For me, the best thing about writing a weekly fishing report is the opportunity to talk about fishing with fishermen. It’s the only thing that compares to actually wetting a line. And sometimes, it can be even better. Hearing a good fishing tale or learning about a new technique or hot spot can really make my day.  One thing I have learned over the years is that there is no such thing as a “perfect game” in fishing. Certain areas may have perfect conditions or some anglers may get in the zone, but for the most part, every day or trip is a clean slate.  And the way to increase the odds of a successful day On the Water is to put the time in, do your homework and sight in your target before you pull the trigger. Hopefully, these reports are a piece of that preparation.  Nothing could make me happier than hearing about an angler who scored big in part because of some piece of information gleaned from our reports.  And as long as I am at it, it’s the shop owners and charter boat captains that are the real strong links in this chain. Without their cooperation, we wouldn’t have a snowballs chance in hell of providing you with any accurate information. So be sure to thank them next time you have a good day fishing or land that fish of a lifetime.  Let’s see what they have to say this week.

If blue fish are high on your list of priorities, then might I suggest that the Miss Belmar Princess be part of you “to do” list as well. The reports I have been getting from them of late indicates they have found the mother lode and are shuttling their fares to them twice daily. Granted we aren’t talking about the gator sized yellow eyed beasts but more in the two to three pound range. What they lack in size they make up for in quantity.  The MBP sails twice daily (always) at 7:30 and 2:30 from its berth in Belmar.

The Jersey Hooker in Brick has both the shop and the charter boat so they are a prime source for info in the area. When I spoke to Captain Rich Wilkowski this week,  he told me that the fluking in area has been good with most anglers using Gulps baits for the bigger fish.  Rich also told me that the north bite finally seems to be turning on for the pelagic action. The Carteret has had both swordfish and some really nice long fin tuna action this week.  Rich also told me that the Jersey Hooker had some charter fun recently with Mahi at the Lobster pots. Fish were from chicken size all the way up to gaff-able.  I asked him to save me some belly as they make a fine fluke bait.

I heard from John at Zuback’s Marine in Morgan and they have been busy rebuilding their infrastructure at the Marina. As I have mentioned in past reports, they were essentially wiped out by Sandy but are adding new slips every day. If you are looking for late season accommodations off the Raritan Bay, check them out.

Captain Chris Hueth and the crew of the I chatted with Captain Bobby Quinn on the Ocean Explorer about the recent trips out of Belmar and he told me that the numbers had been a little picky of late but that the fish they were getting were definitely of quality size. This is something I have been hearing up and down the coast lately. You need to work for your catch but most of the time the fish are “no doubt” keepers.  Pool winners regularly go home with fish in excess of 7 pounds.   It’s been that kind of season. He believes as the weather settles down, the bite will get a little more consistent.  The OE sails daily from Belmar each day from 7:30-2:30 giving you a nice ¾ day trip.

If you are looking for a charter out of Atlantic Highland, I can highly recommend one boat in the area and that would be the Hyper Striper captained by Pete Wagner. A 38’Henriques Sports Fishermen can accommodate most, if not all of your fishing needs. When I spoke with Pete this week, he told me that recently they have been targeting fluke with good results. Fish up to 5 pounds are common place with the occasional doormat. They have also had some success lately chasing Bluefin tuna as they are starting to move into the northern inshore lumps. Conditions often dictate their quarry and the captain recommended giving him a call to discuss the best available options.  One thing I know for sure about this crew is that they can put you on the fish regardless of the species. Captain Pete asked me to remind you that they are starting to book fall striper trips so if you are interested, now is the time to reserve a trip.

If they ever come up with a “royalty” designation for surf fishing, I am pretty sure that Giglio’s Bait and Tackle in Sea Girt will be one of the first in that category. They are a mecca for surf anglers’ coast wide. I spoke with Ernie this week at the shop and he told me the fluke catch off the beach has been decent of late. Most anglers are using either squid strips or Berkley Gulps baits (Nuclear Chicken or Chartreuse) as their go-to baits. Bob Pastor of Oceanville weighed in a 3.5pound fluke he took off the beach in Long Branch with just that combo. In other news, Ernie says that there are croakers, porgy and spot all within east casting distance of most of the local beaches.  Clam or worm pieces on a smaller hook will get the job done for these buggers. There are still some stripers in the area, mostly small to medium in size and they are taking Daiwa SP lures at first or last light.  Be sure to stop in and say hi if you are in the area.

On the fresh water fishing scene, there is one place that I can count on for the most up to the minute information on the local hot spots. That place would be Harry’s Army and Navy in Robbinsville.  I had a chance to speak with Joe Loreti at the shop this week and catch up on the non-saline action in the area. Its bass season according to Joe and most of the lakes are producing nice fish on spinners. In fact, Joe told me he got a personal best 8 pound lm this week on a spinner at the Manasquan Reservoir.  Other hot spots include Mercer and Assunpink Lakes.  Joe has heard of some nice catfish catches in the D & R Canal.  If its small mouth bass you are looking for, Joe suggested you go north on the Delaware, he has heard there was some action in the Lambertville area.  If I was fishing that area, I would think about using a Mepps or a frog imitator. But that’s just me.

