Today's snow and strong northeast wind provided a grim picture for the weekend, but the north winds are predicted to drop down during Saturday -- and calm down for Sunday, though a big swell could be a problem. As per yesterday's blog, there will be fishing flea markets on Saturday (the Salt Water Anglers of Bergen County at the American Legion in Rochelle Park) -- and Sunday with Berkeley Striper Club at Toms River North Intermediate School.
Summer flounder regulations were already imposed on most of N. J. by the ASMFC as we are incorporated into a region with Connecticut and New York that will have the same limits as last year a five-fluke bag at a minimum of 18 inches. Bob Matthews said there were lots of anglers fishing from the pier and docks at Belmar Marina during the March 1 season opener, though he didn't get any reports from that area which produced lots of big flounder well over the 12-inch minimum and up to just over 4 pounds last fall when the two-flounder limit was easy to come by.
The regulations for fluke and sea bass are expected to be set at this meeting. The NJ Bureau of Marine Fisheries worked hard to develop various options.
Phil also had reports of shorts from Cliffwood and Union Beach. Wes Shourt of Manahawkin had a 14-pound cod, while Xin Chue of Hazlet bagged a 16-pound pollock and 12-pound black.
The Canyon Runner Fleet will be fishing commercially for giant tuna out of Morehead City, N. C. starting next week and extend the same offer just as they did last year, when about 100 military and vets were hosted during that fishery. The Salt Water Anglers of Bergen County are running their first Fishing Flea Market on March 5 from 10 a. m. to 4 p. m. at the American Legion, 33 West Passaic St. in Rochelle Park.
Saltwater Anglers of Bergen County will be holding a Flea Market on March 5th at the American Legion Post 170 located at 33 West Passaic Street in Rochelle Park from 10 a. m. to 4 p. m. Entry fee for adults is 3, and children under 12 will be admitted at no charge. Items for sale will only be fishing or outdoors-related, and prizes will be provided every hour. Additional information about the Saltwater Anglers of Bergen County can be found at www. swabc. org The Ocean Explorer from Belmar got out Monday in decent weather, but blackfishing offshore was surprisingly dull.
Some keeper tog up to one of almost 12 pounds were boated, but the bite died out to almost nothing later in the trip during a mild and very fishable day after it had been very rough Saturday. Unfortunately, there's a lot of rain and east wind in the forecast the next two days.
The Ocean Explorer from Belmar also had tough Saturday bottom fishing as only a few fares could get blackfish bites in the swells, while even bergalls weren't biting under those conditions. However, the swell was decreasing during the trip home -- and conditions should be better tomorrow.
Unfortunately, Capt. Gary Fagan is recovering from surgery, and won't be sailing his Big Mohawk from Belmar this weekend. Capt. Howard Bogan has some room left on Saturday's 1 a. m. cod trip aboard the Jamaica from Brielle.
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