<b>Brooklyn</b>

On the <b>Big M Express</b> six anglers on an open-boat tog trip yesterday bagged 45 keepers to 9 pounds and two cod at three drops that each held life, Capt. Steve said. Tog fishing wasn’t great, but catches were coming up. On an open tog trip Saturday one angler bagged nine keepers and also hauled aboard a 16-pound whopper that he released. Another patron that day came home with six keepers, and the rest of the group scored a few keepers apiece. Three cod and some big ling were also reeled in. Open-boat tog trips are sailing every day when no charter is booked, and reservations are required. The Big M Express is docked at Tamaqua Marina in Gerritsen Beach, Brooklyn.

<b>Staten Island</b>

<b>Outcast Charters</b> blackfished both Saturday and Sunday, and experienced anglers could score well on the fish, Capt. Joe said. The boat fished in 90 to 120 feet, and the charter Saturday pulled up 30 keepers, and the anglers had to be sharp to catch them, and a few of the group had only blackfished a few times before. On Sunday the charter was made up of avid blackfishers, guys who probably go a couple of times a week during the season, and they bagged a very good catch, limiting out with no problem, dealing well with the touchy bite in the deep water. After limiting out, they gave cod fishing a shot, drifting a couple of areas that usually hold the fish at this time of year, and reeled up six cod, including four keepers, and a mess of ling. Clam baits were dunked for these fish, and the anglers brought the clams in hopes of mixing in this type of fishing. On this trip two mates were aboard, because forecasts were calling for rough seas, and the extra one can help with the anchor and such. The charter allowed the extra mate to join the pool, maybe something they second-guessed later, because he ended up winning with a 13-pound tog! Seas turned out moderate most of the day but cranked up toward the end of the trip.

<b>Atlantic Highlands</b>

One of the local party boats was blackfishing, and Joe from <b>Julian’s Bait & Tackle</b> guessed that catches were fair, he said. He and Jimmy from the shop jumped aboard the Gambler from Point Pleasant for an offshore wreck trip Sunday, and Jimmy did great. He boated six cod, probably a half-dozen ling and a big blackfish, among other fish, and was high hook. Nobody checked in any striped bass this week. “They’re done,” Joe said.

<b>Sea Bright</b>

<b>Two Rivers Charters</b> finally pulled the boat from the water for the season this week, Capt. Fletcher Chayes said. But he blackfished over the weekend, and the catch was alright in 75 feet. No great shakes, but okay. An 11-pounder was drilled, and so were 4- and 5-pounders, and throwbacks were released. Party boats and New York boats were also there. He also saw small stripers swirling off the tip of Sandy Hook and hooked an 18-incher that got off close to the boat. Fletcher thanked everyone who fished with him this year, and trips will start again during the last week of March, kicking off the year with striper fishing.

<b>Neptune</b>

UPDATE, 1/18: A blackfishing trip yesterday with <b>Last Lady Fishing Charters</b> was one of the better ones of the winter, and the six anglers onboard limited out by 11 a.m., Capt. Ralph said in an e-mail. Rob, one of the mates from the Fishermen, released a 12-pounder. Other keepers were also released, and a few ling and a cod were boated, and the group kept fishing till 2 p.m. Openings are available on individual-reservation blackfishing trips the next two Saturdays, sailing 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

<b>Belmar</b>

A 12-1/2-pound blackfish was boated on the <b>Big Mohawk</b> yesterday, and so were a good number of other hefty ones, and the fishing was going well, with lots of bites, Capt. Chris said. Trips continued to fish the same depths as before, and previously Chris said he was targeting 60 to 70 feet. A few cod were also usually biting on each outing. Green crabs and white leggers were getting the blackfish to hit, and greens are supplied on the boat. Blackfishing trips will continue to sail 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. every day as long as the weather holds.

