Though there's still a large swell and some stained waters, fishing has bounced back to pretty much what it was before Jose.
At Belmar, the Golden Eagle reported very good chumming for chub mackerel along with some blues and bonito. The Ocean Explorer had hot bottom fishing for porgies plus some blackfish.
The Fishermen from Atlantic Highlands reported that even non-fishermen in the Quick Response Fire Protection party had close to limits of porgies. Blowfish were also caught, and many sea bass and fluke were released.
The Angler from that port was into hot porgy fishing that included an exceptional 18 1/2-incher that was over 4 pounds. I hope that angler was a subscriber to The Fishermen magazine as the porgy leader in their Dream Boat Fishing Contest that covers the entire coast from N.C. up is only 3.38 pounds from Long Island.
Point Pleasant Canal continues to produce lots of action with mostly short blackfish. However, I released a 15-incher this morning that hit a sandworm, and Carl, a regular at Castaways Tackle in Point Pleasant, took a 15 1/2-incher home.
Bob Matthews, of Fisherman's Den in Belmar Marina, said he buckrailed legal stripers last night in the canal, and I saw Joe Mellilo, Jr. fight a big blue at daylight that broke off as he was lifting it over the fence.
Capt. Stan Zagleski sent the following report from Saturday's blackfish trip of the Elaine B. II from Bahrs in Highlands.
Gorgeous day, good fishing
September 23, 2017
There was still a bit of a swell and off-colored water in the ocean today but we headed back to the tog grounds this morning and found a mixed bag of species willing to bite for the guys. The blackfish and triggerfish ate the green crabs and clams equally well along with some porgies. Some sea bass and a couple of legal sized fluke were released unharmed. It was a very nice day to be fishing and tomorrow looks even warmer!! Take advantage of this weather while it lasts. Ed Broska, Hackettstown, NJ, took the pool. We already know of guys coming down tomorrow. See you in the morning.
