to 25 knots.
At Fisherman’s Den in Belmar Marine Basin, Bob Matthews reports fluke up to 9 pounds were weighed in over the weekend. Shark River is producing fluke, blues, stripers and triggerfish. Surfcasters are doing best with stripers by using sand crabs, and kingfish are also present. The Golden Eagle is chartered Tuesday. The Big Mohawk had tough fluking Sunday as the south wind resulted in cold water. Fluke ranged up to 5 pounds, and there were some ling and sea bass.
Capt. Dave DeGennaro has been working Barnegat Inlet with worms and light spinning tackle for stripers from 25 to 30 inches while also releasing out-of-season blackfish. Blues are also caught casting lures some days. He has individual openings on 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. trips this week. Call 732 330-5674 for details.
The holiday weekend started out with weather that was too calm for good fluke drifts while bluefish took a day off.
The half-day Sea Tiger II at Atlantic Highlands reported a tough morning trip with no wind and drift, but the afternoon sailing was much better with a breeze that produced a couple of limit catches.
Unfortunately, bluefishing on the Golden Eagle from Belmar went from “awesome” yesterday to very little today as the choppers were following jigs to the surface without hitting. Some blues up to 9 pounds were boated — and those fish could turn on again tomorrow.
The forecast for tomorrow starts with north winds at 5-10 knots before switching to southwest in the afternoon.
Long-time AFTCO rep and noted angler Lou Truppi sent along the following after reading last night’s blog relating to the recently deceased Mark Sosin: “Mark was the first outdoor writer I had on my boat back in early 70’s when he was just getting started . I also had the pleasure of fishing with George Seeman for many years, my brother was running his boat with him out of Montauk , Cozumel , Key West & Ocean City Md ! Mark was a true gentlemen and close friend for years “
The IGFA has another online auction going on through July 10 at 8 p.m. Go to their website for great buys on tackle, fishing art and much more.
Chuck Many started off his morning at Hilton Head, S.C. with this fine red drum (redfish).
Though I still haven’t been able to find an obituary for Mark Sosin, I’ve had time to remember better days in the past.
When I was director of field testing for Garcia in Teaneck, N.J. , Mark was doing a series of inexpensive “how-to” books about fishing for various species that he either wrote or farmed out to other writers before editing them. I suggested doing one based on the experiences of my volunteer field testers — and that Secrets of the Pros for Bass was the first book of my career in journalism.
Garcia had a sportfishing boat at that time, and just prior to the Ocean City, Md. White Marlin Tournament there was an opportunity for Mark and I to fish a practice day, but Capt. George Seemann said it was too rough to sail. What could two dedicated anglers do under those circumstances? We got some bait and fished off the dock to see who could catch the most blowfish. I’ll never know how good a white marlin angler Mark was, but he sure had the feel for blowfish!
Bluefish were on top today as the Golden Eagle from Belmar reported catching them mostly on poppers. The choppers ranged from 4 to 9 pounds and were often seen swirling on bunkers.
The small craft warning goes down at midnight. The wind will be down to northwest at a mere 5 knots in the morning before going south in the afternoon.
Vinny D’Anton managed a couple of Monmouth County surf stripers, including a 28-incher, while casting his Chug Bug and MirrOlure — but sand fleas didn’t produce the last couple of days.
“
Though I haven’t been able to find an obituary, Facebook was full of reports about the passing of my old friend from N.J. at 88. Mark pioneered saltwater TV shows and was a prolific author of books and magazine articles. He was a member of the IGFA Hall of Fame and a former president of the Outdoor Writers Association of America.
It’s a struggle getting this blog out after yesterday’s cataracks operation. but there was some good news from the Golden Eagle out of Belmar about getting into flurries of bluefish in the morning before finishing with some sea bass in the afternoon. The summer by-catch season for sea bass runs from July 1 to Aug. 31 — but allows only two sea bass of at least 13 inches. It was instituted years ago to enable unsuccessful fluke anglers to bring home a meal.
The Fishermen from Atlantic Highlands reported a big improvement in Thursday’s fluking with larger fish being caught in deeper waters despite poor drifting conditions. Many of those fluke were in the 3-4-pound class, with a 6.5-pound pool winner. Capt. Ron Santee says heavy sinkers are a must for fishing those waters, Ninety-year-old Henry had his limit from among five legal fluke.
Small craft warnings are up this afternoon for gusty southwest winds extending to Saturday evening. The morning forecast is for SW at 10-15 knots with gusts to 20. Showers are likely, with possible afternoon thunderstorms.
