Tight Lines

Big inshore thresher sharks are providing an opportunity for small boat anglers to tangle with a great offshore game fish just a few miles from Raritan Bay and NY/NJ Bight ports.

Capt. John Contello reported that both of his Just Sayin’ center consoles fought those sharks today. The tail takes up a lot of space. Below is a 437-pound weigh-in at Up Front Tackle in Keyport.

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

Captain Jonathan Kelly of LBI Sportfishing Charters recently moved the “Outcast” down to the Delaware Bay in search of some trophy black drum fish. It paid off well as in two days of fishing he totaled over 20 black drum with the biggest over 70-pounds. The boat is back in Beach Haven in time for the inshore bluefin tuna fishing and bottom fishing to heat up!

Captain Max Goldman of the “Star Fish” reports trips to the inshore reefs and bay with black sea bass and fluke coming over the rails.

Captain Jimmy Zavacki of the “Reel Determined” had a good day in the Beach Haven Tuna Open as it finished in the money once again. His three yellowfin tuna weighed in had a total weight of 140.2-pounds. This followed last year’s event when Captain Jimmy was awarded the Fish Trap Award gaining free entry for this year’s event.

Captain Brett Taylor of “Reel Reaction Sportfishing” has been doing well recently. He had Ralph Rodio and friends on a 4-hour light tackle charter. Despite cold bottom water temperatures, they did well on fluke. The group ended up with 11-keepers topped by a 6-pounder. On another trip Bruce Connor found two keeper fluke and a 27-inch tagged striper. On Sunday Captain Brett found himself without a charter and spent a family day on the water.

Captain Gary Dugan of the “Irish Jig” has been finding catches of fluke in the Great Bay area to provide fish dinners for his anglers. He reports his new tiki barge is about ready for launching.

BHCFA President Captain John Lewis is reminding everyone that on Wednesday, June 22, 2022, the Junior Mates will host a fundraising cruise on the “Black Pearl” from 7:00-8:30 PM. A minimum donation is $75 while children under 18 if accompanied by a paying adult will be $25. There will be a brief talk about the Reef Project then a DJ for your dancing pleasure.

Small craft warnings are up for tomorrow after starting at only 10-15 knots south before freshening to 15-20with gusts to 25 in the afternoon.

 Rl

© 2022 Yahoo

Capt. Vinny Vetere said the forecast was way off and he could hardly stand up on his Katfish as the first 60-pound striped bass on his charter boat from Great Kills in several years was fought Monday morning.

Vetere said his scale is down at the IGFA being certified. but the bass was 55.5 inches tail length with a girth of 30 inches.

Eight other bass were also released in the rough ocean, and all of them were over 47 inches.

Sorry for not being able to get the blog out last night, but the internet was down at my home.

Ted Gaydos of Spotswood, N.J. was the big winner in Saturday’s JCAA Fluke Tournament as he not only won the $1,200 Sandy Hook port prize at Gateway Marina in Highlands, but also joined the $25 doormat division which paid off $50,000 for his 12.45-pounder. To top it off, he swept the fluke Calcuttas to end up with $55,706!

I’ll have more about the JCAA winners tomorrow.

The Golden Eagle from Belmar reported sea bass still providing good catches as the season winds down to close Sunday. They also had some large cunners (bergalls), ling and a keeper cod while releasing a few fluke and blackfish.

Though regulations have practically eliminated the shark tournaments that used to flourish in NY/NJ Bight at this time of year, there are still sharks to be had for those who want to engage in what I used to call the poor man’s big game fishing.

I didn’t expect the first shark report this year to come from Keyport, but with reports of bunker-seeking threshers not far from shore it’s not surprising that one would be weighed at Up Front Tackle. Those long-tailed sharks are a common inshore sight and will hit many baits as well as trolled lures. Fortunately, they have small teeth and even fluke fishermen with light leaders sometimes are able to boat them. Threshers are considered to be on a par with the mako as both a game and food species.

Bill Schlette boated this 207-pounder on Two Thumbs Up.

