Tight Lines

Capt. Ron Santee wasn’t sure what he would see with a big swell predicted, but when he got out to the deep waters which have been producing the best fluking of the season there was no problem with the long swells in gin clear 69-degree waters as Phil set the pace with a 7-pound, 11- ounce fluke. He ended up catching a double limit plus 16 shorts. The Fishermen from Atlantic Highlands will be out there again tomorrow in a much nicer forecast of calming northwest winds at 5-10 knots before going southwest in the afternoon. The swell forecast is down to 3-5 feet,

The Queen Mary from Point Pleasant has been enjoying great bonito fishing this month, and they are sailing tomorrow. The best lure has been the 5-inch Tsunami Splitail.

Vinny D’Anton said he talked to a few Monmouth County surfcasters who didn’t catch anything this morning — but they did see some mullet. In addition, he had a report of lots of mullet in the surf at Breezy Point in N.Y.

Ever since big ocean swells from offshore hurricanes have started hitting the Jersey Shore, I’ve been warning about dangerous conditions at the inlets. Unfortunately, that warning turned into the reality of a drowning death in Manasquan Inlet yesterday. I ran a center console charter boat out of that inlet, and felt it was relatively safe in comparison to inlets with sand bars in front of them , such as Barnegat in N.J, Jones on Long Island, and Hatteras in N.C. Yet, even then I was always on high alert while riding a wave on the ebb between those jetties which don’t allow much room for corrections if you’re not lined up correctly. Several years ago I was aboard a sportfishermen going through Manasquan Inlet on such a day when I looked back and noticed a pontoon boat getting ready to run the inlet. It wasn’t until I was watching TV later that I found out it hadn’t made it as lives were lost.

Applying just enough power to stay on top of the wave without running over it is critical. A much better idea is to postpone your trip or arrange to go out on the ebb when you’ll be facing into the waves — and return on the flood.

Though the forecast of 15-20-knot northwest should provide some calming, inlets will still be a problem at times in 7-10-foot long period swells which won’t bother boaters at sea.

I didn’t get any reports today, but Jim Hutchinson Sr. sent in the following report for the Beach Haven Charter Fishing Association.”As Hurricane Lee and its rough seas pass by Beach Haven many miles offshore, the captains of the Beach Haven Charter Fishing Association prepare to do some serious fishing once things calm down.

This is the time of the year when the summer species of fish are still around before making their departure until next year. In addition, the fall species are starting to arrive. Finally, the warm waters of this time of the year always drive some unfamiliar fish from the south into local waters. This makes for a real variety of fish that can be found if you know where and how to look.

Adding to the mix are good numbers of small mahi-mahi not that far off the coast. Many anglers are finding them as they prepare to do some inshore bottom fishing.  As is typical of these fish, anglers are smart to check weed lines and floating pieces of debris for  these colorful fish lurking under.

Captain Gary Dugan had a pair of ocean trips this past week fishing inshore ocean structure for fluke.  He notes that his anglers had good steady action, it was tough at times to find keeper fish. However, on each of his trips they returned to the dock with fish in the cooler including a nice triggerfish.

The 2023 fishing season in New Jersey for summer flounder ends on September 27. Anglers are encouraged to take to the water when the seas are calm to get in on these delicious eating fish.”

NOAA Fisheries has transferred 21.7 metric tons of giant bluefin tuna quota from Reserve to the General category for commercial fishermen. That will keep the fishery going until a Sept. 17 closing. It will reopen Oct. 1 with a limit of one.

The nation’s leading marine conservation organizations have released a white paper on the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) findings that its Marine Recreational Information Program – Fishing Effort Survey (MRIP-FES) may be overestimating recreational catch and effort data by 30 – 40%.  

That’s not a surprising conclusion as those actually involved in the fisheries have complained about obvious discrepancies for many years which have led to overly restrictive regulations on healthy stocks. Capt. Monty Hawkins of Morning Star from Ocean City, Maryland has been particularly critical of the inflated figures for many years without making much progress until now.

Though best known for his sea bass and blackfish skills, Hawkins has also developed a specialty of dolphin fishing at areas well inshore of the canyons. Limits have been common recently.

