Tight Lines

Kelly Reilly was already leading the monthly pool on the Fishermen from Atlantic Highlands with a 7.2-pound fluke when he considerably upped the ante today by boating a 32-inch 13 1/2-pound doormat. that was the largest party boat fluke I’ve heard of so far in the NY/NJ Bight area. Capt. Ron Santee said Reilly had already set persnal records this year for striped bass and sea bass. Several anglers had limits today.

The Golden Eagle from Belmar reported picky early bluefish jigging and then managed a boat limit of sea bass along with both short and keeper fluke.

Little tunny were spotted in many surf areas, but it seems that more anglers were frustrated by tunny that stayed out of range or woouldn’t hit when they were close enough. John Mazzeo returned to Sandy Hook and managed one on a Gibbs Minnow. He said it was spitting up tiny peanut bunkers. There was no mention of the black flies which have been botheriing anglers there.

Good weather continues with a forecast of west winds at 5-10 knots. Late afternoon thunderstorms are possible.

Nick Honachefsky reminds anglers that Spanish mackerel are an eligible species in next month’s Barrier Islands Beach Brawl.

Little tunny are a late summer inshore visitor throughout NY/NJ Bight. and they’re just getting started. Boaters are picking a few so far, and the first surf blitzes were reported today in both Monmouth and Ocean counties;

Those tunny were reported to be feeding on tiny bait, so small slim metal lures are probably the best bet. There’s no faster and harder-fighting fish available to the surfcaster, but you have to be there when they appear within casting range — and they rarely stick around very long.

Allen Riley is a little tunny fanatic, and thought he made some casts to them at Sandy Hook this morning, but only got one bump which may have been from a blue. He noted that the park doesn’t open until 6 a.m. — and there was a line all the way back to the old Highlands Bridge.

The Golden Eagle from Belmar limited with 1 1/2-5-pound blues this morning while little tunny were jumping all around them. They added lots of chub mackerel, plus some Spanish mackerel. fluke and sea bass. Yesterday’s Exotics trip produuced some yellowfin tuna, but the water color was poor and there were a lot of sharks.

The Jamaica from Brielle jigged limits of bluefish this morning and added chub mackerel along wuth a couple oflittle tunny up to a 5-pound pool winner.

The Ocean Explorer from Belmar had a doormat fluke of 13 1/4 pounds on Tuesday.

Inshore fishing seems to have returned to normal as the storm moved far east in short order.

At Atlantic Highlands, the Sea Hunter reported a slow start in a strong current before getting into fair action with fluke and sea bass that included one limit.The Fishermen reported several limits and four fluke of 5 pounds up to 5 9/16 pounds. There were also some sea bass and lots of chub mackerel.

Miss Belmar Princess found decent bluefish jigging before adding limits of sea bass.

The Mimi VI from Point Pleasant has scheduled limited fluke trips for September on the 1st and 7th from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Call 732 370-8019 for reservations.

Tomorrow’s forecast is for northwest winds at 5 knots before switching to southwest in the afternoon.

Many boats didn’t sail today, but the Golden Eagle from Belmar got out to find bluefish providing hot early jigging along wiith some overdue inshore little tunny — before the tide died out and the bite turned to a pick. that boat will be fishing for tuna tomorrow

Capt. Ron Santee will get back to fluking tomorrow with his Fishermen from from Atlantic Hghlands, and notes that Kelly Riley’s 5 1/8-pound monthly pool winner is vulnerable. A couple of 8-pounders have been boated recently, but the anglers weren’t in the month[y pool.

The Big Mohawk from Belmar decided to wait a day before resuming fluking, but will be sailing in the morning before running a charter on thursday.

Tomorrow’s forecast is for west winds at 5 knots before going southwest in the afternoon.

The Jamaica from Brielle has an offshore tuna trip departing at 11 p.m. — and there are a couple of spots still open. Call 732 528-5014.

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The tropical storm is well beyond NY/NJ Bight. and fishing should return to high gear for all – though some never stopped.

Chuck Many was out yesterday on his Tyman from Highlands and released lots of stripers after going through 50 live bunkers and two flats of sandworms as he was joined by Aex Katyan.

Capt. Jim Freda even went offshore on Saturday with Shore Catch to go six for nine on tuna with poppers and jigs.

Catch to tuna on both poppers and jigs.

Medium to large bluefins have been trolled wuth live bunkers and bluefish close to shore off the Rockaways.

At Belmar, the Big Mohawk postponed its Monday charter, but will probably sail open for fluke. The Golden Eagle will be sailing in the morning for blues, and has room that night on the last Exotics trip of the season.

