Posted on February 4, 2021 Big tog a possibility in deep water The Ocean Explorer from Belmar had a great catch of big blackfish from relatively inshore waters last Wednesday and couldn’t wait to get out there again. Saturday was rough, and poor results didn’t discourage an all-star cast on Sunday when conditions were perfect on a flat calm ocean. Unfortunately, the results were the same. Only a few shorts plus some ling were caught, and the speculation is that the bottom water may have become too cold. As a result, whenever the weather is right, the Ocean Explorer will be trying in the usual mid-winter 120-foot depths. At this point they’re looking at Saturday and Sunday. The forecast is for northwest winds at 15-20 knots plus gusts to 30 tomorrow morning along with a chance of rain. The Hudson River Fisherman’s Association has postponed their ice fishing derby to Feb. 20 due to lakes covered with two feet of snow.