Note: The report prior to this was cancelled because of Hurricane Irene.

<b>Staten Island</b>

Customers were just returning to fishing after the hurricane, said Pat from <b>E-Z Catch Saltwater Traps & Tackle Co.</b> Bluefish seemed to get blown into the bay, and lots were plowed along the south side of Staten Island and the Verrazano Bridge, instead of in the Arthur Kill like before. The fish bit at sunup on bait, namely butterfish and frozen bunker. Bunker seemed to disappear from the waters since the storm. Porgies and snapper blues continued holding in the Arthur Kill at places like the St. George Fishing Pier. Crabbing didn’t slow at all in the Arthur Kill and was good. Freshwater fishing had mostly been on hold, because the lake parks were closed because of downed trees from the storm. But Sylvan Lake, waters that doled out great fishing for largemouth bass all summer, was opened now. The bass were landed at night, dusk or dawn during the summer heat. The store is also a <b><i>premier manufacturer and supplier of saltwater traps</i></b> for wholesale and commercial, including custom building and servicing. See the online <a href="http://www.e-zcatch.com/catalog" target="_blank">catalog of traps</a>. E-Z Catch is also a train store.

No trips sailed with <b>Outcast Charters</b> because of the storm, except when the boat was moved to safety for the weather, Capt. Joe said. But Outcast is now back in action, and bottom fishing is booked aboard this weekend. On bottom trips so far this season, not a lot of sea bass bit, but good-sized ones did, and trips were able to put a catch together, by grabbing the sea bass that were available, and mixing in fishing for other fish like ling.

<b>Keyport</b>

The marina fared well in the hurricane, and so did the boat, and the vessel was left in the slip, and <b>Papa’s Angels Charters</b> is ready to resume fishing for fluke, Capt. Joe said. Space is available aboard for deep-water, open-boat, 8-hour fluke trips at 6 a.m. Saturday and Sunday. The vessel is booked Monday, Labor Day.  Otherwise open trips are fishing for fluke 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. (a deep-water trip) and 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. daily when no charter is booked. Call to reserve.

<b>Atlantic Highlands</b>

Took four days for power to be restored, and the first report after the storm was posted today on the party boat <b>Fishermen</b>’s Web site. The boat and crew are fine, and the vessel is back in business, Capt. Ron said in the report. “Only problem is, the (fluke) don’t know it!” he said. Waters were dirty, and all the freshwater killed the bite. The boat fished everywhere – the channels, rocks, deep waters and shallow waters – on every tide. But fluking will surely improve when the salinity becomes normal. Fluke season lasts through September 25 this year, so anglers will get their last licks in. “As always,” Ron said, “working hard every day, no matter how tough the battle.” And as always, Ron will post “exactly what is happening, good or bad, as all my customers know.” Check out the <a href=" http://www.captainronsfishermen.com/index.php/photo-gallery?catid=3&func=viewcategory" target="_blank">Fishermen’s fluke photos from the year</a>. “There are some real beauties this season!” Ron said. The Fishermen is sailing for fluke 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. daily and 3:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.

Fluke started to get boated again after the storm, Jimmy from <b>Julian’s Bait & Tackle</b> said he thought. But not a lot of news was available yet, so he couldn’t say much about fishing. He saw a fleet of boats working bluefish north of the Shrewsbury Rocks Wednesday. The state shut down clamming, because of runoff from the storm, and the lack of the bait was a problem for bottom fishing. Weakfish were sometimes nabbed in the bay, and that was the first time Jimmy mentioned that this season. Good fishing for snapper blues was on in the back waters.

Sailing for fluke started again Tuesday aboard the party boat <b>Atlantic Star</b> after the storm, Capt. Tom said. The fishing wasn’t as good as before the weather, and the trips fished mostly on the bay, a little on the ocean. Waters remained dirty but were clearing. The bay was more settled  than the ocean that held a swell. But trips will fish on the ocean like before once the seas drop out. On Tuesday the afternoon trip sailed, picking up a few keeper fluke and some shorts. On Wednesday morning’s trip not many keepers came in, only a couple of handfuls, Tom said. On Wednesday afternoon’s trip a few keepers and lots of shorts were reeled up. On this morning’s trip a handful of keepers, some shorts and sea robins were angled by 9:45, when Tom gave this report aboard over the phone. The docks were fine after the storm, and the boat was back on its two-trips-per-day schedule. Electricity and the phone were back on after being off a while.  The Atlantic Star is fishing for fluke on two trips daily 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.