The forecast is for southwest winds at 15-20 knots, dropping to 10-15 in the afternoon, Seas will be 3-5 feet, and there is a chance of showers and thunderstorms.

Following is the wrap-up of the dramatic 30th anniversary MidAtlantic Tournament as prepared by Jeff Merrill::

Historic 30^th MidAtlantic Wraps Up in Record Fashion!

Potential State Record Blue Marlin Highlights Day Five!

It was indeed a tournament for the ages! The 30^th MidAtlantic wrapped up last night and saying it was one for the record books would be an understatement!  Records were set in several categories including two before the first day of fishing when a tournament record field of 203 were entered breaking the previous record of 183 set last year.  Additionally, the total purse of $5,929,050 eclipsed the previous tournament record purse of just over $4 million set last year as well!  While the 2020 MidAtlantic created quite a stir when two 800-pound-plus blue marlin were weighed minutes apart on the final day of the tournament, this year’s event saw the tournament record for that species broken and then broken again a day later!  The 30^th Annual MidAtlantic will be talked about for a long time!

Day Five of the tournament saw rain cover both tournament venues for most of the day and crews reported offshore conditions were pretty much the same conditions as they dodged squalls and showers for most of the day.  176 boats had Day Five left to fish and while some of the categories may have seemed out of reach, there is always that chance because it only takes one bite!  And as we all know, Day Five, known as “Moving Day” at the MidAtlantic, always seems to have its drama and this year it couldn’t have been scripted any better.  Jon Duffie’s Billfisher of Ocean City, Maryland was at the scale at 5 p.m. when the evening’s weigh-in session got underway and the crowd had already gathered as the word had spread that he had a monster blue marlin aboard however jaws dropped when they saw the size of the massive blue stretched out in the cockpit of Billfisher.  Angler Billy Gurlach battled the huge marlin for 3½ hours on an 80-pound outfit and Duffie reported they had the leader in hand over two dozen times before they were able to sink the gaff.   The marlin’s tail hung through Billfisher’s transom door as she sat at the scale and it required a skiff to assist with pulling the fish from the boat through the door so it could be hoisted to the scale.  Once on the dock Weighmaster Frank Ingram, assisted by other tournament staff, stretched the measuring tape and noted the length at 136½”, and while she was only 1½” longer than Wolverine’s 958-pounder weighed the day before, the girth of 80” had everyone thinking it may be a grander. It took eight men to heft the monster up onto the scale and it got very quiet as Ingram noted the weight before yelling out “1,135 pounds!”  Not only did it break the tournament record set the previous day, but the marlin is also a potential state record for Maryland.  Once verified, it would break the current state record of 1,062 pounds caught by Robert Farris in 2009.  As you would expect, Billfisher’s blue marlin took the top prize in the category and netted the crew $1,167,762!  Rocky Hardison of Beaufort, North Carolina aboard his Wolverine finished in second place with his 958-pounder caught on Day Four and received $198,716 while Larry Hesse’s Goin’ in Deep out of Manasquan, New Jersey finished in third place with his 681-pounder caught on Day One and won $412,237.  Worthy of note is the prize money differential is based on the level of tournament sanctioned calcuttas, also known as side bets, the participant enters.  The more they enter, the more they can win.    

The white marlin category remained unchanged on Day Five and Anthony Martina’s Sea Wolf from Middletown, Delaware took the top prize of $1,017,127 for his 82-pounder weighed on Day Three.  Art Boykin’s Berlin, Maryland-based Lucky Duck II finished in second place with an 80-pounder weighed on Day One and took home $162,604.  Andrew Dotterweich of Jupiter, Florida aboard his Fish On finished in third place with a 75-pounder and received $680,387.   

The tuna division saw nearly two dozen big eyes weighed during the tournament as well as dozens of yellowfin tuna including one of 172 pounds caught by Nicole Scotti on Gina Addeo’s Gina Lisa from Staten Island, New York.  However, it would be the big eyes dominating the leaderboard and Chip Caruso from Colts Neck, New Jersey aboard his Pipe Dreamer swept the top two places with big eyes of 235 and 227 pounds weighed on Day Three to win a total of $1,000,065.  Bob Hugin of Summit, New Jersey aboard his The Right Place finished in third place with a 188-pounder weighed on Day One and won $244,556. 

The dolphin category saw the biggest shakeup on Day Five as all three places changed.  Danny Veid’s Amarula Sun from Tarpon Springs, Florida took the top prize of $98,441 for his 45-pounder followed by Tinton Falls, New Jersey’s Ken Hager on his Taylor Jean with a 36-pounder that was worth $36,707.  Randy Gibbs of Houston, Texas aboard his Picasso Moon finished in third place and won $16,826 for his 33-pounder.     

