Anglers get a break in the weather this weekend, but it may take a lot more than a few warm days to turn the fishing around.The cold waters seemed to be ideal for codfishing, but that sport has remained slow. The Jamaica from Brielle cancelled Saturday's trip, but got in the Sunday sailing to mid-range wrecks which produced 12 to 15 cod up to 30 pounds plus seven to eight pollock, according to Tony Bogan.
The Ocean Explorer, out of Belmar, found calm seas, but a big east swell on Saturday. That was a bad combination for anchoring on wrecks, as the boat kept swinging off. The top angler managed a cod and a ling. The northwest wind knocked down the swell on Sunday, when there was a pick of cod and the ling. The hi-hook bagged two cod, and some fares caught three or four ling.
The Canyon Runner fleet, out of Point Pleasant, had a great canyon fishery in 2013, accounting for 207 bigeye tuna plus over 2,000 yellowfins, and has been quickly selling out of both charters and open seats for this summer. The 60-foot Ritchie Howell is sold out on Friday to Saturday, and Saturday to Sunday overnighters. The 48-foot Viking still has some of those dates. Call Adam La Rosa at 732 272-4445 for information.