Anglers in NY/NJ Bight have seen enough of northeast winds and the nasty ocean conditions which result from them. Unfortunately, there’s no end in sight to that problem which has particularly impacted fluking as the N.J. season nears an end on Sept. 25.
A small craft advisory is up through Friday afternoon, with northeast winds at 15-20 knots plus gusts to 25 — and seas up to 5 feet. Worst of all, it looks pretty much the same right into Monday.
Though tuna fishing has generally been very good, ocean conditions have made it difficult.
Betty & Nick’s Fishing Club posted the following report:”9-17-24 UPDATED 5:51 PM The 3 guys we had in this afternoon came back to the shop with a report and to reload. Bluefish in The Pocket everywhere and mullet everywhere jumping out of the whitewater. “
A small craft advisory is up through Thursday afternoon in NY/NJ Bight. Tomorrow’s forecast is for continuing northeast winds at 15-20 knots plus gusts to 25.
Vinny D’Anton didn’t fish the surf this morning, but got the good news that the mullet run is underway, as many anglers caught stripers from 26 to 35 inches on a variety of lures. Vinny noted that the reports came from various northern areas despite rough surf.
The ocean has been nasty for some time, and Capt. Ron Santee Jr. said that has resulted in poor fluking. If it doesn’t settle down by the weekend, he’ll be switching his Fishermen from Atlantic Highlands to bottom fishing next week.
A small craft advisory is up through Wednesday afternoon. The forecast is for northeast winds at 15 knots plus gusts to 20. Showers are possible., and seas may be up to 6 feet.
Marine artist Steve Goinone reports “After weighing an impressive 622-lb blue marlin on Day of the Bermuda Billfish Blast, the Viking 82 team stayed at the top of the BTC leaderboard releasing two blue marlin and one white marlin during the Billfish Blast, eight blue marlin during the Big Game Classic, and six blue marlin during the Sea Horse Angler’s Club. Their 8,222 points secured their victory, earning them a total prize of $616,128
Nick Honachefsky reports his annual Barrier Beach Brawl will be contested along the N.J. surf on Oct. 11 and 12, with over $35,000 in fishing tackle prizes to be won or just given away. Visit saltwaterunderground.com for details on this contest which includes prizes for many species –even including pompano. The entry fee is $45.
Capt. John Contello of Just Sayin’ reports from a couple of days ago “Great Day yesterday for the Birthday Boy Bill Sea and Crew Started off the morning with some action packed Bonito fishing. Put a bunch In the box and than took a ride looking for some Fluke. Bounced around checking out different areas and depths. Landed Two 8 pound fish and several other 5/6 pound class fish. Had to work hard for the bites and make them count. Ended with 14 Keepers for the box and a bunch of bonito. Great mixed bag day with a ton of action/quality Fluke. Thanks to Bill Sea and the Saturday Fluke crew for always coming out and fishing hard/smart until the end. Some nasty weather coming this week. Now is the perfect time to lock in your Fall Striped Bass charters if you haven’t already!! Text me at 732-670-1919. Almost that time #JustSayin #mixedbag
A small craft advisory is up in NY/NJ Bight from late tonight through Tuesday evening.
The forecast for tomorrow is east winds at 10-15 knots with seas up to 6 feet.
