The weather has been very uncooperative lately, but referring back to last year’s fishing log, I realize that it hasn’t been all that bad when compared to last year. At this time a year ago, I was living through the fifth day of no power at our home due to a Derecho (a long lived, widespread straight line wind storm) that totally devastated the section of Atlantic County where we live. Factor in 100-degree days during that episode and I realize that things could be much worse. Yes, it has been hot and humid, but that’s part of summer. And there has been rain, for sure some areas have experienced record amounts at times. But in between the rain drops, the fishing has been good at some times, great at others. So I choose to look for the silver lining and know that it could be much worse. All in all, we are off to a great start and I forecast that it will only get better. Let’s see what our team of scouts has to say about my predictions.
Belmar Marinas not only the home to a large number of charter and party boats in the area it is also home to Fisherman’s Den, one of the areas better tackle shops. I spoke with Jesse at the shop this week to see what the local action was telling us. With water temperatures still in the mid to high sixties, most activity was in the shark river. The bass bite was still on, with best action for those who find bunker and snag a few. Fisherman’s Den has a fleet of rental boats and their users have been seeing nice action in the Shark River. Killies and squid and or Berkley Gulp baits have been the best producers. With the exception of some small bluefish and the rare weakfish in the river, the big blues have been in hiding. The head boats have been having their best success with black sea bass and fluke out front.
A quick report from Barbara at the Jersey Hooker in Brick. Inshore fluking and sea bass has been getting better every day, weather permitting. Gulp seem to be the preferred bait of most shop denizens but don’t count out the squid and other cut baits. Crabbing is definitely on the upswing with several customers having good days in the back. Captain Rich was picking up the reminted Jersey Hooker so no offshore report this week. But they have been running some killer sales at the shop so stop on by and check them out.
It looks like the Ocean Explorer in Belmar is picking up right where it left off last year. Wind has been playing games with the bite but the fishing has been good. A recent trip had one customer boating an 11-pound fluke to take home the pool. Both sea bass and fluke have been responding well to cut baits and Berkley Gulps. Captain Quinn is confident that the fluking will get better as the warmer water sets in and offered as proof an influx of smaller sea bass which is almost always a harbinger for better fluke fishing. Wind has made trips tough of late but they go out almost every day. The cost of a 34 day trip is only $58. Can’t beat that with a stick!
I spoke with Rich at Reel Life Bait and Tackle in Point Pleasant to get a feel for action in the Manasquan River and surrounding area. He informed me that ocean side water temperatures dropped over the last few days and all action seemed to be restricted to the river south to the edge of the Rte. 35 Bridge. The South Channel has also been real good. Almost exclusively a fluke bite with some small blues action. His customers are having their best results using squid and killie combos on a small lead head and bouncing it off the bottom. But Berkley Gulps in almost any color are producing as well. There are still some bass in the area, mostly around the canal. Inshore sharking has been decent with some makos, threshers and a whole host of blue sharks. There has been talk of a lot of blue fin tuna offshore but Rich tells me that they are mostly of the football variety. Rich also asked me to get the word out that the killie shortage seems to be over as Reel Life has full tanks.
If you haven’t been to Giglio’s Bait and Tackle in Sea Bright and you are a surf angler, then you are missing out on a classic. Seriously one of the better surf shops in the state. Even after Sandy. I spoke with owner Tom Giglio this week and he told me the fishing, dependent on weather of course has been steadily on the rise. They had a dip in water temperatures recently and it seems to have brought the blues back. That is good to hear as the blues disappeared. Fluking has been decent off the beaches with the bigger fish going after bigger baits, especially the 5 and 6 inch Gulp Swim Mullets and Shads. Tom also told me that bass are still around but they seem to be staying in the rivers, guys using sand worms are having the best results.
According to Ernie at Harry’s Adventure Outfitters in Robbinsville, it has been a tough week on the freshwater scene. With all the rain we have been receiving, water is high and dirty making for some tough conditions. A couple of dry days should calm things down says Ernie. The Delaware is in much the same shape, especially since our neighbors to the north opened the sluice gates to relieve the burden on their holding facilities. Best be there is targeting carp, which don’t seem to be too bothered by high, fast, dirty waters. Ernie suggested sticking to local ponds and leaks if you are chasing bass. He specifically mentioned Stone Tavern in the Robbinsville area. There are still trout around as well and the crappies seem to be weathering the storms well.
Further up north, I chatted with Pete at Atlantic Highlands Bait and Tackle in Middletown. Water temperatures are definitely playing a role in the local catch. The bass turned on a bit this week with anglers using snag hooks and live lining bunker for some linesider action. Fluking has been decent but you need to work for your fare. Rivers and shallows seem to be the most productive. Anglers using cut baits and killies are doing the best with artificial baits like Berkley Gulp being muted by the colder waters. There are small bluefish in the area, metal like Hopkins or Crocodiles are your best action makers. Pete also informed me that there are some nice croakers being taken by the Spy House and Port Monmouth. If you are looking for some action for the kids (or some great baits), Pete informed me the spot have arrived.
