Early June is as Good as it Gets
Early June is as good as it gets for summer fishing endeavors. At least that’s how I see it. There are plenty of species to target, warm weather and still, cool water. The fluke are very active in the back waters and will soon start migrating to the deeper water of the inshore beds. Striped bass are plentiful all along the Jersey coast. Blues are targeting the bounties of available bait, making a topwater plug a viable bait alternative. And even weakfish, seemingly lost in prior years, seem to be cooperating this year. Black sea bass is now open but the returns aren’t in yet, so it’s tough to make a call on them but they are definitely out there in decent numbers. Fresh and brackish water enthusiasts also have good opportunities available across the board. So sit back and let us point you in the right direction. Once we lay it out, all you need to do is catch ‘em up.
If a big boat private charter is on your wish list this season, I recommend you get in touch with Captain Ken Gallup of Big Kid Charters. Berthed in Hoffman’s Marina in Manasquan Inlet, Captain Ken and his crew have over 20 years experience in everything from back-bay fishing to sport fishing in the canyons. Their 45-foot Topaz is equipped with all the latest equipment and comforts for a successful fishing trip. I checked out their tournament record and found it to be pretty impressive, especially in the Mid Atlantic 500. They certainly know how to find the big fish. Lately, they have been concentrating their efforts on bottom fishing and with their normal great success. This week in fact, they had a charter come home with 75 sea bass (up to 25 inches), a dozen or so ling, and some pollock. Not a bad day’s work!
According to Laurie of Dows Boat Rental on Lake Hopatcong, the lake is at full pool which in layman’s terms translates into fine fishing conditions. And to prove that point, we have examples like Joe Tekula’s 8lb. 13 oz walleye landed using herring for bait. Stan Stelmack had a 7 lb 6 oz walleye using the same technique. Bomber swimming lures are working well at night. Especially for hybrid bass as we learned from Paul Grel who had been doing real well under the cover of darkness. Joe Forlenza picked up a 47.5 inch muskie while fishing with bait (herring again) for walleye. Laurie told me that the top plugs on the lake this week for top water night fishing include Knuckleheads, Chug Bugs and Yo-Zuri Minnows. Bass, pickerel and perch are starting to get a little more active and should get better as the weather settles into summer patterns.
In these times, when many are getting out of the fishing business, Pride Bait and Tackle of Red Bank is bucking the trend. They recently celebrated their one year anniversary of their new store. Congrats to Max and the guys at Pride B & T!
Jack Montiero isn’t known as the beach king in Long Branch just because he owns the Surfside Bait and Tackle, the hottest bait and tackle shop in the area. Jack practices what he preaches, so if you are in the area and looking for info, Surfside is definitely the place to go. Stripers are still the best bet for keepers in Long Branch this week with some nice bluefish still in the mix. There are plenty of bunker still around so if you are looking to catch your own bait, make sure you have a snag hook in the tackle box. Plug mavens are still tossing swimmers with the water temperatures right around 6o degrees. Bombers seem to be the favorites, but any sub-surface lure should be attractive. Fluke are starting to show up on the front beach, but the best bet for a keeper is still in the warmer shallows of the local rivers. That should change shortly.
Just south of the Big Apple in Palisades Park there is a wide variety of fishing available to the angler. Fluking has started with the best chances for keepers in the shallows of the rivers and bays. According to Eric at the 46 Bait and Tackle shop in Palisades Park, schoolie stripers were being taken regularly in the Hudson by those using fresh bunker which also has been around in small numbers. There have been some nice bass taken at the Shrewsbury Rocks. Blue fish are trailing the schools of bunker meaning wire leaders are a good idea if you are trying to get through them. Fluking has been decent but not up to summer levels yet, water temps have a lot to do with that. Killies are the best bait so far this season. Eric also told me that if you are into freshwater angling, Indian Lake has been producing nice smallmouth bass and the local reservoirs are hotspots for walleye and pickerel. Swimming lures are working on both with fresh herring being a good live bait option.
Bob at Crabby’s Bait and Tackle in Keyport let me know that the best game in town right now was most certainly the big blues that have been all over the bay right now. There has been some decent striper action if you can get below the yellow-eyed monsters, but that has been tough. Fluking has started to pick up with Angelina boating a 5-pound flatfish early on in the week while using killies to lure it in. And Bob also told me that the crabbing is off to a flying start this year with several regulars having good days in the shallows of the bay. That is always good to hear.
Dave Arbietman of the Reel Seat in Brielle has always been a good source of information on almost any local species. But when I really want an offshore report, he is the first guy I go to for the reel story. This week offshore, its makos in all the ususal haunts and yellow fin tuna in the canyons farther south. Rumor has it the Wilmington has the best bite as of the date of our report. Tile fishing has been exceptional as well if you like really deep water fishing. The reefs inshore have been giving up some nice sea bass for those seeking to do a little jigging. Also inshore, the striper bite remains active, best action seems to be just a little north of Brielle. Fluking has started with the best chance for a keeper in the back bays and rivers. There have been some taken inshore but even those are real tight to the beaches. Any day now, that’s a given.