1
Like
Comment
Share
Great Day yesterday for the Birthday Boy Bill Sea and Crew Started off the morning with some action packed Bonito fishing. Put a bunch In the box and than took a ride looking for some Fluke. Bounced around checking out different areas and depths. Landed Two 8 pound fish and several other 5/6 pound class fish. Had to work hard for the bites and make them count. Ended with 14 Keepers for the box and a bunch of bonito. Great mixed bag day with a ton of action/quality Fluke. Thanks to Bill Sea and the Saturday Fluke crew for always coming out and fishing hard/smart until the end. Some nasty weather coming this week. Now is the perfect time to lock in your Fall Striped Bass charters if you haven’t already!! Text me at 732-670-1919. Almost that time #JustSayin #mixedbag
63Chuck Tyman Manny, Louis Castellano and 61 others
16
1
Like
Comment
Share
Great Day yesterday for the Birthday Boy Bill Sea and Crew Started off the morning with some action packed Bonito fishing. Put a bunch In the box and than took a ride looking for some Fluke. Bounced around checking out different areas and depths. Landed Two 8 pound fish and several other 5/6 pound class fish. Had to work hard for the bites and make them count. Ended with 14 Keepers for the box and a bunch of bonito. Great mixed bag day with a ton of action/quality Fluke. Thanks to Bill Sea and the Saturday Fluke crew for always coming out and fishing hard/smart until the end. Some nasty weather coming this week. Now is the perfect time to lock in your Fall Striped Bass charters if you haven’t already!! Text me at 732-670-1919. Almost that time #JustSayin #mixedbag
63Chuck Tyman Manny, Louis Castellano and 61 others
16
1
Like
Comment
Share
Great Day yesterday for the Birthday Boy Bill Sea and Crew Started off the morning with some action packed Bonito fishing. Put a bunch In the box and than took a ride looking for some Fluke. Bounced around checking out different areas and depths. Landed Two 8 pound fish and several other 5/6 pound class fish. Had to work hard for the bites and make them count. Ended with 14 Keepers for the box and a bunch of bonito. Great mixed bag day with a ton of action/quality Fluke. Thanks to Bill Sea and the Saturday Fluke crew for always coming out and fishing hard/smart until the end. Some nasty weather coming this week. Now is the perfect time to lock in your Fall Striped Bass charters if you haven’t already!! Text me at 732-670-1919. Almost that time #JustSayin #mixedbag
63Chuck Tyman Manny, Louis Castellano and 61 others
16
1
Like
Comment
Share
Great Day yesterday for the Birthday Boy Bill Sea and Crew Started off the morning with some action packed Bonito fishing. Put a bunch In the box and than took a ride looking for some Fluke. Bounced around checking out different areas and depths. Landed Two 8 pound fish and several other 5/6 pound class fish. Had to work hard for the bites and make them count. Ended with 14 Keepers for the box and a bunch of bonito. Great mixed bag day with a ton of action/quality Fluke. Thanks to Bill Sea and the Saturday Fluke crew for always coming out and fishing hard/smart until the end. Some nasty weather coming this week. Now is the perfect time to lock in your Fall Striped Bass charters if you haven’t already!! Text me at 732-670-1919. Almost that time #JustSayin #mixedbag
Great Day yesterday for the Birthday Boy Bill Sea and Crew Started off the morning with some action packed Bonito fishing. Put a bunch In the box and than took a ride looking for some Fluke. Bounced around checking out different areas and depths. Landed Two 8 pound fish and several other 5/6 pound class fish. Had to work hard for the bites and make them count. Ended with 14 Keepers for the box and a bunch of bonito. Great mixed bag day with a ton of action/quality Fluke. Thanks to Bill Sea and the Saturday Fluke crew for always coming out and fishing hard/smart until the end. Some nasty weather coming this week. Now is the perfect time to lock in your Fall Striped Bass charters if you haven’t already!! Text me at 732-670-1919. Almost that time #JustSayin #mixedbag
Dave Lilly took his crew striper fishing yesterday morning in N.Y. Harbor, where they drifted live eels to catch nine bass up to 45 inches. It was a perfect morning — calm. warm and with little boat traffic. The only problem was the lack of any bass even near the 28-31-inch slot limit — all being much larger.
That would be fine with me, but considering the high cost of fuel and live eels many fishermen pass up great sport when there’s little likelihood of boating a single bass. Dave noted that they also caught a few big blues which really love those expensive eels.
Dave got out for fluke once last week, and had the usual crew limit though nothing large among them.
The forecast for NY/NJ Bight tomorrow is for east winds at 10 knots.