The Golden Eagle from Belmar had lots of action and lost tuna on Monday’s 23-hour tuna trip. There were no specifics on how many tuna were caught, but they reported a large swordfish and plenty of dolphin.

A small craft advisory is up through Saturday evening. Friday’s forecast is for north winds at 20-25 knots, dropping to 15-20 in the afternoon. The offshore hurricane is sending in long period swells of 7 to 10 feet. Inlets will be rough on outgoing tide.

The note at the end of yesterday’s blog about the best fluking of the year on the Fishermen from Atlantic Highlands didn’t get through to enough fluke anglers as Capt. Ron Santee barely had enough to sail this morning — but couldn’t miss what looked to be another great day. Once again, there were limits for all with several 3-5-pounders included plus a personal best 8 13/16-pounder for Gary. The Prowler 5 was also in on yesterday’s best day of the season only to find that a rain forecast had scared off most customers. They also sailed with few fares who were all limited by mid-morning before heading in early on a day with no rain.

The Big Mohawk from Belmar had to make a late morning move yesterday to get into the fluke bite, but stayed out longer than usual to get everyone limited.

A small craft advisory is up through Thursday night. It may be fishable early in the morning with north winds at 15-20 knots plus gusts to 25 before swells start increasing to 8-11 feet in the afternoon.

The Queen Mary from Point Pleasant has been into very good bonito fishing along with some blues. Skilled anglers have a big advantage in that sport as George demonstrated Sunday by catching over 20.

Scot Cusick got into a hot yellowfin tuna bite this week which included an Allison. Note the long fins! They were first thought to be a different tuna species, but scientists decided they are only a variation of the yellowfin which are usually seen on some larger specimens.

The yellowfin tuna fishing within range of seaworthy small boats that NY/NJ Bight anglers have been getting used to every summer seems to be holding up nicely in areas such as the Triple Wrecks. That was the case this week for Capt. Fred Gamboa of Andreas Toy as follows:”Had my dad’s 87th birthday trip today. Had all of my family including my 2 sons. Got to the grounds at lunchtime and had the fish boiling on the baits. unfortunately we couldn’t land all the bites we had, still had a great time, with tons of laughs and lots of trash talk, ended the session with some mahi for tacos.”

At 87, I think I’ve caught enough yellowfins to last me for a lifetime!

Capt. Joe Massa had his cousin with his son aboard My Three Sons from Morgan Marina as he ran down the beach Saturday to get into both lots of big porgies plus blackfish — while releasing many large sea bass. It was a great start for Anthony D’Angelo Jr. (9), who had previously only caught a few small fish on a Florida party boat.

There’s a last minute opportunity to join an open boat bottom fishing trip tomorrow on the Mimi VI from Point Pleasant. Call 732 370-8019 this evening for a reservation.

Capt. Ron Santee reports the best day of fluking this season on his Fishermen from Atlantic Highlands. Jong started with a 6.13-pound fluke, and ended up catching a quadruple limit. Everyone limited!

The Golden Eagle from Belmar reported good bonito fishing plus some blues, though anglers had to stay at the rail and work for them.

There’s a small craft advisory for tomorrow, but it starts out with south at just 5-10 knots before increasing later to 20-25 plus gusts to 30.

Unfortunately, sad memories last as long as the good ones. My Sept.11 started well as I joined Capt. Bob Pisano to fish a wreck area which had produced a few giant tuna hits recently. However, my last trip with hat greatest of N.J. tuna skippers was a short one in a hard northwest wind as we started hearing accounts of a plane flying into the World Trade Center towers. Though we should have been within sight of the resulting smoke, that northwest wind blew it so low that we never saw it until almost getting back to Belmar. The re was no reception on the TV that far out, but I got enough audio to assure us something bad was happening — and Pisano decided to head back.

Vinny D’Anton reports there are still plenty of small blues in the Monmouth County surf. He also managed a couple of small stripers among them yesterday morning.

Tuesday’s forecast is for north winds at a mere 5 knots before going southwest in the afternoon with a chance of showers.

Little tunny are also showing in the surf as well as for boaters such as Mx DeGennaro of Hi Flier from Barnegat.

Jeff Merrill reports as follows:

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Six Canyon Club Resort Marina Boats Score the Coveted Billfish Catch!