Patrons on the Belmar party boats scored good blackfishing yesterday, and the action’s been steady, and a bunch of big ones, 10 to 13 pounders, were getting caught, said Johnny “O” from <b>Fisherman’s Den</b>. They were also picking a few cod on the trips, and mackerel fishing was also productive for the most part. Yesterday was an off day, but often the macks were found lately, probably in 200 feet along the Mudhole. Nothing was doing in the surf or in Shark River.

<b>Brielle</b>

A mix of sea bass, jumbo porgies, ling and a few cod were the catch on Sunday’s offshore wreck-fishing trip on the <b>Jamaica</b>, an e-mail from the boat said. A few whiting and even a handful of weakfish were also biting on recent trips. On Sunday Van Nguyen’s 12-pound cod and Dennis Cray’s 10-pound pollock were the biggest fish. Eighteen-hour trips are steaming to the wrecks 60 to 80 miles offshore at 12:30 a.m. every Wednesday and every Friday through Sunday. Wednesday trips were weathered out the past couple of weeks and were rescheduled for Thursdays. <b>Bogan’s Boating School</b>  is offering the boating safety course required in New Jersey, and the next one-day classes are slated for this Saturday and Sunday and the following Saturday. Private classes at your own location are available for a minimum of eight students, and the test-out option is also offered. UPDATE, 1/21: Offshore wreck fishing was good on two trips that made it out Thursday and Saturday between rough weather this past week on the Jamaica, an e-mail from the boat said. Thursday’s fishing was best, and pool winners that day included Terry Long with a 23-pound pollock and Mike Saulle with a 15-pounder. A couple of anglers were also listed who limited out on sea bass and a few were named who boated a bunch of porgies, some ling and a monkfish. Saturday’s trip produced more porgies than sea bass and also came back with a few cod, pollock and ling. The wrecks that the boat fished lately held plenty of life, and water temps were steady, and the fishing was expected to remain good.

<b>Point Pleasant</b>

Ling, cod and blackfish were the catch on the <b>Dauntless</b> at the Mudhole, and the bottom-fishing trips were also mixing in mackerel fishing, Capt. Willie said. Mackerel were boated on the vessel yesterday along the edge of the Mudhole during the latter part of the trip, and maybe the Bostons will stick around another week, but nobody could know. The bottom fishing was producing 5 to 15 ling per angler, an occasional cod and an occasional blackfish. But a trip Tuesday concentrated on blacks, and fishing for the tog’s been so-so. A few good-sized ones were coming up, including on the trip Tuesday, when 4- and 5-pounders were landed, and Willie thought a 7-pounder was the pool winner. A couple of patrons limited out, and most grabbed a couple of keepers. The Dauntless is sailing 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. every day.

Bottom fishing on the <b>Voyager’s</b> weekly, open-boat trip yesterday was tough, said Ron from <b>Fisherman’s Supply</b>, where the boat is docked. Some sea bass and a few blackfish were hooked, and he thought no ling were nabbed. The boat’s offshore wreck-fishing trips from Thursdays to Fridays were decent, and Ron knew that big sea bass were part of the catch.   The trips leave port 11:30 p.m. on those days, returning 6 p.m. Open-boat bottom-fishing trips are sailing 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. every Wednesday. Fisherman’s Supply is open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. every day.

<b>Andrea’s Toy Charters</b> was weathered out during the weekend, but trips will continue to fish the wrecks and reefs for blackfish, and the bite was good, Capt. Fred said. But the boat only leaves the dock when the weather is solid at this time of year, and a hard easterly was blowing. Anglers on the vessel are fishing for the tog south of Manasquan Inlet, all the way to Barnegat Inlet if necessary, because the crew feels that the fishing to the north is hit or miss. Open-boat blackfishing trips are sailing every weekend when the weather is decent, and visit the boat’s home page for details.