Chuck Many has added an Avenger 26 to his Tyman fleet to use at his second home in Hilton Head, South Carolina where his first trip resulted in a tarpon fight that ended in the fish’s favor — but successful casting to big jack crevelle.
While most of the attention in NY/NJ Bight is now on fluke, stripers and blues, there’s also a very good showing of jumbo porgies for those seeking both sport and some very good eating.
Greg Prestosh reported a very good catch this week along with sea bass that had to go back as they aren’t legal until Friday. (see photo at bottom)
The weather looks good early tomorrow with southwest winds at 5-10 knots before increasing to 15-20 with gusts to 30 in the afternoon. Showers are also possible.
I’m sending this in very early as I’m having a cataracts operation this morning. I got a lot of good years out of my eyes, but they need some help at 86.
\
Jim Hutchinson Sr. reports for the Beach Haven Charter Fishing Association as follows: “The July 4th weekend means that summer has officially arrived in Beach Haven, and the boats of the Beach Haven Charter Fishing Association are taking full advantage of the action.
A quick look at what is biting right now shows there are tuna to be found offshore. Closer to the beach, shark fishing is going strong, and the inshore reefs are already producing good numbers of summer flounder including doormats.
In the bay waters the flounder action continues strong while a number of big weakfish have shown an increase in numbers from previous years. Near the inlets small schools of nice sized bluefish have made their presence known.
Captain Gary Dugan of the “Irish Jig” had a shark fishing expedition recently. His anglers went three for three on nice sized sharks after missing a big thresher shark.
The party boat “Miss Beach Haven” with Captain Frank Camarda has been finding good fishing action to go along with the beautiful summer weather. He reports multiple fish over 22-inches up to 23.5-inches and 5-pounds. Most of this action has been in the calm bay waters.
Captain Brett Taylor of “Reel Reaction Sportfishing” reports he has had a busy few days. He had Peter Wessel on a 3-hour light tackle charter with his wife and daughters. They put 4 keepers in the box. Captain Brett had Bob Dodds on a morning tide expedition. They hit several key spots and put 7 keepers in the box with over 40 shorts landed. Finally, he had Ralph Rodio and crew on a 4-hour light tackle charter. They worked 2 new areas to find 6 keepers and close to 25 shorts.”
I’m sending this in early
NOAA Fisheries is adjusting the Atlantic bluefin tuna daily retention limit for the General category (commercial) fishery to one large medium or giant bluefin tuna per vessel per day/trip. The daily retention limit, as adjusted through this inseason action, goes into effect on July 3, 2022 and extends through August 31, 2022, unless changed, and applies only on days when the commercial fishery is open.
Restricted-fishing days in the General category (commercial) fishery begin on July 1, 2022, and will occur on every Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday through November 30, 2022. The retention limit is zero on those days.
Recreational fishermen are not affected by this retention limit adjustment or by restricted-fishing days, and operate under different catch limits.
The daily retention limit will decrease from three large medium or giant bluefin tuna (measuring 73” or greater) to one large medium or giant bluefin tuna per vessel per day/trip. Retention is allowed only on “open days” (Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday) for the General category (commercial) fishery.
The retention limit change applies to General category permitted vessels and HMS
Charter/Headboat permitted vessels with a commercial sale endorsement when fishing
commercially for bluefin tuna. This commercial daily retention limit is effective for all areas except for the Gulf of Mexico, where NOAA Fisheries does not allow targeted fishing for bluefin tuna.
The change does not apply to fishermen fishing recreationally for bluefin tuna with an HMS Angling permit or an HMS Charter/Headboat permit fishing under the Angling category rules.
Dealers are required to submit landings reports within 24 hours of receiving bluefin. Late dealer reporting compromises NOAA Fisheries’ ability to implement actions such as quota and retention limit adjustments or fishery closures and may result in enforcement actions.
Separate from the dealer reporting requirement, General category and HMS Charter/Headboat permitted vessel owners are required to report the catch of all bluefin retained or discarded dead within 24 hours of landing or the end of each trip by:
This notice is a courtesy to fishery participants to help keep you informed about the fishery. Official notice of Federal fishery actions is made through filing such notice with the Office of the Federal Register.
NOAA Fisheries is also closing the Northern area Trophy bluefin tuna allocation for the Angling category which permits one bluefin over 73 inches per boat per year as of 11:30 p.m. today since the minimal 1.8 metric ton quota has been filled. Those bluefins can’t be sold.
The Golden Eagle from Belmar got into 5-10-pound bluefish yesterday on jigs, but were back down to a pick of 2-4-pounders this morning until some 6–9-pound choppers came up on bunkers between 11 and 11:30 to supply action on jigs and plugs.
The forecast is for west winds at 5-10 knots before going southwest with gusts to 20 in the afternoon.
