Sandy Hook Bonito

[Billfish715]

I just saw two pictures by two different anglers on a local Monmouth County tackle shop's Instagram account. The pictures were of bonito that were apparently caught over the weekend from the Sandy Hook surf. Does anyone have any confirmation of this unusual event? There are always strange catches from the saltwater that we never hear about or see evidence of. I'm just looking for verification of this catch. The only time I've ever seen surf caught bonito has been at Block Island or Rhode Island beaches late in the summer. These were not false albacore. They were definitely bonito. Any confirmation would be appreciated unless this is all on the D.L.

[MudCat08]

They were catching small bonito last year at the shark and manasquan inlets and all over the surf in early fall.
But these at Sandy Hook are very early..

[Gumada]

False albacore and Bonita this time of the year are around, but more offshore. There may be water or bait drawing them closer to the beach.

[TomKaye]

A buddy got one this past Saturday while retrieving a short fluke on a bucktail,
not far from Highlands Bridge.

[Brewlugger]

I saw some caught from the surf in Ortley last October, and I heard they were in Barnegat inlet this past weekend.

[torchee]

I thought I was seeing things yesterday at first light
I did see some fish breaking that looked pelagic
Many birds working

And we caught a few large bluefish
4:00-7:00 am

[Skolmann]

Bonito were caught in the pocket of the north jetty at Barnegat Inlet all weekend and today as well.

Spanish mackerel were also caught by guys fishing the bunker pods.

[NO MOJO]

I had a bonito in 25 foot of water yesterday while fluke fishing south of the rocks.

[Reel Class]

Originally Posted by Billfish715

I just saw two pictures by two different anglers on a local Monmouth County tackle shop's Instagram account. The pictures were of bonito that were apparently caught over the weekend from the Sandy Hook surf. Does anyone have any confirmation of this unusual event? There are always strange catches from the saltwater that we never hear about or see evidence of. I'm just looking for verification of this catch. The only time I've ever seen surf caught bonito has been at Block Island or Rhode Island beaches late in the summer. These were not false albacore. They were definitely bonito. Any confirmation would be appreciated unless this is all on the D.L.

There is no question there are bonito around. In LATE MAY, I was on a bottom trip out of Point and we landed several good sized bonito on diamond jigs intended for seabass. It is BY FAR the earliest I have EVER seen them in the area. Furthermore, I've seen them along the beach, out quite a ways under birds working amidst schools of "peewee" sized bluefish. I know of a guy that sails out of BI that had a few each of the last few mornings not far from the north jetty.

There is an OVERABUNDANCE of bait of all types in the area. Sandeels, peanut bunker, adult bunker, rainfish, and spearing are in the wash, in the back, and in all the usual places you'd find them towards the end of the summer.

The water is also very clean and I'd bet the salinity levels are up since we didn't get a ton of snow this winter so this could signal other good things as our season progresses!

[tjd24]

We had one bonito last Sunday and one yesterday near Norton Point.
They were mixed with 3-5 lb blues.