Atlantic Traveler Scallop boat blocks Manasquan Inlet

Fishing out of Manasquan Inlet was distrupted before 5 this morning by an accident involving the Atlantic Traveler, a scalloper out of Point Pleasant. That boat apparently lost its steering on the way offshore, and ended up on the south jetty after a tow by the Coast Guard failed. All three crew members were rescued without injury. The inlet was closed due to the obstruction — and then the use of booms to control the diesel oil spreading down the beach in the northeast wind. Those planning to fish Thursday out of Manasquan Inlet should call ahead to determine if the inlet will be open.
There were news accounts of 10-foot waves outside the inlet, but reality was far less. The large swell was from a storm far offshore.
Though live bait fishermen had a problem finding stripers early in Raritan Bay, Dave Lilly of Hazlet ended up with hot action on Esca-enhanced Stretch plugs. Stripers up to 15 pounds weren’t where he had found them in the back of the bay on Tuesday, but some seaching produced good action for Anthony Altobelli of The Tackle Box in Hazlet and Al Tumolo. Lilly said the water temperature was back up 3 degrees to 52 degrees.

Capt. Scotty Hilliard of Prowler V from Atlantic Highlands had good clamming for stripers at Romer Shoals. Hilliard said he had a boat limit the previous day, and evening trips have also been good. Saturday was the only bad trip, as Hilliard tried jigging after the fleet had done very well with big bass the day before.
At Point Pleasant, Joe Melillo reports from Castaways Tackle that he’s had quite a few striper weigh-ins. Scott Lehman of Freehold had a great catch of two stripers on fly Tuesday morning in the Deal area. His bass were 20-and-25-pounders. Jerry VanDesande had a 20 1/2-pound bass on a plug in the surf, and Terry Montiscelli of Brick plugged a 27 1/2-pounder. John Salmon of Brielle boated a 22-pounder on a bunker, and Chris Taylor of Point Pleasant brought in a 38-pounder from a boat. Mike Cummune of Brick had an 18-pound striper in Manasquan River. Melillo noted the river is loaded with blowfish, as is the north end of Barnegat Bay.
Capt. Russ Binns said Barnegat Bay was full of 3-to-4-pound blues Tuesday morning. It was “all you want” fishing with poppers from Mar-Lin out of Toms River.