PRIME TIME!

That pretty much sums it up. From the furthest reaches of the back bay, out to the very edge of fishing spectrum.  From fluke, panfish and crabs, all the way out to Blue and white marlin and tuna, and everything in between.  It is time to start using those “sick” days midweek when the weather windows open and take full advantage of what makes our State such a wonderful place to fish.  Ok, maybe save a few sick days for the Fall striper run….

Couple of Tournaments this week, led by the mother of all tourneys, the Mid-Atlantic 500 out of Cape May and Ocean City, Maryland.  At press time there have already been some big money weigh-in for the daily prizes but we will have to wait until the end of the weekend to see if any new millionaires were made.  Kudos on the Leader Board as of this morning (Thursday) to the following boats and catches.  Estimates of what the catch is worth ( base prize only, no calcutta$$) if it holds up are also listed:

• MJ’s – Heaviest Tuna – 213 pounds – $70,200.00
• A1A – Heaviest Dolphin – 38 pounds – $9,360.00
• Got Game – Heaviest Blue Marlin – 441 pounds – $109,200.00
• Lights Out – Heaviest White Marlin – 84 pounds – $93,600.00
• Gina Lisa – Heaviest Wahoo – 77 pounds – $9,360.00

Not a big deal you say?  OK, just for the 84-pound White that was caught, with the calcuttas added in that they chose to buy into, the total for that one fish would be just over $710,000 if it holds up. That’s $8500. a pound, if you were wondering.

If you did not belly up to the bar for the MA500 and still want to get those competitive juices flowing, there are other options.  Also on the tourney list this weekend is the JCAA Fluke Tournament, The Beach Haven Marlin & Tuna Club Overnight Tournament , and The Berkley Striper Club Fluke Tournament.

Let’s hit the streets running and see what the guys know from the shop reports starting up North and working our way down.  Just to keep me from repeating myself, let me just say once that there are spot and croakers almost everywhere if you want to have some fun with the kids and fill a bucket with panfish.  Small bits of sand worm or bloodworm or a pack of Fish-bytes on a top and bottom rig with small hooks is all you need.

Up at Keyport Marine Basin the bite on fluke around Sandy Hook is getting better.  Working around Buoy 1 in Keyport is a good idea.  A few weakies have also been reported.

Phil at The Tackle Box in Hazlet says they are “killin’” the fluke in Ambrose Channel.  The only problem is that you need to drag 8-10oz of lead to get down to them.  We have very strong currents this week due to the full moon added to a moderate breeze so bring the heavy stuff.  Sandy Hook Channel has also been productive if you work the edges.

Tom grabbed the phone from Giglio’s in Sea Bright when I called and was very excited about the bite from the beach from Sandy Hook to Sea Bright.  The fluke have moved out front and are taking  GULP and sand eel baits from the surf.  Don’t bother heading to Monmouth Beach right now as the sand pumping has pretty much shut down the fish.

Dominick at The Bait Shop in Bradley Beach has had a couple really notable weigh-ins this week.  Young Brandon Gifford from Ocean Township took a 28”, 9.2-pound fluke from the beach in Long Branch.  The same day, RJ Lillies was fishing the Shrewsbury and brought a 7.3-pound flattie up on the rocks.  Add in a 3.3-pound weakie that hit the scales and you get the idea that the sand eels have moved onto the beach.

Joey’s Bait Shack in Belmar is a good stop for info.  Joe says those targeting the panfish should head to the Keyport Bulkhead where the bite has totally been hot.  For fluke fisherman in boats, 30 to 40 feet seems to be the magic number and the back bay crabbing has been great.  Good numbers of 6-inch-plus blue claws are hitting the pot.

Lots of great offshore information coming from Eric at The Reel Seat in Brielle. The hot topic for everyone that travels to the edge is the Big Eye bite that just seems to keep on going.  The area out near the 100 Square is the center of it recently with white, pink and green being the hot colors.  Green machines, spreader bars and those heavy 8oz Joe Shutes with a horse bally seem to be the best bet.  If they come up, get ready for a street fight.  There are also a good number of longfin mixed in with the Eyeballs, which is normal and good to see.

The overnight chunk bite has been slow with low numbers of yellowfin and only a few swords right now.  There are a good number of nice makos being taken but that is not the target species.  Those shooting for bluefin have been doing well, but the fish seem to have spread out a little.  Small spreader bars and cedar plugs are working over lumps that are holding sand eels around the 35 fathom line.  Fluking at the Axel Carlson and Sea Girt reefs is good but the fish are moving around the structure so you have to dial them in first, then beat the spots hard.

Ron at Fisherman’s Supply Co. had one of his younger anglers come in with a great story and photo of a 4-foot 40-pound brown shark taken from the beach (and released) at Island Beach State Park.  Thirteen-year-old Sam Kwaswza caught it with his Dad, Sam for a memory they are sure to remember forever.  Another notable weigh-in this week was Rich Bowen’s 8.3-pound fluke taken from the Shrewsbury Rocks.  A 6-inch GULP Grub did the job on a teaser.  Ron also reports that now that the sand eels are in the surf, lots of small striper action in the pre-dawn has anglers getting up early.  Deadly Dicks, AVAs, or anything with a similar profile is a good first lure to grab.

Best Bets for the Weekend

Keep an eye on the wind and make your call. The marine forecast right now is making the inshore run a little better looking with 2-4’s both days and a NE breeze in the 10 kt. range.  Offshore is looking worse with the same winds but waves in the 4-6’ range.  My call is to make fluking the target in the inshore structure before the afternoon winds pick up.  I don’t trust NE wind forecasts as a rule as they tend to be more unpredictable.  The good news is there could be a turnaround in the wind for Sunday which could flatten things out considerably… just going to have to wait this one out another day or so.  More good news is that if you can get there, the fish are too and the bite is definitely on!

Stay Tuna-ed!