Sam Snyder of Brown’s Point Marina in Keyport said the crabbing hasn’t been this good in years. Anglers are still finding plenty of fluke on the Keyport flats with enough keepers mixed in with the shorts to make it worthwhile. He also reported bluefish up to five pounds are now showing up in the late afternoons. Captain Mike Russo of the Sea Hawk out of Perth Amboy is making the most of the fluking until he switches over to porgies, blackfish and sea bass on Sept. 7. Kasper Pullem, Linden, got a 3 1/2-pound sea bass on last Wednesday’s trip and John Butler, Edison, got a 4-pound fluke on Tuesday. Capt Sal Cursi of the Cathy Sea will fish in the bay until Earl passes by then head back in to the ocean where he’s doing well with fluke and sea bass. Capt. George Bachert of the Angler said the ocean was flat on Thursday, despite all the warnings. Tuesday’s fishing was good in the Ambrose Channel but a tougher on Wednesday. The Angler will continue fishing for fluke after the season closes with a special permit. The Angler is one of five boats in the Raritan Bay area that has the permit. Phil Sciortino of the Tackle Box in Hazlet reported his father and uncle did real well on bluefin tuna, landing a 125 pounder and releasing a bunch more.

John Oswald