For some, this weekend marks the end of the summer fishing season and that’s a bad thing. For others, this weekend marks the beginning of the best fishing season of the year. I pitch my tent in the latter camp. There is almost a month left in the fluke season, sea bass re-opens right after that. Crabbing hits its apex and looking a little further out, blackfish limits expand to a decent level. The mullet are bunching up in the back bays and inlets, preparing for their run which in turn acts as the starting gun for the fall striper run. Throw in some weakfish, sheephead, redfish and cobia and opportunities abound in the Garden State. If you are tired of the salt scene, some of the best large and small mouth bass fishing takes place as the temperatures start to dial down sending a signal to the fresh water species to start packing in the supplies for the cooler days to come. For me, Labor Day is the start of the best time of the year. And let’s not forget that the angler’s biggest nemesis, insect swarms, start to ebb. Does it get any better? Let’s see what our field scouts have to say.

I heard from Joe Loreti, the new manager of fishing at Harry’s Adventure Outfitters (Army and Navy for you old folks) in Robbinsville. Joe tells me the small mouth bass are active in the Delaware for anglers throwing spinners and flies. For Largemouth bass, try the Assunpink Lake and most other local ponds. Shallow crank baits are working to the best results. Joe tells me that the algae blooms that take over most of the smaller closed bodies of water are starting to die off as the air and water cools down. The gang at Harry’s is gearing up for the fall striped bass and trout runs so make sure to stop in for your equipment resupply and the latest scouting information.

Every party boat in NJ has a different flavor when it comes to fishing styles. The trick is to find the one that best fits your needs. If fishing sandy bottoms with light(er) tackle is your personal preference, might I recommend the Big Mohawk and Captain Chris Hueth of Belmar fame. Don’t worry about finding the fish, these guys have it down pat and will put you on top of them. All you need to do is raise them up to the deck. While winds and weather always play an important role, these guys always seem to find the mother lode. Reports I have been getting lately indicate that Gulp Baits, a staple on the Big Mohawk, and bucktails are the keys to success. Pink Shine and Glow Mullets have been the best baits recently. Lately, I have also been seeing some pictures of some nice black drum taken on fluking trips. Not a bad bonus. If you are planning a trip on the Mohawk, make sure you check their sailing time as Captain Chris adjusts the hours to take advantage of daylight. This week they are breaking dock at 7:00 am until Saturday and will switch to 6:00 am come Sunday and forward. All times are subject to change.

I spoke with Joe at Joey’s Bait Shack in Keyport to get some feedback on activity in and around the Raritan. Fluking has been good in the area with the local hotspot being the Ambrose Channel. Anglers using heavy bucktail stinger rigs tipped with squid or spearing are getting their best action in 30 to 40 feet of water. Plenty of croakers and spot in the area and Joe tells me that the snapper blue fish have finally showed up in numbers. Joe also tells me there has been some good reports of northern kingfish in the Keansburg area. Crabbing has been good in the local backwaters. The bait shop opens daily at 6 during the week and at 5 on the weekends.

Reports coming in from Captain Bobby Quinn on The Ocean Explorer out of Belmar have been exceptional lately. Most of the photos they send to me have the land clearly in the background indicating they are fishing close to the beaches. Many customers are leaving the boat after a trip with multiple catches in their coolers. Fish up to 8 pounds are not uncommon. Cut baits and Gulp (Chartreuse and Nuclear Chicken) are the hot baits. Even on days when the weather isn’t totally cooperative, they are moving around to keep the action flowing.

The 120’ Miss Belmar Princess is dedicated to putting bluefish in its clients coolers and so far this summer, it has a pretty good record. The bigger blues are finally making a showing after weeks of fighting smaller fish but bigger numbers. They sometimes have t move out further east but on most days have had good success. Fish up to fifteen pounds are finally flopping around on the decks. Mix in the occasional Bonita that wanders into the slick and it makes for a very productive day on the water. If fighting bluefish is your idea of a fun day, the Miss Belmar Princess out of Belmar is the only boat you should even consider. If fluking is your ballyhoo, check out it’s sister ship, The Royal Miss Belmar where flat fish are king.

