This report’s coming in a little late due to technical (website) difficulties, Rick and I went out May 16, the Saturday after the opening of Sea Bass. We were about 10 miles off Atlantic City on a wreck. Rick was anxious to put his new Garmin Trolling Motor to work and after about a half hour of figuring things out, we found the fish and spot locked on them. It was nonstop action of Sea Bass with a lot of nice fish. Also in a mix were several nice size Ling, two Atlantic Cod and probably a good 10 Blackfish as well.

After boating 19 keepers between us, we ran out of clam!  So, after looking on the floor, we scraped all the little bits of clam bits we could find. We got enough to bait up one hook, hoping to catch that last keeper. Sure enough, we got the last one 15 1/2″ …our biggest of the day was 16 1/2″ but we had a lot of nice fish in the 15-16″range. It was a great day fishing and a good first run for his new Trolling Motor!!
Tight lines

Awesome sea Bass trip yesterday on White Crab Charter Neptune, NJ. Really like this boat and crew a lot. AVA17s with teaser were hot, but bait turned on mid-morning. Limited out little after noon.

With the crappy weather coming to stay for a few days, I decided to get out and hit the beach. It was also the last day for vehicles in Surf City so I conned Bill Bond 006-7/8 into going with me.  Before the rods were even baited, we watched an osprey dive into the wash and snatch up a fluke, less than 10 yards from shore. Choice of bait was bunker and clams, 6-8 oz lead was needed to hold because of the current and blustery winds. A few dogfish and a skate were around but we were able to land three bass. One over, one under and one just right in the slot. Looking forward to the Second Annual Inshore Slam which starts next week and the Battle of the Beach on the 21st.

We all know it will happen, but don’t know when? Hopefully when we are very old and unable to fish.
Unfortunately, for healthy fishing buddy, Eugene, it ended last month with a seizure at age 58. He left a beautiful wife and 10 year old daughter.

Monday 5/18 was a scheduled charter with captain Greg Carr on the Kev n Ash. Eugene was planning to be on that trip, since he fished with us many times. So, with his fishing buddies, me, my son Shawn, Eugene’s good friend, Kyle, and club member Bert Kern, and in spirit, Boston Bob, who was in Alaska, we sailed. I should mention that Bob from Boston and Eugene a serious New York team supporter, always went at it without a single curse word – well maybe not from Eugene.

In spite of the recent poor sea bass and fluke reports due to the cold water, we were optimistic. I guess Eugene was still with us because after 3 hours we only had 4 keeper sea bass but we felt him saying “hang in there.” We did, and with Greg’s dedication and knowledge, we ended up with 26 keepers to 16”, 7 ling, a legal winter flounder, caught by Bert, plus at least 20 blackfish up to 6 pounds that had to go back. Also, a sign that Eugene had the last say, he had Kyle catch a beautiful 3 pound lobster, that unfortunately had eggs. So, back she went.

Thank you Captain Greg for your memorials of Eugene. May he rest in peace.

On Monday 5/18/26 I was joined by Pat, Dave and Glen for a Sea Bass Trip on my boat the “Salty Dog” After a 20+ mile steam to the first spot, disaster struck. The trolling motor would not work.

Going back to my days before trolling motors I was able to keep the boat on the fish using the engines and the controls in the cockpit. What a scene. Evert one was catching fish including yours truly. I would bring up the fish, put in on the deck and then get back on the controls. While I was running the boat Pat was clearing my line and rebaiting. Not just my line but his own line as well. Talk about double duty. When he got too busy Glen and Dave pitched in.

Pat was rewarded for his efforts. He caught a 18+ inch sea Bass. One of several fish over 17″ caught on this day.

We ended up fishing two different spots. In the end we had 31 Sea Bass and 4 ling. In addition we had several tog. Two of those tog were around 20″ or more. Everyone caught fish. I would guess we threw back around 100 fish on this day.

Great weather, friends and fishing. Does not get better.

Definitely an excellent day with member’s John S, Chuck D. Jim H, Pat P, Glen M. & Bill Bond. We set up early at 16th st. Surf City for the arrival of the students and Jason H.  We caught 10 Stripers – all released. Then, Jason and his students arrived around 4pm and started fishing the setups we had out for them. They proceeded to catch 4 fish with 2 being keepers – one at 29″ and one at 30″ which went home for dinner. After they left, Pat P caught the last fish of the outing. We were all glad the fish came to school and went to class.

