Destroyer
God
By: Michael C. Shipton
Forecast: Northern New Jersey
Even though we have no empirical data to rely on for fluking yet, there are signs out there. Take for instance, Captain Rich Wilkowski of Jersey Hooker Outfitters. Captain Rich has been on the fish big time the last few weeks. I’ve seen the proof. Blues, stripers and banana cod by the dozens. Captain Rich certainly enjoys and excels at his chosen profession. With the fluke season upon us, the Jersey Hooker will be running a special deal on their boat’s weekday 5-hour bucktail fluking trips. Jersey Hooker has several boats, but they are limited to 6 people per trip so call ahead if you are planning to go out with them and make a reservation. At the top of the state sits Liberty Landing Marina. If you are fishing out of the Hudson, or looking for a place to tie up, it’s the best option up that way, in my opinion. When I talked to Greg this week, he told me that the bunker were in heavy all over the waters around them. And as is usually the case this time of year, the blues are hot and heavy on the bunker. Those who are snagging bunker and can somehow get below the bluefish, have been able to land some really nice bass. The big problem is getting under the toothy blues. Greg also told me that there were some nice cod taken out front by anglers trying to take advantage of the last days of the blackfish season. Something to file away for future use if you are heading out that way and want a change of pace from fluking.
Pride Fishing Tackle shop in Red Bank is ready and waiting for the rush. The rivers have been producing some fine bass and blues with the bass being the definite better bite. According to Max, the Navesink River couldn’t get any hotter unless it was literally on fire. Water temperatures have been running about 7 or 8 degrees warmer than on oceanfront, and the bait has migrated in and doesn’t seem to be in a rush to leave. They are fully stocked with all the baits you will need and anticipate a strong start to the fluke season. If you are in the area, make sure you check them out.
If you are a surf dunker and have intentions of wetting a line anywhere near Sea Bright, then you must stop in Giglio’s on Ocean Ave. Bass are still foraging off the beaches. Use a swimming plug if that’s your forte, and clam or fresh bunker if you have it. Make sure to pack a snag hook with your tackle as the bunker has been thick. Add some wire leader to prevent the ever-present blues from stripping you of both bait and lures.
In Brielle there is one place that I almost always stop in if I am in the area. That would be the Reel Seat run by Dave Arbeitman. If you have any questions about the area, they are there to assist you. Dave is a big gamefish hunter, but this weekend the target is fluke. Water temperatures around Brielle have been consistently in the 50’s but the wind makes it hard to get a read on the bottoms where the fluke reside. This weekend will give a better indication of how that season will shape up. There are, like most of the areas, big schools of bunker both inshore and back bays and rivers. With them are the ever present blues and some nice linesiders below them. Dave also confirmed that there are nice pockets of ling on the deeper reefs out front.
Looking for a head boat? Chasing stripers? Blues? Then head on up to Point Pleasant and book passage on the Gambler with Captain Bob. A Maine custom-built 90-footer, the Gambler is designed to for both speed and comfort to maximize your angling efforts. They are still chasing stripers (with great success) but will start there fluking efforts later in May when the bite heats up out front. If you’re targeting Raritan Bay for your angling, then you must consider Keyport Marine Basin on the Matawan Creek as a home port. With fully stocked bait and tackle shop as well as a ships store and the Up the Creek Grill, you have everything you could ever need for a fun day of fishing. There are plenty of bunker around and the bass and blues are all over the place. Water temps look good for the start of fluke season but the water because of the wind has been a little cloudy. Hopefully, it will settle down in the next few days.
I didn’t forget about you fresh water freaks out there. This is why I checked in with Laurie at Dow’s Boat Rental on Lake Hopatcong. She always has the best on conditions pertaining to non salt angling. The cold snap that hit us last week knocked down the bite a little, according to Laurie. There are still people picking up trout and pickerel, as witnessed by a 4-pounder caught by Dick Pedati on a Rapala lure. Russ Nee picked up an 8-pound rainbow trout using PowerBait. Laurie asked me to remind you folks that Walleye reopened on May 1st with a minimum size of 18 inches and a creel limit of 3 fish.