In the wahoo division Tom Perry of Pasadena, Maryland aboard his Just One More weighed a 58-pounder on Day Five.  Perry’s wahoo was the heaviest in the category and won $63,614.  Amarula Sun’s wahoo of 57 pounds weighed on Day Three took second place and $68,614.  Kevin Moore’s Pasadena, Maryland-based Reel Moore finished in third place and received $3,055 for his 50-pounder caught on Day Four.

Some of the boats with notable billfish catches on Day Five include Matt Weber’s Max Bet with four white marlin and one blue marlin released while Daniel Burt’s Pumpin’ Hard and Charles Gagnon’s Reel Current each released three white marlin.  Nick Cortezi’s Sea Weez and Warren Halle’s Cookie Monster each released one blue marlin and one white marlin.  Dale Gurgo’s The Chaser released two blue marlin while Darren Helwig’s Roll Groove and Patrick Curry’s Top Notch each released a blue marlin on Day Five.        

Cash Prize Winners

* As noted above, cash payout differences vary by level of calcutta participation.

Heaviest White Marlin – 82 lbs. – Sea Wolf – Anthony Martina – Middletown, DE – $1,017,127

2^nd Heaviest White Marlin – 80 lbs. – Lucky duck II – Art Boykin – Berlin, MD – $162,604  

3^rd Heaviest White Marlin – 75 lbs. – Fish On – Andrew Dotterweich – Jupiter, FL – $680,387

Heaviest Blue Marlin – 1135 lbs. – Billfisher – Jon Duffie – Ocean City, MD – $1,167,762   

2^nd Heaviest Blue Marlin – 958 lbs. – Wolverine – Rocky Hardison – Beaufort, NC – $198,716 

3^rd Heaviest Blue Marlin – 681 lbs. – Goin’ in Deep – Larry Hesse – Manasquan, NJ – $412,237      

Heaviest Tuna – 235 lbs. – Pipe Dreamer – Chip Caruso – Colts Neck, NJ – $738,252

2^nd Heaviest Tuna – 227 lbs. – Pipe Dreamer – Chip Caruso – Colts Neck, NJ – $261,813

3^rd Heaviest Tuna – 188 lbs. – The Right Place – Bob Hugin – Summit, NJ – $244,556 

Heaviest Wahoo – 58 lbs. – Just One More – Tom Perry – Pasadena, MD – $63,614

2^nd Heaviest Wahoo – 57 lbs. – Amarula Sun – Danny Veid – Tarpon Springs, FL – $68,479

3^rd Heaviest Wahoo – 50 lbs. – Reel Moore – Kevin Moore – Pasadena, MD – $3,055

Heaviest Dolphin – 45 lbs. – Amarula Sun – Danny Veid – Tarpon Springs, FL – $98,441

2^nd Heaviest Dolphin – 36 lbs. – Taylor Jean – Ken Hager – Tinton Falls, NJ – $36,707

3^rd Heaviest Dolphin – 33 lbs. – Picasso Moon – Randy Gibbs – Houston, TX – $16,826  

Huk Billfish Points Calcutta – Cape May

Most Points – 1575 – Viking 80 – Pat Healey – New Gretna, NJ – $12,220

2^nd Most Points – 1050 – Krazy Salts – Dave Anderson – West Palm Beach, FL – $7,332

3^rd Most Points – 1050 – Canyon Lady – Jamie Diller – Stone Harbor, NJ – $4,888

* Point ties broken based on time of catch

Atlantic Tackle Billfish Points Calcutta – Ocean City

Most Points – 1275 – Max Bet – Matt Weber – Vero Beach, FL – $25,850

2^nd Most Points – 1275 – Blood Money – William Keller – Brielle, NJ – $15,510

3^rd Most Points – 1200 – Big Stick – David Bowen – Suwanee, GA – $10,340

* Point ties broken based on time of catch

The following participants received calcutta winnings for various positions on the leaderboard during the tournament:

White Marlin

69 lbs. – C Boys – Luke Blume – Berlin, MD – $48,598

68 lbs. – RoShamBo – Nick Shriver – Leonardtown, MD – $292,152

68 lbs. – Lunatico on Effe Mae – Lance Converse – West Palm Beach, FL – $7,896

Blue Marlin

487 lbs. – Reel Tight – Steven Pilipauskis – Riva, MD – $32,571

472 lbs. – The Zipper – Eddie Zajdel – Ocean City, MD – $36,660

Tuna

185 lbs. – Slim Shady – John Arceri – Mineola, NY – $98,104

184 lbs. – Endorfin – Jere Murdoch – Howell, NJ – $79,398

182 lbs. – Warden Pass – Val Fichera – Cape May, NJ – $8,883 

182 lbs. – Internal Fixation – Marshall Allegra – Rumson, NJ – $6,110

179 lbs. – Taylor Jean – Ken Hager – Tinton Falls, NJ – $34,639

175 lbs. – The Right Place – Bob Hugin – Summit NJ – $7,896

Dolphin

26 lbs. – Risky Business – Daniel McCarthy – Avalon, NJ – $6,298

Wahoo

32 lbs. – Mack 900 – Patrick McGovern – Somerset, NJ – $23,124

Point Winners (Trophies)

Most Points White Marlin – 1575 – Viking 80 – Pat Healey – New Gretna, NJ

2^nd Most Points White Marlin – 1200 – Big Stick – David Bowen – Suwanee, GA    

3^rd Most Points White Marlin – 1125 – Blood Money – William Keller – Brielle, NJ

Most Points Blue Marlin – 450 – Roll Groove – Darren Helwig – Owings, MD 

2^nd Most Points Blue Marlin – 418 – The Zipper – Eddie Zajdel – Ocean City, MD

3^rd Most Points Blue Marlin – 389.5 – Wolverine – Rocky Hardison – Beaufort, NC   

Most Points Tuna – 626 – The Right Place – Bob Hugin – Summit, NJ   

2^nd Most Points Tuna – 231 – Pipe Dreamer – Chip Caruso – Colts Neck, NJ 

3^rd Most Points Tuna – 122.5 – Internal Fixation – Marshall Allegra – Rumson, NJ    

Most Points Overall – 1575 – Viking 80 – Pat Healey – New Gretna, NJ 

Catch Report

White Marlin Released – 475

White Marlin Weighed – 16

Blue Marlin Released – 43

Blue Marlin Weighed – 9

Tuna Weighed – 83

Dolphin Weighed – 42

Wahoo Weighed – 7

Always a tournament that spreads the wealth to multiple winners, this year’s MidAtlantic saw record payouts for the heaviest white marlin and blue marlin as well as a combined record payout for the top two tuna as each received well over $1 million!  In addition to the three $1 million payouts, six others received checks of $100,000 or more and five more received checks of $50,000 or more. Additionally, a record for tuna points was set by Bob Hugin’s The Right Place.   

For further information contact Tournament Director Aaron Hoffman at 609-884-0177.  You can review all the information about the 2021 MidAtlantic via the South Jersey Tournaments App which is available free for IOS or Android devices from the Apple App and Google Play stores.  Be sure to check out the tournament’s official web site at www.themidatlantic.com where you’ll find all the facts, figures and information about the 2021 MidAtlantic including a complete rundown of final standings, calcutta payouts, rules, points and tournament records.  You’ll also find a link there to purchase official tournament merchandise.  On social media follow the MidAtlantic on Facebook at The MidAtlantic Tournament; on Twitter; @midatl and on Instagram; @themidatlantictournament

NOTE: I’m attending a wedding this afternoon, and there will be no evening blog. Despite the tropical storm warning and big swell, the Big Mohawk from Belmar reported fine fluking on Friday that included many in the 7-pound class. That storm warning continues and may become a hurricane watch in NY/NJ Bight if it changes course for eastern Long Island to New England.

Since the MidAtlantic Tournament didn’t put out an official press release last night during all the final festivities,I summerized the major results on a portable computer before rushing it out late at night without reviewing it as the power was going down. That’s when i saw the headline scrambled with a block of type. Hopefully the info was all correct, and I’ll send out the official results whenever they are available.

As noted in my early blog, the leader least likely to be beaten was the first to as as Billfisher was the first toweigh in with not only a tournament record 1135-pound blue marli but also a Maryland state record. The Zipper later weighed a 472-pound blue, but only finished fifth behind Billfish, Wolverine’s previous tournament record 958, Goin’ In Deeper’s early leader at 681 pounds — and a 487-pounder by Reel Tight.

The seemingly vulnerable white marlin category remained the same with Sea Wolf taking the big money at 82 pounds over an 8-pounder by Lucky Duck II and a 75-pound white by Fish On. C Boys finished fourth at 69 pounds — one pound ahead of Roshambo.

Tuna catches were exceptional, but there was still movement as Slim Shady slipped into fourth behind the two leaders by Pipe Dreamer at 235 and 227 pounds –while The Right Place hung onto third at 188 — just ahead of Endorfin at 184 and 182-pounders by Warden Pass and External Fixation.

