As we head deeper into summer – it’s the Fourth of July already – things were bound to change.
On the plus side, the fluke bite, which has been mostly in Raritan Bay and the warmer river waters, has finally spread into the ocean. The action isn’t red hot, but it’s certainly warmer.
The downside is that the spectacular striper fishing that produced loads of big fish up to 50 pounds lost steam. The bunker continue to hang around, but the bass aren’t always biting. By this time of year, a falloff in the striper bite had to be expected.
Capt. Pete Sykes on Parker Pete’s Fishing Charters out of Belmar reported the bass fishing was the best it’s been all season just last week, but it turned off this past Saturday. He wasn’t sure if it was the lousy weather or that the big fish moved on, but, whatever the reason, they weren’t biting.
Phil Sciortino Sr. at the Tackle Box in Hazlet said that smaller bass are still being caught by guys fishing bunker chunks at night at Sandy Hook close to the Sandy Hook Channel.
Phil Sciortino Sr. at the Tackle Box in Hazlet said that smaller bass are still being caught by guys fishing bunker chunks at night at Sandy Hook close to the Sandy Hook Channel.
The fluke bite, he said, remains very good in the Raritan Reach, where anglers have been catching some big fish for the last couple of weeks. The big problem fishing there comes from the ship traffic. The comings and goings of the big boats disrupts the bite and makes drifting difficult.
Sciortino added that the bay still offers bluefish, but they’re running in the 2- to 4-pound range instead of the big choppers that infested the area a few weeks ago.
Sciortino added that the bay still offers bluefish, but they’re running in the 2- to 4-pound range instead of the big choppers that infested the area a few weeks ago.
Capt. John Connell on the Captain John out of Keyport called the fluking in Raritan Bay very good of late with plenty of limits and some very sizable fish. The boat’s biggest fluke of the year is a 15-pound, 3-ounce monster caught by Gary Thompson last Saturday. The doormat had an 11-inch porgy in its stomach.
Capt. George Bachert on the Angler out of Atlantic Highlands said the good fluking has been steady with the only dip in the action coming earlier this week. Monday’s trip, he reported, was not as good as it has been, but his fares still managed to put 50 keepers in the boat.
Bait was working best, but some bucktailers did manage three or four keepers.
Bait was working best, but some bucktailers did manage three or four keepers.
As a whole, the Atlantic Highlands fleet is reporting good fluking with most folks going home with at least one keeper for the table. Double doormats was the news from the Elaine B II out of Highlands. On Sunday, the father-daughter team of Dennis and Danielle O’Brien from South Bound Brook each landed a huge fluke. Dennis’ fish of 10 pounds, 5 ounces was easily surpassed by Danielle’s giant of 13 pounds, 2 ounces. There were also a couple of 7 pounders caught that day as well as some limit catches.
Capt. Stan Zagleski said another fish in excess of 10 pounds came aboard just the day before.
Boats fishing off Gunninson or “the nude” beach at Sandy Hook are finding keeper fluke, reported Joe at Julian’s Bait and Tackle. That’s a good sign the ocean bite is coming along.
Joe also said the fluke are in the flats off Leonardo. Dylan DeAngelo landed a 10 pounder there on Sunday while another boat nearby pulled in a 27-inch fluke.
Mel Martens from Giglio’s Bait and Tackle in Sea Bright reported that bass and blues are still biting in the Navesink and Shrewsbury rivers. The blues lean toward the small side, he said. The persistent south wind cooled the water and made the beach fishing go quiet.
The exception was the four stripers Mike T. from Sea Bright caught on a Polaris Popper from the beach at Sandy Hook. The biggest fish was a bit over 37 pounds. Martens also reported that the blue claws are out in the Shrewsbury.
They’re really out in the Navesink River. Mike at the Oceanic Marina in Rumson said a lot of crabbers are coming back with at least a couple of dozen and the catches are improving daily. Keeper fluke are also on the menu near the Oceanic Bridge and out where the Shrewsbury and Navesink rives meet.
Bob Matthews at Fisherman’s Den in Belmar, where they were weighing-in trophy bass one after the other, said fluke fishing is now the best game in town. He said one of his rental boat customers pulled a 7-pound fluke out of the Shark River.
