Shark River is usually the best place to start the winter flounder season, but Bob Matthews of Fisherman's Den in Belmar Marina said that wasn't the case Sunday due to very cold waters. He noted that business was good, with his rental boats out on the water and the worm supply sold out. Bulkhead fishermen caught some large keepers (12-inch minimum), but boaters only picked at a time they should be catching lots of flounder. Matthews thinks there are plenty of flounder in the river that will start biting if the water ever warms. That's not a bright prospect with more bad weather in the forecast. Matthews asks anglers to pray for spring weather.
He noted that a couple of large cod were taken last week on the Ocean Explorer. Lynden Litus of Jackobstown boated a 23-pound cod, and Karl Celins from Pa. had a 24-pounder.
A posting on Facebook by Tagged Fish from Highlands noted that a good try with clams for stripers on Saturday was unproductive.Â