Hi Flier Bluefin Tuna, Bonita, and Weakfish

On Wednesday, before Ernesto rolled through, I had Ray Polikoski and his son Brayden, 14, from upstate NY, on board for their first bluefin tuna. We trolled three tuna between 25 and 40 pounds, and two bonita. Brayden handled two of them by himself. Less than 20 miles from the inlet.

Yesterday, (Sunday), I had Jim Maresca and family out for our first live grass shrimping effort. We caught a bunch of weakies, some shorts, three legal ones, and dropped another legal one. My son Capt Nick DeGennaro jumped on the boat as soon as I jumped off and returned for a bunch more weakies with friends. We also had fluke, snapper blues, perch, spot, and sand sharks. All on 6 lb spinning tackle. I returned there today and it was even better weakfishing.

FYI: This might be our last season of using this technique as our bait supplier might be retiring and there doesn’t appear to be anyone taking it over. It’s been a good run, though. I’ve been shrimping weakies in Barnegat Light since 1978. If you have never done it, you might want to give it a try. We will be running for them until at least Late Sept.

Also, there have been a lot of bonita on the tuna grounds, as well as in closer. They are solid size, too. We can troll for them or drift and catch them on bait.

I have Wed, Aug 21 available for Open Boat, or charter for Bluefin Tuna, Bonita, or Weakfish in the bay. Call for details. My next available day is Sunday, Aug 25.

Pics:

Ray Polikoski of upstate NY with 40 lb bluefin tuna (jeans, sleeveless shirt)

Ray with son Brayden holding a 30 lb class bluefin tuna

Ray holding a bonita

Jim Maresca of Levittown, PA with family and friends and weakies (group shot)

Bob Maresca of Levittown, PA with weakie

Cassie St Onge of Davie, FL (Nick’s fiance) and Tessa Jones of Barnegat, NJ with weakies

Jon Cavaliere of Bayville, NJ with a nice weakie

Thank you,

Dave

Dave DeGennaro

Hi Flier Sportfishing