40-pound monkfish tops catches on the offshore sea bass trips in New Jersey – USA TODAY

A 40-pound monkfish was reeled in by anangleron board the Golden Eagle's offshore wreck trip Saturday in New Jersey.

It was definitely one of the highlight catches of the weekend. The fish may be a little scary-looking, but it sure eats well,hence its "poor man's lobster"moniker.

The Golden Eagle was fishing the deepwater wrecks for sea bass, which is the best fishing at the moment, as far catching the most keeper fish for the dinner table goes.Unfortunately, the season only has about 10 days left to it before it closes on Dec. 31.

Capt. Rich Falcone said they had a boat limit on the sea bass and were releasing fish early. They caught quite a few porgies, as much as they wanted, a dozen weakfish and some blues.

The Jamaica was also offshore fishing Saturday.Capt. Howard Bogan Jr. said they bailed the sea bassfrom the moment they dropped the anchor and blew the horn to begin fishing. The porgies were there for taking, too.The big fish on the boat was a 7-pound hake.

The inshore fishing is mainly the die-hard tog fishermen, searching for a blackfish.

Out of the two days he sailed this past weekend,Capt. Matt Sosnowski on the Big Mohawksaid Saturday was the better day. He said theyhad good life right off the bat with some decent-size keepers coming up around the boat.

The fishingslowed down later in the day but those thatcast their bait aroundwere able to pluck some more off the rocks. Sunday was fair, but breezy on the water. He did have a faremake a limit catch, but overall anglers had to work harder for the bites.

There are still some anglers engaged in the striped bass fishery. Most of the fish in the area are schooliesand hitting off thesouthern Ocean County (New Jersey) beaches. According to Fisherman's Headquarters in Ship Bottom, there was also some pretty goodjig fishing on the few small boats that fishedthe north end of the Long Beach Island coast.

When Jersey Shore native Dan Radel is not reporting the news, you can find him in a college classroom where he is a history professor. Reach him @danielradelapp; 732-643-4072; dradel@gannettnj.com.

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40-pound monkfish tops catches on the offshore sea bass trips in New Jersey - USA TODAY