Tight Lines

Climate change theory indicates that in response to warming marine species will move north for cooler waters. However, it appears that Al Gore hasn’t gotten that message out to seals which are doing the opposite. Dave Lilly of Hazlet reports there are great numbers of seals sunning themselves in the Sandy Hook-Shrewsbury River area. That continues a trend going on for years, though they were a rarity when I moved to N.J. just a few decades ago.

Seals may look cute. but they are vicious predators and eat all sorts of fish — including school stripers. Worst of all, they will surely prevent any possibility of a winter flounder revival. The latter spawn during the winter in our bays and rivers, but while anglers can only keep two flounder of at least 12 inches, seals have no limit on what may be their favorite food.

The weather is suitable only for seals. A gale watch continues into Saturday morning which starts with northwest winds of 15-20 knots with gusts to 25, Yet, the Jamaica’s Sunday offshore wreck trip may work out as the wind drops out Saturday night and the Sunday forecast is for north at just 5-10 knots before a northeast blow on Monday. Call 732 528-5914 for reservations.

Winter blackfishing has been generally tough, but the Ocean Explorer from Belmar got a big surprise Wednesday when big tog were chewing despite lumpy seas even with northwest winds. “Mr. P” had the tog catch of a lifetime with six from 10 to 14 pounds. The 14 would have taken out the 10.8-pounder leading the seasonal pool if he had been entered. Many 6-10-pounders were caught by other anglers. High winds have prevented a return, but they have hopes of getting out Saturday. The Big Mohawk from Belmar did poorly Sunday and Monday — and have given up for the winter.

Fin-Essence shedder crab essence has long been sold at the Tackle Box in Hazlet, but is now also available at Bass Pro Shops and Cabelas both online and in the northeast stores. Dipping lures and baits in that smelly stuff can make a big difference at times.

A gale warning is up through Saturday morning. Friday starts with northwest winds at 25-30 knots with gusts to 40 and light freezing spray.

There are few opportunities for fishing in the frozen north at this time; but the Jamaica from Brielle will be fishing far offshore wrecks on Sunday, when the weather forecast looks good. With the sea bass season closed, the target will be jumbo porgies plus possible cod, pollock and ling. Sailing time is 11 p.m. Saturday night. Call 732 528-5014 for reservations.

Small craft warnings are up for Thursday, followed by a gale watch for Friday. Winds are north at 15-20 knots in the morning, increasing to northwest 20-25 in the afternoon.

Basketball star Michael Jordan has been expanding his conquests into fishing tournaments with his Catch 23. He fished several major tournaments last year, and won a big one recently in Florida — the 58th Buccaneer Sailfish Release. Fishing was tough as Catch 23 won with only seven releases including two by Jordan.

The Ocean Explorer from Belmar reported a flat ocean on Monday. Fishing was slow though some keeper blackfish were caught along with a few ling and a small cod.

North winds at 10-15 knots are forecast for tomorrow along with a chance of rain.

The Ocean Explorer from Belmar reported less wind and nicer conditions on the ocean Sunday, but the blackfish weren’t chewing. Only a few keeper tog and some shorts were caught after there had been a better bite in rougher conditions.

Tomorrow starts with east winds at 10-15 knots — but increasing to 15-20 in the afternoon. Sleet is likely in the morning with rain, snow and freezing rain all possible later.

Ocean conditions look very good tomorrow with northwest winds down to 10-15 knots before diminishing to 5-10 in the afternoon. Unfortunately, that won’t last long as there is a chance of snow after midnight as northeast winds develop.

The Ocean Explorer from Belmar reported good inshore conditions Saturday as there was lots of short blackfish action while some anglers managed 3-4 keepers. Though windy, the ocean was nice in the west winds,

The following press release may be of interest to anglers:

Abu Garcia is celebrating a century of innovation and epic fishing in 2021 by asking fans around the country to weigh in on the Top-100 fisheries in the United States.
 
The list, which could include anything from backyard streams to sprawling lakes and everything in between, will celebrate the best freshwater fishing this country has to offer and introduce anglers of all levels to well-known big-fish locations as well as hidden gems.
 
Anglers can submit their favorite fisheries for consideration, explain why they top their list and share photos of their favorite honey holes through January 25. The final list will be released in phases, beginning in late February. The detailed results will be available online for avid anglers to explore their next fishing destination as they look ahead to the next century of fishing with Abu Garcia.
 
To learn more about Abu Garcia’s 100th anniversary and cast your vote by January 25, visit www.abugarcia.com.
 
About Pure Fishing
Pure Fishing, Inc. is a leading global provider of fishing tackle, lures, rods and reels with a portfolio of brands that includes Abu Garcia®, All Star®, Berkley®, Fenwick®, Fin-Nor®, Greys®, Hardy®, Hodgman®, Johnson®, JRC®, Mitchell®, Penn®, Pflueger®, Sebile®, Shakespeare®, SpiderWire®, Stren®, Ugly Stik®, and Van Staal®.

The gale warning continues into Sunday
 

Even though the wind was blowing Thursday, the Ocean Explorer from Belmar reported the westerly direction made for a nice ocean with blackfish still chewing inshore. “Howard” caught his limit out of 11 keepers plus a dozen shorts.

Small craft warnings are up to late tonight, but go to a gale watch Saturday with northwest winds of 20-25 knots with gusts up to 35.

Chuck Many has been releasing trophy stripers all winter while running his Ty Man out of Cape Charles, Virginia, but has been in port for some time waiting for the winds to relent. He posted the following advice: · “While I am sitting at the dock waiting for the wind to stop blowing, thought I would answer a question people have been asking: what are my Go To Striper setups? Trinidad 30a & 20a reels or Torium 20 or 30 HG reels, Shimano Teramar XX Northeast rods, G-Loomis IMX Pro Blue rods, and Teramar Inshore Rods. I spool with 40 or 50 pound braid or 30 pound mono depending on the application. Hope that helps!!”

 · 

Due to the ongoing pandemic, George Poveromo had to cancel his annual Salt Water Sportsman National Seminar series for 2021, but with the help of his sponsors he will film episodes at the IGFA to be presented online at no charge. I’ll have more about this as more information is supplied.

Speaking of episodes, Nick Honachefsky has a new one on his Saltwater Underground series on the Sportsman Channel at 10:10 a.m. Friday.

The Mimi VI from Point Pleasant will continue open boat trips for blackfish through this month. They sail at 6:30 on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays for $90 with a limit of 25 On Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays the trip starts at 6 for a fee of $120 that includes whitelegger crabs and is limited to 15. Call 732 370-8019 for reservations and info about overnight canyon trips set for July to September.

Small craft warnings are up through Friday afternoon. Tomorrow starts with west winds at 15-20 knots plus gusts to 25.

With morning temperatures at least in the fifties and warmer weather coming, it’s feeling more like winter in Florida now. Just a couple of days ago, Ken Markow of the Surf Kings reported from Key Largo that the snook had turned off and he had to seek out peacock bass inland. Frank Sieminski noted that inshore water temperatures had dropped to the low sixties and killed the bite. That wasn’t a problem in Quepos, Costa Rica where Capt. Hans Kaspersetz got started with a large snook.

It was a lot colder Tuesday at Belmar, where the blackfish bite was poor for the Ocean Explorer. The big swell was down, though the sea did get nasty. There was lots of small fish life on bottom, but only a few keeper blackfish.

Small craft warnings are up through late tonight for northwest gusts to 30 knots before turning to southwest 15-20 with gusts to 25 tomorrow.