Reel Life Bait and Tackle in Point Pleasant opens early and closes late during the peak fishing season so keep that in mind if you are looking to get an early jump on the fish and are in the area. Their stated hours are 5-9 but sometime extend even those long days. When I spoke to Rich at the shop this week, he told me the fluking in the area was really hot with most of the local head boats reporting good catches. The tuna bite seems to have moved north with albacore reports coming in from several canyons (Toms, Carteret) and swordfish also in the mix. Fluking has been good on the lumps and around most of the inshore reefs. The canal is still holding some bass, mostly at night for those willing to sacrifice an eel or two.  I suspect there some blackfish around as well but with fluke hot and the tog limit at one, it’s hard to get an accurate read on the situation.

The Crew from Jersey Key Sportsfishing is back and recovered from the  White Marlin Open down south and has some open dates on their calendar if you are looking for a charter ride out of Atlantic Highlands.  Give Captain Mike Sisto a call at 908-601-5336 and book it now. You name the species and they will put you on it.

While we are on the subject of nice rides, his boat may be called Parker Pete, but Captain Pete Sykes is now pushing a 35’ Donnelle custom Down-easter for all his charters.  A more comfortable fishing platform you would be hard pressed to fish in the area.  They have been on the fluke all summer. Pete tells me that the wind has made it tough on the drift but they have been putting fish in the box on every trip. Bucktails and Big Berkeley Gulps have been the best attractants of late. Chartreuse and pink are the hot colors for fluking this year.  If you are looking for a charter out of the Belmar area, Parker Pete should be on your list.

One of the top sources for information (and everything else)  in the Point Pleasant area is without a doubt The Fisherman’s Supply Company on Channel Drive. A fixture in the area for as long as I can remember, they do it all!  I spoke to Ronnie at the shop this week and the first news he passed along was that the tuna had finally worked their way north. Big eyes were being taken in the Hudson along with blue fins and albacores.  The blue fin bite has even slid into the inshore holes. There are definitely mahi in the mix as well so be sure to check their hiding places. Closer to shore, Ronnie tells me that the fluking has been best south of the inlet. Anglers using 6” Berkeley Gulp Grubbs and Squiddos are pulling in fish up to 7 pounds. But don’t discount natural baits either. A recent weigh-in from one group of anglers had 4 fish pushing the five pound mark and all were taken on cut baits like sea robin and mackerel. There are bluefish in the area, but most are in the one to three pound range.  Off the beaches, Ronnie tells me the sand eels are all over the surf so match the hatch whenever you can. There are early and late bass up to 15 pounds in the area. Shallow diving plugs are your best bet for action. Black Bombers and SP Minnows are the best producers.

I got in touch with Dominick at the Bait Shop in Bradley Beach to see what is happening up that way. There are snappers all over the place; some small metal will get you a cooler full. The fluke bite has been off and on in the area, not surprisingly, it seems to be tied into the weather.  Once again, Dom tells me there is an early bloom of sand worms on the beach front which in turn leads to an early morning and dusk striper bite.  Most anglers are using SP Minnows by Daiwa for action with the linesiders. Nothing big mind you, but action. Most prevalent on the beaches are spot and croakers. In the back, they have had some blow fish activity but that seems to be tailing off. Dom tells me that the best fluke action has been around the Shrewsbury rocks. He also has some unconfirmed reports of false albacore in the area.

Best Bets for the Weekend

As I mentioned at the beginning of this forecast, there is no perfect fishing season. This season is certainly no exception to that rule. Weird weather conditions wind and bait runs all contribute to the program. The big blue fish have never come in close, mostly because the bait stayed out deeper than usual. And the tuna and other game fish lingered longer in the south than most other years. That is not to say the fishing hasn’t been good. Bigger fluke seem to be the new normal but you have to work harder to get them. It might just be my observation but they seem to be more spread out than usual. I think it’s because the bigger of any species tend to give more space to each other for feeding purposes. So, it becomes a game of hide and seek with anglers being the seeker.  You need to be prepared to adjust your tactics, be willing to accept new techniques in some cases, to have successful outings.  If I was a betting man looking for the best odds, I would place my money on flat fish.  Fluking is giving the best return on investment.  You offshore mavens have some good prospects as well in the northern holes.  The big fish have finally restarted their GPS units and are heading north. The Hudson and other northern reaches are finally producing the way they normally do.  For those just looking for constant action, the beaches have plenty of croakers and big spot along with some smaller bluefish that should keep you busy. Or you can head back for some prime time crabbing.  This extended forecast looks like we should have some prime weather this weekend although it may be a little cloudy. Take advantage of it.  Personally, my weekend plans consist of a bushel of blue claws (hopefully), some nice fish filets and some jersey corn and tomatoes. Feel free to imitate me. Whatever you opt for, stay safe out there. You only get so many days in the game, spend them wisely. See you on the incoming.