Tournaments

Mid Atlantic Tuna Tournament, South Jersey Marina, Cape May
34 boats participated in theMid Atlantic Tuna Tournament . There were 35 yellowfins and 2 bluefins weighed in. The format was to fish 2 of the 3 days. Most boats fished on day 1. The seas were rough and some boats reported fishing in 7 foot seas. Over the Top started off day 1 with a 3 yellowfin total of 185 Lbs.

Around 7 PM the boat That's Right brought 3 yellowfin to the weigh in. They were 60, 64 and 66 Lbs giving them 1st place at that time. Sea Mistress followed with a 69 lb yellowfin whick was the heaviest of the day so far. their lead held up only a few minutes when Moore Bills wighed a 60 lb yellowfin to tie for first.Those 2 fish would hold up to finish the tournament in a first place tie for heaviest tuna.

Playmate weighed in 3 yellowfin, 61, 63 and 61 lb to take third place in the heaviest 3 category. On day 3 The only real change was a 67lb bluefin by Playmate to take 1st place as the heaviest fish and giving them the heaviest 3 of the tournament at 190 lbs.

The Jersey Shore Classic at Avalon Point Marina in Avalon, NJ will be held this Saturday.

BlueFin



Blue fin are showing at the Atlantic Princess, Chicken Canyon and the Mudhole mixed in with bluefish. Anglers should remember they are only allowed 1 fish from 27 inches to less than 59 inches. There is no allowance for recreational anglers to take trophy large bluefin.



Canyons.

Tuna fishing is picking up. 50-80 pound fish have been caught at the 100 line in the Lindenkohl and around the tip. They are mixed in with catches of mid sized mahi mahi and an occasional white marlin. Spreader bars and ballyhoo covered by an Ilander or similar lure seem to work well. Yellowfin hace been found from the 40-100 fathom ranges in the Lindekohl and some in the Spencer. there is no consistand area as the fish move day to day. Jim's Bait and Tackle reports that On Saturday the tuna finally turned on in the Baltimore Canyon with some Cape May boats doing very well..

Marlin are spread throught out all the canyons. One place does not seem to hold a concentration.Over Under Adventures in Avalon did report good White Marlin action in the 50 fathom range at the notch in the Wilmington. Canyon Runner Charters in Point Pleasant reported a great day for 2 of their boats at the 100 square area of the Hudson with 60 yellowfins and having a giant bluefin and a blue marlin over 700 lbs brought to the boat.



Surf



Flounder are being caught in the surf all along the Jersey coats. Bucktails tipped with Gulp seems to be working well,. Kingfish are being caught all over South Jersey on bloodworns and fishbites. Sharks have been caught off the surf at LBI at night, mostly brown sharks.It is illegal to keep most of these sharks. Bob Misak from Barnegat Light Tackle fowarded this picture of a thresher shark caught at 32nd St Beach in Ship Bottom.

New Jersey Summary 7-20-thresheratlbi.jpg

Fluke

Fluke are moving to deeper water especially in areas that water temperature is approaching 80 degrees. Catches are improving in the inlets and in the ocean. The fishing at the artificial reefs is picking up. The keeper ratio in still low ranging from 10-1 to 50-1 depending on who you talk to. Gulp in all forms seems to be the bait of choice.There was an 8 lb fluke taken in the surf at LBI on Gulp.Delaware bay has been slow but fish have been caught atreef site #6, Brandwin Shoals and Brown.s Shoals.Fish are also showing up in the Cape May rips area and the Old Grounds.



Wrecks and reefs.

Tog season is open with a 1 fish limit. There are a lot of tog on the wrecks. Seabass fishing has slowed down as they are spawing. Fluke fishing is picking up on the reefs, with a better keeper ration than inshore.