The current economic problems resulted in only about 90 boats entering today’s statewide JCAA Fluke Tournament, but that left prizes for almost everyone while one angler beat the long odds of catching a doormat fluke over 12 pounds to make his $25 investment in that portion of the contest pay off $50,000.

Tom Fote didn’t have the angler’s name or other details, but believes he also swept the Calcuttas as well as the $1,200 port prize at Sandy Hook. I’ll have complete results whenever they become available.

Sea bass fishing was tougher today for the Golden Eagle from Belmar, but they added some ling plus a whiting and a cod.

Capt. Ron Santee had a similar sea bass report on his Fishermen from Atlantic Highlands. Anglers did better with large sea bass on jigs rather than bait. That boat shifts to fluke next Saturday.

Capt. Mark DeBlasio had another fine canyon charter this week as the party on Blue Runner from Point Pleasant kept their limit from 34 yellowfins caught. They also fought tiger and hammerhead sharks at night.

Chuck Many reports fishing for big stripers from his Tyman out of Highlands held up this week,

Sunday’s forecast is for south winds at 10-15 knots with gusts to 20. Showers are possible.

It’s hard to believe that a fishing tournament could offer almost a sure opportunity to win valuable prizes for catching barely legal entries — or even none at all!

Yet, that’s the case with tomorrow’s JCAA Fluke Tournament. Tom Fote sent the following to someone asking about the contest: These ports had fewer boats entered than the 15 prizes offered:

JCAA FLUKE TOURNAMENT 6/11/22
Please pass this on.

I sent this email to someone yesterday asking about the JCAA Tournament.  “Below is also the number of boats in each port as of 6/10. Paul Haertel release is below. It is no longer possible to do it by mail but there are other ways of joining spelled out below in Paul’s release.  Two ports as of today everyone will win a prize. What I can tell you is that we have 7 prizes in each region and that comes to 49 prizes. We are still giving a 14ft boat, motor and trailer as a door prize at the ceremony. We will have a number of door prizes as we always have at the awards ceremony. As of this morning we had 63 boats registered and not all those boats will show up at the ceremony. Historically it is usually 60% of registered boats.  We are running this tournament as a charity since we are not going to make any money, but it is a great deal for anyone who enters.  You are paying $175 for a chance to win a boat, motor and trailer worth about $9,000.  If this doesn’t convince you to enter, I don’t think anything will.  I have already entered.”

1. Barnegat Bay (South Harbor) 12
2. Jersey City 4
3. LBI 9
4. Manasquan 9
5. Sandy Hook 11
6. Shark River 3

“

3. Barnegat Bay (South Harbor) 12
4. Jersey City 4
5. LBI 9
6. Manasquan 9
7. Sandy Hook 11
8. Shark River 3

These three ports are one region with 15 boats total

1. AC 4
2. Cape May 2
3. Great Bay 4
4. Ocean City 5

 JCAA FLUKE TOURNAMENT 6/11/22
 WIN 50 K, WIN A BOAT, MOTOR AND TRAILER, WIN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS WORTH OF PORT AND DOOR PRIZES.

Please consider joining our 26th annual fluke tournament. We only had 63 entrants as of 6/10 and we are giving out thousands of dollars worth of prizes. Enter our doormat fluke category for just $25 and if you catch the largest fluke over 12 lbs. you will win 50 K cash. There is also a $1200 cash prize for the largest fluke caught in each of our 7 regions. The cash prizes are guaranteed regardless of the number of entrants. There are 1st to 7th prizes for each region so just about everyone may win a prize.

To top it off there will be a Grand Prize Raffle for a 14′ G3 boat, 20 HP Yamaha engine and a Yacht Club Trailer. All entrants who come to the awards ceremony will be eligible for the drawing. The awards ceremony will be at Resorts Casino in AC with registration beginning at around 5 PM on 6/17/22. We will have plenty of door prizes, a 50/50 and all those who come will receive $25 in match play or $10 in slot play. We need to fill up the room so bring all you family and friends and make a night of it!

For complete details or to enter online or to print out a mail in or fax in application go to www.jcaa.org The fax number is 732-506-6965. Applications will also be taken via phone at 732-506-6965. If there is no answer please leave a message and we will call you back.

