Fishing Report for Raritan Bay to Barnegat Bay
Nothing Super about the Super Moon
A Supermoon is the coincidence of a full moon or new moon at its closest approach to the Earth on its elliptical orbit. This results in the largest apparent size of the moon’s disk as seen from the Earth. The technical name is the Perigee-Syzygy of the Earth-Moon-Sun system. The fishing name of this event is Tideus-screwupacus. Or, when joined with a prevailing North wind that just seems to blow without relief, the dual celestial event is referred to as Flukius Lockjaw.
The general consensus of opening day of summer flounder season is that it could be explained exactly as you would describe the wind in the past tense. Get my drift? Good, because getting a good drift is exactly what did not happen for the literally tens of thousands of New Jersey anglers that took a run at the most sought-after fish in our state. Yes, there were a few notably large flatties brought to the scales, and yes the short bus did make a stop at almost everyone’s boat for some kind of action, but worth waiting for?
I don’t think so.
Greg up at Liberty Landing Marina in Jersey City had to suffer with the double whammy. Not only did the fluke in his zone show fisherman their super moon, but his guys had to deal with the new New York flounder regulations. For those of you that focus only on the Garden State, how about 19.5 inches and a 4-fish bag limit? I guess the redeeming factor is that Great Kills Harbor off Staten Island is just clogged with bunker, and those that can endure the conditions are buried in bait and nice bass. The offshore rumor of some sharpies connecting out at the Chicken Canyon have been confirmed. Bluefin are in town.
Over at Keyport Marine Basin the word was that there was a bite near Buoys 1 and 3. Bob Vitale of Keyport took a 5.53-pound fluke home for a fine frying pan experience. The blues are marauding and there are stripers mixed in. There were bunker up the creek on Friday.
Steve at Red Bank Marina reports a river full of bunker yet only spotty bass action. A couple of his crew took a run at crabbing this weekend and did pretty good on numbers with good density. Early crabs can be pretty lousy, but these were not, although any crabs should be taken seriously.
Pride Fishing Tackle in Red Bank weighed in a 40-pound bass this week that was taken on a big chunk ‘o bunker in the Raritan Bay. Jake Campi beat the beast and is now the pride of Middletown. Gene Bradford bounced himself up a 7.7-pound fluke for opening day, and there was a rumor of a 9-pounder being taken, but none of the guys at the shop saw it. Lots of blues in the back rivers.
Ernie at Giglio’s in Sea Bright has been tuned in, and the popper and pencils are definitely taking bass. Even though most of them are in the mid-teens, while slobs are being taken off bunker schools, plugging earns you extra credit in my book. Gene from Rumson and Dave from Highland both had real strong showings.
DATEBOOK ALERT! Surfside Bait & Tackle in Long Branch is ready to roll! Jack and his crew are throwing their Grand Opening Party on Saturday the 19th. Tom from Commando Surfcasters will be there, along with lots of custom plugs from the locals. Eat, drink, listen, buy, drink, buy, eat, buy ….. you get the message. It’s a tough time to be in the fishing business. Let’s show these guys a little support on a big day.
On the report side, Surfside Jack weighed in a 35-pound bass that came in off The Gambler party boat. Capt. Bob has been running daytime bass trips from 7:00 am to 2:00 pm on the new 90-foot Gambler, with lots of options for fluke and blues as the month progresses. For a full rundown of times and targets give them a call at 732-295-7569.
Dave at the Reel Seat in Brielle is a serious offshore guy. Remember that old TV commercial that said something like “When E.F. Hutton talks….” and then everybody in the room bends in to hear what was said? That’s what happens when Dave mentions bluefin tuna. A couple of minutes ago he did mention bluefin tuna and the Manahawkin Ridge in the same sentence. Are you listening in?
Big bass were being taken this week in 60 feet of water with four over 50 pounds recorded, and at least one of them released. By the way, if you know the guy that let this beauty go, thank him for me. I’m no tree hugger, but in my humble opinion, after taking a couple photos and maybe a few measurements for a fiberglass mount (unless you bought into a tourney), there is no reason to off a big girl like that. Jigging has been working as well as bunker spoons.
The guys at Harry’s Army Navy in Robbinsville have been jumping. The beaches of LBI, Brant, Surf City and Asbury are seeing bass in good numbers very close to the beach, but now quite close enough yet. It’s not blitz season yet, but the big fish and the bait are in the neighborhood.
Fisherman’s Supply in Point Pleasant is looking to the other side of the Big Moon for a big rebound. The guys traveling way up river are plugging up a storm on bass and there are lots of 2- to 4-pound blues in the canal if you are looking to tangle. Four-inch rubber shads on 3/4- or 1-ounce jig heads should be within easy reach if you are going. Flukin’ has been sluggish although Ron did weigh in a couple in the mid-20-inch range. This Saturday, Dave McCallum will be doing a seminar on fishing the Point Pleasant canal. It starts at 6pm, and is totally worth your time.
From Shrewsbury to Seaside, Bob at Reel Life Bait & Tackle has guys beating Bass on on the jig and on the troll. 9” shads on a heavy jig head or what Bob calls a “Not a Croc” 6-ounce spoon. If you are set up for bunker spoons, or would like to be, stop and and talk to Bob. He has rigs ready to walk out the door with just the right color on the end (chartreuse, if you are interested).
Rich at Jersey Hooker Bait & Tackle in Brick backs up what the rest of the boys in the neighborhood are saying. It has been a really good snag and drag week when you can get out, and dialing in with Tony Maja’s are on target as well. Mike Cimini slammed a 43-pound bass near Brick, and there were two others over 40 pounds. Bluefish are up the river for smaller game fun.
Sometimes it’s not just the fish that can get an angler cranked up. Pete over at Charlie’s Bait & Tackle in Brick just got a full load of Tsunami rods in along with a major load of those big shads that have been slamming the big bass, sometimes even better than the real bunker. If you have been waiting to pull the trigger, now is the time. Rolling into the freshwater, George over at Go Fish has been cranking out lots of bloodworms, sand worms and mealies for the boys at Ford Pond in Bricktown. When the wind is honking and the tides are crazy, filling up a bucket with white perch can make one heck of a half day. Largemouth, sunnies and crappie are on a major league chew and it is a great time to round up the kids for a half day of catching.
So overall, big letdown for opening weekend. Big tides, lots of clouds, cold temps, North winds, and not as close to as many keepers as one might imagine now that the magic number is 17.5. Basically on a scale of 1 to 10, maybe a 5. But here is the good news; Game On! Coastal temps in the high 60’s, winds under 10 knots, sun all day Saturday, cloudy Sunday but no rain. Everything bad about opening day is good about weekend number two.
Best Bet for this weekend
Work those back bay channels again. One of the craziest things about fluking is that you can work the same spot for six hours and not get a bite, then for 30 minutes it is the best spot on earth and you bail doormats like it is no big deal. You must go out and beat some bunker if the opportunity presents itself as those big stripers are flooding out of the rivers and they are hungry. And let’s not forget those first confirmed tuna reports…ready yet?
Stay Tuna-ed!
Questions and comments to Capt. Ed at FmTuna@aol.com