There were lots of changes in dolphin as Amarula Sun ran away from the field with a 45-pounder tobeat a 36-pounder on Taylor Jean, a 33 on Picasso Moon — and Blood Money’s previous leader at 31 pounds.

Amarula Sun almost swept the “fin ” fish with a 57-pound wahoo, but Just One More #314 won at 58 pounds. Reel More had a 50-pounder for fourth.

Ill have much more information in the morning.

A

After setting a Maryland state record with a 958-pound blue marlin, the Wolverine had to be counting its winnings in the MidAtlantic. Yet it turned out that wasn’t nearly enough to win as Billfisher was at the scales this afternoon in Ocean City, Maryland with a1135-pound blue to blow away the competition and set a new state record. I’ll have more about this tpournament in a blog after the scales close at 9.

Despite the storm coming up the coast, there were good reports today about bluefishing by the JJamaica from Brielle and the Golden Eagle out of Belmar — while the Big Mohawk from Belmar had fluke limits despite the big swell.

The marine forecast includes a possible tropical storm warning — but only north winds at 15-20 knots with gusts to 25. Seas of 5 to 8 feet in the morning drop to 4 to 6 feet in the afternoon. Rain is possible. Check ahead to be sure your boat will be sailing.

Capt. Dave De Gennaro isn’t worried about the ocean weather as he’s having fine grass shrimp chumming in Barnegat Bay with weaks averaging 14 to 18 inches on 1/8-ouce jig heads and 6-pound spinning tackle. Call him at 732 330-5674.

Af

Jeff Merrill reports as follows:

50-Pound Wahoo is Only Change as 30^th MidAtlantic Tournament

Fleet Takes a Breather on Day Four

With all but 20 boats tied to the dock on Day Four of the 30^th Annual MidAtlantic tournament there was little change in the leaderboard today.  Lay Days give crews an opportunity to catch up on maintenance items, rig baits, plan strategy and get some much-needed rest.  Tomorrow is the final day of the tournament and well over 150 boats still having another day to give it a go on what is typically a busy day at the MidAtlantic.  In what’s become known as “Moving Day” at the MidAtlantic over the years, the leaderboard often takes a beating as changes to many, if not all, of the categories often occur.  Will that be the case again tomorrow?  Stayed tuned!  It could be another photo finish!  In the meantime, lets recap the leaders after Day Four at sportfishing’s “Main Event.”      

Anthony Martina’s Sea Wolf hailing from Middletown, Delaware continues to lead the white marlin category with his 82-pounder.  Art Boykin of Berlin, Maryland aboard Lucky Duck II has an 80-pounder in second place.  Andrew Dotterweich’s Fish On out of Jupiter, Florida remains in third place with his 75-pounder.   

In the blue marlin category, Rocky Hardison’s Beaufort, North Carolina-based Wolverine remains atop with his tournament record 958-pound blue marlin.  Larry Hesse’s Goin’ in Deep based in Manasquan, New Jersey remains in second place with his 681-pounder while Steve Pilipauskis’ Reel Tight hailing from Riva, Maryland sits in third place with his 487-pound blue marlin.              

The tuna division has been hotly contested all week as plenty of yellowfins have been weighed but big eyes continue to dominate the leaderboard.  Chip Caruso from Colts Neck, New Jersey aboard his Pipedreamer owns the top two places with big eyes of 235 and 227 pounds.  Bob Hugin of Summit, New Jersey on The Right Place is in third place with his 188-pound big eye. 

William Keller of Brielle, New Jersey aboard his Blood Money leads the dolphin division with a 31-pounder while Jeff Spencer’s Bent Tent from Easton, Maryland and Jeremy Blunt’s Wrecker’s from Ocean City, Maryland are tied for second with 26-pounders.

We have a new second place wahoo after Kevin Moore of Pasadena, Maryland aboard his Reel Moore weighed a 50-pounder today for angler Jason DeLucia.  Danny Veid’s Tarpon Springs, Florida-based Amarula Sun continues to lead the category with his 57-pounder.  Patrick McGovern’s Mack 900 from Somerset, New Jersey is now in third place with his 32-pounder.  

Matt Weber’s Max Bet released five white marlin today.    

Please note the MidAtlantic tournament is a private event.  Nightly weigh-in sessions at Canyon Club Resort Marina and Sunset Marina as well as other tournament venues are not open to the general public and require credentials for entry.  All local, state and federal procedures with regard to Covid-19 are being followed to ensure the health and safety of all tournament staff, sponsors and participants.