The following press release from the Center for Sportfishing Policy sets forth their opinion on this week’s appointments to the Fishery Management Councils:
Commerce Department Announces Impressive Slate of
Regional Fishery Management Council Appointees
Washington, D.C. – June 28, 2022 – Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo announced yesterday the 2022 Regional Fishery Management Council (RFMC) appointments. The recreational fishing and boating community commends Secretary Raimondo for selecting a slate of highly-qualified RFMC appointees who have demonstrated their willingness to fairly consider all elements involved in today’s complex fishery management decisions.
The recreation sector is particularly appreciative of the following appointments: Richard Bellavance of Rhode Island to the New England Council; Scott Lenox of Maryland and Ken Neill of Virginia to the Mid-Atlantic Council; Gary Borland of South Carolina to the South Atlantic Council; Michael McDermott of Mississippi, Troy Williamson of Texas, and Thomas Frazer of Florida to the Gulf of Mexico Council; Peter Hassemer of Idaho and Marc Gorelnik of California to the Pacific Council, and Nicole Kimball of Alaska to the North Pacific Council.
“We are happy to see Secretary Raimondo’s thoughtful approach to the 2022 round of council appointments where she had many knowledgeable candidates from which to choose,” said Jeff Angers, president of the Center for Sportfishing Policy. “We hope with these appointments, the Commerce Department and NOAA Fisheries are seeking a new path forward in the way America’s federal fisheries are managed. Conservation and opportunity for the public to access healthy marine fisheries should be top priority in all regions.”
“The work of the regional fishery management councils continues to evolve in both complexity and scope,” said Glenn Hughes, president of the American Sportfishing Association. “We appreciate the appointment of leaders from the recreational fishing community known for working collaboratively to improve federal fisheries management and recreational fishing access.”
“Our regional fishery management councils are critical for the proper management of our nation’s federal marine fisheries,” said Jason Schratwieser, president of the International Game Fish Association. “Achieving balanced representation from the recreational sector will ensure that recreational anglers will have a voice in developing fisheries policies that benefit both recreational anglers and marine resources.”
“For too long, recreation has been woefully underrepresented on regional fishery management councils – the main venues for saltwater fisheries management decision-making in U.S. waters,” said Frank Hugelmeyer, president of the National Marine Manufacturers Association. “Today, thanks to Secretary Raimondo and her team, the recreational boating and angling community can celebrate the appointments to these vital governing bodies, which provide our community with additional seats at the table and will help ensure the health of our fisheries for generations to come.”
“BTT is appreciative of Secretary Raimondo’s 2022 federal regional fishery management council appointments,” said Jim McDuffie, president & CEO of Bonefish & Tarpon Trust. “Effective representation on the councils helps ensure good management decisions, which are critical for healthy marine fisheries and ecosystems.”
“Members of the stakeholder-driven regional fishery management councils play a vital role in managing our nation’s fisheries resources,” said Chris Horton, senior director of fisheries policy for the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation. “We applaud the Secretary of Commerce for this year’s slate of well qualified appointees, and we congratulate the new members along with those who were reappointed. We look forward to working with them to ensure we have healthy and abundant marine fisheries, as well as providing access for America’s anglers to those fisheries.”
Captain Bellavance is a lifelong Rhode Island resident and the owner/operator of a charter fishing business in Point Judith, where he has more than 30 years as an active participant and advocate for recreational fishing. For more than a decade, he has represented the recreational for-hire fishing industry on state, regional and federal panels, committees, and commissions. He continues to work to develop electronic reporting tools that can improve recreational catch estimates. He also strongly supports improvements to the Marine Recreational Information Program (MRIP), which, in turn, leads to better recreational fishery management. During his tenure on the New England Council, Capt. Bellavance has provided important guidance not only for the New England council, but also as council liaison to the Mid-Atlantic Council and is actively engaged as a stakeholder in offshore wind energy development projects.
Lenox’s first term on the Mid-Atlantic Council was marked by leadership on issues important to recreational anglers. Specifically, he served on the summer flounder, scup, black sea bass, bluefish and tilefish committees as they worked through fishery management and data challenges. He is also very active in Maryland as the owner of Fish in OC and host of Ocean City’s fishing television show, Hooked on OC. Through his leadership role on Maryland’s Sport Fisheries Advisory Commission Tidal and Coastal Fisheries Committee, Lenox successfully worked on legislation that creates a task force to develop actions to improve recreational data and licensing systems in Maryland’s tidal waters. He has worked in the fishing industry and fished the waters in and around Ocean City for over 25 years providing extensive experience and knowledge that will continue to serve the Mid-Atlantic Council well.
