It sure has been a hot week, both temperature and fishing. I was on the water almost every day and here is what I have to say. Bay fluking on the right tide is brisk. By brisk I mean, like 10 -15 fish an hr. Albeit mostly shorts, but lots of fun and a few invited to dinner. The bay temperature is solid 80s and the ocean in the low to mid-70s. Baby ospreys are getting bigger and bigger and soon will take their first flights. After that, they will have to learn how to fish. Hopefully, there will be enough forage for them. Schools of adult bunkers around Barnegat Inlet have been hard to come by this summer thanks to the spotter planes and highly efficient purse seiners. If you have some time to read and want to know more about bunker I suggest you read; The Most Important Fish in the Sea, by H. Bruce Franklin. Speaker of the bunker, I have been seeing lots of schools of about 2” peanut bunker in the back lagoons and channels. These recently hatched fish will grow to be maybe 4-7” by summers end. They are filter feeders, and there is plenty of food for them in Barnegat Bay thanks to algae growth. Algae growth enriched by runoff of lawn fertilizers inland at places like Jackson and Manchester Twp. OK back to fishing, seems like I get sidetracked a lot. ADHD maybe? You see it happened again, back to fishing! The bluefish bite around Barnegat Inlet slowed somewhat earlier in the week but got back going by Wednesday. On my last trip, which was Friday, the Rich Ziegler saw first-hand my amazing ability to gears, or should I say species, and go from fluking to targeting a Barnegat Bay Slam (fluke, bluefish, and striper). Switching over from fluke, we went on the hunt for stripers and blues. The hunt was successful and after it was over I am not sure if two or three of the guys in the party got a Slam. Nonetheless, all three species caught and caught in multiple numbers. Some of the best light tackle action Barnegat Bay has to offer.

Now offering 2hr Kayak eco-tours to Clam Island, 25th St Barnegat Light. $40 per person which includes the kayak. After learning about all of the incredible things you see along with some history, you may walk away thinking how you can become a steward of Barnegat Bay yourself.

Screaming drags, Capt. Alex 609-548-2511

Author: Lighthouse-Sportfishing

Fishing Barnegat Bay for close to 40 years, Capt. Alex runs Barnegat Bay's premier light tackle and fly fishing service with his custom 203 Dusky Center Console (Debbie M). He knows the back bay, inlet or inshore like no other. 609-548-2511 View all posts by Lighthouse-Sportfishing