<b>Staten Island</b>

Want sea bass? New York’s sea bass season is open. A trip limited out on them, including lots of good-sized, Thursday on the ocean with <b>Outcast Charters</b>, Capt. Joe said. New Jersey’s sea bass season is closed. Trips were weathered out during the weekend aboard. Outcast pays bridge tolls with a receipt. Charters for other fish, like fluke, can also be picked up from Perth Amboy in Jersey. Sea bass trips must sail from Staten Island, required by law to remain in New York waters.

<b>Keyport</b>

Trips, including open-boat, will fish the wrecks for a combo of fluke and ling starting today aboard, said Capt. Joe from <b>Papa’s Angels Charters</b>. Reports were heard from a few boats that began to be headed to the wrecks for fluke, farther than Ambrose Channel that they fished previously. Space is available on the 8-hour open trips, running daily through the weekend, probably starting at 6 a.m., when no charter is booked, and enough anglers want to go. Bait and tackle or everything is provided, and call to reserve. Only a couple of weeks of fluke season remain.

<b>Atlantic Highlands</b>

Capt. Ron from the party boat <b>Fishermen</b> axed his personal-best fluke, a 10.2-pounder, on Sunday’s trip, he said in a report on the vessel’s Web site. He was able to fish on the second drift, and 2 minutes later, the rod doubled over, and he knew the fluke was a big one. Several anglers limited out on the fluke trip, and a couple bagged four. A 6-1/2-pounder was the pool-winner, and lots of sizeable fluke were clocked. The trip almost didn’t sail, because, 10 minutes before departure, only two anglers had showed up. A few more arrived at the last moment, and the trip ran. “Sure glad we did!” Ron said. No report was posted for Saturday, and fluking was good on Friday’s trip. One angler eased in an 8.2-pounder, winning the pool, and another belted an 8-pounder and a 6-pounder, and limited out. Another angler limited out, and another winged a 6.2-pound fluke. The fishing began slowly, but the trip took a ride to a new area, and the boat was power-drifted over snags and rough bottom, when no current moved the vessel, and fluke bit. The angling slowed, and the boat was moved, and a breeze came up, drifting the vessel, and the bite was back on. The Fisherman is sailing for fluke 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. daily.

Fluke fishing was slow on Saturday morning’s trip on the party boat <b>Atlantic Star</b>, Capt. Tom said. Weather including rains turned off and on, and a water spout was seen far away in New York waters, while the boat fished at Flynn’s Knoll. Saturday afternoon’s trip stayed docked, and not many people showed up at the marina. Only a dozen anglers showed up for Sunday morning’s trip, but fluking was a little better. One angler socked four keepers, and another claimed three. Four anglers, including Tire John and Donata Lombardi, totaled two keepers apiece. Some anglers hooked no keepers. One angler on Sunday plucked quite a few fluke, all throwbacks. On Sunday afternoon’s trip, fluking was back to a pick, one here, one there. The boat drifted better on the morning’s trip, probably one of the top five trips of the season for good drifting. Forecasts for weather, seas and rip currents probably kept more anglers from showing up during the weekend. The Atlantic Star is fishing for fluke twice daily 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 to 6 p.m.

<b>Highlands</b>

With <b>Raritan Bay Charters</b> fluke trips were cancelled through the weekend, because of rough forecasts, Capt. Dave said. But forecasts for 4- to 6-foot seas were wrong on Sunday, and a buddy who fished said seas were flat as a lake. Raritan Bay Charters is focusing on fluke on charters and, whenever no charter is booked, open-boat trips.

Fishing was kept in port with <b>Fisher Price Charters</b> through the weekend, because of forecasts, though forecasts were wrong Sunday, and the boat could’ve sailed that day, Capt. Derek said. Anglers he talked with said fluke fishing slowed a little, but they still caught. Charters are fishing, and the next open-boat trips for fluke are set for Wednesday and the mornings of Friday through Sunday, bucktailing the deep waters. The season’s first striped bass fishing aboard is slated run open on Friday and Saturday evenings. Friends landed stripers, and the fish were there. The striper trips will probably fish with worms or peanut bunker. If eels can be gotten, the trips might fish with eels. Eels had been difficult to locate from suppliers because of tides. Call to jump aboard the open trips or to be kept informed about the future open schedule.

