NauticalNet - New Jersey Fishermen Fishing Reports for February 1999

February Reports

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Angler Name : Christina
E-Mail : BGR1001@aol.com
Boat Name: Dauntless
Date Fished: 2/27/99
Location: Point Pleasant
Fishing Method:
Specie: Ling (AKA Red Hake)
Size:
Bait or Lure:
Water Depth: 195 to 220
Water Temp.:
Information : The weather was chilly when we started our trip. The temperature hovered around 28 degrees. Bill, Steven and I got spots smack dab in the center of the back of the boat. I stayed inside for half the trip out but the boys were troopers and hung out there until our arrival 60 minutes later, somewhere. We could see land in the distance but I'm not sure where we were. Seas were calm with almost no wind so the cold really didn't become an issue. The heated rails didn't hurt either. It actually warmed up so much later on that we all started to remove layers. But anyway, enough about the weather. The fishing was strenuous. We started out with 8 oz. but that didn't hold bottom at the 195 ft. depth we fished. We switched to 10 oz. and that was OK for a while. At the first spot, both Bill and I caught 4 ling each. No monsters but decent size. I also caught a dogfish (shark). The second spot got my catch up to 9. Bill added 2 more to his count. Steven still caught nothing. The third spot got us nothing. At the fourth, Steven caught 2 dogfish. He was not a happy camper. For the fifth spot, the captain decided we needed to work out our aching muscles even harder and took us to 220 ft. By this time, the current was so strong that even 21 oz. was barely holding bottom. At these depths, no one is anxious to check their bait. Its not worth the journey up to the surface. By the time we got to this last spot, Steven was thoroughly disgusted and had given up. Bill and I kept trying but it was a struggle. With the weights not holding, tangles were frequent and we lost many rigs to the bottom. But all in all, we can't complain. The weather was beautiful for February, Bill was satisfied with his 6 ling and I was happy that I had beat his count with my 9. Steven knew there'd be days like this and took it on the chin. But he'll be ready for the next round. We hope to see some additional participants when we venture out again. Now if you'll excuse me, I'll go put some more Bengay on my aching arms.

Angler Name : Dad and Ryan
E-Mail :
Boat Name: Big Mohawk lll
Date Fished: 2/27/99
Location: Belmar
Fishing Method: wrecks
Specie: Ling (AKA Red Hake)
Size:
Bait or Lure: clam
Water Depth: 100-200 ft
Water Temp.:
Information : What a beautiful day on the water. Sunny, 50s and no waves. The crew did a great job in helping us catch plenty of "logs" (crazy Jim). I only saw 2 whiting and 1 black fish boated, amoung lots of dogfish and congor eels. Anyway, our party of four brought home 36 ling--plenty for the table. Thanks again to the crew-- they did a great job.

Sport Fishing Charters
35' Henriques Sport Fisherman
Captain Bernie Roth - 732-920-6844

Angler Name : Adam LaRosa
E-Mail : NJCharter@aol.com
Boat Name: Canyon Runner
Date Fished: February 20-22
Location: Boca Raton, FL
Fishing Method: Live Bait
Specie: Sailfish
Size: 40-70 pounds
Bait or Lure: Goggle-Eyes
Water Depth: 140-180
Water Temp.: 75
Information : The crew of the charter boat Canyon Runner spent last weekend in Florida live baiting Sailfish off Boca Raton and Palm Beach on our second boat which we keep in Florda year round. Saturday produced excellant fishing with live goggle-eyes, as always, producing the best. One of our best trips of the winter season was had despite that we are at the end of the season which produces the best Sailfish bites. Fishing just after a strong cold front, 6 Sailfish between 40 and 70 pounds were released by my wife and the girlfriend of one of our mates. Currently, we are getting the Canyon Runner ready for the 1999 season and will be fishing for Cod/Pollock by the first week in April.