<b>Seaside</b>

Fishing reports on <b>Grumpy’s Tackle</b>’s web site seemed scarce, and the actual reports were still being posted daily, but for example one yesterday said a couple of surf anglers headed out to fish, but nothing was heard back from them. Another this week said anglers were scarce, and a lot of the reports talked about gnarly weather. But Fishing Reports Now will keep an eye on the site and post fishing news if any comes up. In the meantime, the shop’s reports did talk about sales, close-out sales and rebates on goodies, and   <a href="http://www.grumpystackle.com/fishingreports/" target="_blank"> click here</a> for info and reports updates.

<b>Waretown</b>

A big tog on Sunday was the last fish weighed in, and no customers said they fished during the week, said Dale from <b>L&H Woods & Water</b>. Only a few customers were stopping by, but the shop is open every day through winter. Frozen quarts and pints of clams are stocked. Frozen grass shrimp are also carried, if anyone wants to try for white perch up the brackish rivers.

<b>Beach Haven</b>

Lots of blackfish were bagged on the <b>Miss Beach Haven</b> on Saturday, and the tog hit all day, a very good trip, Capt. Frank said. Catches included 6- and 8-pounders, and one cod was reeled aboard, and the boat fished in 65 feet. Sunday’s trip sailed a mile offshore, but rough seas forced Frank to turn back. Trips are running for blackfish 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Previously Frank said the vessel might only fish another weekend or so, but now he said the trips might continue longer.

<b>Mystic Island</b>

A couple of customers bailed a limit of tog at the AC Reef, said Scott from <b>Scott’s Bait & Tackle</b>. They were fishing small clusters of tanks, and the reason the catch was so good was that the pieces were too small for party boats to fish, because the number of tog that can hold there is too few for the number of anglers on head boats. An 11.6-pounder and a 9.5-pounder were the biggest fish the two customers grabbed, and although the tog bag limit is now four fish per person, and although a trip requires a 10-mile sail from shore, it doesn’t take too many blacks like 5-pounders to make a great day. White perch fishing reports dried up this week, for some reason, and nobody was even buying bait. But the shop is carrying live grass shrimp for perch fishing, and Collin’s Cove on the Mullica River is the place to be. One customer tried to catch the perch from the bank there last week but had no luck. In other words, take a boat if you can. Small minnows are also stocked and can be used for the perch or in freshwater, like for pickerel. Scott noted that the <a href="http://www.ssfff.net/" target="_blank"> Save the Summer Flounder Fishery Fund</a> will hold a public meeting Monday evening. The fund’s web site says it takes place 7 p.m. at the Manasquan Elks Lodge at 17 Stockton Boulevard in Manasquan. The site says the lodge will provide a cold buffet after the meeting, and a non-alcoholic cash bar will be open before and during the meeting, and a full cash bar will be open afterward.

<b>Absecon</b>

UPDATE, 1/21: A few customers fished for white  perch along the rivers, scraping up their own grass shrimp for bait, said Dave from <b>Absecon Bay Sportsman Center</b>. Mullica River was best, and Dave heard about some of the fish hooked in Tuckahoe River, but all brackish rivers were probably decent. Dave is often at the shop, and customers are welcome to stop by, but call ahead to confirm he’ll be there at this time of year. Boat winterization is still available, though most  boaters probably put their vessels up for the winter already, and even winterization was about finished for the season.

<b>Atlantic City</b>

Wreck-fishing for tog and sea bass was about the only fishing anglers were doing lately, said Jack from <b>Offshore Enterprises Bait & Tackle</b>. People seemed to stop striper fishing, but he was sure some would try on days with mild weather, and water temps were decent, 41 or 42 degrees. Salted clams and frozen bunker, mackerel, herring and the standard assortment were all stocked. The shop is usually open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. every day, but call to confirm at this time of year.

