Most, but not all, of New Jersey’s coast was destroyed in Hurricane Sandy on Monday.

There is no fishing news.

But a few boat and tackle shop owners gave updates for this report. Some boats and shops surely no longer exist. It’s that terrible.

<b>Atlantic Highlands</b>

The harbor was destroyed at Atlantic Highlands in the hurricane, Capt. Tom from the party boat <b>Atlantic Star</b> said. The boat was not damaged, and had been moved prior to the storm. But right now, “we’re out of business,” Tom said. He couldn’t know when the harbor would be repaired, and couldn’t enter the harbor, but hoped to soon. He wasn’t asked the reason he couldn’t enter, like maybe authorities wouldn’t allow. “(But) it’s really, really, really in tough shape,” he said.

<b>Highlands</b>

The family and house are okay, said Capt. Dave from <b>Raritan Bay Charters</b>. Electricity was out, and the boat appeared to be lost. He saw, but couldn’t reach, the vessel in the marsh, with about 15 other boats. His fishing season is finished. The boat had been dry docked for the storm. But the storm lifted the boat off the stand, and the boat ended up in the marsh. Many boats were lost in the storm.

<b>***Update, Friday, 11/2:***</b> “We are here and working to clean up,” Capt. Pete from the <b>Hyper Striper</b> said in a post on Hyper’s Facebook page. He hopes to return to business “in the future,” he said, and fish later in November or in December.  “As soon as we know what’s going to happen after clean up,” Pete said, “we will let you all know.”

<b>Belmar</b>

Though the communities along the beach, and the boardwalk, were destroyed, the party boats <b>Miss Belmar Princess</b> and <b>Tropical Adventure</b> survived, Capt. Alan said. The communities and boardwalk were shoved two blocks inland. “You can see them,” he said. The rest of the Belmar party boat fleet and the docks also withstood the hurricane. However, the marina and restaurant there were gone. Alan’s two boats, and the other vessels, could fish, but debris, like under the damaged bridge, would need to be cleared. That would probably take a week, and Alan would probably know better by this weekend or soon afterward. Trips before the storm had begun to catch the fall migration of striped bass on the ocean, and will continue.

<b>Point Pleasant Beach</b>

<b>***Update, Friday, 11/2:***</b> The storm was horrible, and Alan, the boat owner from <b>Mushin Sportfishing</b>, and Capt. Ray from the vessel, hope readers are safe, Alan said in an e-mail. The Mushin was kept in the slip for the storm, and survived without a scratch. Other crews didn’t fare so well, and Alan and Ray’s thoughts are with them. When anglers begin to fish, the Mushin is ready to sail for striped bass and blues on the ocean. Catches were great before the storm, and Alan and Ray look forward to the next trip. They look forward to continuing to book charters this fall.

<b>***Update, Saturday, 11/3:***</b> The party boat <b>Norma-K III</b> is “alive and well!” Capt. Matt said on Friday in a post on the vessel’s Facebook page. The boat was kept in the slip through the storm, suffering slight damage. No electricity was available yet at the boat, so the vessel won’t fish for a while, “but we will keep you posted on when we will start up again,” he said. For more info, anglers can call 732-496-5383. When trips resume, the Norma-K III will fish for striped bass 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. daily and on Magic Hour Ling and Cod Trips 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. every Saturday. “Our heart goes out to all that were affected by Hurricane Sandy,” Matt said. “… We are sorry for everyone’s losses, and if there is anything we can do, please stop by the boat. We should be there pretty much every day, cleaning up.” 

<b>Barnegat Light</b>

<b>***Update, Saturday, 11/3:***</b> “The boat is fine – no damage, so I am told,” Capt. Ted from the 50-foot charter boat <b>Super Chic</b> said on Friday in a post on the vessel’s Facebook page. He hopes to reach the boat today, move it across Barnegat Bay to the mainland at Waretown, from Barnegat Light on the barrier island, “till the island opens up,” he said. “If all goes well,” he said, the boat will begin fishing Sunday.

<b>Brigantine</b>

<b>***Update, Saturday, 11/3:***</b> <b>Riptide Bait & Tackle</b> will be open at 7 a.m. today, “with frozen baits only if you need a break from the stress,” Capt. Andy said in a post on the store’s Facebook page on Friday. “Can’t tell you what’s biting.” The first floor of his house and his truck were destroyed in the hurricane, “(but) we are safe,” he said. Plenty of other people suffered lots more damage. Andy is thankful he can rebuild and is alive. He got many phone calls “from people that don’t realize the devastation that happened all over, and asking me if we are open,” he said. Not much water entered the store, unlike many other places. “… as long as we are alive, we can and will come back to a happy place,” Andy said. Bait was lost, “and other minor stuff.”  He was touched by many customers and friends who contacted him to see if he was okay. “… now it’s just a matter of rebuilding and getting back on our feet,” Andy said. “… I hope everyone is safe, and take a look at what you have, rather than what you lost. I am thinking of you all, and from the bottom of my heart, I say <i>thank you</i>!”