Angler Name : Kevin Blouch
E-Mail : Coddamn@aol.com
Boat Name: Jamaica
Date Fished: Sat. 2/20
Location: Offshore wrecks
Fishing Method: Bottom fishing
Specie: Pollock
Size: All sizes sub legal to 30lb+
Bait or Lure: Clams, Mackerel
Water Depth: 200 +or-
Water Temp.: 40's
Information : Considering the weeklong predictions of a coastal snowstorm, we actually sailed and the weather was no worse than any other average winter day. We did not have the abundance of Sea bass and Porgies as per Howard's last two reports, but the Pollock were around, and actively feeding. There were certainly over one hundred caught, although the majority were sub-legal, there were also a lot of keepers. I caught 6 Pollock, 1 30lber[pool winner], an 8 lb.,a 5 lb.,and 3 throwbacks. I caught one jigging [16oz. Viking] and the rest on bait. Contrary to popular belief, the best bait to catch Pollock [better than jigging and whole squid, clams] is MACKEREL, the fresher the better. We were using stuff caught last spring though, and it still worked well! It also works well for ling, seabass, cod, hake. We also caught a few porgies, seabass, ling, cod on the boat, but it was a slow pick for these species. Overall, I thought it was a great day with the Pollock and the action they provided! Gotta go now, and steak out my thirty pounder!!!!

Angler Name : Howard Bogan
E-Mail : bigjamaica@aol.com
Boat Name: Jamaica
Date Fished: 2/17/99
Location: 70 miles SE of Brielle
Fishing Method: Wrecks
Specie: Black Sea Bass
Size: 2 to 6 lbs
Bait or Lure: clam
Water Depth: 210
Water Temp.: 47
Information : Wednesday's (2/17) offshore wreck trip aboard the Big Jamaica was another good one. The surface temperature dropped back to 47 degrees, however the temperature below was obviously warm evidenced by the capture of another bluefish for the second trip in a row. The only time I remember catching bluefish in February was in '95 when the water temperature was warm all winter and we continued to catch giant seabass on the offshore wrecks all season. Good numbers of giant seabass and jumbo porgies were caught by all plus, two dozen cod and pollock, and some ling, hake, and one cusk. The pool winners were: Michael Saulle from Clifton, NJ with a 28 lb pollock. Michael also caught 2 more pollock, 23 giant seabass and 25 jumbo porgies. Second was Peter Gens from Kings Park, NY with a 26 lb pollock, Plus 25 jumbo porgies, 16 giant seabass, and 6 ling. High hooks were: Peter Mikaitis from Toms River, NJ with A 23 lb pollock, 2 cod, one a 10 lb cod, 31 giant seabass, 18 jumbo porgies, 12 ling. Charlie Fitzpatrick from Brick, NJ and Artie Leung from Brooklyn combined for 76 giant seabass, 25 porgies, 5 pollock, 3 cod 10 ling. When we left for home on the final stop of the day the fish were still biting. I expect to have good fishing on upcoming trips. We are beginning to see more cod and pollock on the wrecks, however, unless the water temperature drops drastically, I believe we will continue to catch giant seabass, with porgies, ling, hake, pollock, and cod mixed in for at least the next few weeks. There is still space available on trips this weekend. The big Jamaica is scheduled to sail offshore this week on Saturday (2/20), Sunday (2/21), and Wednesday (2/24), at 12:30am each day, returning around 6:30pm. To reserve space on upcoming trips call 732-528-5014 for information.

Dealers for:
Suzuki, Yamaha, Glacier Bay Catamarans, HydroCat Catamarans,
Nautico Catamarans and Sea Gull Catamarans
Angler Name : Bill Ponzio
E-Mail :
Boat Name: Goin' Off
Date Fished: 2-15-99
Location: 48 miles off of Captree
Fishing Method: wreck
Specie: Cod
Size: up to 38 1/2lbs.
Bait or Lure: skimmers and bergal
Water Depth: 150
Water Temp.: 46
Information : Me and my fishing buddy Nick planned to hit one of my personal wrecks on this beautiful day. We left the dock at 3a.m. and hooked our first cod as soon as the boat dropped back into place. We picked steady for about 3 hours shifring around every so often. At 2p.m. the action died and we returned to the dock with 22 cod from 8-38 1/2 lbs. 5 fish were in the 30lb. class. It was surprising to see my buddy score the biggest fish on a bergal filet. We plan to go again because I know the fish are there. We also lost a monster in the 50lb. class. We'll get him next time.