Bob Matthews at Fisherman’s Den in Belmar, where they were weighing-in trophy bass one after the other, said fluke fishing is now the best game in town. He said one of his rental boat customers pulled a 7-pound fluke out of the Shark River.
Matthews said the party boats out of Belmar are finding ocean fluking on the upswing with fish up to 10 pounds.
Capt. Sykes said that he’s been concentrating on fluke as well now that the bass have calmed down. He’s also finding blues on his trips and will be fishing for both on his afternoon family cruises.
Come Friday, sea bass will be back in the mix and Capt. Steve Spinelli on the Skylarker out of Belmar will be putting them on his hit list. It’s a two-fish limit. He’s been catching ling and cod at the Mud Hole, along with some winter flounder.
The fish are moving around now, he said, and there’s a choice of species to catch. On Wednesday, he was out chasing blues and finding them in Raritan Bay. He’s also finding time to go fluking, catching fish up to 8 pounds.
The fish are moving around now, he said, and there’s a choice of species to catch. On Wednesday, he was out chasing blues and finding them in Raritan Bay. He’s also finding time to go fluking, catching fish up to 8 pounds.
The bluefish remain the main target for the Golden Eagle out of Belmar. Capt. Rich Falcone reported good bluefishing almost every day with fish from 3 to 10 pounds. Some outings catch all small fish, others the bigger versions and some days it’s a mix.
Jeff at Harry’s Adventure Outfitters in Robbinsville said the focus is on fluke with his customers reporting good fishing from the Ambrose Channel to the reefs outside of the Shark River Inlet and the Manasquan Inlet. He also reported loads of sharks in the area.
Speaking of which, The BNR Fishing Team took first place at last weekend’s Mako Fever, sponsored by the Jersey Coast Shark Anglers, with a 266-pound mako.
Speaking of which, The BNR Fishing Team took first place at last weekend’s Mako Fever, sponsored by the Jersey Coast Shark Anglers, with a 266-pound mako.
Better fluking is the word from John at the Reel Seat in Brielle. The ocean bite out of the Manasquan Inlet is heating up nicely. John said he hopped aboard the Gambler out of Point Pleasant Beach on Monday and found plenty of action south of the inlet on bucktails.
One angler, he reported, watched his keeper fluke stolen by a 50-pound mako shark as it came to the boat. John said there were a lot of the toothy creatures around that day.
One angler, he reported, watched his keeper fluke stolen by a 50-pound mako shark as it came to the boat. John said there were a lot of the toothy creatures around that day.
Offshore, the Reel Seat received reports of bluefin tuna at the Rezor Wreck and yellowfin at the Texas Tower.
Greg Bogan at Brielle Bait and Tackle reported it was a much better week of fishing. The Axel Carlson Reef started yielding fluke on a more consistent basis with fish in the 3- to 4-pound range. Closer to home, Fred Truax pulled a 10-pound fluke out of the Manasquan River. There also small blues and bass in the river hitting small plugs and metal
Greg Bogan at Brielle Bait and Tackle reported it was a much better week of fishing. The Axel Carlson Reef started yielding fluke on a more consistent basis with fish in the 3- to 4-pound range. Closer to home, Fred Truax pulled a 10-pound fluke out of the Manasquan River. There also small blues and bass in the river hitting small plugs and metal
Bogan also said the Point Pleasant Canal is full of bluefish and they’re being caught at both ends.
Offshore, the Paramount out of Bogan’s Basin has been catching ling, hake and winter flounder at the Mud Hole in water over 200 feet.
Offshore, the Paramount out of Bogan’s Basin has been catching ling, hake and winter flounder at the Mud Hole in water over 200 feet.
Fishing Forecast for Northern New Jersey
It’s the Fourth so go have some fun. Fluking looks to be the surest bet with plenty of fish in the rivers, bays and ocean. Bait and bucktails both seem to be catching fish and if you don’t have a boat, or better yet, access to a buddy’s boat, try the beach.
Bluefish remain in the Raritan Bay, local rivers and along the beach. Metal and plugs will both catch fish.
It’s the Fourth so go have some fun. Fluking looks to be the surest bet with plenty of fish in the rivers, bays and ocean. Bait and bucktails both seem to be catching fish and if you don’t have a boat, or better yet, access to a buddy’s boat, try the beach.
Bluefish remain in the Raritan Bay, local rivers and along the beach. Metal and plugs will both catch fish.