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Sun., Jan. 18, 2026

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Fishing Reports Now Feature Article

Black Gold Posted 11/14/08
Some anglers start packing away rods and reels when winter looms. But not others. They know what’s coming. Black gold. When cool waters trigger other saltwater fishing to shut down in fall, the temps actually make blackfishing turn on.	Photo courtesy of the Atlantic Star, Atlantic Highlands.
The tautog start feeding more actively at the wrecks, reefs and rough bottom along the Jersey Coast. Blackfishing has got it all. Big whales to 18 pounds. Finicky feeders that are somewhat difficult to catch. Strong fighters. Delicious. The bag limit for tog in New Jersey gets hiked up to six fish per angler on Nov. 16 from the previous limit of one. That’s the green light: Blackfishing is a go. Some of the party boats are steaming for the fish. Here’s a rundown. ATLANTIC HIGHLANDS Atlantic Star Atlantic Highlands Municipal Marina 7:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Daily Capt. Tom Buban 732-291-5508 Visit Web Site Capt. Tom Buban’s been a party boat captain a long time, since 1973, after he was discharged from the service. He first captained a couple of different party boats until he bought his own, the Atlantic Star, in 1987. Tog fishing became popular enough that he started running trips for them probably in the late ‘70s. Tom now targets blacks every fall and winter, running to the Scotland Grounds, Sandy Hook Reef, the Mud Buoy and sometimes 17 Fathoms and the Shrewsbury Rocks. Customer service is one of the important focuses on the boat, Tom says. He and the crew aim to make the trips as professional as possible. The boat's cleanliness is also emphasized. The experience makes the difference, Tom says. BELMAR Big Mohawk Belmar Marine Basin 7 a.m.-3 p.m. Daily Capt. Chris Hueth 732-974-9606 Visit Web Site The Hueth name is well-known at this New Jersey port. Capt. Chris Hueth from the Big Mohawk has worked in the Belmar party boat fleet almost his entire professional life, since the age of 22, about 25 years. His brother Greg Hueth is a well-known local angler, including a surf angler. Both Chris and Greg are involved in fisheries conservation. Capt. Chris says many of his patrons are serious tog anglers, and the boat caters to customers looking for the big ones. The boat has developed a following, and hardcore blackfishers outnumber the tourists. The fact that many of the crew have been working for Chris more than 20 years is an indication of the operation’s professionalism and success. The rocky bottom off Elberon, Long Branch and Sea Girt are the boat’s tog-fishing grounds.
Royal Miss Belmar Belmar Marine Basin 7:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Daily Capt. Alan Shinn 732-681-6866 Visit Web Site The Miss Belmar fleet is the grandmomma of the party boats docked at Belmar, fishing from the port more than 70 years, longer than any others, Capt. Alan Shinn says.	Capt. Alan Shinn
His grandfather started the business, and Alan's dad then took over, and now Alan is the patriarch, and his son has started to be involved. Alan started working for the family business at age 12, more than 30 years ago. The family's years of experience are what matters, he says. The 115-foot Royal Miss Belmar, one of the family's two head boats, is also larger than any other from the port. Trips sail for tog from Sandy Hook Reef to south of Manasquan Inlet, wherever's best, a large range. A quick cruising speed of 25 knots makes that possible.
POINT PLEASANT BEACH Norma K III Ken's Landing Marina 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Mondays Office/Dock: 732-899-5491 Boat: 732-899-8868 Owners: Capt. Ken & Norma Keller Skipper: Capt. Matt Sosnowski Visit Web Site The family of Capt. Ken and Norma Keller, namesake of the Norma K, were pioneers of sportfishing at Manasquan Inlet. Norma's father, Jack Kennel Sr., moved to Point Pleasant from Passaic in the 1920s, when the inlet was sand dunes and weeds. Originally an electrician, he invested in waterfront property, named it Ken's Landing Marina, and began renting slips. Thus began one of Jersey's most well-known docks. The "Ken" in the name came from the first three letters in Kennel, because another local marina was named "Jack's." But the name ended up fitting anyway, because Jack's daughter Norma married Ken Keller, who became a captain of the party boats that Jack started operating. By now, everbody thinks Ken was the founder of Ken's Landing, but not so. Besides the party boat Norma K III, the family's vessels include the head-boat-sized charter vessels Miss Norma K, Norma K II and Miss Point Pleasant. The Norma K III's blackfishing trips ply waters from Sandy Hook Reef to grounds off Barnegat Inlet. Voyager Docked at Fisherman’s Supply 69 Channel Drive Point Pleasant Beach 6:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Fridays Capt. Jeff Gutman 732-295-3019 Visit Web Site The Voyager is one of the newest members of the blackfishing fleet, and the current crew has been running the vessel several years. But the boat has already developed a large, well-known following, perhaps evidence of the professionalism and success of its trips. The vessel runs different types of bottom-fishing trips, including blackfishing, Mudhole ling angling, offshore sea bassing and cod fishing. The Voyager is especially known for party boat tuna fishing. The owner also owns Fisherman’s Supply, the tackle shop and supplier, and the boat is docked at the shop.
BEACH HAVEN *Miss Beach Haven* On the bay at Center Street in Beach Haven 7 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturdays & Sundays 609-978-9951 Capt. Frank Camarda Visit Web Site The only party boat targeting tog from the southern end of Long Beach Island, the Miss Beach Haven has been running for eight years. Capt. Frank Camarda was a charter boat captain more than 20 years before purchasing the vessel. The Miss Beach Haven’s blackfishing trips target Garden State Reef South, Little Egg Reef and other wrecks and reefs within range of Little Egg Inlet. SEA ISLE CITY Starfish Exit 17 Garden State Parkway 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturdays & Sundays When Not Chartered Call to Confirm 609-263-3800 Capt. Bob Rush Visit Web Site The Starfish is a 70-foot catamaran, offering a large, wide deck, lots of room, more stability than v-hulls, comfort. Capt. Bob Rush has owned and operated the boat almost 20 years. Trips fish the relatively non-pressured South Jersey reefs, compared with the more populated ones in the northern state. Group rates and charters are also available.