It's mid-summer and fishermen are bumping into all sorts of fish, including ones that might shock you.

All puns aside, a surfcaster in the Seaside surf landed a northern stargazer while fishing from the beach Friday night, according to Grumpy's Tackle. If you can get past the angry, upward looking, toothy grin and spines on its head that produce a small electric shock, the fish is another one of those "poor man's lobster," like monkfish.

Depending on the locale, surf fishing has had its moments in the last week. The Spanish mackerel were in the Sea Bright surf on Saturday. Mike Pinto at Giglio's Bait & Tackle said they're not giving surfcasters much of a window as they're in and out in about a half-hour just before sun up. He said small Epoxy jigs, or 007 AVA jigs will land them.

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The kingfish remain content to say in the sandy surf of Long Beach Island where they've been all summer. Jingle's Bait & Tackle in Beach Haven said a surf fishermen had as many as 10 last Thursday. Everyday, though, the shop has been reporting a catches of the kings, which are about a pound and munching on fish bites when presented to them.

The fluke have been the most consistent fish in the surf no matter the locale. There haven't been any doormats reported as of late, but there's been steady march of fish being reeled in. A lot of it has to do with the movement of bait. There were schools of spearing and rain fish in the wash this week and fluke chasing after them.

On the party boats, anglers have been bringing a fair amount of fluke to the nets. Capt. Ryan Bogan on the Jamaica II party boat said they had no movement Friday morning but despite the lack of drift, they still picked away at fluke. The drift picked up in the afternoon as did the bite. The Jamaica II's biggest fluke for in July's monthly pool is 5 pounds and an ounce. The monthly pool winner scores not just the money in the pot but free fishing trips.

The boats had to travel a little further for bluefish over the weekend. The fish had been cooperating along the beaches, allowing party boat captains to jig for them from Manasquan Inlet to Sea Bright. Capt. Rich Falcone on the Golden Eagle party boat had to go a bit offshore to catch them on Saturday. He went far enough out to run into the schools of mackerel, which his anglers rounded up. He said a few of sharks were hooked and released during the fishing.

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Speaking of chasing fish, tuna fishermen are taking a ride for a shot at a yellowfin tuna. All the usual haunts are getting a look, said John Bogan at Brielle Bait & Tackle, from Little Italy to the Resor and the Atlantic Princess wreck. It's very much hit or miss as some spots get crowded or aren't producing consistently.

As far as the weather goes, many boats sat out Monday with thunderstorms and somewhat big waves in the coastal marine forecast from NOAA.

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.