Angler Name : Howard Bogan
E-Mail : bigjamaica@aol.com
Boat Name: Jamaica
Date Fished: 2/15/99
Location: 75 miles SE of Brielle
Fishing Method:
Specie: Black Sea Bass
Size: 3 to 6 lbs
Bait or Lure: clam
Water Depth: 235
Water Temp.: 49
Information : We had a tough day on Sunday when the wind would not let up and fishing conditions were less than ideal. We did pick some seabass ling, and porgies, however it was one of the slowest days of the year. Monday, was a different story. There was still some wind left over early, however the ocean did calm down some and we were able to fish a little deeper. A push of warm water (49 degrees) moved in overnight and with it was a tremendous school of giant seabass and jumbo porgies with some pollock and ling mixed in. This was one of the best trips of the season. The pool winners were: Timmy Diamantis from Upper Darby, PA with a 20 lb pollock. Tim also boated 38 giant seabass, 7 porgies, 4 ling. Second place was, Bill Mazur from Northport, NY with a 16.5 lb pollock. Bill also caught 43 giant seabass & 18 porgies. High hooks were: Ron Wingo (Belmar) and Bill Peat (Wall) with 132 giant seabass and 30 jumbo porgies. Bob Barbarisi from Long Island City, NY caught 51 giant seabass & 20 jumbo porgies. Tim Strayer from Willow Grove, PA caught 50 giant seabass and 21 jumbo porgies. Guss Passarella from Long Beach, NY caught 42 giant seabass & 10 jumbo porgies. When we left for home the fish were still biting. There are several wrecks in the same area so I would expect to have good fishing on upcoming trips. Several years ago we experienced a similar situation when we had good fishing into February when we experienced a lull for a few trips and we thought the best fishing was over. The next trip out the water temperature warmed up a little and we continued to catch giant seabass in good numbers, with ling, hake, pollock, cod, and porgies mixed in through most of the season There is still space available on tonights trip and trips this weekend. The big Jamaica is scheduled to sail offshore this week on Wednesday (2/17), Saturday (2/20), Sunday (2/21), at 12:30am each day, returning around 6:30pm. To reserve space on upcoming trips call 732-528-5014 for information.

Angler Name : blackie
E-Mail :
Boat Name: crazydave
Date Fished: 2/15/99
Location: off cape may
Fishing Method: wreck
Specie: Blackfish
Size: to 6lbs
Bait or Lure: blueclaws /clams
Water Depth: 70ft.
Water Temp.: 42
Information : dave put the boat on a wreck about 7miles off cape may.it was a slow pick. the tide was running real hard but we still put 15 fat tog in the boat.

Angler Name : Christopher Kobik
E-Mail : kobiks@bellatlantic.net
Boat Name: 125' Jamaica
Date Fished: 2/14
Location: @65 mi SE of Manasquan Inlet
Fishing Method: Bottom Fishing
Specie: Black Sea Bass
Size: Medium, Small
Bait or Lure: clam
Water Depth: @250
Water Temp.: unknown
Information : NNW winds 30-35 mph produced heavy snow squalls and an amazing seascape. Many of the passengers "rested" inside the heated cabin. Caught several dozen ling and a couple of handfuls of keeper bass. I believe the conditions hurt the fishing. twenty ounces of lead were needed to hold bottom. Capt. and crew were great. This is a great boat to fish and handles rough conditions very well. I'm looking forward to a future trip under better conditions.

Angler Name : Michael Borris
E-Mail : ProChef 69@aol.com
Boat Name: N/A
Date Fished: 2/11/99
Location: Oyster Creek
Fishing Method: Jigging
Specie: Striped Bass
Size: 12"-26"
Bait or Lure: Fin-S
Water Depth: u/k
Water Temp.: on the warm side
Information : Started Fishing at 2:00pm had 2 fish right away. Nothing until 4:00pm when the bass moved down the creek. Then everyone fishing was catching fish... This is the best February fishing I have ever had.. I hope this is a sign of what is instored for the coming season....Well I hope it is just as good on Monday. Tight lines to all

Angler Name : al moretti
E-Mail : kathim @prolog.net
Boat Name: paramount
Date Fished: 2/10/99
Location: s/e of mudhole
Fishing Method: bottom
Specie: Ling (AKA Red Hake)
Size: 1-3lbs
Bait or Lure: mackeral
Water Depth: 80ft??
Water Temp.: ????
Information : tough pick all day,no clams on board??ended up with 10 nice ling(high hook?)on my own squid.

