Monkfish - Recreational Fishing

[Blue Claw]

Hey Gang,
I was wondering if anyone here targets monkfish on a recreational level? I was told that for a few months they are easily found in State waters (I grew up on LBI and this is news to me) and was curious if someone could provide some tips and tricks for targeting them with hook and line.
Thanks,
--Brian

[Capt. Birch]

 It is just mainly a by catch fishery for the the recs. I have seen a few dozen landed from Delaware to the Gulf of Maine. I have also seen a few while wreck diving off of Jersey. The fishery is claimed to be healthy but the fishes bottom preference would make them very difficult to target by hook and line and hope to land any numbers. They are targeted by the comms mainly by gill net and bottom lines( sort of like a long line or tub trawl  on the bottom). Lots of bottom out there and a need to cover lots of it. I talked to a few old timers that claimed the fish would even head into the bays. They would have their best catches of the year in the first deep slews just of the beach.Every year I read about a handful caught on the inshore grounds. They are out there and if you have any luck don't forget to post some pics .Good luck and catch them up.