Captain Rich Wilkowski of Jersey Hooker Outfitters is taking a much needed vacation this weekend so I reached out to Jeff at the shop to get the latest action around Brick Town. About time Rich took some time off, it’s been one hell of a year for him post Sandy. The fluke action remains hot on the Axel Carlson and Sea Girt reefs. Anglers are using bucktails and Gulp baits along with some traditional cut baits to take flat fish up to 8 pounds. The rivers and close inshore areas are finding a big mass of snappers in the area. Small metals and or spearing are the ticket there. Jeff also told me that the northern canyon are all producing well when the wind allows the boats access. Big eye tuna, long fin and some yellows are at the top of the charts. There have been some reports of white marlin as well. In other news, they are finalizing the specifics of this year’s striper tournament at Jersey Hooker. Check back next week for details.

In Point Pleasant, my favorite one stop shop is Reel Life Bait and Tackle. They open early, close late and have all the bait and tackle you can think of, regardless of your fishing preferences. When I spoke with Rich this week, he confirmed that the Sea Girt and the Axel Carlson are the hot local reef. Fluke up to 7 pounds are not uncommon. One angler hooked an 8 pound blackfish there in the past week, making me think about baits and hooks on my next trip. I’m thinking a smaller top hook and some crab if we are going to fish structure. Snapper blues off the beaches and some kingfish and spot in the mix. Crabbing in the area has been rated decent to good.

In Atlantic Highlands the best bet for constant action, according to Pete at Atlantic Bait and Tackle, is the croaker/kingfish/spot action from the beach or bay. Fluking has been slow inside with a big through back to keeper ratio. Best bets for some keeper fluke is in deep water. Pete tells me that the big bucktails tipped with 6” Gulp Grubs are the ticket. White, Chartreuse and Nuclear Chicken have been the big sellers. Makes sense to me. Big baits equal Big Fish. Crabbing has been good, especially around the Oceanic. Stop in and check out their selection of big bucktails.

When I spoke to Ernie at Giglio’s Bait and Tackle in Sea Girt this week, it was more of the same. There has been decent fluking off the beach. Anglers using bucktails tipped with Berkeley Gulp or squid are having the best luck. Ernie tells me that the SS Bucktail Line they are carrying has been a real winner so far. There are also some croakers, kings and spot in the surf. Most of the blue fish action has been limited to small snappers. Spearing and or metal is the ticket for these yellow eyed shorties. There has been some striper activity, most on swimmer lures and primarily short fish. If you are a surf guy and near Sea Girt, do yourself a favor and stop by Giglio’s. Tom and Ernie are surfcasting royalty.

I was looking for some northern offshore news so I thought I would give a shout out to Dave Arbietman at the Reel Seat in Brielle. Dave was out all night on another banner Tile fishing trip so I spoke with John at the shop. He tells me that reports are coming in about tuna in the Hudson. The 100 square also had some action but it seems to be moving. There are a few swordfish in the mix as well. Most of the action has been on the troll. Once again, big eyes are ruling the waters with yellow fin and long fin making a strong showing. I asked John if he heard of any wahoo but he hasn’t heard of any being taken. Inshore, there are reports of chicken dolphin 6 to 8 miles out. Fluking remains strong and John recommends Berkeley Gulp 6” Grubbs on an S&S Bucktail. That’s not the first time I heard that recommendation today so there must be some validity to it. Small blues have moved into the onshore beaches and lumps and the occasional bonito has also been in that mix. The back waters are still holding fluke and there are snappers, spot and some kingfish to be had there as well. It sounds like there is still plenty of life around to keep you busy until the striper run starts.

