With migrating stripers feeding on bunkers in the ocean, there should be good action for anglers fishing in Saturday's Hi-Mar Striper Club Spring Striped Bass Tournament with weigh-ins at the Atlantic Highlands Municipal Marina. Last minute entries are possible at tonight's 7 p.m. captains meeting in the VFW at 331 Bay Ave. in Highlands. The fee is $150 per boat.
The Jamaica from Brielle reported god striper fishing today, with a 31-pound pool winner by Bob Behm from Elk Township. Catches were made on bunkers, Crocs, jigs and the new Run-Off Casting Mo-Jo. The Jamaica is adding magic hours trips from 3:30 to 9:30 p.m. on June 7 and 8. For reservations call Zerve at 800 979-3370.
Bob Matthews, at Fisherman's Den in Belmar Marina reported his rental boats are doing better with fluke in Shark River, with more keepers in the catches. Striper reports have been very good. Capt. Eric Kerber has been limiting daily with bass to 46 pounds from On A Mission. The Big Mohawk had an 8-pound pool winning fluke yesterday, and the Ocean Explorer continues to do well with sea bass.
Capt. Chris Di Stefano of Wall joined Frank and Tony Criscola on Crisdel from Brielle Yacht Club on Monday as Capt. George Steller Jr. put them into big bass on bunkers. Frank had a 47-pounder, and Tony a 44. There were also three bass in the 25-pound class.
Capt. Bob Egger put Mark Faller of Toms River into a bass limit in 1 1/2 hours this morning on Spunky II out of Manasquan Inlet with bunkers, releasing all but one before blues moved in.
Capt. Stan Zagleski had decent drifting conditions Thursday that produced an 8 5/16-pound fluke on Elaine B. II from Bahrs in Highlands. Mike Naipawer of Bloomingdale caught three in the 3-to-4-pound class. It was tougher today in a wind against tide situation, yet all but one fare went home with dinner. Karl Faller of East Hanover had three up to a 7 13/16-pounder.
Bluefishing isn't what it had been in Raritan Bay, but Capt. Rob Semkewyc got into a good blast Thursday on his Sea Hunter from Atlantic Highlands after a slow day that was the first in three weeks. Capt. Ron Santee only had a pick Thursday on his Fishermen from that port -- his first tough trip after 29 good ones.
Bob Correll of Bay Head fished his Boston Whaler out of Manasquan Inlet yesterday evening, and found a few bunkers before coming back to pick me up after getting the column out. Unfortunately, the fog got heavier -- and we only recorded bunkers for snagging a couple of times -- though we never marked a fish before an early return. When I talked to Capt. Dave Riback on the Queen Mary from Point Pleasant, he was working hard to catch bunkers for live bait after having had very good daytime striper action for the first time this year.
The Bradley Beach surf looked perfect this morning, but there was no response from fish except for Vinnie D'Anton of Shark River Hills who released a 20-inch bass and two small fluke on a small white Zoom jig.
At Seaside Park, Grumpy's Tackle closed early at 5:30 due to the memorial for Ponytail Mike. They reported slower bluefishing, with some smaller ones showing. Jerry Scarvaglione used an SP Minnow to beach a 30.5-inch, 11.45-pound striper on Thursday. Jeff Crabtree caught a 31.5-inch, 10.7-pounder today on bunker.
Betty & Nick's reported Phil La Grossa and Sean Seraphin weighed identical 42 1/2-pound boat stripers this week for the Beach'nBoat contest.