Angler Name : al
E-Mail :
Boat Name: Paramount
Date Fished: 2/10/99
Location: south of mud hole?
Fishing Method: bottom
Specie: Ling (AKA Red Hake)
Size: 1-3lbs
Bait or Lure: cut mackeral
Water Depth: 80-120?
Water Temp.: ???
Information : Tough pick all day,no clams on board,high hook 10 ling,fished shallow water,large crowd(35 people?).Some folks skunked,that's fishing

Angler Name : kirk davis
E-Mail : kirk_davis@hotmail.com
Boat Name: jamaica
Date Fished: 2/10/99
Location: 50-60 miles off brielle
Fishing Method: bottom fishing
Specie: Ling (AKA Red Hake)
Size: 20 or so medium ling, a few 2-3 lb sea bass, and 2 pollock 12lbs and 6lbs
Bait or Lure: clam
Water Depth: 120-180ft
Water Temp.: mid 40's
Information : Initially had trouble anchoring on the deep sea bass wrecks due to tough currents....we made an hour run inshore and it paid off in good catches of ling, a few jumbo sea bass, and some repectable medium size cod and pollock...it was good to see that even if the conditions didn't allow you to fish deep wrecks...you could still get a good mess of fish and some decent sized ones at that

Offshore, There is No Substitute for Integrity...
BERTRAM - POST MARINE - HENRIQUES YACHTS

Angler Name : dale pauestes
E-Mail :
Boat Name: paramount
Date Fished: 9feb99
Location: mud hole
Fishing Method: bottom
Specie: Ling (AKA Red Hake)
Size: small
Bait or Lure: clams
Water Depth: 180-200
Water Temp.: mid 40's
Information : Lousy fishing. Very windy and rough. There was not more than 25 keepers on the entire boat. In the winter the captiana don't want to move very much. We only fished three drops all day. I've done enough bottom fishing to know that if the ling don't bite right away, they aren't going to start in an hour. 8 weeks til spring!

Angler Name : Joe Krivenko
E-Mail : krivenko@worldnet.att.net
Boat Name: Paramount
Date Fished: 2/9/99
Location: Mud Hole
Fishing Method: Bottom
Specie: Ling (AKA Red Hake)
Size:
Bait or Lure: Clams
Water Depth: 140ft.
Water Temp.: Low 40s.
Information : Capt Dave sailed to the Mud Hole and fished three wrecks. The light south west wind that was forecast turned out to be a nasty blow from the south. It also called to be in the 50s; it barely made it to 40 degrees by the last whistle. Among the less than three dozen ling caught by the light crowd were also a pollack, two keeper cod, one of which was 5lbs. and won the pool. I caught one ling all day. A few others were not so lucky.

Angler Name : Howard Bogan
E-Mail : bigjamaica@aol.com
Boat Name: Jamaica
Date Fished: 2/7/99
Location: 75 miles SE of Brielle
Fishing Method: wrecks
Specie: Black Sea Bass
Size: 2 - 6 lbs
Bait or Lure: clam
Water Depth: 200
Water Temp.: 48
Information : The offshore, deepwater wrecks are still producing giant seabass, hake, porgies, ling, and some cod and pollock. Saturday there was still some swell left over from Tuesday night so fishing was a little slower than on previous trips. The catch was still dominated by giant seabass up to 6 lbs. The pool winners were: Robert Barbarisi from Astoria, NY with a 14.5 lb white hake & Erik Dahlgren from Sayerville, NY with a 7 lb white hake. Sunday fishing was much better. High hooks caught over 30 fish which were mostly giant seabass up to 6 lbs with some hake, ling, pollock, cod, and jumbo porgies mixed in. The pool winners were: Richard Wing from Phila, PA with a 25 lb pollock & Peter Germinario from Mahwah, NJ with a 14 lb pollock. High hooks were: Ross Pearson from Phila, PA with 27 seabass, 14 ling, & a 10 lb cod. Kevin Trainor with 21 seabass, 12 ling & a 12 lb pollock. The water temperature is still 48 degrees offshore so we should continue to do well with giant seabass, and a mix of hake, ling, porgies, cod and pollock. The weather looks good for Wednesday's trip and there is still space available. There is still space available on this weeks trips. The big Jamaica is scheduled to sail offshore this week on Wednesday (2/10), Friday (2/12), Saturday (2/13), Sunday (2/14) & Monday (2/15), at 12:30am each day, returning around 6:30pm. To reserve space on upcoming trips call 732-528-5014 for information.