The weather is looking fine, with a northeast wind at just 5 knots before going south at the same breeze in the afternoon.

Chuck Many reported good action once again as he was releasing by himself Wednesday his Tyman from Highlands.

The Golden Eagle from Belmar reported yet another good day of sea bass fishing along with lots of shorts and some ling

 

An IOU is as good as a present on Father’s Day for anglers as long as it involves something for fishing.

I virtually live in AFTCO shorts, and hate the rare occasions when I have to put on “big boy pants”. I’ve been wearing AFTCO shorts since they came out, and some of those I have may be decades old. It’s hard to wear them out, and even blood stains come out in the wash. There’s a 10 percent discount on the AFTCO web site now for the shorts, Guy Harvey shirts and many other products — or you can find them at many fishing tackle retailers.

The IGFA Auction ends on June 12, but there’s still plenty of tackle, marine art and trips available at their web site. I’ll have some other suggestions tomorrow.

Capt. Vinny Vetere has room for two anglers for live bait striper fishing in the morning on his Katfish from Great Kills.

The forecast for Raritan Bay is fine with west winds at 10-15 knots plus gusts to 20 before going southwest in the afternoon.

Tony Arcabasio reports ocean trollers continue to release big stripers that can’t resist his Tony Maja bunker spoons.

With thunderstorms in the forecast on Tuesday, Chuck Many again switched over to nearby NJ freshwater action.

Capt. Dave DeGennaro is looking ahead to Saturday’s forecast of light winds suitable for a center console canyon tuna trip with his Hi Flier from Barnegat. This ls an open trip limited to four anglers at $650 each plus the mate’s tip. Call 732 330-5674 for details.

The Canyon Runner from Point Pleasant reported that 80% of their Coaching members boated at least 10 tuna during last weekend’s trips, and there have been similar reports this week from other pros such as Andreas Toy, Blue Runner and Water Proof. Yellowfins dominate, and some dolphin are also showing, but the mid-range bluefin have been missing

The Jersey Coast Anglers Association Fluke Tournament is coming up statewide on Saturday and provides a unique opportunity for all those entered to win valuable prizes even if they never weigh a single fish.

There are seven regions to choose from, and seven prizes in each up to $1200 for first. Many of the most expensive prizes will be drawn for at the June 17 awards ceremony in Resorts Hotel & Casino, Atlantic City — including the boat, motor and trailer grand prize.

The entry fee for a boat with up to six anglers is $175, and for another $25 you can take a shot at the doormat fluke prize of $50,000 for the largest over 12 pounds.

Visit jcaa.org for details and entry info.

The ocean was rough today, and tomorrow doesn’t look good with south winds at 15-20 knots with gusts to 30 plus showers. Capt. Ron Santee has canceled with his Fishermen from Atlantic Highlands until Friday.

Yesterday’s photo of the doormat fluke had info included when I downloaded it, but it didn’t show in the blog. The angler was Jared Goldy, the fluke weighed 10.2 pounds.

I tried copy of a report from Bill Klimas, but lost everything. Please try again.

Chuck Many said striper fishing was tougher yesterday as bluefish were hitting his eels, but some big bass were released from his Tyman out of Highlands.

There was a lot more wind than forecast today, and that was a problem for boaters seeking sea bass. On the other hand, a south wind is fishable in Raritan Bay where Capt. Vinny Vetere put two anglers into 25 bass up to 25 pounds by casting live bunkers in skinny waters from his Katfish out of Great Kills

The JCAA is kicking off the fluke tournament season with Saturday’s statewide contest that was detailed in last night’s blog. However, there will be one less doormat to be a big winner after this first northern 10-pounder was boated this week

Southern species are spreading into more northerly surf areas. Jeff Bajek caught this 43.25-inch cobia at IBSP before weighing it at 25 pounds in Grumpy’s Tackle, Seaside Park.

