If you didn’t get the memo yet the weather is sour! While not a total weekend rain/blow out everyone would have liked better weather for the completion of the 48th Annual Beach Haven White Marlin Invitational. All can agree it was a great move adding the fourth day this year. The leader board on the WMI site has the Melton Boyz aboard the Jersey Nuts at the top with a 62.5 pound tuna. Looks like there was three white marlin releases as well as 26 tuna, two wahoo and six dolphin boated.
Very fall like weather has shaped up with strong winds and a gale warning is currently in effect through tonight. The coastal storm will offer stormy conditions today with whipping nor’east winds and building surf. As of 11am the Barnegat Light Buoy (Station 44091) has ramped up and is at 8.5 feet. The swell and winds peak tonight. We expect solid surf on the Long Beach Island beaches Sunday which will linger and slowly ease into the work week. As Sunday progresses expect the winds to decrease. Then light winds on Monday and Tuesday; however 3-4’+ swell will be present. The sun is forecasted to be out Sunday, Monday and Tuesday with beautiful low humidity and comfortable summer temperatures. Since there will be swell in the water, these days should be great for fishing the bay. Once things settle down enough it’s time for ocean fluke fishing.
Jacob Bowles sent in this photo with a short report, “Two keepers on bait fishing 60’ of water in the ocean. I also fished the bay three days this week and got a ton of shorts. Had a five pounder boat side but lost him.”
EJ Davis sent in this photo of a sand tiger shark he released. “We stopped in and got geared up at Fisherman’s Headquarters. You guys hooked us up right with bait and tackle. We headed out of Holgate and set up off the beach some. Got this sand tiger shark on mackerel. It was about 7’ long. You guys are on point!”
Here’s a report from Captain Louis Van Bergen of the Miss Barnegat Light… “We’ve seen improvement the last few weeks. More and more fluke, although many are throwbacks, are coming up on our hooks. We have also seen a good number of sea bass and a few porgies. Everyone is busy with those pesky bait stealing sea robins and skates. Squid and spearing combos are working, but Gulp has had its moments in the sun. Join the crew and enjoy a day on the water.”
Here’s an update from the Carolyn Ann III… “It isn’t the nicest day of the year but it has to rain sometimes. Thursday one angler limited out and others were catching. Yesterday the boat had an awesome morning trip with lots of limits of quality fish. The storm might have turned it on. There’s fish out there so hang in as the weather passes! We’ll be back on the grounds as soon as possible. Jump aboard and let’s go fishing!