No shopping required — just check the site of the angler’s favorite party boat for one of the special deals they are all offering now, and provide what you select in an envelope. What better gift can you offer a fisherman?
Though moderate west winds are in the forecast, there is a likelihood of some rain or snow.
Anyone looking for a last minute perfect Christmas gift for a fisherman can’t go wrong with any item of AFTCO clothing. I virtually live in AFTCO shorts since the move to Florida — after only using them about six months a year in the north. They are virtually indestructible and easy to clean. Add AFTCO Guy Harvey shirts for more “formal” wear and an angler can be all set with clothing that looks good and wears great!
With a small craft advisory down this afternoon, there’s fine fishing weather coming up tomorrow in NY/NJ Bight with north winds at just 5 knots which turn southwest in the afternoon.
The incredible bluefin tuna bite off Ocean City, Maryland continues to produce a great opportunity for Capt. Monty Hawkins on his party boat Morning Star out of that port. Despite some tough weather this week, his last trip produced less size but more volume. Monty will try to get in another tuna trip before Christmas.
Vinny D’Anton reports there was snow on northern N.J. beaches this morning. All of the local pros appear to have given up on the usual early winter run of small stripers.
A small craft advisory is up through Sunday afternoon. The forecast is for northwest winds at 15-20 knots.
A small craft advisory is up in NY/NJ Bight through late Saturday night. The forecast is for very cold northwest winds at 15-20 knots plus gusts to 25 and a chance of rain and snow in the morning.
Mike Monte checked out the Monmouth County surf again this morning and found it to be devoid of fish life though some loons were diving on sand eels. He said the water temperature is under 50 degrees with no sign of the usual small stripers normally hanging out through December.
Following is a Facebook report from New Zealand:
“In an exhilarating fishing expedition off the North Cape Karikari region of New Zealand, captain John Gregory and his deckhand Jim Gigger made headlines after reeling in a colossal swordfish. The duo, aboard their vessel Primetime, hooked the massive fish, which weighed an astonishing 404.4 kilograms (891 pounds, 8 ounces), setting the IGFA Men’s 37-kg (80-lb) Line Class World Record.
The epic battle began when the swordfish took the bait—a skipjack tuna that was being drifted deep in the water. “The fish took a large tuna we were drifting down deep, and it sucked the bait right down into its guts,” Gregory recounted. The fight was intense, likened to “riding a bull in the rodeo,” as the fish delivered powerful head shakes and performed a spectacular jump before diving back into the depths. After an arduous struggle lasting one hour and twenty minutes, the anglers finally brought the behemoth alongside their boat.
Measuring an impressive 14 feet, 5 inches from the tip of the bill to the tail, with a short measurement of 10 feet, 3 inches and a girth of 6 feet, 4 inches, this swordfish not only redefines fishing records but also stands as a testament to the thrill and challenge of big-game fishing in New Zealand’s rich waters.”
The Ocean Explorer from Belmar reported such a calm Wednesday that they had a hard time staying tight on the anchor. There was a pick of blackfish, and the high hook caught four keepers.
Unfortunately, the NY/NJ Bight forecast for Friday is northeast 15-20 knots plus gusts to 25. There’s also a chance of rain.
The best sea bass fishing of the year is occurring right now at far offshore wrecks fished by N.J. party boats. Those beautiful male sea bass also fight well and are probably the best eating fish in our waters.
New York anglers can get up to the hour weather condition reports on the Capt. Lou Fleet from Freeport by calling Anthony Gillespie by calling him at 516 623-5823. They are sailing for those sea bass every day it’s possible -even Christmas Eve.
Golden Eagle sea bass
A small craft advisory is up from late tonight to Thursday morning. The NY/NJ Bight forecast is for northwest at 15-20 knots with gusts to 25 before diminishing to 10-15 in the afternoon.
This is the roe-laden 56-pound striped bass released from SHO-NUF out of Cape Charles, Virginia that was noted in yesterday’s blog
The most unusual party boat fishery is going on this month off Ocean City, Maryland , where Capt. Monty Hawkins is catching 200-pound class bluefin tuna from his Morning Star with consistency. His latest trip was in in rougher than expected conditions this week.