<b>Neptune</b>

Trips were kept docked with <b>Last Lady Fishing Charters</b>, and Capt. Ralph currently was going to wait for the ocean to calm before fishing again, he said. Upcoming individual-reservation trips on the Last Lady will include those for: inshore cod, this Sunday; offshore cod, next Monday; canyon tuna, Saturday to Sunday, Sept. 29 and 30, and Friday to Saturday, Oct. 5 and 6; sea bass, the Sundays of Oct. 7 and 14; and blackfish,  Thursday, Nov. 15, and the Sundays of Nov. 18 and 25. White leggers, green crabs and clams will be supplied on the blackfish trips, and more of the tog outings will be added. Upcoming individual-reservation trips on the Last Lady II will include those for: fluke, every Sunday and Tuesday until fluke season closes on Sept. 29, and a Special Fluke Marathon on Thursday, Sept. 27 (kids under 12 sail free, limited to two per adult, on all these fluke trips); sea bass, Tuesday, Oct. 2, Monday and Tuesday, Oct. 8 and 9,  and Sunday, Oct. 14 (kids under 12 sail free, limited to two per adults, on these sea bass trips); striped bass and blues, every Tuesday starting Oct. 16; and blackfish, Thursday, Nov. 15, and every Tuesday afterward. Charters are available on both boats.

<b>Belmar</b>

<b>Fin-Ominal Sportfishing</b> was one of the few who sailed this weekend, Capt. Jared said. On Saturday the anglers wanted to go, but 10 of 12 became seasick, so the trip returned to the inlet. Then the passengers enjoyed lunch and cocktails on the waters. It was great, Jared said. Only throwback fluke were landed on the ocean, before the group came back in. But another trip ran to the ocean Sunday, and forecasts for rough conditions turned out wrong, and probably 25 sizeable fluke were creamed. Out-of-season sea bass were caught and released. Canyon tuna fishing was good, and Jared hopes to fish for them this week. The 50-foot boat can accommodate large to small groups, up to 23 passengers on cruises and 15 on fishing trips. Practically any type of cruise imaginable can sail, from the rivers to the ocean to the Manhattan skyline.

Fishing was cancelled during the weekend on the <b>Katie H</b> because of forecasts, Capt. Mike said. Seas were wicked, and winds blew strongly, on Saturday. A few boats from the docks fluke fished Sunday on the ocean, and good catches were tugged in. Forecasts are calling for better weather later this week. A trip is booked to fish for tuna at the canyons Saturday to Sunday. Another one of the trips is possibly being scheduled for Thursday to Friday.

Seas were stiff at the inlet, so <b>Parker Pete’s Fishing Charters</b> did no fishing in past days, Capt. Pete said. A few boats sailed, picking at fluke on the ocean, sometimes better than at others, depending on conditions. Sometimes conditions were terrible and other times were okay. Winds turned strong Saturday, and boats that were motored out were returned early. Pete hopes to sail for fluke again in the next days.   Charters and open-boat trips are fishing. For availability on open trips, see <a href="http://parkerpetefishing.com/belmar-fishing-trips/open-boat-trips" target="_blank">Parker Pete’s open-boat page</a> online, and sign up for the e-mailed newsletter on the site. Dates are announced in both places.

Summer crowds were gone, and the beaches were back in anglers’ hands, said Bob from <b>Fisherman’s Den</b> in an e-mail. Surf casters began fishing in the early hours of day, catching striped bass, blues and false albacore in ever-increasing numbers. Shark River was loaded with bait, poised to migrate to the ocean. “(That) should make for an interesting next few weeks,” Bob said. He suggests “you get out your surf gear, and keep a sharp eye on your favorite beach,” he said. “The hunt is on.” Fluke fishing was good, when anglers had weather to target them. On the river, Robert Kackus, Neversink, N.Y., and two friends nailed six keeper fluke to 23 inches and about 30 throwbacks on one of the shop’s rental boats.

<b>Brielle</b>

The anglers aboard limited out on fluke on the ocean on the <b>Big Kid</b> last Monday, and the storm kept trips from sailing since, Capt. Ken said. But an overnight trip that weekend limited out on yellowfin tuna at night by 11 o’clock, and decided to head home then. Fishing aboard that weekend at the Mudhole trolled more than 50 false albacore and over 20 mahi mahi, starting 30 miles from shore, working back to 8 miles off, on a trip. Book fall trips for striped bass and blackfish now. November 16, when the blackfish bag limit will be raised to six, and the following day, are already taken for trips for the tog. One is the current bag limit.

On the party boat <b>Jamaica II</b> on the ocean, fluke fishing was “pretty good … on the calmer days,” Capt. Joe said in an e-mail. Chris Molinari in the past week heaved in a 7-pound 7-ounce fluke, taking the lead in the monthly pool. Pete Talevis on trips during the week won two pools with a 6-1/2-pound fluke and a 6-pounder. Ken Marvulli on Sunday morning’s trip limited out on fluke to 5 pounds. Two-half day trips for fluke are sailing 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. Tuesdays through Sundays. An all-day fluke trip is running 7:30 a.m. every Monday. An 11-Hour Fluke Marathon is set for 6 a.m. Monday, Sept. 24, and call to reserve.