<b>Highlands</b>

A crew trip motored out Saturday before the storm with <b>Raritan Bay Charters</b>, Capt. Dave said. The crew first crabbed on the Shrewsbury River, plucking three-quarters of a bushel of keeper blueclaws, a good catch. Then they moved to the channels, dialing up fluke to 24 inches. Afterward the boat was pulled from the waters before the hurricane Saturday night, and the vessel was dropped back in the drink Tuesday, after the storm. A couple of reports were heard about fluking this week, and the fish still swam local waters. That was the question everyone had. Fishing for them seemed somewhat better in the ocean than in the bay, and waters will be clearer by the weekend, and were gradually improving each day. Charters are booked aboard this Friday and Sunday, and Saturday is available for a fluke charter or open-boat trip. Open trips are fishing for fluke when no charter is booked.

The crew on the <b>Hyper Striper</b> made it through the storm, and fishing aboard is back in action, Capt. Pete said in an e-mail. The Maersk Shipping charter today shoveled up a good catch of cod and ling, putting up a few blues and sea bass too. Dates are being looked for September bottom fishing and fall striped bass and tog fishing.

<b>Fisher Price Charters</b> dropped the boat back in the waters Wednesday, after the storm, Capt. Derek said. Previously trips aboard bottom-fished, wrangling up ling, cod and sea bass, or all the usual species, and fluke fished, pounding good catches. The next open-boat trips will be for bottom fish Saturday and fluke Sunday, and call to climb aboard, or to be kept informed about the future open schedule. Charters are also being booked. A friend went 2 for 3 on bluefin tuna, 45- and 46-inchers, jigged Wednesday. No bluefish, only tuna, were seen. If reports say bluefin fishing is becoming good, Fisher Price will go after them, and anglers can call about the trips. The marina weathered the storm fine, and Derek stayed in Sea Bright through the weather, and didn’t even lose electricity. Places that were supposed to be clobbered fared well, though some places took a beating from flooding. 

<b>Twin Lights Marina</b> got flooded in the storm, and power was only turned back on at 4 p.m. Wednesday, but now the marina was fully up and running, Wayne said. Nothing was available to report about fishing, but the fuel dock, tackle shop and everything were now back in action. Killies had been swamped in the waters but survived, and all the frozen bait had to be moved to the walk-in freezer powered by a generator, but all the bait was saved, and the full supply is at the ready.

<b>Neptune</b>

<b>Last Lady Fishing Charters</b> fished Wednesday for the first time after the storm, Capt. Ralph said. No keeper fluke were claimed, and the pool had to be pulled from a hat for the first time this summer. Waters were dirty. But a good catch of sea bass was socked, and lots of short fluke nipped, making Ralph encouraged that fluking will rebound. He expects the catches to improve every day. Individual-reservation trips for fluke are sailing every Wednesday through September 21, and kids under 12 are free with an adult, limited to two per adult. Fluke season closes September 26, and two trips for the fish are full the prior day aboard Ralph’s two boats. Trips with space available also include an individual-reservation outing for sea bass Sunday, September 11, before sea bass season closes. Four spots are left for an individual-reservation trip for cod, ling and blackfish Saturday, September 24. Four spaces are open for an individual-reservation trip for cod offshore Monday, September 12, and three spaces remain for one of the trips Monday, September 26. Be sure to follow <a href="http://www.facebook.com/FishingInNewJersey" target="_blank">Last Lady’s Facebook page</a>.

 <b>Belmar</b>

Nothing was happening with <b>Barbara Anne Fishing Charters</b>, because of the storm, but the boat is ready to roll again, Capt. Anthony said. Fluke fishing will continue aboard the ocean, and a few spaces remain for cod fishing aboard the ocean next week. Call to go. Don’t have enough anglers for a full charter? Call Anthony anyway, because he can usually fit individuals or small groups on an open trip or charter.

