Posted on January 4, 2021 Big swell spoils a fine winter day Mike Monte took advantage of a calm, mild January morning to cast for stripers in the Belmar surf which had been producing schoolies recently. Everything looked good except for a big offshore swell which made the surf practically unfishable despite the lack of wind. Monte will continue early morning and evening surf attempts as long as the weather holds. The fine winter weather continues tomorrow with north winds at 10-15 knots and 3-5-foot seas. After that there are northwest winds predicted for days to come. The Elaine B. II from Bahrs in Highlands plans to resume blackfishing tomorrow. Bob Matthews reports from Fisherman’s Den in Belmar Marina that dedicated blackfish anglers are still catching tog in Shark River Inlet as well as on the party boats — but the winter flounder season closed on Jan. 1. Small stripers are a surf possibility as long as water temperatures remain in the forties.