Capt. Dave De Gennaro of Hi Flier from Barnegat said he stayed mid range a couple of days ago ” and went two for four day chunking yellowfin tuna. 50 lb and 105 lber for my friend Dave Flood who is always helping people on my boat catch fish. Today, it was just him and I, and he got to catch his biggest tuna. Thanks to Capt Greg on the Victoria Marie for pointing us in the right direction.”
All reactions:
69Nick Honachefsky, Pete Barrett and 67 othersStayed mid range today and went two for four day chunking yellowfin tuna. 50 lb and 105 lber for my friend Dave Flood who is always helping people on my boat catch fish. Today, it was just him and I, and he got to catch his biggest tuna. Thanks to Capt Greg on the Victoria Marie for pointing us in the right direction.
All reactions:
69Nick Honachefsky, Pete Barrett and 67 othersStayed mid range today and went two for four day chunking yellowfin tuna. 50 lb and 105 lber for my friend Dave Flood who is always helping people on my boat catch fish. Today, it was just him and I, and he got to catch his biggest tuna. Thanks to Capt Greg on the Victoria Marie for pointing us in the right direction.
All reactions:
69Nick Honachefsky, Pete Barrett and 67 othersStayed mid range today and went two for four day chunking yellowfin tuna. 50 lb and 105 lber for my friend Dave Flood who is always helping people on my boat catch fish. Today, it was just him and I, and he got to catch his biggest tuna. Thanks to Capt Greg on the Victoria Marie for pointing us in the right direction.
All reactions:
69Nick Honachefsky, Pete Barrett and 67 othersStayed mid range today and went two for four day chunking yellowfin tuna. 50 lb and 105 lber for my friend Dave Flood who is always helping people on my boat catch fish. Today, it was just him and I, and he got to catch his biggest tuna. Thanks to Capt Greg on the Victoria Marie for pointing us in the right direction.
All reactions:
69Nick Honachefsky, Pete Barrett and 67 othersStayed mid range today and went two for four day chunking yellowfin tuna. 50 lb and 105 lber for my friend Dave Flood who is always helping people on my boat catch fish. Today, it was just him and I, and he got to catch his biggest tuna. Thanks to Capt Greg on the Victoria Marie for pointing us in the right direction.
All reactions:
69Nick Honachefsky, Pete Barrett and 67 othersStayed mid range today and went two for four day chunking yellowfin tuna. 50 lb and 105 lber for my friend Dave Flood who is always helping people on my boat catch fish. Today, it was just him and I, and he got to catch his biggest tuna. Thanks to Capt Greg on the Victoria Marie for pointing us in the right direction.
All reactions:
69Nick Honachefsky, Pete Barrett and 67 othersStayed mid range today and went two for four day chunking yellowfin tuna. 50 lb and 105 lber for my friend Dave Flood who is always helping people on my boat catch fish. Today, it was just him and I, and he got to catch his biggest tuna. Thanks to Capt Greg on the Victoria Marie for pointing us in the right direction.
Leading up to the 25th Annual IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame Induction this Saturday, September 14th, we’re highlighting the incredible accomplishments of this year’s inductees. Today we’re proud to feature Nick Smith, whose billfishing prowess and conservation efforts have set global standards.
Nick Smith’s angling journey began off the Palm Beaches in1955, igniting a lifelong passion for billfishing that continues to burn brightly. Evolving from conventional dead and live bait sailfish fishing, Smith has honed his focus to fly fishing for billfish, demonstrating an unwavering commitment to pushing the boundaries of the sport. With a storied career marked by tournament victories, accolades, and remarkable angling feats, Smith has unquestionably set the standard for billfishing excellence. As a three-time recipient of the esteemed West Palm Beach Fishing Club’s Donald S. Leas International Angling Award, his dedication to angling mastery is unmistakable. Since embracing fly fishing for billfish in November 1999, Smith has achieved extraordinary success, releasing over 6,000 billfish in accordance with IGFA Flyfishing Rules, a testament to his skill and conservation ethos. Beyond his impressive catch statistics and tournament triumphs, Smith’s influence extends to pioneering fishing techniques, tackle innovations, boat designs, and shaping the landscape of modern angling. His profound impact on the sport, coupled with his unparalleled contributions, unequivocally position him as a deserving candidate for induction into the prestigious IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame.
