<b>Shark River Inlet</b>

Bluefin tuna are in, if anyone’s interested in a trip, said Capt. Ralph from <b>Last Lady Fishing Charters</b> from Neptune. He was set to compete in this weekend’s South Jersey Shark Tournament from Cape May. Last Lady sharked on one trip this season so far, last week, covered in the last report. A 79-inch mako, probably 195 to 215 pounds, and a couple of blue sharks were pumped in. Waters were 68 degrees. Only a few dates remain for shark charters, and all the shark tournaments are booked.

<b>Fin-Ominal Sportfishing</b> from Belmar’s season’s first shark fishing will compete in one of the tournaments next week on Friday and Saturday, Capt. Jared said. Plenty of sharks were around, and water temperatures were right. Pockets of 68-degree waters held in surrounding waters 62 or 63 degrees. Fin-Ominal won a couple of big-game tournaments recently, including last year’s Brett T. Bailey Mako Rodeo. Shark charters are available. Fin-Ominal will fish for yellowfin tuna at the canyons later this year, when the fishing takes off locally. Charters aboard were enjoying Fin-Ominal’s new, larger, 50-foot boat, accommodating larger groups than the last boat. Up to 23 passengers can sail on cruises, and up to 15 can fish aboard. That’s just practical.

Sharks attacked bunker that schooled close to shore, said Capt. Pete from <b>Parker Pete’s Fishing Charters</b> from Belmar. A few thresher sharks were hooked among the baitfish. A few mako sharks were docked in the past couple of weeks. A friend who bottom-fished at Shark River Reef saw lots of sharks sunning. Waters had warmed.

<b>Manasquan Inlet</b>

Bluefin tuna, some 30 pounds, others 150, were bombed, from 25 miles from shore to the tip of Hudson Canyon, said Dave at <b>The Reel Seat</b> in Brielle. Many were trolled on ballyhoos or spreader bars. Yellowfin tuna were sometimes decked at Hudson Canyon and farther south. Sharks were fought, and a customer drilled a 200-pound mako at the Mudhole last week. Another weighed in a 145-pound mako from the Glory Hole on Saturday.

<b>Barnegat Inlet</b>

<b>***Update, Saturday, 6/9:***</b> From an edited e-mail from Capt. Dave DeGennaro from the <b>Hi Flier</b>: “This has to be quick as it is 5 a.m., and I am headed to the boat to meet my charter for a full day of striper fishing. Ran offshore Friday. Ran to the west side of the Monster Ledge in the Mud Hole, about a 30- to 35-mile run from Barnegat Inlet. Trolled two big false albacore and a 30-pound bluefin tuna. Saw acres of bunker off Island Beach State Park on the ride home, but had to get back to the dock. Found out later there was a really good bass bite in my own backyard. Headed there this morning to snag some bunker and get into some big stripers. Tomorrow, Sunday, is still available. The ocean is going to be flat in a mild west wind. I'm going to run open boat for tuna or stripers, whatever you want to do … maybe both! Call for details: 732.330.5674.”

<b>Great Egg Harbor Inlet</b>

Small bluefin tuna, mixed in with lots of bluefish, were heard about from A.C. Ridge, for the first time this season, said Bill from <b>Fin-Atics</b> in Ocean City. Yellowfin tuna were trolled at Baltimore Canyon. Bill last heard about the yellowfins during the weekend. Nothing was heard about sharks, though Jim’s Bait & Tackle in Cape May’s shark tournament was held last weekend, and Cape May’s South Jersey Shark Tournament is happening this weekend. Offshore boaters might’ve by-passed sharks to hit the tuna, mostly.

<b>Townsend’s Inlet</b>

Capt. Joe Hughes, from <b>Jersey Cape Guide Service</b> from Sea Isle City, affiliated with <b>Sea Isle Bait & Tackle</b>, was getting ready to fish for tuna this weekend, he said. Good catches of yellowfin tuna were trolled at Baltimore Canyon. Lots should be heard about tuna fishing from this weekend. Not much was heard about bluefin tuna, since early in the season, when bluefins were mixed in with yellowfins, when tuna catches were first heard about. Closer to shore, blue sharks and some makos were around. Even closer, brown and dusky sharks were yet to arrive in numbers. When they do, usually in July and August, Jersey Cape catches and releases them, on spinning and fly rods. The charters are a chance to fight big fish 20 to 100 pounds, 7 to 12 miles from shore, instead of offshore.

Sharks were caught during the week, said Mike from <b>Sea Isle Bait & Tackle</b> in Sea Isle City. A mako was heard about from the Misty Blue wreck, and decent sharking was heard about from the Cigar. Many anglers planned to fish for sharks and tuna this weekend, including in Cape May’s South Jersey Shark Tournament. Bluefin tuna were heard about from the inshore ocean farther north. Anglers will probably look for them locally this weekend. Inshore and offshore baits are stocked.

<b>Cape May Inlet</b>

Capt. George from the <b>Heavy Hitter</b> from Cape May heard about nobody fishing offshore early in the week, he said, probably because of weather. But yellowfin tuna were trolled at the southern canyons previously. A satellite chart, not a good shot, because of clouds, seemed to show cold waters at Baltimore and Wilmington canyons early this week. It showed warm waters at the Elephant Trunk, though. Anglers who competed in Jim’s Bait & Tackle from Cape May’s shark tournament during the weekend talked about a few makos, usually small, and lots of blue sharks caught during the event. A 180-pound mako reportedly won the event. Charters are available for tuna and sharks.

Yellowfin tuna were axed at Baltimore Canyon recently, said Capt. Bob from the <b>Down Deep</b> from Cape May. Nothing was heard about bluefin tuna. Trips are being booked for tuna and sharks.

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