12 pound blackfish tops catches for the week on the local rockpiles
The blackfish remain the main target for the handful of for-hire vessels that are still running daily trips, and there appear to be enough around to keep the reels turning and anglers on the hunt.
Capt. Ryan Bogan on the Jamaica II said one of his regulars caught his personal best on Tuesday's trip. The angler, Kareem Troutman of Brown Mills, pulled in a 12-pound, 10-ounce tog. The fishing otherwise was fair. Bogan said he found short life in most of the places he looked and a few keepers to put on ice.
Troutman's fish was the biggest reported to the Asbury Park Press this week off the local rubble.
Fishermen on the Big Mohawk picked at shorts with a keeper here and there on Wednesday, said Capt. Matt Sosnowski. He said the water temperature is in the low 40 degrees.
Capt. Bobby Quinn on the Ocean Explorer was also out Wednesday and said they didn't have a lot of keepers but he did observe a handful of tog over six pounds landed on the boat. The big fish for the day was eight pounds.
The Big Jamaica is scheduled to run two offshore trips this weekend. The trips depart from Brielle at 11 p.m.. on Friday and Saturday. The boat was not out last weekend due to the windy conditions. The last time it was out, Jan. 8, the boat returned with a good catch of porgies.
More:21-pound blackfish landed on a piece of Jersey rubble
The gillnetters out of Viking Village in Barnegat Light are fishing for monkfish and skates.
Calendar
Brielle Bait & Tackle will hold a rod building basics course next month. The course will cover everything one needs to know about assembling a fishing rod from scratch. It's a three-night course, 7 to 9 p.m. Feb. 6, 8 &10. The cost is $95 and space is limited. Call the shop at 732-528-5720 for more info or to sign up.
The Discover Boating New York Boat Show, in partnership with Progressive Insurance, docks at the Javits Center January 25-29, inviting boaters and newcomers alike to escape the cold and plunge into summer fun. Experience the best of the boat life with cooking and cocktail demos by award-winning chefs and cocktail experts, a new indoor paddle sports pool, and the biggest selection of new boats and marine gear in the tri-state area.
What's biting:Get the latest fishing reports here
The Raritan Bay Anglers' flea market is 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Jan. 28 at St; Cecelia's School at 45 Auth Ave. in Iselin. The cost is $5 and kids 12 and under are free.
The Hi-Mar Striper Club's annual flea market will be held from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Feb. 11 at the Middletown VFW Post 2179 in Port Monmouth, New Jersey. The cost is $5 per person, 15 and under get a free entry.
When Jersey Shore native Dan Radel is not reporting the news, you can find him in a college classroom where he is a history professor. Reach him @danielradelapp; 732-643-4072; dradel@gannettnj.com
This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: 12 pound blackfish tops catches for the week on the local rockpiles