The late summer white marlin bite off the south Jersey coast has been well documented as recent years have seen double-digit days leading some to say these are the good old days of billfishing and it appears that trend is continuing this year!  Sea-Surface temperature analysis indicate filaments of Gulf Stream blue water have pushed northward near the 1000-1500 fathom line of the Norfolk to Washington and Poor Man’s Canyon and offshore of the Baltimore Canyon.  With it comes nutrients and baitfish billfish, tuna, mahi mahi and wahoo feed on and several boats from the marina have been part of a record-setting week of billfish action. 

The red hot billfish bite of the 2023 MidAtlantic tournament has not let up as the backside of the full moon that occurred on August 30 has seen numbers of white marlin and blue marlin spike even higher!  Interestingly, the numbers of sailfish also being caught has been surprising to many and Grand Slams have become quite common around the marina!  In fact, no less than six Grand Slams were recorded by boats fishing out of Canyon Club Resort Marina over a recent three-day period since Labor Day!  While some slipholders are making day trips, others have been focusing on overnighters to provide maximum opportunity to cash in on “the bite.” 

Jamie Diller’s Canyon Lady recently scored nine white marlin and seven sailfish and followed that trip up with a Grand Slam that included releasing a 600-pound class blue marlin, six white marlin and two sailfish.  Marty Judge’s Judge with Captain Heath Brown on the bridge scored a Grand Slam as the crew released a blue marlin, five white marlin and two sailfish.  Captain Keith Greenberg has put Dave Anderson’s Krazy Salts in mix as one trip saw 10 white marlin and two blue marlin released while a follow-up trip netted a Grand Slam that included one blue marlin, nine white marlin and one sailfish.  Steve Colenaro’s La Barca also got into the action as Captain David “Coop” Cooper put the crew into a Grand Slam that saw one blue marlin, seven white marlin and two sailfish released.  Pat Healey’s Viking factory demo Viking 80 has seen several successful trips recently that included a mix of day trips and overnighters.  Captain Sean Dooley has the crew dialed in as one trip saw six white marlin released while two trips produced Grand Slams that included one blue marlin, five white marlin and two sailfish while the next saw one blue marlin, two white marlin and five sailfish let go!  Ed Katzainer’s Wish You Were Here has also been part of the Grand Slam fiesta as Captain Chris Carron wheeled the crew to one blue marlin, four white marlin and one sailfish released.

As we say, September is prime time to catch billfish off the south Jersey coast so why not make plans to get in on this epic bite!  Cape May is in the heart of marlin country and Canyon Club Resort Marina offers a prime location whether overnight, short term or seasonal dockage is in your itinerary.  Just minutes from Cape May’s Cold Spring Inlet, you’ll have direct access to the Atlantic without the hassle of bridges.  Concrete floating docks with finger piers, bow and mid-ship pilings makes tying up easy and care free.  Uniformed dock attendants are always available to assist visiting vessels with fuel, ice or any other needs.  As a full service marina Canyon Club Resort Marina offers in-slip fueling as well as a 100-foot fuel dock.  Electric, water and complimentary Wi-Fi are also provided while the Ship’s Store is well-stocked with all your boating needs.  Should repairs or maintenance be required during a visit during your stay our on-site Service Department has two travel lifts while also offering gas and diesel engine repair, electronic installation and repair, running gear repairs as well as aluminum and canvas repairs.As we say, September is prime time to catch billfish off the south Jersey coast so why not make plans to get in on this epic bite!  Cape May is in the heart of marlin country and Canyon Club Resort Marina offers a prime location whether overnight, short term or seasonal dockage is in your itinerary.  Just minutes from Cape May’s Cold Spring Inlet, you’ll have direct access to the Atlantic without the hassle of bridges.  Concrete floating docks with finger piers, bow and mid-ship pilings makes tying up easy and care free.  Uniformed dock attendants are always available to assist visiting vessels with fuel, ice or any other needs.  As a full service marina Canyon Club Resort Marina offers in-slip fueling as well as a 100-foot fuel dock.  Electric, water and complimentary Wi-Fi are also provided while the Ship’s Store is well-stocked with all your boating needs.  Should repairs or maintenance be required during a visit during your stay our on-site Service Department has two travel lifts while also offering gas and diesel engine repair, electronic installation and repair, running gear repairs as well as aluminum and canvas repairs.