Winds sometimes blew, like on Saturday afternoon, and the ocean held a swell, but some boaters fished there no matter, when winds were light, like on Sunday morning, said Eric from <b>The Reel Seat</b>. Fluke fishing was good at Axel Carlson Reef and Sea Girt Reef. Plenty of fluke, including decent-sized ones 2 and 3 pounds, were reeled from Manasquan River. Tons of bluefish were fought at Point Pleasant Canal. Surf anglers began to pick striped bass at Spring Lake and Sea Girt in early mornings on small swimming plugs like Bombers and Daiwa SP Minnows. Lots of ling were looted from the ocean, and nothing was heard about porgies, but porgy catches should begin any time on the ocean. Plenty of big bluefish to 15 pounds were boated both daytime and nighttime on the ocean. From the inshore ocean, no bluefin tuna were heard about, and nobody seemed to try for them anymore. But skipjacks, false albacore and bonito swarmed abundant in the Sea Girt Reef area. Farther from shore, super catches of yellowfin tuna, double digits of the fish to 60 to 70 pounds, were plastered at Hudson Canyon at night. Quite a few bigeye tuna 150 to 200 pounds and larger were trolled at the Hudson during daytime. A few were chunked at night. Catch the shop’s sale on surf-fishing plugs. Wahoo Baitfish Bucktails and Stingo jigs are on sale at 30 percent off to celebrate the store’s 30 years in business.

<b>Point Pleasant Beach</b>

An overnight trip arrived at Hudson Canyon at 11 p.m. Thursday with <b>Mushin Sportfishing</b>, Alan, the boat’s owner, said in an e-mail. On arrival, chatter on the radio talked about great tuna fishing there that afternoon and early evening. The Mushin was set up to fish at marks, and squid schooled around the boat. Ten minutes later, a 65-pound yellowfin tuna was caught. Another shot of the tuna showed up at 2:30 a.m. At 5 a.m. till sunrise, the tuna fishing lit up. Mayhem! Multiple yellowfins were hooked, “anglers dancing around each other to keep things clear!” Alan said. After sunrise, the trip decided to look for bigeye tuna on the troll. Three minutes later, a yellowfin was nailed. Next, a blue marlin was landed. “Canyon yellowfin and bigeye bite is now!” Alan said. Canyon fishing is hot! he said. Several open-boat or make-up trips are being scheduled this month. Call to jump aboard. Mushin means a relaxed state of readiness. The crew pride themselves on sharing the concept in outdoor adventures. 

Good numbers of 3- to 5-pound fluke, and 6-pound pool-winners, were swung aboard Sunday from the ocean on the party boat <b>Norma-K III</b>, a report on the vessel’s Web site said. Catches were better on the morning’s trip than on the afternoon’s, but the afternoon’s weren’t bad. Gulps on bucktails hooked up well, but squid and spearing didn’t work badly. Bring extra tackle, “(because we’re) fishing around some rocks and rubble,” the report said. On Sunday night’s trip, bluefishing was good on the ocean. Anglers “caught what they wanted,” the report said, and had fun releasing more of the 6- to 12-pounders. Tuesday night’s trip for blues will be with employees from “Broadway, Wharfside and Jenkinson’s,” the report said, and anyone is welcome aboard. The Norma-K III is fishing for fluke 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 2 to 6:30 p.m. daily and for blues 7:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. daily.

<b>Barnegat Light</b>

Bluefish 8 to 15 pounds, super catches, were slammed Sunday on the ocean on the party boat <b>Miss Barnegat Light</b>, a report on the vessel’s Web site said. “Couldn’t be better,” it said. Winds kept Saturday’s trip from fishing, but the catch of blues, the same size, was great Friday. Trips were weathered out the previous few days. The Miss Barnegat Light will fish for blues 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. every day this week.

<b>Barnegat</b>

<b>***Update, Tuesday, 9/11:***</b> From an edited e-mail from Capt. Dave DeGennaro from the <b>Hi Flier</b>: “We fished Friday and Saturday, with good results on weakfish. Chumming with live grass shrimp brought a bunch of 18- to 22-inch fish to the net. The hardest part remained fishing through all the other species that gang up in the shrimp slick, but most people embrace the variety that includes spots, croakers, fluke, snappers, blowfish, sand sharks and more. On Saturday I took two guys out to the Barnegat Inlet jetty to attempt stripers and blackfish with the same live grass shrimp technique we had used to catch weakfish in the bay. We didn't catch any stripers or tog, but we set a new boat record for us on houndfish. These guys caught six in a row, all between 36 and 40 inches. If you haven't seen one, a houndfish is an exact replica of those same needlefish you see swimming at the surface around docks when you are fishing for snapper blues. Only these fish are over a yardstick long and a few inches in girth with a set of long jaws full of teeth that never stop gnashing at you until you cut them loose. If you suspect you might have hooked one, back off the drag immediately, as these fish take some scorchy runs, as well as greyhounding and jumping. No food value, but a lot of fun to catch. <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tcZgIrr-PIg
" target="_blank">Here’s a video of our sixth houndfish</a>. We will be running open boat to Barnegat Ridge this Thursday in search of bonita, albacore and any other blue-water fish. The plan is to troll until we find some lively water, and then put out a chunk line of peanut bunker and sand eels or spearing. I will be packing some live peanut bunker for hook baits, as well. We will depart at 5 AM and return at 1 PM. Three person max. Friday morning is available for live grass shrimping weakfish 6 AM to 11 AM. The cost of the 5-hour trip is divided by however many people sign up. Saturday and Sunday are wide open, and I am available for bay or Ridge fishing. The way things look, the shrimping weakfish will run all the way to the end of September. The Ridge fishing should be prime time the whole month, as well. I guess I'll find out Thursday! See you on board.”