Dr. Neill is a lifelong Virginia resident and a passionately dedicated recreational angler. He is an international representative of the International Game Fish Association and serves as chair of the North America Regional Council Conservation Committee. Additionally, Dr. Neill served as a member of the Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Advisory Panel for the National Marine Fisheries Service and is a member of the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Advisory Panel making him very knowledgeable and experienced with both inshore and offshore fisheries. In Virginia, he served two terms on the Virginia Marine Resources Commission and one term on the Potomac River Fisheries Commission where he received service awards from both Commissions for his contributions. For fun, he operates a social media channel called Healthy Grin Sport Fishing where he chronicles both his fishing adventures and ongoing fishery management issues to keep the industry engaged and informed in the Council process.
Borland has more than 40 years of experience in the marine fishing industry where he currently serves as director of sales southeast region for Pure Fishing, Inc. With a career spent in the fishing tackle industry and 21 years as a charter boat owner/operator, Borland has his finger on the pulse of the recreational fishing community and will bring a unique point of view to the South Atlantic Council.
McDermott is an avid angler who has extensive experience competing in fishing tournaments and working on charter boats and sportfishing boats. McDermott knows the history of the Gulf of Mexico red snapper fishery well, as he has participated in the fishery since the 1990s. Today, he practices law specializing in real estate transactions and owns Pelican Point Marina housing more than 150 boats in Biloxi, Miss. McDermott will bring a fresh perspective to the challenges facing federal fisheries in the Gulf of Mexico.
Williamson has extensive experience in the fisheries management arena including his first term on the Gulf Council, serving on several Gulf Council advisory panels and the Executive Committee of Harte Research Institute. Through the years, he has demonstrated his concern and commitment to sound fisheries management through his service on the Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission and as vice chair of the Coastal Resources Advisory Committee for the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.
Dr. Frazer is Dean of the College of Marine Science at the University of South Florida and a fair, balanced and valuable member of the Gulf of Mexico Council. Dr. Frazer is highly knowledgeable about fisheries science and recently served as chair of the Council for an unprecedented 3 consecutive years by vote of his peers.
Hassemer has demonstrated a thoughtful and fair approach to fisheries management since he first began serving on the Pacific Council in 2015 as Idaho’s designee. He recently retired after 26 years at Idaho Department of Fish and Game, where he worked in the research and management arenas and served on many Columbia River basin and west coast technical and management bodies.
Gorelnik is extremely knowledgeable and well-respected in the fisheries management community, as evidenced by his election as chair of the Pacific Council. In addition to his role on the Council, he serves as director of Coastside Fishing Club and is active with Golden Gate Salmon Association, Coastal Conservation Association-California and American Sportfishing Association.
Kimball has demonstrated a fair and reasonable approach to management decisions during her time on the North Pacific Council. She has dedicated her career to fisheries management. She worked as a fisheries analyst for the North Pacific Fisheries Management Council, federal fisheries coordinator for the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, and now with the Pacific Seafood Processors Association.
The forecast for tomorrow is good, with west winds at just 5 knots before going southwest in the afternoon.
The weather is looking better in NY/NJ Bight as small craft warnings are coming down at 6 p.m. After good bluefish jigging last week, the small choppers turned off over the weekend. Fluking also slowed in cooler ocean waters, though it should bounce back quickly. Striped bass fishing
Capt. Vinny Vetete of Katfish at Great Kills had a day off Sunday and fished with Capt. Joe Massa on his My Three Sons at Morgan to release stripers and load up on giant porgies.
Mike Monte is back on Nantucket where the beaches are loaded with bait and large stripers which only want to hit white Sluggos. Mike tried sand fleas there for the first time and had no luck with them. That’s not surprising as stripers normally gorge on the bugs when swimming bait isn’t available.
After a run of generally good weather, NY/NJ Bight will be hit with some wind and showers.
The forecast is for southwest winds at 15-20 knots before dropping to 10-15 in the afternoon. Small craft warnings that went up this afternoon extend to Monday afternoon.
Bluefishing got tougher over the weekend as boaters jigged over scattered schools on bottom, but they didn’t bite well today. Yesterday’s note about good ocean fluking on the Fishermen at Atlantic Highlands reflected the mid-week situation which changed with cooler waters on Friday, The Fishermen has cancelled for tomorrow, and is booked on Wednesday.
Vinny D’Anton didn’t do anything casting lures into the Monmouth County surf this morning, but switched to sand fleas and watched his wife Valarie enjoy a battle with a 33-inch striper.😊
Chuck Many always seems to have a good day with bass whether freshwater or with much bigger stripers.
Tight Lines 