Although the summer season may have unofficially ended with Labor Day weekend, the billfish season is far from over and the best may be yet to come!  Make plans today to visit Canyon Club Resort Marina and get in on this epic bite!  You may not get the Slam but you’ll have an excellent shot at catching white marlin and perhaps even a blue one as well!  For more information and to reserve dockage space contact the marina at 609-884-0188!   

The Jamaica from Brielle reports more fine bonito fishing during Saturday’s trip when there was also a 10-pound bluefish to win the pool and some chub mackerel.

The Big Mohawk from Belmar reported that anglers who fished through Saturday’s rain did well with fluke as there were limits around the boat up to about 6 pounds.

Monday’s forecast is for north winds at 5 knots before going southwest at the same speed. There’s a chance of showers.

Fluke pro Dave Lilly of Hazlet said fluke were stacked up on the ocean today as they must be getting ready for the annual trip to offshore spawning grounds. The three anglers aboard limited up to 5 pounds, and caught about 50 on a calm sea with perfect drifting conditions. However, the big fluke came up on a nearby boat. That angler borrowed Dave’s scale which read 11 pounds, 2 ounces!

The Golden Eagle from Belmar reported “It started off on the slow side but got BETTER AND BETTER as the day went on. We stayed anchored and chummed up the BONITO. Around mid-day to the end of the day, we held a fish or two on around the boat WITH UP TO 6 ON AT A TIME. They were all NICE SIZE BONITO with a few BLUES mixed in.” Regular and Epoxy jigs worked well, while those using bait also scored.

The Big Mohawk from Belmar had a 7-pound fluke during yesterday’s trip.

The forecast is for south winds at just 5-10 knots with possible showers and thunderstorms in the morning which become likely in the afternoon.

Capt. John Contello has had fluke limits up to 8 pounds almost every trip with his Just Sayin from Highlands.

Vinny D’Anton continues to work for stripers in the Monmouth County surf, but everything has been coming up blues lately. Choppers in the 3-5-pound class provide steady action on poppers, and Vinny speculates that school bass can’t compete with them,. There’s lots of small bait in the surf, but the mullet run hasn’t started yet.

The Golden Eagle from Belmar reported as follows:”We had a slow start with a few shots at the BLUES. It took a while to build up but then had a steady pick of BLUES and BONITO until mid-day. The last half of the day was BONITO and MACKEREL.  ” They also had several jigged keeper fluke.

The Jamaica from Brielle is changing the weekend sailing time to 6:30 a.m. Capt. Howard Bogan reported Friday was the best day of the week for jigging and baiting bonito along with some blues ,chub mackerel and little tunny.

Capt. Ralph Leyrer said yesterday’s catch was giant porgies, but today his fares on Last Lady from Neptune, but they had big triggerfish up to 5 pounds plus a fluke while releasing lots of sea bass up to 19 inches today.

Joe Tomasewski broke the inlet in thick fog, and found his first spot devoid of fluke before limiting up to 5 pounds with Brian and Paulie.

The forecast is for south winds at 5-10 knots with a chance of showers and thunderstorms.

Fisher Price IV went 7 of 10 on yellowfin tuna on jigs and bait.

There wa good news today for NY/NJ Bight anglers as the Golden Eagle from Belmar reported “old school” bonito fishing such as many of us experienced decades ago. Both jigs and bait produced those fish plus lots of blues up to 4 pounds. The Golden Eagle is chartered tomorrow,.

Capt. Ron Santee reported just a bit better fluke drift today on his Fishermen from Atlantic Highlands. Some anglers picked keepers, and the pool fluke weighed 5 1/4 pounds. Bill Chevarini had a 5-pounder yesterday. That boat is chartered both Friday and Saturday.

The Barrier Island Beach Brawl over the Columbus Day weekend s PHOTO RELEASE ONLY for stripers! Nick Honachefsky says there are over 15 eligible species for $25,000 in prizes and cash.

Sign up for an early entry prize drawing at saltwaterunderground.com

The forecast is for south winds at 10-15 knots plus gusts to 20..

Alberto Zacchino with a couple of fat fluke on his boat out of Belmar.