Fishing resumed Wednesday after the hurricane on the party boat <b>Big Mohawk</b>, Capt. Chris said. Some of the anglers bagged five keeper fluke on the daily trip for the fish aboard on the ocean, and the angling hadn’t been great lately in the effects from the weather, “but a little something,” Chris said. The fishing should settle down. The fluke were found on the open bottom, instead of the rough bottom where trips usually fished. When the fluke move back to the rough bottom, a few sea bass will probably be mixed in like before. But trips target or focus on fluke. The boat could’ve sailed Tuesday, and some of the fleet did. But Chris waited till Wednesday for things to return to normal at the marina. The marina weathered the hurricane fine, and the storm turned out mild. The Big Mohawk is fishing for fluke 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily.

Few fished since the hurricane, and anglers just now were getting back on the waters, said Bob from <b>Fisherman’s Den</b>. Party boat trips reported catches of fluke, not a bail, but some keepers, from the ocean. Fluke, not a bounty, but some, were taken from Shark River. Fluking will improve, and was already better each day, and takes a moment to rebound after a blow. Lots of snapper blues swam the river. Ocean bluefishing seemed better on the party boats than before the storm. Blues swam close to shore, instead of far from shore like before, and big blues, sometimes to 18 pounds, were cracked. One of the party boats wreck-fished the other day, putting customers on good-sized sea bass. Striped bass began to be beached from the surf, becoming a viable fishery, after none was really caught before the storm. The bass were clammed, and some were plugged.

<b>Point Pleasant Beach</b>

The boat was splashed Tuesday, after being hauled out for the storm, said Capt. Allen from <b>Reel Class Charters</b>. But he cancelled trips Tuesday and Wednesday aboard, rescheduling them, not confident that enough fish would bite. Waters were filthy, and debris floated everywhere, and fluke fishing sounded slow, according to a few boaters who fished. Bottom fishing was good, but only a ways from shore. Waters were dirty out to 7 or 8 miles. But fishing should begin to pick up within a couple of days, and waters will take time to clear. Space is available aboard for fluke fishing Saturday, September 17, and the season closes for the fishing after the following weekend. A fluke trip September 18 is booked. Reel Class will finish out fluke fishing, and will keep bottom fishing, and Allen looks forward to porgy fishing picking up on the bottom trips. He hopes bluefishing and angling for speedsters like false albacore will turn on, and typically runs trips for the hard fighters in the next weeks. Charters are fishing, and  check out <a href=" http://www.reelclassfishing.com/rates/open-boat-info" target="_blank">Reel Class’s open-boat page</a> online.

Fluke catches were better than expected the past couple of days on the party boat <b>Gambler</b>, after the weather, Capt. Bob said. The trips fished on the ocean a few miles off Manasquan Inlet, and lots of short fluke but a few keepers and some sea bass were decked. Lots of variety also chomped. Sea robins, skates, sand sharks, lizard fish, weakfish and blues chewed. Something different came up every time the line was dropped down. “Kind of interesting,” Bob said. He couldn’t know whether “something got stirred up by the storm. But something happened.” None of the boat’s nighttime trips fished since the storm. Trips are fishing for fluke twice daily 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Trips are bluefishing 7:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays. Wreck-fishing runs are sailing for cod, ling and sea bass 7:30 p.m. to 12:30 p.m. Sundays and Thursdays.

Lots of small fluke, with a few keepers mixed in, were rounded up from the ocean on the party boat <b>Norma K III</b> Tuesday and Wednesday, since trips resumed after the storm, Capt. Matt said. A few sea bass were honked. A 5-pounder was probably the biggest fluke, landed Tuesday on a Spro jig with a green Gulp. None of the vessel’s nighttime bluefish trips sailed since the weather, because of lack of anglers after the hurricane. But the trips are slated to run. The Norma K III is fluke fishing twice daily 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. and is bluefishing daily 7:30 p.m. to 1 a.m.

