Bob Matthews at Fisherman’s Den is Belmar said everybody seemed to be making up for lost time Thursday morning at the shop, renting boats and getting out after the blow. Before the weather went south, the ocean was producing bigger fluke, with the Ocean Explorer reporting catches of 8 to 9 pounders. Michael Boiko, Monroe, also weighed in a 8.6 pounder. Matthews did report that Billy Renner fished the surf on Wednesday with clams and got two bass, a 28 and a 30 incher. The 30-inch bass came in with a 20-inch fluke on the other hook of his hi-low rig. Matthews expects bigger fluke in the surf, but with the season ending soon, there won’t be much chance to keep them. The snapper fishing is good and there are plenty of crabs. Capt. Ron Kish of the Capt. Cal II said the weather kept them off the water, but the fishing was good before and he expects it to pick up again. He’s fishing in at least 58 feet of water and weeding through the throwbacks for a couple of keepers. Capt. Joseph Bogan reported much improved fluke fishing before the weather went south with fish up to 8 pounds. He caught them in both deep and shallow water along with some sea bass. Spro jigs tipped with fresh spearing or bluefish strips have been the best producers. Captain Greg Markert of the Golden Eagle said the bluefishing has been very good on both day and night trips with the big are taking jigs early in the day and then bait in the late morning and afternoon. The night bite has been on cut bait while anchored over chum.

John Oswald