Posted on July 5, 2021
Bluefish bouce back
After a tough trip Saturday in rain and rough seas, northern N.J. Shore bluefishing bounced back to the limit action boaters have become used to.recently. The Golden Eagle from Belmar reported a hot jigging bite until the tide changed today around 10:30, by which time they had a boat limit and were releasing while also adding some fluke and sea bass. The blues ranged from 2 to 8 pounds. Unfortunately, there’s been no further mention of Spanish mackerel which were being picked at a few weeks ago.Those bluefish must be happy with the bait offshore, because they haven’t been providing much surf action. Indeed, there wasn’t much to be caught in the Monmouth County surf this morning. Those casting lures did nothing, and though the whitewater conditions looked good for sand flea fishing, Vinny D’Anton got the only hit –and that small striper got off. Jim Louro switched to fluke and released a couple of shorts on a Band of Anglers bucktail jig and Gulp combo.
Southwest winds at 10-15 knots are forecast for the morning before increasing to 15-20 in the afternoon.
Capt. Rob Semkwyc weighed his largest fluke of the season on the Sea Hunter from Atlantic Highlands when Tom Salerno boated an 8 5/8-pounder this weekend. There had been lots of shorts action, but that dropped off today as some 4-and-5-pounders hit.
The Big Mohawk from Belmar reported picky ocean fluking on Sunday, but they did have a good catch with favorable conditions on July 1.