Let me be very clear. If you are not having as much fun as a fisherman could possibly have right now, you should be cataloging all your gear for a mass sale on Craigslist. Inshore or Offshore, from the beach, banks, bridges or the rocks, giddy up.
Just for the flukin’ record, I want to remind everyone that the summer flounder season has been extended through September 24, which is a Tuesday, oddly enough. A few extra days tacked on to the end of the season when we all know that we are going to be catching our biggest fish of the year when we are jigging lumps for stripers in November anyway…oh well.
This week, we feature news from our network starting in the far northern tundra of Bound Brook where Efinger’s own master of fishing disaster Braden has loads of good news for youze. If you want to take a kid fishing, now is the time to do because it is like “North Carolina” out there between the spot and the croakers in Raritan Bay. A little bait on a hook and you can literally catch dozens of little saltwater pan fish for a tasty fry. Lots to keep the little people’s attention. In flatter news, we all know that big moon means big current, but despite have to drag up to 10 ounces of lead, the fluke bite is truly on. Sandy Hook from 7 and out, Ambrose Channel from 5 and out, and the Double range marker area have all been holding good numbers and size. It is a true bait bite with big strips & spearing and big GULP on the menu. Bigger game anglers have been whomping mid-sized bluefin on the mid-shore grounds in the 60- to 80-pound class with some anglers reporting hookups in the mid-teens to keep everyone on board busy. Troll ‘em, jig ‘em.
Sea Bright has been seeing some weigh-ins at Giglio’s Bait & Tackle where Ernie keeps the books on who and what. Gene Bradford qualified for the “doormat” club with a 28-inch, 8.6-pound flukezilla reportedly taken at the Mudhole. Doug Prugh flipped 40 flatties into the boat yesterday only to keep 4 up to 4 pounds, and the Shrewsbury River has been overrun with croakers, with worms at the top of the bait list.
Bob at Keyport Marine Basin was busy with customers but had time to toss me a couple of tidbits that I am sure you will like. A 4.5-pound Sea bass hit Joe Fisher’s cooler and another Joe. Joe Shein spanked an 8.54-pound fluke in Ambrose Channel. Sounds like a developing trend.
It’s “Croakerfest” according to Phillip over at The Tackle Box in Hazlet. In the Bay, in the River, in the Ocean. Grab yourself some worms, Fish-bytes or clams and have at it. You can fill buckets with them if you are in the mood to practice your filleting skills. Some decent sized bluefish showed up off of Union Beach this week and rumors of bluefin at the Chicken are floating around the shop.
Dave from The Reel Seat in Brielle was buried in the back at his world famous rigging station (the guy practically invented some of the things you see everywhere today) so I buttoned Eric up on the phone for this weeks shout-out. Bluefin chowing down on lots of sand eels from the West side of the Chicken Canyon to the Triple Wrecks. Good numbers of fish are being caught and the size is getting better with tuna up to 150 pounds hitting the decks. Fluking is still pretty good in the River and in 30 feet of water out front but the beaches are pretty quiet. At night you can plug up some smaller bass but if you work hard you might grab yourself a 30-inch on the beach or in the back by the 35 bridge.
More good, positive vibes from Ron at Fisherman’s Supply in Point Pleasant. He confirms the bluefin bite, which was also active last week at the AP and Glory Hole. There really is something for everyone right now with fluke, weakies, croakers, spot and snapper blues in the river system (which really has been having a banner year), to the beachfronts. He has been keeping logs for over 20 years at Fisherman’s Supply and is always a great source of intel.
Relatively new to the network is Pete from Atlantic Bait & Tackle in Middletown. Along with the same offshore news we are hearing Pete has had guys with good success from land over at Monmouth Cove. The jetty and bulkhead have been productive for fluke, croakers and snapper blues if you want to do the fast park and cast routine.
We are going to wrap things up this week with Chris & Eric from Harry’s Army Navy in Robbinsville. Eric had a charter this week and his clients let him actually fish, and it is a good thing. His first drop put a 6.5-pound fluke in the box and the rest of the day went the same way. There really are some big fish on the bottom out front now. Some sharpies are still picking up nice weakies in Barnegat inlet and hopefully this North wind will keep thinks moving in the right direction… as opposed to SW, which is 100% the wrong direction.
Right now it looks like Saturday may be a do-able day out front with wind and sea issues both tomorrow (Friday) and Sunday. Keeping that in mind, let’s whip up a plan!
Best Bet for this Weekend
If Saturday pans out OK and offshore is in your sights, obviously there is either Chicken on the menu, or you can see if the Princess can turn you out of being a frog to your tuna fans. Bottom bangers should move off the beach but not too far, working the edges of the deeper channels for big flatties. If the kids are around, let’s not forget that keeping them busty with lots of action is the key element in growing yourself a lifelong fishing partner. You may want to fish for bigger bounty, but crushing croakers with the kids may pay bigger long term dividends. This weekend may truly be the perfect time to do that!
I’ll be giving my bones a break after three trips to the far southern tuna grounds this week and shooting for some fluke. Don’t waste a minute and get in on it while the gettin’ is good!
Stay Tuna-ed!