Chuck Many of Annandale followed up on yesterday's hot striper bite in Raritan Bay by doing even better this morning on Ty Man from Highlands for his brother Kevin of Middletown, N.Y. with his sons Luke (14) and Jake (11). They released 27 bass up to a 34-pounder for Luke and a 33-pounder by Jake on his birthday trip -- while Kevin released a 44-pound bass.Â
They also caught five smooth dogfish and just one 8-pound bluefish -- but the blues showed up not too far away on bunker schools off the tip of Sandy Hook. The Golden Eagle from Belmar reported a good day of jigging -- and also saw a bass among them. The Jamaica from Brielle reported lots of 6-to-12-pound blues jigging. Hopefully the bluefish drought is over.Â
The continuing south winds brought in the coldest water yet along the Shore. It was literally frigid when I stepped into the surf at Sea Girt this morning. Though the water was clear of weeds, there was no sign of fish.Â