Bottom fishing was a little slow aboard, and the ocean was yet to settle from the hurricane, said Capt. Butch from the party boat <b>Dauntless</b>. Waters would probably take a moment to settle, and anglers averaged two, three or four fish bagged apiece. They shoveled up a mix of porgies, sea bass, ling, cod, blackfish and, the other day, even a fluke. A handful of porgies came up on Wednesday’s trip, and Butch hopes porgy fishing will pick up this season as waters calm. None of the vessel’s nighttime bluefishing trips sailed since the storm. But the night trips will head out as soon as anglers return after the weather. The Dauntless is bottom fishing 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. daily and, through Labor Day, bluefishing 7:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. daily. After Labor Day, the blues trips will fish on weekends during the same hours.

<b>Toms River</b>

Crabbing picked up already after the storm in the Toms River at Island Heights to the east, said Dennis from <b>Murphy’s Hook House</b>. Snapper blues swarmed all over the river, and the upper Toms held lots of dirty, fresh water, not good for catches. Crabbing was also good already along the Route 37 Bridge on Barnegat Bay, and waters were somewhat dirty, but probably the cleanest around. A few fluke, shorts, nothing great yet after the weather, were picked at Oyster Creek Channel. Nothing was heard about blowfishing on the bay yet since the weather. A few customers were headed to the ocean to fish for the first time since the hurricane, but no results were heard. Snapper blues, a few, were Sabiki-jigged in the surf, and a few ½- to ¾-pound blues tumbled into the surf. Nothing great was doing in the surf, but a few fish were around. Fluke also hovered along the surf. All the fresh bait, including clams and bunker, was arriving today at the shop, after the storm.

<b>Seaside Heights</b>

Lots of snapper blues, blowfish and kingfish to 12 inches fed along the docks at <b>The Dock Outfitters</b>, Steven said. Crabbers on the rental boats piled up three to four dozen keepers per trip, good catches. George from the shop pumped in three keeper fluke to 3 pounds from the Seaside Heights Casino Pier Wednesday. Fluke could be beached from the surf. Steven steamed on a trip offshore to Lindenkohl Canyon five days ago. Ten yellowfin tuna to 65 pounds were whaled, mostly on the troll during daytime, but two on the chunk at night. Fifty mahi mahi were also clobbered. Killies, fresh clams, fresh bunker, eels and the complete line of baits is stocked. Catch Wacky Wednesdays, featuring clams for $2.75 per dozen. The Dock’s rental boats and jet skis are available.

<b>Barnegat Light</b>

Big bluefish, 12- to 16-pounders, were creamed today on the ocean on the party boat <b>Miss Barnegat Light</b>, a report on the vessel’s Web site said. The anglers beat three to five apiece, and the high hook crushed nine. “Let’s hope this is the start of the late summer-early fall run,” the report said. The angling was a slow pick Wednesday, the first day the boat sailed after the storm, though captains, including on the Miss Barnegat Light, saw very big blues around that day. A 17-pounder was the pool winner on the Barny on Wednesday. Things fared okay in Barnegat Light from the storm, and afterward, the crew hoped the weather churned up the waters, turning on bluefishing. The catches were turned on today. The Miss Barnegat Light is bluefishing at 8 a.m. daily and 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.

Waters were somewhat churned up from the storm, but were definitely improving, said Vince Sr. from <b>Bobbie’s Boat Rentals</b>. The area had been quite churned up on both tides. Fishing for fluke probably slowed a little at places like along the Dike and near Barnegat Inlet, but improved each day since Monday. Not many were caught Monday, and not many people fished then. But participation and catches were picking up. Better-sized blowfish started to be seen, and anglers who targeted them came in with a half-dozen to keep. Barnegat Bay was full of tiny blowfish, but the size was now getting better. Crabbing probably remained the same as before the storm, and was good. Clamming became closed because the state was concerned about runoff after the storm. But that should change before long, and clamming was good before the weather. Rental boaters who clammed rarely didn’t limit out. Bobbie’s, open to December, rents tiller motor boats, center consoles and pontoon boats for fishing and crabbing. Single and tandem kayaks are available for rent at the shop or your location. Bobbie’s, the closest marina to the inlet, also features a tackle shop. The store is known for local-caught live and fresh bait. Live spots are always on hand, and minnows, live clams, fresh bunker and the full supply of baits, including spearing and squid, is carried. Quarts of live grass shrimp are available, and call ahead to order them at least a day ahead, and the earlier the better.