<b>Absecon</b>

<b>Absecon Bay Sportsman Center</b> fared well, compared with many others, and is open, Capt. Dave said. The eye of the hurricane passed over the area. Much of the barrier islands was destroyed. But the shop is farther inland and on higher ground, and suffered no major damage. No boats were lost at the marina, and only one bait tank was lost. Live mullet, spots and eels are stocked. An extra supply of fresh clams was stocked before the storm, because clam boats were unlikely to sail soon afterward. If anglers want to fish, the shop is ready, and will be open regular hours to Christmas. Dave’s charters will keep running. Now is usually a great time for fall fishing, including for the migration of striped bass. Fishing will bounce right back. Dave expects to exploratory fish Friday, and see <a href=" https://www.facebook.com/AbseconBay" target="_blank">Absecon Bay’s Facebook page</a> for updates. <b>***Update, Saturday, 11/3:***</b> Dave took the exploratory fishing trip Friday, he said on the store’s Facebook page, but caught nothing. Absecon Inlet was muddy, but “the back bay looked better,” he said, “but it may just be too soon after the big blow up.” He marked baitfish, maybe herring. “I do expect someone will find fish any minute,” he said. Maybe the ocean will be the best bet. But he saw a pelican at Little Panama on the bay, and another afterward at the dock at Absecon Creek. Maybe it was the same bird. If the pelican was at the creek to look for fish to eat, “maybe that’s where I should be fishing,” Dave said.

<b>Sea Isle City</b>

Mike, the owner from <b>Sea Isle Bait & Tackle</b>, got back on the island Wednesday, and the store suffered no damage, he said in a post on the shop’s Facebook page. The doors will be open Saturday and Sunday, and the schedule afterward will be decided. He’s got lots of friends and family to help with repairs and clean up. “Things around town are tough to look at,” he said, but aren’t as bad as he had expected.

<b>***Update, Saturday, 11/3:***</b> “Well, it is a mess down here,” said Capt. Joe from <b>Jersey Cape Guide Service</b>, affiliated with <b>Sea Isle Bait & Tackle</b>, on Jersey Cape’s blog. “But we made a bunch of progress cleaning up.” He launched his bay boat on Thursday, “believe it or not,” he said, and expected to launch his ocean boat on Friday.  “My thoughts and prayers are with those that are still coping with the aftermath of the storm,” Joe said. When he returns to fishing, the storm’s impact on catches will be interesting to see, he said.

<b>Cape May</b>

No damage to the <b>Heavy Hitter</b>, Capt. George said. Friends saw the vessel at the slip at Utsch’s Marina the day after the storm, saying the boat could’ve been sailed right then, and the docks were in good shape. The boat’s gel coat might’ve been scuffed a little on the hull from the pilings. The boat before the storm was battened down in the slip, including with extra ropes. George attempted to reach the boat the day after the storm, but authorities turned him back at the bridge to Cape May. A charter is slated to fish for striped bass Saturday, and George will decide whether the trip will run. Whether suppliers will sail for bait, making it available, was a question. But charters will fish anytime, and the fall migration of striped bass won’t be affected by the storm.

The party boat <b>Porgy IV</b> weathered the storm, and so did the docks, Capt. Paul said. The ship store flooded, he thought. But the boat could sail today, if he wanted. Marks on the hull after the storm, from rubbing against pilings, looked like the storm almost damaged the boat. Still, Paul will wait for the ocean to calm before fishing. Forecasts are calling for winds the next days. Plus, debris could be floating. “I don’t want to run over someone’s boardwalk,” Paul said. The hurricane’s eye apparently passed farther north, and winds are calmer on the southern side than the northern. That’s because hurricanes spin counter-clockwise. A party boat a little farther north in Avalon reportedly was lost in the storm. If weather clears, the Porgy IV will fish for striped bass at Cape May Rips as early as Sunday or the next couple of days. The blackfish bag limit was supposed to be increased November 16 to six from the current limit of one. The government reportedly was considering increasing the limit earlier, and if that happens, the boat might sail for blackfish then. When trips begin, the Porgy IV sails at 8 a.m. daily. 

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