It’s been a while since I had the opportunity to look at the fishing scene in the northern part of the Garden State but while filling in for Joe Melillo this week, I guarantee you that I will dig a little deeper. I have been following the action up there, just not in any detail. My style of fishing relies heavily on pre-trip planning and unless I’m heading up that way, I tend to skim over other reports. It goes back to y years in accounting I guess. Always have a plan and follow through on it. But I also believe that information is the key to success in any endeavor. The more data you have, the less likely you are to be hit with any surprises. And that’s what I like to project with my fishing forecasts. Enough info so you or and one else can make an educated plan and put fish on your hook. When push comes to shove, that’s what it’s all about. So without further ado, let’s see what our northern scouting team has to say about the local action.
It’s been a while since I checked them out but based on the reports I have been getting the Miss Belmar Princess is still producing in the waters east of the inlet. The blues aren’t the big’uns but they are plentiful. And there have been some days when the catch is supplemented with nice mackerel. If you are planning on going, check out their website and print one of the of their Belmar Bucks Discount coupons.
If you are looking for bait and tackle in the Atlantic Highlands area, I suggest stopping in at the Sandy Hook Market in the Marina. Fresh bait and tackle at your beck and they open at 5am. And as an added bonus, if you come back with the skunk, you can always buy some fresh fish to take home with you. I spoke with Jackie at the shop who told me that when the weather lets the locals, the fishing has been good. Small blues, fluke and the occasional weakies in the tidal waters. There are 7 charter boats in the Marina as well and the folks at Sandy Hook will gladly help you selecting the right one for your trip. Ocean side the fluking and blue fishing have been decent. Cooler waters ad winds have made for some tough outings but there have been plenty of big fish weighed in at the docks.
If your idea of great bottom fishing on the ocean side party boats is Bucktailing on sandy bottoms then you need to jump on the Big Mohawk in Belmar. Captain Chris Hueth is an expert on that type of fishing and regularly puts his crew on big fish. Weather permitting the Mohawk sails every day at 7am. Lately, pool winners have been in the 6 pound range but there have been more than a few which have been quite larger. The most productive baits have been the Gulp Grubs in pink or chartreuse.
Its official, Giglio’s Bait and Tackle in Sea Bright has been named “Heaven on Earth for Surfcasters”. A throw back store which caters to the feet in the sand crowd, it has the best bait and equipment in the Monmouth County area. I spoke with Tom at the shop today who told me the fluke bite has been decent, better in the river. Squid and spearing are the top producers. There are also nice snapper blues all over the place and good numbers of croakers. Worms and FishBytes artificial are your best bets there. Or small metal for the blues. Tom also told me that the crabbing in the river has stepped up to a higher level.
Captain Pete Sykes of Parker Pete Charter fishing is looking for a few good anglers. He has some upcoming charters that have some open spaces that need fishermen. Open dates include 7/21,7/22,7/23 and 7/29. Cost is 125 per person. If you are looking for a great platform to fish from, the Parker Pete is one of the best. It’s huge open cockpit on the broad beamed 38’ Donelle is about as good as it gets , in my opinion. Pete tells me that the fishing has been good lately and getting better as the south winds die and the water warms up. Recent pool winners include 11 year old Luke from Pa. who boated a 30”- 10 pound fluke on Gulp baits. For more info on open trips, you can contact PP at captpete@parkerpetes.com or call at (732) 496-5028.
I had the opportunity to speak with Captain Ron of the Captain Cal II this week who told me that the fishing has been great of late. They have and some great days with fluke and have seen some nice “knucklehead” sea bass come over the rails on recent trips. There has been plenty of action and keepers up to 5 pounds taking the daily pools. Bucktails have been the best producers tipped with your favorite bait. The Captain Cal II is a 75’ family owned party boat based in South Belmar. It leaves the dock each morning at 7:30am and reservations are not required.
I spoke with Joe at Tackle U.S. in Laurence Harbor the other day to get a feel for action in the Raritan. Fluking has been decent but not “on fire”. Once again, water temps seem to be the overriding issue there. That’s not to say they haven’t been catching but weather and water seem to be a little out of sync. The current pool leader there for fluke is 7.45 pounds, certainly no slacker. The hot bait in area has been the Gulp Nuclear Chicken with spearing and squid trailing close behind. The hot species this week are bluefish with specimens up to 8 pounds being weighed in. Crabbing in the area has been good.