R

Capt. Ron Santee said he no sooner got offshore with his Fishermen from Atlantic Highlands than the south wind came on and made for tough fishing. He noted that the most effective lure for sea bass the day before was Gulp Sand Eels. Santee is finishing sea bass fishing before switching to fluke June 20.

The Golden Eagle from Belmar also had to work harder for a decent sea bass and ling catch in the rough ocean.

Small craft warnings went up at 2 p.m. and into Wednesday afternoon. The morning forecast is for southwest winds at 10-15 knots plus gusts to 20 along with possible showers and thunderstorms before gusting to 20 in the afternoon.

Paul Haertel of the JCAA sent the following release about Saturday’s statewide JCAA Fluke Tournament in which it appears most entrants will be hard-pressed to avoid winning valuable prizes.

“Please consider joining our 26th annual fluke tournament. We only had 53 entrants as of 6/3 and we are giving out thousands of dollars worth of prizes. Enter our doormat fluke category for just $25 and if you catch the largest fluke over 12 lbs. you will win 50 K cash. There is also a $1200 cash prize for the largest fluke caught in each of our 7 regions. The cash prizes are guaranteed regardless of the number of entrants. There are 1st to 7th prizes for each region so just about everyone may win a prize.

To top it off there will be a Grand Prize Raffle for a 14′ G3 boat, 20 HP Yamaha engine and a Yacht Club Trailer. All entrants who come to the awards ceremony will be eligible for the drawing. The awards ceremony will be at Resorts Casino in AC with registration beginning at around 5 PM on 6/17/22. We will have plenty of door prizes, a 50/50 and all those who come will receive $25 in match play or $10 in slot play. We need to fill up the room so bring all you family and friends and make a night of it!

For complete details or to enter online or to print out a mail in or fax in application go to http://www.jcaa.org The fax number is 732-506-6975. Applications will also be taken via phone at 732-506-6565. If there is no answer please leave a message and we will call you.”

To top it off there will be a Grand Prize Raffle for a 14′ G3 boat, 20 HP Yamaha engine and a Yacht Club Trailer. All entrants who come to the awards ceremony will be eligible for the drawing. The awards ceremony will be at Resorts Casino in AC with registration beginning at around 5 PM on 6/17/22. We will have plenty of door prizes, a 50/50 and all those who come will receive $25 in match play or $10 in slot play. We need to fill up the room so bring all you family and friends and make a night of it!

For complete details or to enter online or to print out a mail in or fax in application go to www.jcaa.org The fax number is 732-506-6975. Applications will also be taken via phone at 732-506-6565. If there is no answer please leave a message and we will call you back.”

Vinny D’Anton fished sand fleas in the Monmouth County surf and hooked into a striper considerably larger than expected. After a good battle on light surf tackle he released a 34-incher. A couple of small bass were added, but nothing else hit there this morning.

The Golden Eagle from Belmar reported another beautiful day at sea along with lots of sea bass and some ling.

The forecast is for south winds at 10-15 knots before increasing to 15-20 plus gusts to 25 in the afternoon.

Fisherman’s Headquarters in Long Beach Island reported a surfcasters day of a lifetime yesterday for Jim Crane who not only released a 51-inch striped bass (probably weighing in the upper forties) — and then added a large black drum plus two bluefish. Crane said the bass took him one beach south and then four beaches north. No details yet on bait used.

Vinny D’Anton has been trying to catch stripers on sand fleas from Monmouth County beaches without getting a hit until this morning when he and Frank Manzi caught mostly 26-to-30-inchers on the mole crabs.

Boat fishing for stripers continued at a high pace from plenty of keepers in Raritan Bay to trophy bass in the ocean such as the one below on Tyman from Highlands,

The Fishermen from Atlantic Highlands ended up with another good catch of sea bass plus a few ling while a cod that hit a jig took the pool.

The Golden Eagle from Belmar had a slow start to sea bass fishing this morning in a strong current, but the bite improved along with better conditions as some ling and whiting were also boated. The Queen Mary from Point Pleasant reported Friday’s sea bass fishing produced an early boat limit on jigs.

Northeast winds at just 5 knots are predicted for Monday before shifting to south in the afternoon.