<b>Shark River Inlet</b>

Yellowfin tuna, lots, and some longfin tuna were pounded near Hudson Canyon on an overnight trip last week with <b>Fin-Ominal Sportfishing</b> from Belmar, Capt. Jared said. The trip, from Thursday to Friday, with nine anglers, fished farther from port than most boats would sail. Most of the tuna were chunked at night, and some were trolled during daytime. Canyon fishing was very good now. The 50-foot boat can accommodate up to 10 anglers on offshore trips and 14 on inshore trips. Trips aboard fished inshore Saturday and Sunday, but winds and seas were stiff. Then the storm rolled in Tuesday, and seas and winds were difficult since then.

Capt. Mike from the <b>Katie H</b> from Belmar joined a crew trip on another boat that pummeled 20 yellowfin tuna and two longfin tuna at Hudson Canyon last week from Thursday to Friday, he said. All but one were caught at night. The fish gave up a steady pick through night. Then all heck broke loose at 3:30 a.m. Waters were cooler than before, probably in the low 70s, if Mike remembered. Cool nights seemed to be cooling offshore waters, getting tuna fishing going. The fishing was great, and waters held lots of life. Porpoises fed on squid through night, and whales were sometimes seen during day. Weather was tough since then. The Katie H is supposed to fish inshore Saturday then be turned around and headed for an overnight canyon trip Saturday to Sunday. Weather forecasts might look dubious for the overnighter.

<b>Manasquan Inlet</b>

Canyon fishing for tuna was hit or miss, said Capt. Ken from the <b>Big Kid</b> from Brielle. But an overnight trip aboard last week from Monday to Tuesday bailed a good catch of yellowfin tuna and two bigeye tuna, all at night.

Yellowfin tuna seemed to slide south to Toms Canyon by the weekend, after awesome fishing for them at Hudson Canyon, said Eric from <b>The Reel Seat</b> in Brielle. But some were still boated at the Hudson. Longfin tuna were in the mix, and most tuna were caught at night. A few were landed during the day in early mornings and at dusk.

<b>Mushin Sportfishing</b> from Point Pleasant Beach steamed on two overnight trips to Toms Canyon last week on Thursday to Friday and Friday to Saturday, Alan, the boat owner, said in an e-mail. Yellowfin tuna fishing was fair on both. Most of the tuna were chunked at night, and trolling for them during daytime was slower. Many tuna were lost, and, on the first trip, three swordfish got off, including a 175-pounder that threw the hook at boat side. Waters held slight temperature breaks and lots of life on the trips, good conditions. Fishing looked promising for the season. Canyon trips are being booked for this month and October. <b>***Update, Friday, 9/21:***</b> From an e-mail from Alan: “Mushin was at the dock most of the week with the blow. Got out (today) for an albie special with Ed and Rich's group. Steamed to (an) area less than an hour from our inlet, put the spoons/feathers out while looking for the concentrated schools to bait fish. Had fish on in minutes on the troll, found our spot to set up. Had albies by the dozens zipping through our slick like fireflies! The spearing baits floated back were hit almost instantly. The guys fought as many fish as they wanted to. Done by lunchtime and on our way home. Cancelled tonight's canyon overnighter with marginal weather, but heard some good reports offshore.”

One of the mixed-bag, open-boat trips to the canyons sailed with <b>Andrea’s Toy Charters</b> from Point Pleasant Beach, a report on Andrea’s Toy’s Web site said Saturday. The trip arrived at Hudson Canyon during daytime in flat seas. Because trolling for tuna “had not developed yet,” the report said, the angling started with tilefishing. A couple of tiles were pumped in, and the trip motored to the West Wall and the 100 Square to troll for tuna. Mob scene, the report said. Lots of boats filled waters, and not a lot of tuna were hooked. So the trip pushed farther offshore, trolling. Nothing bit, so the crew decided to start chunking, at good readings, before dark. At night, fish were read, and squid swam around the boat. Mahi mahi showed up, but no tuna bit. At 4 a.m., a swordfish was hooked, but broke off. When daylight came, the trip trolled again, but no tuna bit. The crew decided to “save the trip,” the report said, and fish for mahi mahi with light tackle and tilefish. Mahi to 10 pounds were reeled in, and a dozen tiles to 15 pounds were boxed. Tough trip, the report said, but great bunch of guys. The weather was terrific. Andrea’s Toy specializes in mixed-bag fishing for greater fun, better chances of hooking up and more variety for dinner. Call for info about the unique, mixed-bag, open-boat trips offshore.

<b>Cape May Inlet</b>

A daytime trolling trip went 3 for 4 on yellowfin tuna 70 pounds and larger last Friday at Wilmington Canyon with <b>Relentless Sport Fishing</b> from Cape May, Capt. Dave said. The fish bit along the East Wall at mid morning. Skipjacks and bonito were also trolled, and a couple of white marlin were raised but weren’t hooked. Waters were 77 degrees, compared with 80 degrees previously. The area held no temperature breaks but harbored lots of life. The day was beautiful, and seas were mirror-flat. 

An overnight trip for tuna was cancelled on the <b>Heavy Hitter</b> from Cape May from Saturday to Sunday, because of forecasts for winds, Capt. George said. Friends who fished offshore overnight Friday said seas were 2 feet at night but began to build to 5 feet on the way home Saturday in winds.

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