I heard from Captain Mick and the Ol’ Salty out of Belmar. They will be sailing on July 4th for fluke and Fireworks! But you must call ahead for details. Give them a shout out at (732) 681-6650. Even though it is a 62-foot ride, space may still be limited.
I also heard from Captain Allen of the Miss Belmar Fleet, and he told me that they are also doing Fourth of July Fireworks Cruises but are almost booked out. Contact them for availability. (732)681-6866. They are fishing but both conditions and catch has been tough of late. The captain attributed this partially to a drop in water temperatures. The black sea bass catch has been a little better than the fluke of late. This should turn around once the waters heat up a bit. With two boats ( the Royal Miss Belmar and Miss Belmar Princess) they have the water covered and will try their hardest to put you on the fish.
Weather permitting, the Captain Chris Hueth and the New Big Mohawk in Belmar have been sailing every day in search of big fluke. If you are looking for a nice party boat where a majority of the patrons are experienced anglers, then the Mohawk is your ride. Check out their Facebook page and you will see many using light tackle and Gulp baits. Lately the Pink Shines and Glow mullet have been the hot Berkleys. For the next few days, The Mohawk will be breaking dock at 6 am as opposed to their usual 7 am sail time so their patrons can get a full day in and still have time to enjoy the holiday festivities. Call ahead for availability. Fishing has been good and will only get better as the water heats up. Captain Chris, with over 25 years’ experience in these waters is one of the best I have ever seen at getting his fares take home dinner fare.
Atlantic Highlands was one of the harder hit locations by Super storm Sandy. And while the local marinas still have a lot of work to do, they are, for the most part up and running. I spoke Captain Mike Sisto of the charter service Jersey Key to see how the fishing was in the area. The Jersey Key, a 31’ Ocean Master, is the perfect boat for charter no matter what your target. Mike told me they are still nailing stripers on the chunk and having great times wreck fishing for black sea bass. Fluking has been decent but the cap feels we need the water temps to pick up a bit. Licensed for up to 6 passengers with a cruising speed of 27 knots, the Jersey key is also a great ride to get you to the big pelagic bite. If you get a chance, or a shopping an upcoming trip, I recommend you take a look at the Jersey Key and Captain Mike Sisto.
As long as we are talking charter captain, I thought I would give you a quick rundown of some local favorites in the north along with a quick description of the boat. Hopefully, when you are shopping your next charter, this little cheat sheet will simplify the process. All are 6 passenger licensed.
• XTC Sports fishing – 44’ custom Henrique Belmar NJ – Specializing in Canyon Trips http://www.xtcsportfishing.com/index.html
• Hyper Striper Sports fishing 38’ Henrique – Atlantic Highlands – http://www.hyperstripercharters.com/Home_Page.php
• Teri Jean II 45’ Hatteras – Belmar – http://www.terijean.com/
• Last One Charters – 36’ Custom Sea Hawk – Belmar http://lastonecharters.com/
• Katie H Sports Fishing – 46’ Hatteras – Belmar http://www.katiehsportfishing.com/
If you have always wanted to fish deep water and I mean really deep water, then I recommend you read the article on golden tile fishing by Dave Arbeitman in the June edition of On the Water Magazine. It’s the bible for deep water fishermen as far as I am concerned. I called Dave this week at his shop, the Reel Seat in Brielle to talk about that and get the low down on the offshore scene. According to the guys at the shop, the offshore bite has been difficult to gage as many boats have remained tied to the pier due to the weather conditions. John did tell me that it looked like a window was about to open and hopefully things would start to show signs of life. There have been multiple reports of blue fin tuna but all indications that they were of the “football” class, less than 40 pounds. There have also been several unconfirmed reports of Big Eye in the canyons. Inshore, sharking has been decent but herds of blue sharks has made some long days for those out chasing threshers and makos. Sea bassing has been good on the reefs and fluking has been good in the rivers. Water temps dropped to 58 degrees locally slowing down all activity. The fish are there according to John at the Reel Seat, you just have to work a little harder.
Best Bets for the Weekend
Looking forward, it appears that the heat is going to crank it up a bit and hopefully that will help the coastal and interior water temperatures. What we really need however, is a turnaround in the wind patterns. It seems to me that we have been getting a southwest blow for at least ten days now. And with over 10 inches of rain in the last month, runoff has dropped not only temperatures but salinity levels inshore, making all species just a little sluggish. Fluking is definitely best in the back bays and rivers. The head boat captains have been able to find the fluke but when they aren’t biting, you always have the sea bass option out front. If you are hunting bluefish, then I suggest you head north. Looking for a way to keep the kids occupied over the long weekend? Small blues, crabbing and spot should be on the menu. In the freshwater venues, panfish and bottom dwellers like carp and cats are the best chance for success. And remember, it’s a holiday weekend. People tend to stop thinking and make some foolish decisions. So you need to be extra careful out there. You only get so many day in the game, spend them wisely. Have a great Holiday and I will see you on the incoming.