Angler Name : Ray
E-Mail :
Boat Name: Big Mohawk III
Date Fished: 2-7-99
Location: Mud Hole
Fishing Method: bottom
Specie: Ling (AKA Red Hake)
Size: 1-3lbs
Bait or Lure: clam and bergall strips
Water Depth: 100-160ft
Water Temp.: 42
Information : me and the skolmann put 25 ling in the cooler current was running early on 14ozs to hold by end of day down to 10ozs tried green crabs for tog but nothing other catches were conger eels dogfish and one lonely short cod

Angler Name : Andy Sokol
E-Mail : Skolmann@aol.com
Boat Name: Big Mohawk III
Date Fished: 2/7/99
Location: Mud Hole
Fishing Method: Wreck
Specie: Ling (AKA Red Hake)
Size: 1-3 Pounds
Bait or Lure: Clam & Bergall strips
Water Depth: 100-180 Ft
Water Temp.: Low 40's
Information : A beautiful early February day.........Fished Mud Hole wrecks from 100-180Ft with the deeper wrecks producing better. Everyone aboard seemed to have at least 6 ling....Ray & I combined for 22

Angler Name : Joe Krivenko
E-Mail : krivenko@worldnet.att.net
Boat Name: Mohawk
Date Fished: 2/4/99
Location: Belmar
Fishing Method: bottom
Specie: Ling (AKA Red Hake)
Size:
Bait or Lure: clams & crab
Water Depth: 120 ft
Water Temp.: 39 degrees
Information : Cloudy & rainy with SE wind at 15 knots all day. Large easterly ground swell. Temperature mild. Capt. Gary sailed east of the Farms & Mud Hole. Fished the same area all day. The light crowd had a good day with ling to about 4 lbs. Catches ranged from 1-3 dozen. Most fish caught on burgall bait. A few blackfish caught, but only one was a keeper. Some small pollack hooked. One cod at 8 lbs. won the pool. Only a few "junk: fish. I had 23 ling which filled a 5 gallon pail; figure they were about 2 lbs. each.

Angler Name : DON HUFF
E-Mail :
Boat Name: PARAMOUNT
Date Fished: 2-3-99
Location: Mud Hole
Fishing Method:
Specie: Ling (AKA Red Hake)
Size:
Bait or Lure: clam and bergal bait strips
Water Depth: 160
Water Temp.: 46
Information : Capt Dave on the Paramount put us on a one stop wreck. Sure - there were a lot of bergals -but if you cut them in strips you caught Big Ling !! My buddy go 30 nice ling and the pool winner was a school cod over 4 lbs -- I recomend you go for a trip on PARAMOUNT in Briell if you want to catch fish in Feb !!

Angler Name : Joe Krivenko
E-Mail : krivenko@worldnet.att.net
Boat Name: Paramount
Date Fished: 2/1/99
Location: Brielle
Fishing Method: Bottom
Specie: Ling (AKA Red Hake)
Size:
Bait or Lure: Clams, Crabs, Herring
Water Depth:
Water Temp.: 43 degrees
Information : Light Crowd. Light SW wind. Temp- mid 30's AM, low 40's PM. Capt. Dave sailed 1 1/2 hours east of Manasquan Inlet. Fished 3 drops. Ling, conger eels, sharks, burgalls, sea ravens, hackelheads, small sea bass, small pollack and small cod. One keeper cod on the boat about 5 lbs. Catches ranged from 6 to 20 ling. At the third drop, Capt. said there was a better chance to catch blackfish. I tried crabs for the last hour with no results. My total catch was 15 nice size ling.

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