********
The weather is looking good in NY/NJ Bight with a Sunday forecast of east winds at just 10 knots with possible patchy fog in the morning.
The Ocean Explorer from Belmar reports a 9.3-pound fluke caught this week by Kasper.
Capt. Ron Santee Jr. saw a big improvement in fluking during Thursday’s trip with his Fishermen from Atlantic Highlands;”Got to our first area this morning to find absolutely no current, no drift.
Caught a couple fish power drifting but I wasn’t planning on doing that all day! Took a ride looking for some current, found it and it was game on for the rest of the day.
Derrick lead the way with a double limit followed by several customers with their three by days end, Lou, Derrick, Super Dave and Kevin
Some beauties in the mix once again with Gary landing the first 6-pound 4-ounce keeper. A short while later JTP landed his largest of the season at 6-pounds 13- ounces.”
The forecast is for west winds at 5 knots before going southeast in the afternoon. Patchey fog is possible in the morning.
Betty & Nick’s Tackle in Seaside Park reported lots of blues being caught from local beaches this morning on metal and epoxy lures. Some stripers have been reported, but the fall run won’t start until mullet appear in quantity.
The Queen Mary from Point Pleasant has been into limits of blues plus plenty of bonito and a few Spanish mackerel every fishable day.
The Fishermen from Atlantic Highlands had good fluking Wednesday with several limits and lots of shorts. Americo took the pool with a 6 3/8-pounder.
Fine weather continues with a forecast of northeast 5-10 knots before switching to southeast in the afternoon.
Nick Honachefsky reports “I will be holding a FREE SURF FISHING SEMINAR Saturday, September 21st at Fishermen’s Supply Co. in Point Pleasant at 5 PM priming how to fish the Fall Run! I’ll cover all sorts of tips and tactics to maximize your successes and try and answer all your Fall Run surf questions. Just show up!
The Ebb Tide from Montauk posted the following from a recent Block Island trip:
“Here’s the full Block report, it was phenomenal Sea Bass and absolute Nuclear porgy fishing and as far as the Fluke bite goes it wasn’t phenomenal, but we did have some bigguns besides Christine’s 11lber. Ronnie had a 7.5, Terri had a 6 and Dante had a 5plus. Once Jeff got his 5 he started flipping jigs and was crushing the biscuits. That’s Block this time of year in a nutshell, you never know but you’ll always go home with plenty of meat, and you’ll always have a good time on the Tide. Thanks to all for a great day — will never forget this day!”
+The NY/NJ Bight forecast is for southeast winds at 5-10 knots,
Capt. Ron Santee Jr. reported much better fluking Tuesday on his Fishermen from Atlantic Highlands despite poor conditions.
Chuck Many is noted for his dedication to catching big stripers, but when conditions aren’t right he can be just as happy catching a variety of smaller species on his Tyman from Highlands.
“Goal on Saturday was 14 different species. With the ocean a mess, that didn’t seem likely, but the river was alive and gave us a great start! Kept chipping away and ended with 15 species including a great Black Drum bite at the end of the trip. We even got Chris in on time, so he could go Catfishing, .”
“
Small black drum aren’t normally encountered as far north as NY/NJ Bight. See photos below
The Queen Mary from Point Pleasant had jigging for bluefish up to 12 pounds on Sunday along with the usual small choppers. To top it off, bonito turned on later.
of the Bermuda Billfish Blast, the Viking 82 team stayed at the top of the BTC leaderboard releasing two blue marlin and one white marlin during the Billfish Blast, eight blue marlin during the Big Game Classic, and six blue marlin during the Sea Horse Angler’s Club. Their 8,222 points secured their victory, earning them a total prize of $616,128
Tight Lines 