Posted on August 27, 2021
A cat & mouse game at sea
You can never tell what may happen during a day of fishing at sea, but few anglers are likely to encounter the situation Denny Joyce and his South Jersey crew on Keepa from Waretown ran into after a yellowfin trip to the Atlantic Princess was unproductive. A move to Chicken Canyon for dolphin also didn’t produce, and they started trolling back to the AP. Fortunately. there was a strike – and a yellowfin of about 30 pounds was reeled to the boat. That’s when the fun started as a blue marlin estimated at 600 to 800 pounds was hot on the heels of the tuna.
When the marlin tried to eat the tuna it broke the leader and the tuna was free but wouldn’t leave the boat as the marlin was waiting on the other side. When the tuna would move to one side the marlin would follow – and he’d get back under his moving protection. Unfortunately for the tuna it was moving so slowly to avoid the marlin that Doug Itjen was able to free-gaff it and get his Joe Shute lure back.
Other South Jersey sharpies are targeting opportunities to the north. Jake Bowes ran his 28-foot Regulator Liquid Therapy 52 1/2 miles to the bluefin tuna fleet off the Rockaways before catching bunkers and bluefish to drift the live baits which resulted in a 71-inch bluefin fought on 50-pound stand-up tackle by Drew Wilmot.
At Atlantic Highlands, Capt. Ron Santee reported a good day with big fluke as follows; ‘Had to work the conditions once again but we were certainly on the Meat!!John Froelich landed 5 beauties with the largest coming in at 7 pounds 4 ounce’s.
We had 4 fish over 7 pounds today including Brothers Mark & John Hrubic who landed a 7.8, 7.5, 7.0 and a 6.4 pound fluke. The 7.8 took the daily pool.
Several fish in the 3-5 pound range along with plenty of short life for the action. Several guys had their 3 by trips end and several landed two nice fish including Mustachio Dan with 2 beauties. Sea Bass in the mix once again.“
The Sea Hunter also had a good day with fluke and sea bass, but due to tomorrow’s forecast of small craft warnings for east winds gusting to 25 knots plus showers Capt. Rob Semkewyc is canceling as it won’t be possible to fish in the ocean and there are few keepers in the protected bay.
Chuck Many got back to saltwater fishing yesterday and came up with a variety catch for Alex and Alyssa Katyan on his Tyman from Highlands.