<b>Shark River Inlet</b>

If anglers want mako sharks, the season will be early this year, said Capt. Ralph from <b>Last Lady Fishing Charters</b> from Neptune. He was in Cape May today, launching his season’s sharking at the South Jersey Shark Tournament. Mako fishing already bailed catches. A buddy landed four or five Sunday, and someone from the marina docked a 250-pounder during the weekend, and a 256-pounder was brought in at Cape May last weekend. Last Lady is booked to fish all the shark tournaments. A few mid-week dates, but that’s all, remain for shark charters.

One of the annual, weekly open-boat trips for sharks that sail every Wednesday will kick off the <b>Nan Sea J</b> from Belmar’s  sharking for the season next week, Capt. Tom said. Three spaces are available, and the trips are a rare opportunity to shark fish without chartering the whole boat. Charters will also shark fish. A boater from the dock returned with a 225- or 250-pound mako during the weekend. The fish seemed around, and Tom was excited to get started. His tuna trips begin with overnighters in September.

Capt. Jared from <b>Fin-Ominal Sportfishing</b> from Belmar planned to try to fish for sharks on a fun trip today, he said, and the boat is chartered Saturday and Sunday.  The season was early, but sharks were caught. Six makos were caught on a charter that a buddy ran on the buddy’s boat. Space is available Saturday and Sunday, June 25 and 26, for charters to complete in the Mako Fever and Mako Mania tournaments that will coincide. Jump aboard for a chance to win both. A charter is booked to fish Mako Fever that Friday. Fin-Ominal took first place in the Mako Rodeo several years ago with a 225-pounder.

<b>Manasquan Inlet</b>

Bluefin tuna to 150 pounds, good catches, were beaten at Hudson Canyon from the tip to along the west wall during the weekend, said Dave from <b>The Reel Seat</b> in Brielle. Yellowfin tuna were mixed in, but bluefins made up most of the catches. Nothing was heard about other canyons. Shark fishing was good at the Resor wreck during the weekend.

Yellowfin tuna catches were reported anywhere from Hudson Canyon to Wilmington Canyon, said Capt. Rich from <b>Jersey Hooker Outfitters Bait & Tackle</b>, located in Bricktown, and <b>Jersey Hooker Charters</b>, sailing from Point Pleasant Beach’s Canyon River Club Marina. The tuna were smaller, 30 pounds to 50 pounds max, but plentiful. Shark catches were heard about from usual depths: 30 to 50 fathoms. Jersey Hooker is running 18-hour canyon trolls on either charters or open-boat trips. The outings will hit the wrecks on the way in for bottom fishing. Catch the shop’s <b><i>***Shark Special.***</i></b>: Get three 5-gallon buckets of bunker chum, one flat of frozen mackerel and six blocks of ice for only $109.99. Order and pay before June 15, and the price is $99.99. The shop offers deliveries for shark tournaments, and orders more than $500 get free delivery the night before, from South Amboy to Long Beach Island. Tournament deliveries must be placed one week prior to the tournament. The shop is offering fresh whole mackerel and bluefish by the pound at market price for sharking.

<b>Great Egg Harbor Inlet</b>

<b>O-Beth Sportfishing Charters</b> from Margate totaled six mako sharks landed in the year’s first two trips for sharks this week on the boat, and sharking was off to a good start, Capt. Eric said. On the first trip on Sunday, two makos and two blue sharks were tackled in 30 fathoms. One mako was kept – a 65-inch 120-pounder – and the 65-degree waters sometimes held bait and bluefish. The second trip, on Tuesday, went 2 for 4 on makos, catching one blue shark, in 20 fathoms. The biggest mako was probably 120 pounds, and the anglers chose to release all the fish. The blue waters were 67 degrees, holding bait and bluefish. Sharks were steadily picked throughout the outing, on bluefish for bait, and a few bites were missed. Sharks stretched from 20 to 30 fathoms, even 40 fathoms. Great tuna fishing for yellowfins and bluefins was heard about. Offshore fishing was off to a terrific beginning, and O-Beth is also open for tuna charters.

Offshore fishing was excellent, said Ryan from <b>Fin-Atics</b> in Ocean City. Mako sharks, plenty of them, were plowed in waters past 28-Mile Wreck. Lots of big thresher sharks were around. Bluefin tuna were battled at places like the Elephant Trunk on trolled ballyhoos. Yellowfin tuna were gaffed at spots including Wilmington, Lindenkohl and Hudson canyons. Billfish were abundant, and one customer landed three white marlin.

<b>Townsends Inlet<b/>

Double digits of 60-pound yellowfin tuna were clobbered, said Capt. Joe Hughes from Sea Isle City’s <b>Jersey Cape Guide Service</b>, affiliated with <b>Sea Isle Bait & Tackle</b>. Wilmington and Spencer canyons held the fish, and Joe every year in reports encourages anglers to take advantage of tuna in the early season. The fishing’s been best then in recent years. This year’s fishing turned out even better than expected. Go now if you want tuna, and Jersey Cape sails for them.

One trip was reported that fought four makos to 125 pounds, said Mike from <b>Sea Isle Bait & Tackle</b> in Sea Isle City. Many shark anglers fished at the Cigar, and some crack catches of yellowfin tuna were heard about. One trip smacked 15 of the tuna to 60 pounds on deck, and another punched nine. Ballyhoos will begin to be stocked this week, and the different flats of baits for offshore will be amped up.

<b>Cape May Inlet</b>

Bluefin tuna were fought at places including the Lobster Claw, said Mike from <b>Budd’s Bait & Tackle</b>, located in the Villas, and the Ho-D-Doe from <b>Budd’s Tackle Charters Services</b>, sailing from Cape May. Yellowfin tuna and mahi mahi were reported caught at spots including Wilmington Canyon. The crew on the Ho-D-Doe sailed on a fun trip for sharks Wednesday, and results were yet to be heard at press time. A few makos and blue sharks were reported caught from Cape May so far.

Tuna fishing turned on pretty well at Wilmington Canyon, said Capt. Bob from the <b>Down Deep</b> from Cape May. The boat is up for steaming for tuna.

One of the mates from the boat fished for tuna on another vessel Sunday, nailing good fishing, said Capt. George from the <b>Heavy Hitter</b> from Cape May. Yellowfin tuna, bluefin tuna and mahi mahi were whacked. Mako sharks were caught by boaters, and dates are available for all this fishing.

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