<b>Surf City</b>

From the surf kingfish, tailor blues and fluke were sometimes yanked, said Bruce from <b>Surf City Bait & Tackle</b>. Anglers had to get lucky to bank a keeper fluke. Tailor blues chased spearing in Barnegat Inlet in the early mornings. Fluke gathered toward the inlet, and so did a few blowfish. In Barnegat Bay snapper blues went wild, and blowfish were around. Baby sea bass littered the bay like usual this time of year. Short, spike weakfish were around, and more weaks should show up this month. Crabbing was picking up, and lots of crab bait was sold, and people all talked about catching keeper crabs. Check out the shop’s <b><i>free surf-fishing classes</i></b> at 6 to 7 p.m. Sundays in the parking lot. The classes are informal – bring a beach chair to sit – and very informative, Sue from the shop said. The classes focus on fishing that’s happening now in the surf, covering everything from bait, tackle and rods to how to cast. Keep up with the latest news in <a href="http://www.surfcitybaitandtackle.com/" target="_blank">Surf City Bait & Tackle’s fishing reports</a> on the shop’s Web site. Or keep in touch on <a href=" http://www.facebook.com/pages/Surf-City-Bait-and-Tackle/207533229268619
" target="_blank">Surf City Bait & Tackle’s Facebook page</a>.

<b>Beach Haven</b>

The <b>June Bug</b> was just returned back to Beach Haven after the storm, Capt. Lindsay said. Trips will continue fishing for fluke, bottom fish and offshore.

<b>Mystic Island</b>

At <b>Scott’s Bait & Tackle</b>, Wednesday was really the only day anglers fished, since the storm, Scott said. One trip sailed to Little Egg Reef that day, bucketing about four keeper sea bass, letting go short fluke. So, there was activity. Another trip tried for croakers off Little Beach, and croakers usually show now, but none did on this outing. Tiny weakfish bit on the trip, a good sign for the future. That was mostly the news, not a lot, but people began to be out and about. Fishing will take a moment to settle from the storm. Snapper blues filled the lagoons, and nothing was heard about spots caught for bait, though this was the time of year when anglers begin to catch spots to keep for bait for striped bass that will begin to bite later in the year. Some big spots were around, big enough to fillet, but too big for bait. All the rains seemed to push crabs out from the Mullica River, because many people talked about good crabbing around Mystic Island. The local area fared well in the hurricane, and on a scale from 1 to 10, Scott rated the area’s luck with the storm as 15, super. Winds blew a little, and tree limbs or a trash can blew around here or there. But the weather was like nothing worse than a good thunderstorm. Scott and crew remained in the area, didn’t evacuate, but he monitored the weather carefully, like watching real-time wind reports from the buoys. If conditions had looked threatening, he would’ve booked. None of the shop’s fresh, shucked clams are stocked, because a moratorium was placed on clam harvesting, because of runoff from the storm. The moratorium could end any time. Minnows, bloodworms and green crabs are on hand.

<b>Absecon</b>

Fishing was starting back up after the storm, and the back bay was clearing up, “has probably been best,” said Capt. Dave from <b>Absecon Bay Sportsman Center</b>. A few summer flounder were boated from the bay. Sean Fox iced a 3-1/2-pounder from the Intracoastal Waterway Wednesday, saying other flounder were also around the area, but boat traffic was heavy, as boaters put boats back in the waters after the blow, so waters became too rough. Lots of mullet schooled the bay, and peanut bunker swam the waters, and things looked to be in good shape. No feedback really came in about flounder fishing along the ocean lumps. But the ocean began to turn out good floundering before the storm, and probably will again, and that’s where the fish will mostly be this time of year. One angler reported catching his first weakfish of the season on the bay, Dave said when asked whether weakfish were heard about. He guessed weaks were coming in, going after all the bait in the waters. Snapper bluefish swarmed everywhere, and Dave never saw so many as this year. Looked good for the future of bluefishing. Live peanut bunker, spots, mullet, shedder crab and giant bloodworms are stocked. Fresh clams will probably be carried starting the end of the month, when anglers want them to begin striped bass fishing. Frozen clams and nearly any bait needed is on hand.

