Fishing continues to remain solid on offshore wrecks. Anglers are carefully choosing days to take off in search of cod and ling. If you plan to take off from work, remember that this time of year is hard-core due to weather and how many fares actually show up. Always make sure you contact the captain and confirm the night before – and even then, I would have a backup plan.
Capt. Jeff on the Voyager has been locating good numbers of cod – and with bragging rights. He is having trips producing 40 to 60 keepers. Starting this Friday, Feb. 15, the Voyager will sail for cod every Friday from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. He has an open-boat, no-reservationsrequired policy. The Voyager will be fishing wrecks from 20 to 40 miles out. Cod fishing reports have been better than in recent years, so contact Capt. Jeff at jgutman28@ comcast.net and get a day to join the crew for some serious fishing.
If you can’t take off, don’t worry. Capt. Scott and the crew aboard the Prowler 5 have been picking away at the bottom with ling, blackfish and a few cod in the mix. He is putting together three big trips for Presidents Day weekend: Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 16 and 17, and Monday, Feb. 18. Check it out at www.prowler5.com for more information.
Offshore fishing remains solid for the crew on the Big Jamaica from Brielle. The Jamaica continues to stick to what they know best: sea bass, porgies and a good mix of ling and cod. Most anglers caught limits of sea bass plus a few porgies this week. Sea bass were up to 6.5 pounds, and the porgies were all jumbos.
Aboard the Jamaica, pool winners this week were Sam Spoeing from Cliffside Park, with a 9-pound Pollock; Fred Moore from Staten Island, N.Y., with a 6.5- pound sea bass; Anan Dwarika from Ledgewood, with a 20-pound pollock, and Gregory Brown from Brooklyn, N.Y., with an 8-pound cod.
High Hooks anglers this week were Alan Kinsey from Maplewood, who caught his limit of sea bass plus 10 porgies; Daniel Rue from Palisades Park, who caught 23 sea bass and one pollock; Mike Vastola of Lavallette, who caught 21 sea bass and four porgies; Mike Langevin and Bill Tragesvr from Merrick, N.Y., who combined for 30 sea bass, 11 porgies and a few ling; Mark Myricks from Jersey City, who caught 15 sea bass with five jumbo 6-pounders, 10 porgies and two ling; and Daniel Signal from Trenton, who caught 19 sea bass and five porgies.
To find out what’s new in your community, log on to www.NJSaltwaterfisherman. com, the latest local fishing news. Fish on.
Did you know?
The IGFA Offshore World Championship is attracting over 60 teams
Just three months away, the 2008 International Game Fish Association Offshore World Championship has already attracted over 60 teams to compete at Cabo San Lucas off the southern tip of Mexico’s Baja peninsula May 11-16.
Considered the most prestigious catchand release blue-water fishing tournament in the world, the event also draws the single largest contingent of international teams ever to compete in a fishing competition. Check out all the latest tournaments and events at www.igfa.org
Hot Catch: While fishing Content Key in Florida over the Christmas holidays, Jason Reynolds of Newark, Del., guided by Capt. Jay Wright Jr., landed a blacktip shark (Carcharhinus limbatus) using 130- pound-class line and using cut bait. The fish, caught on Dec. 22, weighed 60 pounds. Reynolds released the catch. The line class record is currently vacant.