Jack Montiero, owner of Surfside Bait and Tackle in Long Branch is a wealth of knowledge when it comes to surf fishing in the area and you would be well advised to seek his advice if you plan on fishing that neighborhood. They just opened their new shop on Ocean Boulevard north and have the pace stocked with some great new custom plugs. Jack let me know that the fishing has been great of late for the pluggers off the beach using everything in their bag of tricks from pencils to metal. Bait slingers are doing well with fresh bunker and clam as well as sand worms. Bass up to 25 pounds and blues in the 12- to 15-pound-range are common. Jack also asked me to remind our readers to keep a lookout for their upcoming Grand Opening which he will be running in conjunction with the folks from Commando Surf Bags. They are still working out the details so keep an eye out, I’m sure it will be special, if you get my drift.
The reason I enjoy Harry’s Army and Navy in Robbinsville is that they draw their clients from a wider area than most of the shore centered shops. That gives me a better perspective of the big picture for fishing in New Jersey because they cover such a wide area. When I spoke to Chris this week he informed me his customers were slamming the blues and bass from Long Beach Island up through the top of the state, with the bigger fish coming on the troll using spoons or Mann’s Stretch diving plugs just off the beach. In the back, the bait to use is fresh bunker.
Shore Catch Guide Service Surfcasting Guide Shell Caris found some big stripers in the surf this week.
In Tom’s River, Go Fish Bait and Tackle may be the new guy on the block, but they are certainly not playing second fiddle to anyone in the area. Plenty of bait and tackle to make your day on the water a success. The report seems to be: follow the bunker, find the bass. That’s what Marty and Little Marty Anderson did when they boated four stripers up to 38 pounds by snagging and dragging bunker out front in 60 feet of water. And George also let me know that stripers and blues weren’t the only game in town. Plenty of nice blowfish being taken off the Casino pier on clam and worm. The power plant has been very productive on the river for not only blows but also white perch. Killie Tom took home 25 perch, all in 1.5-pound range. That, my friends, is a good day’s work.
Just steps away from Manasquan Inlet, I can’t think of a better location for a bait and tackle store than Alex’s Inlet B and T. With a view of one of the prime fishing areas in the state, the team there has first hand knowledge of the hot bite at any given point in time. And it’s not unusual for one of the staff to be out there participating in the action. The inlet has been loaded with bunker of late and that means there are big schools of bluefish harassing them. Mix in some stripers and you have the makings of one enjoyable day on the beach.
There is a new crew on board at Charlie’s Bait and Tackle in Normandy Beach and if enthusiasm could catch fish, these guys would be up to their armpits in finned friends. I had a chat with Pete at the shop this week and he informed me that there have been some big blues in the surf, smaller taylors in the back and stripers everywhere. In addition, some small blowfish started showing up, which is a great harbinger for this week’s start of the fluke season. Water temps have been consistently in the mid-50s out front and a little warmer in the back bay and rivers. Pete also told me they are well stocked with every bait from clams to killies, with enough tackle to outfit a navy, so head on over if you need to replenish your supplies.
Reel Life Bait and Tackle, a Point Pleasant institution is another fine example of the tradition that makes the jersey coastline such a pleasure to fish. I am not sure if they ever close! Every time I have stopped there, they were open and busy. Very busy! And if you need something, no matter what, and they don’t have it, you can stop your search. It does not exist. I have yet to be disappointed. When I spoke with Mike this week they were busy making sure the shop was fully supplied for the weeks ahead. Did I mention that Reel Life carries one of the biggest inventories in the state? Anyway, as far as the fishing goes, blues following bunker with some nice stripers being taken by those being able to get beneath them. Mike suggested jigs specifically the Runoff models and reminded me to make sure you guys rig them with wire leaders if you want to use them a second time. He’s a joker, that Mike.