<b>Atlantic City</b>

In the surf blues, summer flounder, lots of tog, spots, big ones, and a few kingfish, not a lot, were dragged in, said Noel from <b>One Stop Bait & Tackle</b>. Many kings flooded the surf before the storm. “The party was on!” Noel said. Lots of tog filled the waters then and now. Lots of sea perch now swam the surf, and tons of bait schooled the waters. The bait included mullet two fingers long, too big to be called finger mullet, and big spearing. Fresh mullet, minnows, crabs, bloodworms, frozen spearing and all the baits are fully stocked.

<b>Margate</b>

Summer flounder trips ran a few times aboard since the hurricane, but the back bay was dirty from the storm, making the fishing slow, said Capt. John from the party boat <b>Keeper</b>. Waters looked like a chocolate milkshake getting stirred. But he hopes the bay will now clear. A gazillion small bluefish schooled the bay. Anglers aboard will keep fishing for flounder with minnows provided on the boat and Gulps the anglers supply themselves. The Keeper is fishing for summer flounder twice daily 8 a.m. to 12 noon and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. The fare is only $24 per adult for the 4-hour trips.

All was fine locally after the storm, and some of the northern state might’ve gotten hit harder by the weather, said Capt. Eric from <b>O-Beth Sportfishing Charters</b>. O-Beth will keep sailing for summer flounder and sea bass. Inshore trolling trips will continue running for fish like blues, mahi mahi and bonito, and offshore trips will keep heading out for tuna and big game.

<b>Ocean City</b>

Surf anglers beached a few kingfish, snapper blues and spots, said Ed from <b>Fin-Atics</b>. Not a lot else was happening, and local waters especially were dirty, because of the Great Egg Harbor River after the storm. Will take a moment to clear. Little was heard about summer flounder fishing from the back bay to the ocean reefs, because of that. But news should be heard about flounder by the weekend, and the surf’s clarity wasn’t bad, and surf casters will surely see activity this weekend. The little that was heard about offshore fishing said nothing was doing, and waters were cool.

<b>Sea Isle City</b>

A trip Wednesday tried inshore shark fishing, the first fishing aboard since the storm, but waters remained churned from the hurricane, and no luck was scored, said Capt. Joe Hughes from <b>Jersey Cape Guide Service</b>, affiliated with <b>Sea Isle Bait & Tackle<b>. The trips, catch and release angling within 10 miles from shore, fight mostly duskies and browns, on spin and fly rods. Bottom fish bit this week, but fishing was just settling after the weather. Jersey Cape will keep fishing for summer flounder on the back bay and ocean, striped bass on the bay and big game offshore. Limited space remains for Jersey Cape’s annual trips to Montauk for the fall migration of striped bass, blues and false albacore. The trips fish the legendary run the last two weekends of September and first two of October.  See the <a href=" http://www.captainjoehughes.com/page4.html" target="_blank">traveling charters page</a> on Jersey Cape’s Web site. Keep up on Joe’s fishing on <a href="http://captainjoehughes.blogspot.com" target="_blank">Jersey Cape’s blog</a>.

Cape May and Atlantic counties probably fared the best in the state through the storm, though forecasts had looked terrible for the area a while, said Mike from <b>Sea Isle Bait & Tackle</b>. Not many anglers returned to fishing yet, so not a lot was available to report. But some good things were. Kingfish, not the numbers before the storm, but still a population, hit in the surf. Bluefishing seemed not to miss a beat at the inlets and the back bay, and sometimes in the surf. Fun fishing. Croakers showed up in full force, and party boats and other vessels got into them. The catches were heard about from Wildwood Reef, Avalon Shoal and nearly everywhere. Some blowfish, a fish that hadn’t been seen in numbers locally in years, were around in the bay and inlets. Summer flounder fishing seemed to be on hold because of water clarity after the storm, and few were caught in the past days. Two trips were headed offshore for the first time after the weather, and no results were heard yet. All bait is stocked, and more is arriving for the weekend.