<b>Mystic Island</b>

<a href="http://www.scottsbt.com/fishing/report.htm" target="_blank">Click here</a> for a report from <b>Scott’s Bait & Tackle</b>.

<b>Brigantine</b>

For a report from <b>Riptide Bait & Tackle</b>, <a href="http://riptidebaitandtackle.com/articles.php?category_id=6
" target="_blank">click here</a>.

<b>Sea Isle City<</b>

Nobody reported fishing the ocean in a while, said Mike from <b>Sea Isle Bait & Tackle</b>. Riptide currents remained in the surf, but plenty of spots and kingfish swam the waters. Lots of blues from snappers to 5-pounders swam the surf and inlets. They also popped up in the back bay. A few summer flounder, mostly throwbacks, occasional keepers, held in the inlets. Striped bass and weakfish were hooked in the bay, mostly at night under lights at docks and piers. But sometimes a striper was landed in the channels and creeks. Nothing was heard about offshore since a buddy boated a wahoo two Sundays ago at the Cigar. Then the buddy wreck fished, pumping in a good catch of ling.

Chris Thompson and buddy jigged and popper-plugged a back-bay slam – a weakfish, a striped bass and a bluefish – aboard Sunday evening, said Capt. Joe Hughes from <b>Jersey Cape Guide Service</b>, affiliated with <b>Sea Isle Bait & Tackle</b>. The weakfish was 22 inches or sizeable, and a few bluefish were beaten. A summer flounder catch would’ve made a grand slam, all the main species available in the waters. Flounder swam the bay and ocean. Lots of baitfish schooled the bay. The bay right now “was a happy place,” Joe said. High tides at dusk, coming around every two weeks, are ideal for popper-plug or-fly fishing for striped bass on the bay this week. That’s a specialty aboard. Trips on a few of the biggest boats sailed offshore in seas in past days, drilling yellowfin tuna, mostly at night, and swordfish in the dark at Toms Canyon. Jersey Cape is fishing the canyons. Looking ahead, the fall migration of striped bass and blues will hit the local ocean in late October and November for some of the best angling of the year. The trips should be booked now if interested. Starting in the second half of September, annual weekend trips will sail from Montauk, New York, for the legendary run of striped bass, blues and false albacore. The fishing’s been epic for Jersey Cape in recent years. Reserve dates for annual weekend trips to Florida in winter. The trips can fish for a large variety of catches including redfish, speckled sea trout and tarpon in the back country to king mackerel, blackfin tuna and sailfish out front. See info about both trips on Jersey Cape’s <a href="http://www.captainjoehughes.com/page4.html" target="_blank">Traveling Fisherman Charters</a> Web page. Keep up with Joe’s fishing on <a href="http://captainjoehughes.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Jersey Cape’s blog</a>.

<b>Cape May</b>

Angling was kept in the slip on the <b>Heavy Hitter</b> in the weather, Capt. George said. Bluefish schooled off Cape May Point, and weakfish swam Delaware Bay. Nothing was heard about summer flounder fishing on the ocean and tuna fishing farther from shore. None of the fleet probably sailed those waters.

Seas sounded big on the ocean, and few boaters probably fished there since last week’s storm, said Nick from <b>Hands Too Bait & Tackle</b>. But good-sized croakers 18 inches and weakfish mixed in were yanked from Cape May Canal at the end of the shop’s street. Croakers, weakfish and a few summer flounder probably remained in waters close to shore like at Cape May Channel and in the back bays. Small bluefish probably still schooled off Cape May Point. Lots of spots likely remained in the bays. Bluefish chased mullet sometimes in the surf, and that was about all the action from the beach so far this season. Weakfish schooled Delaware Bay in good numbers, including near Bug Light and around Brandywine Shoal. Fresh clams, bloodworms and all the frozen baits for inshore are stocked. Offshore baits including flats of butterfish and sardines and trolling ballyhoos and squid are carried.

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