Party boat captains have reported that the excellent blackfish (tog) season has begun to wind down as the calendar turns to February. The fleet coastwide has started transitioning its efforts away from the tog and toward species such as cod, pollock and ling. A number of offshore trips have been planned locally.

The Jamaica II, homeported at Bogan’s Basin in Brielle, is offering its own wreck fishing trips out to the mud hole through the winter. Trips run Saturday, Sunday, Wednesday and on holidays. The boat is also running a number of offshore cod trips on various dates, including Jan. 30 and some Fridays in February. Those trips run from 3 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The Big Jamaica, also docked at Bogan’s Basin, is also offering offshore trips to keep anglers busy through the winter season. The giant party boat has been wreck fishing, with anglers pulling in ling and pollock, as well as good numbers of jumbo porgies, one of the Shore area’s most delicious species.

For those looking to get in one last chance at blackfishing, the Big Mohawk party boat out of Belmar was still running trips at press time, but there’s no telling how much longer Capt. Chris will continue sailing for the tog.

For a different fishing experience, head out for a ride abord the Miss Belmar Princess. Capt. Alan is targeting mackerel this time of year, and reports from the boat indicate the fishing has been excellent.

“Most people filled large coolers,” wrote Capt. Alan, describing a recent mackerel trip.

The boat is fishing about 20-miles from shore on daily, full-day trips. Be at the Belmar docks early, since the boat sails at 7:30 a.m. Additionally, the Miss Belmar Princess is running cod trips to Montauk, sailing at 8 p.m. on Friday evenings.

Surf Action Quiet

Surf anglers have tried to get out there recently, but action has been pretty much unheard of. In southern Ocean County, ice fishing at Collins Cove was brought to a standstill as the freeze broke and the ice melted. However, some anglers in the area switched to freshwater fishing (license required) at Tuckerton Lake.

Farther south, most tackle shops have closed for the season and participation has ground to a halt, though many shops will be open again to cover the opening of striped bass season in the back bays, which occurs March 1. •