Capt. Tom Savastano received a photo of a 450-pound gint tuna brought into Brielle today. It was said to have been caught in Hudson Canyon, and I'll have details whenever it can be confirmed.
Capt. Stan Zagleski reported that fluking today on his Elaine B II from Bahrs in Highlands was only a pick where he had done well yesterday, though catches ran up to two keepers. The south wind didn't help, but it's supposed to go east on Monday -- when that boat sails early at 6 a.m.
At Belmar, the Big Mohawk will be making a Monday fluke trip from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Ocean Explorer had good sea bass fishing Saturday along with some fluke, winter flounder and ling. The Golden Eagle reported only getting into some small blues early on Saturday before finding some larger choppers in the afternoon. The blues ranged from 3 to 13 pounds, and were jigged on Run-Off Hammer jigs. One legal striper was also boated.
Capt. Dave Riback said Saturday was a gorgeous day on the ocean, but bluefishing was tough on his Queen Mary from Point Pleasant. The Magic Hours trip was also poor as bait was almost impossible to find, and the only two hits from big stripers were missed.
The Jamaica from Brielle confirmed the slow Saturday bluefishing, but Jessica Verdina of Lodi won the pool with a 6-pounder. They are running a Magic Hours trip this afternoon, and will be seeking big bass again at 3:30 P.M. Wednesday by reservation. During June, the Big Jamaica will be sailing at 10 p.m Sundays for offshore tilefishing. Call 732 528-5014 for reservations.
Tom O'Conner was at his local South Amboy beach this morning and caught three 5-pound blues. He also saw Marion Savo of Woodbridge bring his kayak to shore with three fluke up to 22 inches.
Capt. John Kolias took the Roy Runyak party down the beach to Shrewsbury Rocks on Saturday aboard his Reel Fun from Twin Lights Marina in Highlands, but the reports of stripers there that he had heard about didn't pan out. After not recording anything, he moved back toward the tip of Sandy Hook and got into very large blues on chunks.
At Seaside Park, Grumpy's Tackle reported blues are still hitting bunker in the surf, plus poppers at dawn and dusk. A few fluke are being caught in the suds. Tom Duckett used a Kettle Creek paddle tail yesterday to beach a 22-inch, 3.55-pounder. Crabing has started at the local docks. John Bushell reports from Betty & Nick's that big blues are still biting on bunker at the 14th Ave. dock.