<b>Margate</b>

The crew of the <b>Jessie O’</b> is probably wrapping up its season, Capt. Jay said. A trip attempted to search the ocean for stripers Monday, but seas were rough, and the boat came back early.  Striper fishing appeared to be mostly finished for the year, and trolling for the fish was slow, and maybe a couple could be occasionally jigged. Tog and bottom fish could still be caught. Jay is looking forward to next year, and customers were already booking trips, so reserve now, if you want to ensure your dates, because they’ll fill fast. That includes not only fishing trips but also cruises, such as bachelor parties, birthday parties, other special events or Atlantic City skyline cruises. A D.J. and catering are available. Ocean City’s Nights in Venice is still available this coming summer, and reserve now, but serious inquiries only. One new plan this coming season is winter flounder trips that the Jessie O’ fleet might try in the early spring, heading up the Tuckahoe and Egg Harbor rivers for the flatties. Stay tuned for more info in future reports.

<b>Longport</b>

“Inshore tog fishing is officially over,” said Capt. Mike O’Neill from the <b>Stray Cat</b>. So his trips will now run for the tog farther from the coast to warmer water 20 miles offshore, three times farther than before. The fish refused to “snap” closer to land the past five days, and the tog were there, he said, but 40-degree water was making them bite too lightly. He’s looking for bottom temps of 50, and the wrecks at the 20-mile depths in 100 to 140 feet will offer tog, ling and pollock on Stray Cat’s daily, open-boat trips. Trips farther offshore for jumbo sea bass will also sail when the weather allows, and call Mike to be kept in the loop about when those trips will fish. One of the offshore trips already headed out last week and scored plenty of the lumpheads. UPDATE, 1/21: Tog fishing was a slow pick Saturday on the Stray Cat, so trips are finished tog fishing for the season and will switch to offshore sea bassing.  Those open-boat trips will sail to the wrecks 60 miles from the coast, leaving 5 a.m. and returning 5 p.m., limited to six passengers. The boat zips to the wrecks in 3 hours, so the anglers fish 6 hours. One of the sea bass trips is slated for either Friday or Saturday, depending on the weather, and three spaces are available. Call to reserve.

<b>Ocean City</b>

A few customers tog fished on a party boat over the weekend and did alright, catching none huge, but taking 4- and 5-pounders, said Bill from <b>Fin-Atics</b>. Nobody reported bottom fishing farther offshore for sea bass in a couple of weeks, but previously Phillip Adams, who works at the shop, fished offshore on a party boat and tackled a sea bass that was a pending junior record. Bill thought the fish was 7-some pounds. No striped bass catches were heard about locally, but striper fishing was good farther south around the Chesapeake Bay. Employees fished there some time ago and loaded up. Fin-Atics is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day but is closed Sundays.

<b>Sea Isle City</b>

On the <b>Captain Robbins</b>’ blackfishing trips Mike Davis won the pool Saturday with a 9-1/4-pounder, and Nelson Ott limited out on the fish to 5 ¾ pounds on Sunday, Capt. John said. The tog trips are fishing 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. every Wednesday and every Friday through Sunday, and green crabs are supplied for bait.

Striped bass fishing in the ocean was probably no longer worth the effort, considering that the chances of catching them were “maybe,” said Capt. Joe Hughes from <b>Jersey Cape Guide Service</b> and <b>Gibson’s Tackle</b>. Any further trips this year will probably wreck fish, because tog could be pulled up. He could also target stripers at Beesley’s Point around the power plant outflow on a nice day, strictly catch and release fishing at this time of year, because the season is closed. But only six weeks are left before the season opens March 1, and Joe usually starts fishing again around that time. Joe will head to Florida soon to fish at Jupiter, and sailfishing there didn’t sound great so far this winter, but a few were found.

<b>Wildwood</b>

Sea bass fishing way offshore was good, said Fred from <b>No Bones Bait & Tackle</b>. The Fins N’ Grins, docked at the shop, came back with a healthy catch of tog Saturday. The back bay at the shop was 31 degrees 1 ½ weeks ago, and it warmed to 45 degrees Saturday, but the temp dropped back down to 38 yesterday. So fishing in the bay and anywhere near the shore was probably finished for the year. A couple of anglers bought clams to try to pick up a striped bass in the surf, but nobody reported results. The shop is open through winter, but call to confirm before stopping by, because the staff is in and out during this time of year.

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