Forecast: Northern New Jersey
Even though we have no empirical data to rely on for fluking yet, there are signs out there. Take for instance, Captain Rich Wilkowski of Jersey Hooker Outfitters. Captain Rich has been on the fish big time the last few weeks. I’ve seen the proof. Blues, stripers and banana cod by the dozens. Captain Rich certainly enjoys and excels at his chosen profession. With the fluke season upon us, the Jersey Hooker will be running a special deal on their boat’s weekday 5-hour bucktail fluking trips. Jersey Hooker has several boats, but they are limited to 6 people per trip so call ahead if you are planning to go out with them and make a reservation. At the top of the state sits Liberty Landing Marina. If you are fishing out of the Hudson, or looking for a place to tie up, it’s the best option up that way, in my opinion. When I talked to Greg this week, he told me that the bunker were in heavy all over the waters around them. And as is usually the case this time of year, the blues are hot and heavy on the bunker. Those who are snagging bunker and can somehow get below the bluefish, have been able to land some really nice bass. The big problem is getting under the toothy blues. Greg also told me that there were some nice cod taken out front by anglers trying to take advantage of the last days of the blackfish season. Something to file away for future use if you are heading out that way and want a change of pace from fluking.
Pride Fishing Tackle shop in Red Bank is ready and waiting for the rush. The rivers have been producing some fine bass and blues with the bass being the definite better bite. According to Max, the Navesink River couldn’t get any hotter unless it was literally on fire. Water temperatures have been running about 7 or 8 degrees warmer than on oceanfront, and the bait has migrated in and doesn’t seem to be in a rush to leave. They are fully stocked with all the baits you will need and anticipate a strong start to the fluke season. If you are in the area, make sure you check them out.
If you are a surf dunker and have intentions of wetting a line anywhere near Sea Bright, then you must stop in Giglio’s on Ocean Ave. Bass are still foraging off the beaches. Use a swimming plug if that’s your forte, and clam or fresh bunker if you have it. Make sure to pack a snag hook with your tackle as the bunker has been thick. Add some wire leader to prevent the ever-present blues from stripping you of both bait and lures.
In Brielle there is one place that I almost always stop in if I am in the area. That would be the Reel Seat run by Dave Arbeitman. If you have any questions about the area, they are there to assist you. Dave is a big gamefish hunter, but this weekend the target is fluke. Water temperatures around Brielle have been consistently in the 50’s but the wind makes it hard to get a read on the bottoms where the fluke reside. This weekend will give a better indication of how that season will shape up. There are, like most of the areas, big schools of bunker both inshore and back bays and rivers. With them are the ever present blues and some nice linesiders below them. Dave also confirmed that there are nice pockets of ling on the deeper reefs out front.
Looking for a head boat? Chasing stripers? Blues? Then head on up to Point Pleasant and book passage on the Gambler with Captain Bob. A Maine custom-built 90-footer, the Gambler is designed to for both speed and comfort to maximize your angling efforts. They are still chasing stripers (with great success) but will start there fluking efforts later in May when the bite heats up out front. If you’re targeting Raritan Bay for your angling, then you must consider Keyport Marine Basin on the Matawan Creek as a home port. With fully stocked bait and tackle shop as well as a ships store and the Up the Creek Grill, you have everything you could ever need for a fun day of fishing. There are plenty of bunker around and the bass and blues are all over the place. Water temps look good for the start of fluke season but the water because of the wind has been a little cloudy. Hopefully, it will settle down in the next few days.
I didn’t forget about you fresh water freaks out there. This is why I checked in with Laurie at Dow’s Boat Rental on Lake Hopatcong. She always has the best on conditions pertaining to non salt angling. The cold snap that hit us last week knocked down the bite a little, according to Laurie. There are still people picking up trout and pickerel, as witnessed by a 4-pounder caught by Dick Pedati on a Rapala lure. Russ Nee picked up an 8-pound rainbow trout using PowerBait. Laurie asked me to remind you folks that Walleye reopened on May 1st with a minimum size of 18 inches and a creel limit of 3 fish.
