The bell has finally sounded on the 2013 fluke season and I hope everyone out there got their fill. We received some bonus time and the fishing gods granted us some nice weather to take advantage of it. But the best is yet to come. The mullet have started their move southward signaling the start of the striped bass run. Weakfish are also starting to move and I have heard of some nice fish being taken of late. On the offshore scene, some think of this as prime fishing time. The state will be soon doing their fall trout stocking program so you have that to look forward to in October. And Blackfish and sea bass (open September 27th) are in the wings, waiting for some much needed attention. And if you haven’t done so yet, now is the time to do the tackle box review as well as line up your striper trips for the fall season. If you are looking to book a charter, you need to act now as the prime dates for all the good boats are quickly filling up. You don’t want to be on the outside looking in.

The Miss Belmar Princess is still on the blues and plans on staying there. Recent pool winners have all been in the 15- to 20-pound range. Best lures have been AVA’s and Crocodiles. They have also added night trips on Fridays and Saturdays. Several recent trips also came back with some nice cod and stripers. If it nonstop action you are looking for with the yellow eyed monster, the Miss Belmar Princess will give you all you are looking for and then some. For more info, feel free to give them a shout at (732) 681-6866 or (732) 681-0030.

If you are looking for a charter out of Belmar and have more than the standard 6 pack but less than a crew for a party boat, I recommend you contact Captain Steve Spinelli of the Skylarker II before it gets too late. Licensed for up to 20 The Skylarker is just the ticket for those mid-sized charter trips. They will be sailing for Striper, backfish, seabass , porgy and cod throughout the fall. Contact Captain Steve Spinelli at 732-502-3226 for more information or to book a charter.

In Brick Township, the Jersey Hooker team is running their annual Striper Tournament starting October 1st and closing on November 15th at 6 pm. There will be weekly, monthly and overall prizes. Captain Rich Wilkowski tells me it is open to both surf and boat anglers. I believe there is an awards luncheon sometime in December for the tourney. For more info you can check out the specifics at jerseyhooker.com/striped-bass-tournament

Captain Pete Wagner and the crew of the Hyper Striper Sportsfishing Charters out of Highlands aren’t sitting around crying about the end of fluke season, that for certain. They are already out on the prowl for striped bass and filling in the holes with some big blues. They have already had several limits on recent charters for linesiders. But they are filling up available time fast so you need to book ASAP if you are looking for a quality ride with a quality crew. The Hyper Striper is a 38’ Henrique’s Sportfisherman with a 450 HP Cummins power package that will get you where you need to be in style and comfort. Contact Captain Pete Wagner at 732-688-1933 or visit their website at www.hyperstripercharters.com for more info.

Captain Bobby Quinn of the Ocean Explorer out of Belmar is taking a few days to catch up on some maintenance but will be kicking off the sea bass season first thing Friday Morning. The OE is one of the top bottom fishing party boats in the area and Captain Quinn is well known for his ability to put his fares on giant sea bass and blackfish. For more information you can contact them at 848-565-0519 or visit their website at www.oceanexplorerbelmar.com

In as much as it is a tough week to do a fishing forecast, I thought I would revive my best of Belmar list. Each has its own specialties and fortes but I can honestly say they are all quality rides. Below is the “Best of Belmar”.

• Ol’ Salty II 62’ Custom — up to 40 passengers. Also does dive trips. (732) 681-6650

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

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

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

I spoke with Joe Loretti at Harry’s Army Navy in Robbinsville to get a report on the fresh water action and it was about what I have been hearing on the street. Fishing has been a little slow with the cold nights we have been experiencing. The Large Mouth bass bite has been about the best according to Joe but even that was hard to peg. Best time seemed to be later in the day when the water warmed up a bit. Lures like the Zoom Super Chunk have been working as have some spinner baits. The D and R Canal have had some action. If you want some catfish, Joe suggests that the Delaware River is your best option. Garlic Dough balls are working well for the cats. Harry’s is busy stocking up for the October trout stocking which should help the fresh water action. You can check out the state’s schedule for fall trout at www.njfishandwildlife.com/flstk

I spoke with John from the Reel Seat in Brielle to see if he was hearing any offshore chatter. The report I got back was a little dismaying as he has been hearing the same things I have about a really slow bite lately. Most of the good action is south again. The Gambler had some success over the weekend but not what I would call “lit up”. Wind and weather seems to have had an adverse effect on the bite. John thinks a few days of favorable weather should turn it back on. Inshore, there has been some action close to the canal and inlet mouths. Poppers and AVA’s have been working on both bass and nice sized blues. John also told me that the Reel Seat is sponsoring a casting demonstration with folks from Fiber Star Composite Rods this Saturday. The seminar will take place at the shop starting at 9am. Feel free to bring your favorite reel or lure and check out these high quality rods. I have been hearing some good things about them on the street and just may need to stop in and see them for myself.

When I last spoke to Captain Chris Hueth of the Big Mohawk, his plans after fluking were cut and dried. He was taking a few days to perform some much delayed minor maintenance and pushing forward for sea bass come Friday the 27th. The big Mohawk will be breaking dock at 6 each morning and returning at 2 this weekend. This is one of the best bottom fishing boats out of Belmar. As most of you know, there is no sure thing in fishing. But a ride on the Big Mohawk will certainly you give the best odds as these guys are one of the best party boats I have ever fished on, that is no lie.

I spoke with Rich at Reel Life Bait and Tackle in Point Pleasant and he told me that most of the decent action has been inside. The Point Pleasant Canal has seen some nice blue fish activity with fish ranging from five to ten pounds. They have also been nailing some nice blackfish in the canal. Green crab and clam have been the best bait for the tog. Striper action off the local beaches has been decent but not exactly hot. Anglers throwing pearl white SP Minnows or using mullet (that makes sense) are having the best hook up ratios. The Reel Life opens its doors at 6 every morning during the week and even earlier (5 a.m.) on the weekends. So if you are an early riser like me, you can be ready when the sun peeks through the horizon. Always a good thing to know.

Best Bets for the Weekend

This is a tough week to give a fishing forecast as we are a little between seasons as I write this. I would definitely try to get on the sea bass this weekend if I had the chance. The reefs should be a good place to be as they haven’t been attacked in a while. You might even limit out on blackfish while you are out there. Of course the limit is still one but as good as they are, it’s worth the cost of a few crabs to shoot for them as well. The mullet are starting to filter out but the consensus seems to be that the main herd is still in the pen. A few3 more chilly nights could be the catalyst that moves them out. If you are looking to fill up that bait pen in your slip, I would advise spending some serious time searching the spot out on the front beaches. Reports I have been receiving indicate that they are on the move and thinning out. Crabbing is also moving towards its seasonal conclusion so you can also add that to the to-do list. And if none of these recommendations grab your attention, then there is always a road trip up to Cape Cod to the biggest fishing party on the East Coast. Yes, I am speaking of StriperFest which takes place this Saturday in Falmouth on the Cape of Cod. A fine time will be had by all with plenty of prizes doled out and more fun than one person is entitled to partake in. Not a bad way to celebrate the end of summer and the beginning of fall. Whichever option you choose to go with, please be careful out there. You only getr so many days in the game, spend them wisely. See you on the incoming.