I keep touch with Pete Sykes, owner and Captain of Parker Pete’s Charters in Belmar. If you are looking for a six pack charter with a cockpit that could double as a dance floor, his 35’ Donelle with its 18’ beam is the right boat for you. There is more than enough room for any group. Lately they have been hitting the fluke hard with bucktails but Pete informed me that the big blues have moved into his strike zone and he is more than game to have after them. By the way Pete, I heard from my friends who chartered you last week and they were seriously impressed. I think it was that 8 pound fluke that won them over.

With the unofficial end to summer coming at us, it’s only natural to start planning for that fall stiper excursion. To help out in the process, we have a few options you might want to consider when you’re looking to book a ride on a charter boat. All of the following have great track records for finding and linesiders.

• Last One! 35-foot custom Sea Hawk – up to six passengers. Inshore and wreck fishing. (732) 556-7156

• Katie H Sportfishing 46-foot custom Hatteras. Up to six passengers. Inshore and offshore. (908) 600-6413

• XTC Sportfishing 44-foot Henriques . Up to six passengers. Inshore and offshore. (732) 616-3763

• Teri Jean Sportfishing 45-foot Hatteras. Up to six passengers. Inshore and Offshore (732)280-7364

I chatted with Paul at the Fishermen’s Den in Belmar this morning to find out what the local angler were buying in the area. The Charter and head boats usually provide baits so sometimes it helps to find out what the locals are using. Paul told me that it seems to change every day but the Gulp Baits have been the single biggest seller this year. In the last week, it has been Pink Shine in the six inch grubb that has been the biggest seller. Coming in second is the Chartreuse Glow Mullet and followed closely by Copper Penny colors. Paul said there are also sand eels in the area so keep that in mind. Fluking has been great provided the weather cooperates. Small stripers are also being caught in the area. Blue fishing has been limited to the one to two pound variety. I find it always helps to know what the hot bait it is before you set out on the trip. Afterwards, it’s kind of a moot point.

If you are in the Point Pleasant area, be sure to stop in Fishermen’s Supply Company and load up on bucktails and Gulps before your next outing. Check out the line of Abel Bucktails they carry. I find the Sea Robin colored one especially deadly. Ron at the shop tells me they are a big seller. He also told me that the fluking has been real good both from the sand and the boat. Gulp Baits are the top producer but anglers are also using cut baits and live lining spot and snapper blues and getting some nice fish. Ron also told me that Sandy Hook Point has been giving up some nice weakfish. Jim Ziola, of South Amboy has been targeting weakies and doing quite well. Pink is the color of choice and anything swimming and that color seem to work for him. If you are a surf turkey looking for shark action, Ron suggest Island Beach State Park in the evening. Dale and Sam Kwasack of Kresskill have been doing just that and catching some nice browns sharks on bunker chunks. All were released. There have been reports of chicken mahi close inshore so taking some live bait such as peanut bunker or rainfish may be a good idea. Ron tells me that the false albies have been spotted north of the point so get those shiny metal ready. And finally, Ron tells me that Trigger Fish are hovering around the structure of the Shrewsbury Rocks. You need a smaller hook for these tasty treats so keep some in the tackle box. Small squid pieces or clam are their preferred baits.

Best Bets for the Weekend

It’s Labor Day Weekend, somewhat of the last hurrah for the vacation crowd, so you can expect crowds. And for a change, the weather looks cooperative. So your best bet is crowded situations. As far as fishing goes, it’s an open slate with fluke at the top of the board. But don’t limit yourself. There are sport, kingfish and snappers in most of the coastal areas. Small hooks and small bait will give you all the action you can handle. The freshwater scene is great as is the big bite in the offshore northern canyons. Inshore, outside of the fluke, I would load some clam on the boat. There has been some beautiful black drum caught in the last week as well as some nice blackfish. So you have that. Crabbing in the north has also been above the norms so grab some bunker and an old peach basket and pick some up. Add Jersey Corn and Tomatoes and you have the makings of a perfect Labor Day Feast. Above all, be careful out there. You only get so many days in the game, spend them wisely. And don’t forget to thank the people who have helped you all summer in the fishing department. We couldn’t do it without them. See you on the incoming.