Went looking for more tuna this weekend and thankfully there was a lot less fog this trip out.  Water was significantly warmer this week, mid 70s in the morning and high 70s as the day went on.  We spotted an area with tons of two-tone dolphins just short of the canyon on the way out, but didn’t have any luck, so we continued on.  Once we got to the ledge, I didn’t see any birds, whales, or dolphins, but thankfully, I was marking a lot of bait.  We got the gear out, and 30 minutes in we had a triple hookup.  Unfortunately, we lost one of the fish but managed to boat the other two.  The first hit green dial trackers, and my new favorite lure, the same purple Sterling deep runner as last week.

Headed out to a canyon to look for some yellowfin last weekend.  We had fog for the entire 80 mile ride out.  Water temp was 69-70 and clean, clear blue.  We had one knockdown late morning, but the fish didn’t get hooked.  We finally managed one fish around 1pm.  Wish we had more, but at least we went home with something.  The fish hit a Sterling purple deep runner chain.  Already looking forward to the next trip. My cockpit display below – 150 gallons & 197 nm or 236 mi

Junior members Eisner and Azlynn Simon joined Secret Agent PopPop 006 7/8ths and club member Pat Presutto on a quest at Brant Beach from 5am till 9am on the incoming tide while the terns were bombarding sandeels nonstop. We only managed 1 dogfish as we tried for Striper, Drum, Bluefish and Fluke. We still managed to have a great morning. Oh well better luck next time.

Today, Friday June 26, I was invited by Bob Dodds to go on a fluke charter lead by Capt. Brett Taylor. Accompanying us was Bob’s friend, Bill Scott.  We went out into the bay and fished a variety of locations. Each spot yielded a catch so that by the end of our 4 hour trip, we totaled approximately 48 fluke which included 5 keepers – the largest of which measured around 19″. A great time was had by all. Thanks to Bob and a big thanks to Capt. Taylor.

On Wednesday June 17th, my buddy Bobby and I headed out to Little Egg Reef to do some flounder recon. We had a decent day with water temperature at 66°. We had about a dozen shorts and picked up three keepers – one @20″ and two @19″. It was good to see there’s some flounder out there and they’re biting!

Weighmaster Pat, Ed V and Bayside Dave joined up for a deep wreck fishing trip with John Stuebing. Since the Sea Bass have been elusive, John’s plan was to travel 20 – 25 miles offshore for some deepwater action. The weather forecast was promising but unfortunately, it was wrong. Two to three foot seas were growing to three to five the more we headed offshore.  John’s 27 foot Parker, Salty Dog, was throwing us around like ragdolls. Halfway out ~12 miles, John decided the pounding was too much and his trolling motor would not hold anyway.

We settled for Plan B and went to an alternate wreck where the water was not as deep as originally planned. We all caught fish but there were a lot of throwbacks. After a few hours, the seas had settled and John decided to run a few miles further out. The keeper ratio was much improved at the second stop. We ended up with 31 Sea Bass led by the 19.5″ beauty caught by yours truly and 6 Ling. Still a fun day on the water but my backside is still sore from the bouncy ride out!

The Leary Clan – Brian, Tyler, Sean, Bryson – Max from Fish Heads and I fished yesterday 6/13 at the BI north jetty rocks. We caught a half dozen Stripers to 37” all on Spot. We then tried for fluke in the bay but only had one short. I sure hope the fluke fishing improves. Nice day with the family!

I headed out for another sea bass trip on Saturday 6/13 with Rick and Perry as our captain. It was a beautiful day with light seas. We headed towards 100 ft of water where we fished and caught our 30 fish limit and some ling and a cod. Largest sea bass was 19 1/4 making it a great day on the water!

I decided to try a late afternoon / early evening trip and tried a different spot mid-island. Sunny and comfortable with winds diminishing and an outgoing tide. I brought 006-7/8 for company. First cast was out but quickly rolling South even with 8 oz. I picked up the rod to move it to the other rod spike and felt it wiggle. Pulled in a nice bonus striper and landed it with help from Bill, 25 yards down the beach and line covered in weed. Quick pic and released. We didn’t even try to fish two rods because of the weeds and the current. Stayed for about 2-1/2 hours and called it quits. We were hoping for more time fishing, but it just wasn’t worth the effort.

Bottom line – Bass are still around and even when it is weedy, you can still catch fish!

We fished on Thursday 06/04 going deep for sea bass in 100′ to 120′ of water. I had Paul, Wil, and my buddy Bob on board and we managed to pick up 33 keeper sea bass including a 16″ keeper and 10 Ling to 16 3/4″. It was a beautiful day on the water.

When Bob Dodds mentioned he had a space on the Kev n’ Ash, I immediately jumped on board joining Bob, members Boston Bob Long and Bert Kern and friend Bill. However, initial discussions with Captain Greg Carr were not as optimistic. Based on his experience, along with those of Captains Sam (Mary M) and Ted (Super Chic), bottom fishing has been tough – cold waters, high winds, who knows?

Captain Greg headed north and fished many small snags just SE of the Axel Carson reef. We must have made 25 moves with every spot yielding a few keeper Sea Bass with a few shorts. Final tally: 55 of our 60 man limit, 5 ling and one Porgy. Throwback ratio was low – a nice change. Weather was spectacular as was the fishing!

It was another good day for Pat Presutto and Secret Agent 006 7/8ths this morning on the sands of LBI. Pat’s Striper was not measured but quickly released. Secret Agent caught a 30.5″ and 39″ Striper and a 40.5 Black Drum. All fish safely released!

Hit some fish again today. Bill Bond and I did an early morning trip to catch the incoming tide at 9:14 and stayed for a few hours of the outgoing. Bill managed 4 stripers and I caught 1. I was elected to do the report because I connected with a nice 38-1/2” drum. All fish released. Ospreys were busy on bunker pods, saw 5 at once coming in with their catch. Dolphins cruised back and forth on the outer bar. At least they didn’t scare the fish away.

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!