NYNJ

Regional tile fish guru, Dave, from The Reel Seat in Brielle could not pick up because he is off to Florida to see if he can work a little snowy grouper action in with his tile addiction.  Eric is filling in at he store and reports that the tuna chunk bite at the Hudson is still on fire.  Those that are going are getting into yellowfin in the 80- to 100-pound class with numbers up in the 20’s and 30 for volume.  There are some tired backs and weak knees for sure. From there down to the 100 Square a couple bigeyeye and longfin are still showing up but the numbers are way down.

According to Justin at Fin-Atic’s Marine Supply, offshore reports have been slow off South Jersey because of the winds, but he has been getting lots of orders for offshore bait so that must indicate the fleet is getting ready to move. Reports are that most of the action remains south towards the Wilmington and Washington Canyons.

New England

Bluefin tuna fishing at the Regal Sword has slowed, but happily it seems that the fish have moved north, closer to Cape Cod. Dan at the Hook Up said the waters off Nauset and Pochet are teeming with tuna. The fish are in shallow water, 90 feet, which has a tendency to make them a bit more difficult to fool. Eric Stewart managed one on the troll this week, and all the other boats hooking up also did so trolling.

Rich at Nelsons reported a giant tuna taken on Stellwagen this past week as well.