Jack Montiero, owner of Surfside Bait and Tackle in Long Branch is a wealth of knowledge when it comes to surf fishing in the area and you would be well advised to seek his advice if you plan on fishing that neighborhood. They just opened their new shop on Ocean Boulevard north and have the pace stocked with some great new custom plugs. Jack let me know that the fishing has been great of late for the pluggers off the beach using everything in their bag of tricks from pencils to metal. Bait slingers are doing well with fresh bunker and clam as well as sand worms. Bass up to 25 pounds and blues in the 12- to 15-pound-range are common. Jack also asked me to remind our readers to keep a lookout for their upcoming Grand Opening which he will be running in conjunction with the folks from Commando Surf Bags. They are still working out the details so keep an eye out, I’m sure it will be special, if you get my drift.
The reason I enjoy Harry’s Army and Navy in Robbinsville is that they draw their clients from a wider area than most of the shore centered shops. That gives me a better perspective of the big picture for fishing in New Jersey because they cover such a wide area. When I spoke to Chris this week he informed me his customers were slamming the blues and bass from Long Beach Island up through the top of the state, with the bigger fish coming on the troll using spoons or Mann’s Stretch diving plugs just off the beach. In the back, the bait to use is fresh bunker.
Shore Catch Guide Service Surfcasting Guide Shell Caris found some big stripers in the surf this week.
In Tom’s River, Go Fish Bait and Tackle may be the new guy on the block, but they are certainly not playing second fiddle to anyone in the area. Plenty of bait and tackle to make your day on the water a success. The report seems to be: follow the bunker, find the bass. That’s what Marty and Little Marty Anderson did when they boated four stripers up to 38 pounds by snagging and dragging bunker out front in 60 feet of water. And George also let me know that stripers and blues weren’t the only game in town. Plenty of nice blowfish being taken off the Casino pier on clam and worm. The power plant has been very productive on the river for not only blows but also white perch. Killie Tom took home 25 perch, all in 1.5-pound range. That, my friends, is a good day’s work.
Just steps away from Manasquan Inlet, I can’t think of a better location for a bait and tackle store than Alex’s Inlet B and T. With a view of one of the prime fishing areas in the state, the team there has first hand knowledge of the hot bite at any given point in time. And it’s not unusual for one of the staff to be out there participating in the action. The inlet has been loaded with bunker of late and that means there are big schools of bluefish harassing them. Mix in some stripers and you have the makings of one enjoyable day on the beach.
There is a new crew on board at Charlie’s Bait and Tackle in Normandy Beach and if enthusiasm could catch fish, these guys would be up to their armpits in finned friends. I had a chat with Pete at the shop this week and he informed me that there have been some big blues in the surf, smaller taylors in the back and stripers everywhere. In addition, some small blowfish started showing up, which is a great harbinger for this week’s start of the fluke season. Water temps have been consistently in the mid-50s out front and a little warmer in the back bay and rivers. Pete also told me they are well stocked with every bait from clams to killies, with enough tackle to outfit a navy, so head on over if you need to replenish your supplies.
Reel Life Bait and Tackle, a Point Pleasant institution is another fine example of the tradition that makes the jersey coastline such a pleasure to fish. I am not sure if they ever close! Every time I have stopped there, they were open and busy. Very busy! And if you need something, no matter what, and they don’t have it, you can stop your search. It does not exist. I have yet to be disappointed. When I spoke with Mike this week they were busy making sure the shop was fully supplied for the weeks ahead. Did I mention that Reel Life carries one of the biggest inventories in the state? Anyway, as far as the fishing goes, blues following bunker with some nice stripers being taken by those being able to get beneath them. Mike suggested jigs specifically the Runoff models and reminded me to make sure you guys rig them with wire leaders if you want to use them a second time. He’s a joker, that Mike.