As a special note, Jim H. donated his fishing cart to the students before he left for the evening – thanks Jim!

I went with club members Bill and Glen to our usual haunt. Bait of choice was clams and bunker. Tried again for stripers but was only able to hook up with a nice 25” black drum. Dogfish and skates were all present in the mix. Unfortunately, I also lost a nice bass in the wash. Better luck next time!
Fishing picked up on the outgoing tide, but the wind was brutal.

It was another good outing for secret agent 006 7/8ths with fellow member’s Pat Presutto and Glen Minor. We fished on South 34 Street in Brant Beach (LBI) on Friday May 8th before our May club meeting that night. 006 7/8ths over and out!

I went out this morning and started in Surf City. Saw a few fish caught and met up with John, Ed and Carmen. John had a 35” first cast. Moved to north beach for a little while then back to Surf city and picked up Carmen. Tried in Brant then took the road back to Beach Haven. It was almost the same spot as Fridays massacre. Carmen and I watched his rod jiggle a little. He said “come on take the bait”. I looked a my rod and saw a very limp line, it took a long time to pick up the slack and lo and behold I came tight on a fish. Had one more fish ( no pic) and released in the wash.

Bill Bond, Carmen Bufardeci, Pat Presutto and I (Glen Minor) hit the beach today on the 1st day of May. Eight Stripers in total were landed – a few under, a few over and a couple of keeps.  What a day on the sands!

Glad I joined VHFC. Went fishing with Glenn, Bill and Pat today. We had a great time fishing the surf with Clams.  Fished from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm. We beached 7 or 8 Stripers. Just flat out fun time today. Thanks guys for all of your help!

First striper of the year. It’s been a tough one so far, but I was finally able to hook and land a striper. Hopefully a sign of things to come.  Fished with fellow members Glen, Carmen and 006-7/8. Already looking forward to the next trip out. Measurement was 27”

Bill and Glen both had keepers, Carmen had an over. Numerous other fish caught also.

On Thursday, April 23rd I headed out to a wreck in 75ft of water and caught just 2 shorts with a chilly 49 water temp. We then headed toward Garden State South and stopped at 2 wrecks along the way. I caught 1 keeper and a couple of shorts. We eventually moved to the reef where my crew caught 4 more keeper Tog – two went 18″ – and a small number of shorts. That’s future club member Bob with his two fish. Too bad the season will be closing soon and the immediate forecast is rough seas!

New Junior Angler member Gaige Grant (Glen Minor’s nephew) caught his first keeper tog at the fuel dock behind the lighthouse in Barnegat Light yesterday May 15. Gaige’s fish went 16 3/4″ and hit a green crab on the afternoon tide. BTW, great photo clearly showing the length!

Today was the day for Bill Bond. Here is Agent 006 7/8 incognito holding a keeper Bass measuring just over 30″ caught at Graveling Point. Bill is on the Board of the Village Harbour Fishing Club. Way to go Bill!

I went Striper fishing this morning (4/15) with fellow anglers Pat Presutto and Billy Bond at Graveling Point. I caught my first Bass for the season at 30 7/8″ just under the 31″ throwback length. Bill also had a Bass that went 30 1/8″. Great weather and two keepers!

Today April 14, 2026, I joined 4 other VHFC members at Graveling Point to try our luck off the sod banks. It was a beautiful day and we spent the first two and a half hours of it swapping stories and enjoying each other’s company. Around 10:30, the conversation was interrupted by a hit on one of the 7 or so lines we had in the water. I was instructed to grab the pole and have at it. After a brief but exhilarating fight, I landed the 31 1/8” inch striper as seen in the photo. FIRST ONE EVER! Just my luck, it was an eighth of an inch oversize, so back into the water it went. Regardless, it was an experience I’ll never forget!

I’m deeply grateful to Glen Minor, Bill Bond, Pat Presutto and Phil Kaplan for their encouragement, generous support and advice with helping me achieve this goal. I also want to thank the Village Harbour Fishing Club for helping me learn the ropes when it comes to saltwater fishing. Trust me, this is only the beginning as I’ve got a lot more to learn and a lot more fish to catch.

I fished Barnegat Beach last Wednesday, March 24th. I wanted to fish Graveling Point, but I would have missed the high tide.  At BB, the high tide was at 2:40 so I fished Bloodworms from 1:30 to 3:30.  Besides the 30+” keeper, I had one other bite before having to leave for dinner. Great start to the season!