In Atlantic Highlands Municipal the Sea Tiger II is sailing daily targeting fluke and other bottom dwellers. Captain Hal Hagaman runs two trips departing at 8am and 1:30pm. The latest report I have been getting from Captain Hal tell me he knows something about how the fluke move. Every trip seems to have more than a few 5+ pound fluke. Water temperatures and wind have made for some tough fishing of late but there looks like a nice window opening up over the next week or so and the catch will only get better according to the gang on the 76’ Tiger.
I received this report from Laurie Murphie at Dow’s Boat Rental on Lake Hopatcong and thought it would be easier to share it with you.
Knee Deeps Hybrid Striped Bass Contest was held over the weekend with 55 entrants and a top prize of $440 won by Kenny Stelmack of Hackettstown with a 6 lb 12 oz fish. All the fish brought to the scale were in the 5 to 6 pound range. Also caught during the week were some trout caught in the Byram Cove area and several nice walleye. Kenny Stelmack had a walleye weighing 5 lb 1 oz, and John White’s hit the scales at 6 lb 14 oz. There were lots of smallmouth being caught also, with Jim Welsh’s weighing in at 3 lb 2 oz. Hybrids caught earlier in the week included Chris Anderson’s weighing 7 lb 9 oz and another weighing 7 pounds. Knee deep’s next contest with be for Catfish, held in August on August 9 th and 10th. Have a great week.
Last One Charters in Belmar is a 36’custom Seahawk with a 14’ beam. A near perfect fishing platform for your next charter. Captain Rob Ferreira reports that recent parties have had success even in tough conditions. When the fluke aren’t in the mood, Captain Rob has been able to expand his sights on the run and fill in with a mix of sea bass, porgie, blues and trigger fish to name a few. A good captain likes to see his passengers go home with fish in the box.
Fresh Water Alert. I called to introduce myself to the gang at Harry’s Army and Navy in Robbinsville and get a little info on the non-salt scent up there. After speaking with James Buonanno, I was almost tempted to dig out my fresh water gear and take a run up. With the low heat we have been getting this year, most of the local holes aren’t as weedy as they normally can get. James tells me that Stone Tavern and Colliers Mills have both been good for bass and pickerel of late. In Colliers, James recommends using frog bait around the Lily pads and you should be rewarded. If you are in search of Crappies, Carnegie Lake in Jackson is the place to go. Live shiners should put some nice fish in the cooler. The Delaware River has been pretty quiet lately but you can still find some catfish in the feeder streams if that is what you are looking for.
When I look for offshore information, there is always one shop that makes my list. The Reel Seat in Brielle and owner Dave Arbietman and his staff definitely know the lay of the sea. I chatted with Eric this week who told me that weather permitting the bite has been strong. Trolling anywhere from the Toms to the Hudson should produce nice 40-60 class yellow fin tuna. Eric mentioned that there has been some long fin taken on the edges as well, earlier than normal for them. He also told me that is has been a good year for White Marlin in the flats. If you are looking for Bluefin, Eric suggests trying the Glory Hole or the Chicken where anglers have been taking 80-100pound fish on ballyhoo. There are some big eyes in the mix but nowhere like last year’s run. So far this season, its yellows riding the crest. If you are an offshore angler and haven’t visited the new shop in Brielle, I recommend you make the trip there. From their custom rigs and rods to the sheer amount of offshore gear they carry, I doubt you will leave empty handed. And keep an eye on the Reel Seat web site as they periodically run some of the best seminars in the state.
Best Bets for the Weekend
Writing a fishing report anytime of the year can be difficult. When anglers have to work harder for their catch, it sometimes becomes difficult to get them to share the secret to their success. Filling in for Joe this week, I found that to be the case. Not with our regular scouts because they are always willing to share. And cooler, windier conditions have just made it plain hard to forecast future fishing on the short term. The fluking has been good but you have to put in the time. Spots that are very productive seem to be closely held in fear that they will be run over. So I guess what I am saying is that you are going to need to have an open game plan this weekend. The initial weather reports look good and that could bust things wide open. Make a plan but keep it flexible and open to adjustment would be my recommendation. Remember, blackfish reopened today with a one fish limit. Factor that in along with ling which are another good option. The offshore bite looks primed and ready to fire. But the best odds are for a doormat fluke and if what I am hearing and seeing are accurate, they are out there for the taking. Be careful in whatever you do. You only get so many days in the game, spend them wisely. See you on the incoming.