I know I have said it before but I will say it again to reinforce my recommendation. Giglio’s Bait and Tackle in Sea Bright is surf anglers heaven! If you have never visited it, then make it a priority for your next trip in the area. If you are a plugger like me, you won’t be disappointed. I spoke with Mr. Giglio this week and he told me the bass are still running strong especially with the big schools of menhaden moving in and out of the bay. Tom Murray of Highlands beached a 21-pound linesider using snagged bunker off the Sea Bright beach. Joel Ataibe of Lindhurst weighed in a 20 pound striper this week also using bunker off the Oceanside beach. And Monique Morales boated an 11 pound striped bass that she caught trolling a Mann’s Stretch 25 in the back bay. Tom told me that the bunker is all over the place, find them and you should find the bass. There are some fluke being caught as well, but the pick is still a little slow. Blues are mixed in with everything. Sounds like its getting ready to break loose in Sea Bright.
Atlantic Highlands is home port to a whole fleet of charter and headboat anglers. And if I am heading up that way, I know I can rely on Bait Your Hook Tackle for any additions I need to make to my tackle box or bait needs. I spoke with Jason at the shop this week to get an idea of what the local fish hounds were chasing of late. While weather has played a factor of late, he told me those that did make it out have been rewarded for their efforts. For example Kevin Guerin took home a 10.5-pound fluke while fishing off the Sea Tiger. I have been trying to break the 10-pound mark for over thirty years now and the best I can manage is 8 and change. Guess I have to get up to the Highlands and seek some advice from the crew at Bait Your Hook. And Dave Cohen boated a 41.5-pound striped bass live-lining bunker. Good job guys.
Transient dock space is always at a premium during the summer vacation months. That’s why if you are thinking about heading north, we heartily recommend checking out Liberty Landing Marina for all your boating needs. And the fishing out of Liberty Landing is still going strong as well. In the shadow of Lady Liberty, there is easy access to the upper and lower bay where right now, the stripers are still going strong and blue fish are still tormenting the schools bunker that have taken up residence. Fluking is hit or miss but it’s a straight shot to the Shrewsbury Rocks where all sorts of opportunities await you.
In the Bradley Beach/Avon area, there are some great options available right now for the angler. Beach or boat, the stripers are still hitting and they are striking hard. The day I spoke with Mark at the appropriately named Bait Shop in Bradley Beach, he had just finished weighing the last of 9 linesiders brought into the shop that morning. The biggest being a 31.5-pound beauty tagged by Howard Burn, of the Bradley Beach Surfcasters Club who was using bunker that he snagged. And they aren’t just getting stripers and blues. Gene Saks of Bradley Beach picked up a 4.5-pound fluke while fishing off Long Branch. Mark told me that Gene was using the new Uncle Josh’s Meat Bait which is very encouraging to hear. I have wanted to give it a try as it simulates flounder belly, once my favorite fluke bait. Now I have some incentive to give it a try.
In the western throws of New Jersey, the place to go for all your fishing needs is the Sportsmen’s Center in Bordentown. Not only one of the top all around outfitters in the area, their staff is second to none when it comes to techniques and or places to find the fish. And with their new resident expert, Tommy P, of radio and print fame, they have really strengthened their arsenal. When I chatted with Tom this week, he was really excited about the options available for the freshwater angler in the area. The D and R Canal is giving up walleye and pickerel to all angler using live shiners. The Delaware River, particularly above Washington’s Crossing. Striper fisherman are doing very well especially those fishing in the evening. But Tom was really hyped up over the last stocking of brown trout by the state. According to Tom, they put out approximately 30,000 of excess brownies and because these fish were in the hatcheries and extra six weeks, they are some of the biggest browns he has caught in, well, forever. So if trout are your target, saddle up and get at them. Opportunities like this don’t come along that often. And don’t forget to stop in a stock up on all the essentials before you ehad out. While you are there, track down Tommy and get the latest scoop. If there are fish out there, Tom P will know exactly where they are hiding.
Best Bets for the Weekend.
Hopefully, the weather will be a little more cooperative this weekend and the storms will go away. The waters are warming up so you would be wise to add a couple of top water lures to the tackle box to take advantage of it. Blues and stripers remain on the bunker, which seem to be running in and out of the inlets on the tides. Fluking has started and should get even better as the waters heat up even more in the back. Best catches have been recorded in the bays and rivers or tight to the beaches out front. And the sea bass are off to a flying start. Crab is your best bait for them but everything else from Berkley Gulp to clam is working real well. Even the blue claws are cooperating a little early this year. At this point, you have plenty of options. I personally plan on heading towards the reefs for sea bass. We are taking the ashes of a good friend out to do what he always loved doing. Whatever you opt to do, just remember to stay safe out there. I will see you on the incoming.