Tight Lines

I’m back with a new computer and will try to catch up this week.

Raritan Bay striper fishing is off to the expected fast start, but even with abundant bass there must be reasonable conditions for a good bite.

After enjoying a bite Saturday on the change of the tide, Capt. Ron Santee was looking for the same thing this morning with his Fishermen from Atlantic Highlands only to see that plan defeated as the wind came up hard against the current and it quickly got ugly. He’s taking Monday off, but will be back at Tuesday.

Dave Lilly reported that all he had to earlier in the week for steady releases was to troll Tony Maja mp-jos off Keyport. He was delighted with the Tony Maja MoJo rod which has a light tip that signals when the trolling speed is just right.

Chuck Many had great fishing slow trolling live eels down the beach from his Tyman out of Highlands last summer, but decided to try that technique in the bay this week. That produced a released 47-pound striper plus several others when he made the mistake of fishing too many lines by himself.

At Belmar, the Golden Eagle had close to a boat limit of stripers Saturday during an all-day bite. The Big Mohawk had a pick of blackfish up to 5 1/2 pounds Saturday along with some keeper cod and ling.

The marine forecast is for east winds at 10 knots.

The captain will be back in action starting Thursday. Keep sending those reports until then.

The Captain’s Daughter

Capt. Joe Massa reports most bunkers seem to have left Raritan Bay during the recent cold snap, but he managed to net enough for chunking today. John Andrea managed one bass on a live bait before they did much better chunking bass up to 36 inches in the back of the bay on his My Three Sons from Morgan Marina.

I still don’t have a computer, but was able to get this info out on another unit.

The Captain is out of commission due to computer failure. Once he is back up and running, all the fishing reports will be coming in.

The Captain’s Daughter

About 18 blackfish were boated plus a couple of cod while short tog added to the bite which continued throughout the trip’

The weather is looking good early tomorrow with south winds at just 5 knots before going to the southeast plus a chance of rain in the afternoon.

Chuck Many says the water in his salt ponds at Hilton Head must be warming up because he caught his first tarpon there in months.

There will be some wind from the northwest, but seas should be modest tomorrow for what may be the best fishing opportunity of the week.

The forecast is for northwest winds at 10-15 knots with gusts to 20. The direction shifts to west in the afternoon.

The Golden Eagle from Belmar is sailing at 7:30 for bottom fishing.

The Mimi VI from Point Pleasant is taking reservations for blackfishing this week at 6 with a Limit of 16 at a $125 fare that includes all bait. Call 732 370-8019 for reservations.

Capt. Lou Grazioso was enjoying jigging for stripers in Raritan River in windy weather yesterday when he saw a kayack get flipped over. A rescue took place right away, and the kayack was placed aboard the Contender Lou was fishing aboard. Though the rescued angler lost his rod, he joined his hosts in making the best of a bad situation by jigging bass with one of their rods.

Though the blackfish season in N.J. got off to a bad weather start, Sunday is looking perfect with a forecast of south winds around 10 knots before going southwest in the afternoon.

The Marilyn Jean V from Sheepshead Bay is sailing daily at 7 a.m., and reported apick of mostly short cod and tog yesterday, with some keeper cod included.

When I grow up, I want to be just like Percy Wentworth, who’s 88 years young, makes the finest cast nets which he can still throw like a young buck — and mates daily on Capt. Vinny Vetere’s Katfish out of Great Kills.
However, even Percy needs some rest, and is about to retire from netmaking. He’s seeking a buyer for that very successful business — and will train the new owner at his home. Call Percy at 718 984-7383.

The NJ tautog season opened today in big seas from the south blow. A small craft advisory is up this evening before switching to a gale warning at 6 p.m. Tomorrow starts with northwest winds at 15-20 knots plus gusts to 30 — but at least that direction should knock down the swell. By afternoon it drops to west 10-15 plus gusts to 20.

Sunday looks better with 5-10 knot south winds before shifting to the west in the afternoon, Sowers are likely.

Party boat anglers haven’t had much to fish for in NJ waters and were looking forward to Friday’s opening of the blackfish season. Sorry to say, but the weather doesn’t look good.

The Golden Eagle from Belmar has cancelled Friday’s trip due to big swells on the ocean. However, the weekend looks better.

Bob Matthews reports from Fisherman’s Den in Belmar Marina that striper anglers are doing well in Raritan River, but the winter flounder fishing in Shark River has been very poor — possibly due to a lack of sunny days.

Gales have been unusually common so far this spring, and the latest warning is up all day tomorrow — though Sunday is looking good so far.

Tomorrow starts with south winds at 20-25 knots that increase to 25-30 in the afternoon. Showers are possible.

Capt. Jim Freda is providing a seminar on mid-range tuna fishing on Saturday, April 2 in the JCSA Building at 385 Herbertsville Road in, Brick. The cost is $10. Call Joe Kayhart at 862 432-6814 for reservations

The Hudson River Fisherman’s Association holds its annual awards dinner on April 3 at Cornetta’s Rest. in Piermont, N.Y. The cost is $75, and tickets can be reserved by calling Dan Harrison at 551 265-3460.