<b>Wildwood</b>

On the party boat <b>Adventurer</b> fishing loaded up on croakers, lots, on Wednesday, Capt. Gary said. Bigger blues, 3 and 4 pounds, and some summer flounder were also crunched. So that was a good catch, and the trip fished 8 miles from shore. A whale was seen, “(and) we did it all today,” Gary said after the trip. The weather was beautiful, and seas were calm. Open-boat trips are sailing daily, and an open bluefish trip is running every Saturday night, when no charter is booked. Call to confirm. The good-sized blues on Wednesday’s trip could be a good sign for this Saturday night’s bluefish outing, was the hope.

Not many customers fished for summer flounder on the back bay yet after the storm, and most crabbed, but one angler docked a keeper flounder Tuesday, and another trip released five throwback flounder, said Mike from <b>Canal Side Boat Rentals</b>. Bluefish were running in the bay, and a few weakfish, a surprising number, actually, bit in the bay. Nothing was heard about striped bass, but anglers will probably begin to search for stripers soon in the bay, now that the season was changing. Crabbing slowed on the bay because of the storm, but will pick up again, and even the shop’s crab supplier was encouraged by catches today. Canal Side rents canopy boats and kayaks for fishing, crabbing and sightseeing. Baits stocked include minnows, and the price was currently great: $5 per pint including tax, compared with $8 before tax at many stores. Frozen squid strips, whole squid, spearing, mackerel fillets, mullet, clam strips and packaged clams are on hand. Live crabs are available for eating, and No. 1’s are currently $23 per dozen, and No. 2’s are currently $12 per dozen.

<b>Cape May</b>

Fishing resumed Wednesday on the party boat <b>Porgy IV</b>, after the storm, and summer flounder fishing was slow, and waters remained stirred up, Capt. Paul said. The trip took a ride to search for a bite, trying deeper waters, but shorts and a few sea bass were angled on the outing. Catches should improve as the days go on, though, and Paul is blaming the slow down on effects of Hurricane Irene. The Porgy IV is sailing for summer flounder 8 a.m. daily.

The <b>Heavy Hitter</b> was launched back in the slip Monday, after getting pulled from the waters for the storm, Capt. George said. The port was fine in the storm, and trips aboard will resume inshore trolling, summer flounder fishing and offshore trolling, and a trip will fish offshore overnight in two weekends, the first overnight trip to the grounds slated this year. On the last inshore trolling trips, lots of blues were nailed, and mahi mahi, bonito and Spanish mackerel could be mixed in, good fishing. On the offshore grounds after the storm, George saw 72-degree waters along the 100-fathom line between Baltimore and Wilmington canyons that maybe held tuna. Some warm waters were also around Toms Canyon and farther offshore, and Hudson Canyon and the rest of the waters were 65 degrees. So waters cooled from the storm, and some temperature breaks were around, after temps were the same everywhere in the area before the weather. George couldn’t know whether the warmer waters farther offshore would slip into the fishing grounds closer to shore. Plenty of dates for fishing aboard, including space this weekend, are available, and call if interested.  

Fishing sounded like it was picking up again after the hurricane, and summer flounder catches sounded good in the harbor, said Nick from <b>Hands Too Bait & Tackle</b>. The keeper ratio seemed 1 in 10, and lots were caught, so a couple of keepers were usually in the mix. Squid seemed to begin to score well on the flatfish. Lots of flounder gathered off Cape May Point, and croakers swam around the point. Weakfish were nabbed at Higbee’s Beach and off Alexander Avenue. Nothing was heard about offshore fishing yet since the storm. All the baits are stocked including minnows, bloodworms and frozen baits like mackerel fillets. Fresh, shucked clams will arrive for the weekend. Offshore baits like ballyhoos are on hand. The shop didn’t even lose electricity during the hurricane, though forecasts looked ominous for Cape May a while.

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