Tak Waterman in Long Branch shared this photo of Rob Radlof (left) and Gerard Faccone with the 104-inch bluefin tuna caught this past week on spinning gear. Photo by Kyle Arcomono.
Tuna fever gripped Monmouth and Ocean counties this past week.
Giant bluefin popped up close to shore about a week ago and the boats quickly got on the fish. Some very big tuna were caught on the troll, popping plugs, and stick baits.
The story of the week was the 104-inch behemoth caught by Rob Radlof and Gerard Faccone on spinning gear.
NOAA Fisheries determined that the quota for trophy bluefin, 73 inches and above, has been met and the angling category was closed on Tuesday night at 11:30 p.m. and will stay closed through Dec. 31.