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Saturday seemed to be a remarkable day for tuna and mahi off southern New Jersey.

John Sowerby, who captains the charterboat Hooked Up II out of South Jersey Marina in Cape May, called it "world class bluefin tuna" action. He said the bluefin were as close to giants that he has seen in these waters.

"There are not too many places in the world that have 180-200 pound bluefin inshore," he said.

Various reports from around the area described good big-game catches recently all along the 30-Fathom Line. One of the top spots is the Lobster Claw, which is about a 65-mile run from Cape May but not as far for boats sailing from other ports. Big bluefin plus mahi in the 15-to-30-pound range make the trip worthwhile. The water temps inside the Claw stayed 75-76 degrees.

Sowerby said it bodes really well for tuna and mahi fishing going into August.

The trend for trolling tuna is to put horse or larger medium ballyhoo plain or with Ilander and Sea Witch lures way back of the boat. Dan Sheeler at Fin-Atics in Ocean City said way back means 200 to 300 yards. Spreader bars are also popular with the the trollers. Don't forget Green Machines.

When the fish dive to the bottom, chunk with sardines and butterfish or with live bait such as spot and squid, or jig with metal lures.

A report from Matt Slobodjian described BFT that weigh from 120 to 200 pounds from the Hambone to the Claw. He advises using 30-40-pound fluorocarbon leader while chunking and 50-60-pound fluoro leader while jigging.

Curt Riccardi at Offshore Enterprises in Atlantic City said bluefin are in all the usual spots, affirming the 30-Line and the Claw and adding the 750 Square and 28-Mile Wreck. Sheeler put the Hot Dog into the mix.

Long journey for marlin

Yellowfin tuna with white marlin and blue marlin seem to be farther off. Slobodjian reported the Rebel Cause went 3-for-4 on white marlin and two YFT in the 50-pound class at the Carteret Canyon on Saturday and Allison Toy trolled the Wilmington and Spencer canyons for a 182-pound bigeye tuna and 1-for-2 on white marlin. The Playmaker, with captain and angler Scott Weil, subdued a 189-pound bigeye Saturday trolling the Wilmington, according to Tim Davis at Moran's Dockside in Avalon.

Bill Lewis steered the Unanimous for John Baumgardner to the "deep" on Saturday, according to Don Brown at Capt. Andy's Marina. With crewman Drew Brookman, they were 1-for-2 on white marlin, 2-for-4 on 50-weight yellowfin tuna and had eight mahi in the 20-pound class.

The weather pretty much shut down offshore fishing after Saturday.

Triggerfish moved back on to some of the inshore reefs to combine with sea bass and flounder. Triggerfish and tautog are around the T-Jetty in Atlantic City, plus croaker just moved in around the rocks there.

Flounder continue to be solid in Delaware Bay. Pat Harris at Longreach Marina on the Maurice River reported Tony Rizzo and John Swydersky of Pittsgrove Township getting their limit; and Ken and Ben Hitzelberger and Ray Summers, all of Elmer, picking up four keepers to 6 pounds and one bluefish.

The Punk Grounds and off No. 1 are two good areas for flounder in Delaware Bay.

Bluefish in the 6-to-12 inch class moved into the Margate back bays. Flounder, sea bass and porgy are in that stretch of water, too. Nice flounder have moved out into the ocean at the reefs and wrecks, and 25-30 feet of water off Great Egg Inlet.

The Have A Heart For Richie fishing tournament, headquartered at Proud Mary's Sports Bar and Grill in Atlantic City, drew 60 contestants Saturday.

Leo Breslin of Philadelphia caught a 4.12-pound flounder on the last drift of the day on the Jessie O partyboat out of Margate to take first place. Craig Palmisano of Margate was second at 4 pounds even and Todd Mossman of Mays Landing was third at 2.06.

The contest raised more than $1,000 for Rich Fairfield, who is on the waiting list for a heart transplant, according to tournament director Steve Jones.

Mike Shepherd is the retired sports editor of The Press. His Shep on Fishing column and Shep's Hot Spot appear Tuesday and Saturday in the sports section, and Thursday in At The Shore. Call 609-350-0388 or e-mail: sheponfishing@yahoo.com.

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