“Only had three clients on this short notice open boat trip. They were three of my favorite anglers though – off we went.
Played a hunch; looked further south. Found life and saw a few tuna on my screens but no bites.
Kept paddling.
Back where we had em yesterday worked.
First one bit a Shelly and came across the rail in just 8 minutes. Forty nine inches but not the heart of some.
Exhilerating when headed for London; our second fish dumped a lot of line on the strike; had bitten a wayback to begin with so perhaps 400+ yards of line out! After several rounds of anglers it took 43 minutes.”
That long rod may be good for working the tuna at boatside, but must be a killer on anglers. West Coast party boat tuna fishermen long ago found that short stand-up rods put the mechanical advantage in the human’s favor rather than the tuna’s.
Don’t expect to earn IGFA recognition as a giant bluefin angler for a catch on the Morning Star as the rod is shared during the fight, but this is a unique opportunity to experience the feel of fighting the strongest fish in the seas. Hawkins is adding trips as weather permits.
The Sho-Nuf started its winter striped bass release fishery out of Cape Charles, Virginia yesterday in unpredicted rough conditions which produced only one trolled striper — though it was a 56-pounder!
Vinny D’Anton did nothing in the northern N.J. surf this morning, and says most of the regulars are giving up on the usual run of small stripers to conclude the year.
The NY/NJ Bight forecast is for southwest winds at 15-20 knots plus gusts to 20 in the afternoon. Morning rain is possible.
Anglers seeking to improve their striped bass personal record have a great opportunity to do that during the catch-and-release winter season at Chesapeake Bay.
Stripers hooked at that time are full of roe building up for the spring spawning period, and weigh far more per inch than usual.
New Jersey striper pro Chuck Many has been fishing that area for decades and is back there now to conclude his very productive 2014 fishing season. His first report follows :”Shot gun trip to VA to fish with Clinton & Landen for a rendezvous with some of my striped friends!! Awesome time!!!! 11 hours of driving for 9 hours of fishing is totally worth it!!! Suffer for those fish anytime!!
If you ever get the winter blues and want to get a Giant, look up Clinton at Sho Nuf Sportfishing in Cape Charles, VA!! You won’t be disappointed.”
Capt. Ralph Leyrer tried for NJ Bight stripers yesterday out of Belmar without finding any promising signs and switching to blackfish. He’s available for tog fishing on Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday at 6:30 a.m. Contact him at lastladyfishing.com
A small craft advisory is up through Tuesday afternoon. The forecast is for southwest winds at 15-20 knots plus gusts to 30 along with morning rain before dropping to west 10-15 and gusts to 20 in the afternoon.
Just as noted last night, the weather was right for offshore sea bass trips — and that’s usually all that’s required in the winter.
The Golden eagle from Belmar reported as follows:
“IT WAS EXCELLENT FISHING ON THE OFFSHORE GIANT SEA BASS TRIP!
The fish started biting right away and bit all night long. The boat was limited out by 8 am and everyone was in catch and release mode. The SEA BASS were 4 to 6 lbs. and Meredith was the pool winner with a fish around 6 to 7 lbs. We also had PORGIES, WEAKFISH and BLUEFISH.
We have a few more Offshore Giant Sea Bass Trips scheduled in December so be sure to make your reservations to join us on one of these exciting trips.
Folks, the weather for the first 3 to 4 days of the upcoming week is looking horrible for Striper fishing. We will not be fishing until Friday or the weekend. Please check our emails and website for updates.“
The inshore forecast is for southeast winds at 10-15 knots.
Small school stripers usually bite well into the winter in the northern N.J. surf if water temperatures don’t get too cold. However, the last report came from Sea Girt a couple of days –ago — and Mike Monte couldn’t get a touch there the last two mornings in cold, but fishable conditions. Though the water remains mild enough, the sand eels also seem to have moved out.
Offshore sea bass anglers should do very well tomorrow as the forecast is for light east winds.
Sorry about no blog last night. but Kathy and I got stuck behind a major road accident in Florida that took hours to get around.
Tight Lines 