It’s wintertime and the fishing isn’t easy.
No surprise there, but if you’re anxious to go, there are fish to be caught. And tog continue to be the top choice.
One quick note, the options for catching them have been reduced by one.
The Angler out of Atlantic Highlands finally called it a season and won’t be sailing again until spring.
That just leaves the Prowler 5 as the only party boat currently sailing out of the Municipal Marina.
Capt. Scott Hilliard sailed on Monday with about a dozen anglers and reported a slow pick on keeper and short blackfish, with the high hook taking home two. The southerly heave from the weekend continued making the fishing a bit difficult. The captain has decided he wouldn’t be sailing again until Friday when conditions should be improving with a northwest wind expected, followed by a westerly breeze on Saturday.
There are still a couple of boats sailing out of Belmar for tog and Capt. Bobby Quinn on the Ocean Explorer said the fishing has been pretty good.
Capt. Quinn said Tuesday was a nice day with plenty of life on the bottom and his fares picked away at fish all day. A 10-pound blackfish took the pool and there were several other fish in the 5- to 7-pound range.
The beginning of the week was productive as well for the anglers aboard the Big Mohawk out of Belmar. Fishing was good Monday and Tuesday with some limits taken and a pool fish of 9 pounds.
Out of Bogan’s Basin in Brielle, Capt. Howard Bogan on the Big Jamaica sailed to the offshore wrecks last Saturday only to find the action a little slow. There were a few cod, pollock and ling caught.
The big fish of the day was a 30-pound pollock taken by Dong Sik Kang from
Annandale, Va., that won the pool. Capt. Bogan believes the wreck fishing will improve once the water temperature drops a bit more. The Big Jamaica is sailing at 1 a.m. every Saturday
The Jamaica II had a slow weekend as well, finding a stiff current and 6-foot swell offshore. Capt. Ryan Bogan said big eels and dogfish were out in force, a good indicator of a disturbed bottom. He’s hoping for better conditions this weekend and will be sailing Saturday and Sunday.
The Point Pleasant boats continue to bang away at the blackfish with some good reports for February. Capt. Matt Sosnowski said last Saturday’s anglers were rewarded with a nice catch of keepers and shorts while the swell on Sunday made for slower fishing.
The pool winner on Saturday was 8 pounds followed by a 7 pounder on Sunday. Capt. Sosnowski reported the fishing remained slow on Monday, but they did manage to land a 13-pound tog. The bite bounced back on Tuesday with one limit taken and a load of keepers and shorts.
The Mimi VI and the Dauntless are also sailing for tog when the weather cooperates. Capt. Chris on the Mimi VI fished Tuesday and said Billy Dylan, a.k.a. the Guru, got his limit and a load of shorts. The boat is sailing again on Friday.
Capt. Willie Egerter said the fishing hasn’t been the same since the winter storm that hit a few weeks ago, but they will continue to sail as long as the weather permits.
Capt. Rich Wilkowski at Jersey Hooker Outfitters said the shop has been quiet and the only bass action he’s heard of is from the guys fishing down at Oyster Creek. He also added that heard of a few small fish taken in the surf by diehards walking the beach.
When he gets a favorable weather window, Jersey Hooker Charters is still sailing for blackfish.
Things remain quiet on at Island Beach State Park. Hal at Betty and Nick’s Bait and Tackle in Seaside Park said he hasn’t heard of anybody fishing the beach and not a soul has come in with a report. John over at Dock Outfitters painted a similar picture.
Farther south, it’s much the same story – very quiet. Dave at Absecon Bay Sportsmen and Bill at Fin-atics in Ocean City said there’s really nothing happening right now. What can I tell you? It’s February.
Best Bets for the Weekend
As of now, the weather looks like it will cooperate for the next couple of days, so once again, blackfish offer the best shot at some action and a good dinner. Time is winding down on tog as the season closes at the end of February. There are also wreck trips for cod, ling and pollock out of Brielle. Other than that, you can check out the shops that remain open for new gear or change some hooks or line as you watch the big game.