The fluke fishing in the bay continues to provide excellent action. We have been using gulp and various live baits. The colder incoming ocean water has definitely out-fished the outgoing.

Sunday I had Jim and Linda Henderson of High Bar Harbor, NJ out to celebrate Linda’s birthday. The bay fluke were not cooperating and several spots weren’t producing (2 close at 17.5″). We headed to ocean and Linda reeled in our only keeper at 19″. Jim caught a lot of fluke but his highlight was a very large stargazer!

Monday I had Matt Bailey of Coopersburg, PA with his kids Madison and Jay and their friend Damien Szlachta out for fluke. We found 3-5lb. blues at the inlet and played with them for a while. Matt had a 10+lb. that snapped the line at the boat (we saw it at least). Our first ocean location was terrible. We moved to the bay and after a slow start the bite improved. Madison showed the guys how it was done, catching 2 keeper fluke at 18″ and 18.5″. Damien was high hook with 15+ fish and ended with a 19″ fish on our last drift. Everyone kept the bucktails moving and did a great job!

Wednesday I had John Conzelman of Jamison, PA out with his brother Bob and Uncle Bob for fluke. The crew worked the fish, catching close to 50 fish and 4 keepers ( biggest at 20″) making the trip back to the dock. They had 5 fish very close being over 17.5″ and just shy of 18″.

The ocean fluke bite should start soon and with sea bass there are options to do combo trips. Contact us and come out for a great day on the water fishing! 267-918-1746

PRESS RELEASE FROM NJ FISH & GAME
IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NOAA AFFIRMS NEW JERSEY’S CURRENT-SEASON SUMMER FLOUNDER LENGTH AND BAG LIMITS

DIVISION OF FISH AND WILDLIFE LAUNCHES OUTREACH CAMPAIGN TO EDUCATE ANGLERS ON KEEPING FISHERY SUSTAINABLE

(17/P73) TRENTON – The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has affirmed New Jersey’s summer-flounder fishing size, bag limits and season, meaning all rules adopted by the state earlier this year will remain in effect through early September, Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Bob Martin announced today.

The decision, approved by U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross, finds New Jersey in compliance for management of summer flounder. It follows weeks of information-sharing between the DEP and NOAA about the expected impacts on New Jersey’s summer flounder fishery imposed by a regional fisheries commission earlier this year.

“We are very pleased that NOAA worked with us to understand our position that sound science and good long-term planning must drive decisions about the management of summer flounder, one of the state’s most important recreational and commercial fish species,” Commissioner Martin said. “New Jersey is fully committed to employing science and public education to conserve a species that is critical to the fishing culture and economy of the state.”

“I would like to thank Secretary Ross and Assistant Administrator of NOAA Fisheries Chris Oliver and for working with the State of New Jersey to preserve and manage our fisheries through responsible management processes, while recognizing the economic impacts of this industry to the state,” said DEP Deputy Commissioner David Glass.

The decision means that the recreational summer flounder season, that began May 25 and runs through Sept. 5, remains unchanged. The minimum size remains 18 inches for summer flounder for most coastal waters, including the ocean, estuaries and creeks. Anglers in these areas may keep three legally sized fish per day. The size limit for Delaware Bay is 17 inches, with a three-fish per day limit. At Island Beach State Park the size limit for shore fishing is 16 inches, with a daily two-fish limit.
Toward the DEP’s goal of ensuring a sustainable summer flounder fishery, the DEP’s Division of Fish and Wildlife launched a campaign to educate the fishing public on how to reduce discard mortality by safely releasing summer flounder that do not meet minimum size requirements.

“We are asking all anglers to help protect this important species for future generations,” Commissioner Martin said.

Recreational and commercial fishing generates $2.5 billion in economic activity in the state each year. Also known as fluke, summer flounder is popular because of its delicate flavor and abundance along beaches and in bays and other coastal waters.

The “If You Can’t Keep It, Save It!” campaign focuses on the proper handling methods and gear to use to reduce unintentional mortalities that can occur when flounder that do not meet minimum length requirements are returned to the water.

The campaign builds upon the FishSmart campaign promoted by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. New Jersey’s effort features distribution of print and electronic brochures to anglers registered through the state’s Saltwater Registry, charter and party boat operations, bait-and-tackle shops and members of fishing organizations, as well as radio public-service announcements and newspaper advertisements. The Division of Fish and Wildlife is also doing outreach through its website, email lists and social media.

To make the “If You Can’t Keep It, Save It!” campaign even more successful, the Division of Fish and Wildlife, in coordination with the American Sportfishing Association and Eagle Claw

Fishing, will distribute 20,000 free larger-sized hooks that help anglers land bigger fish and reduce the potential for discards.

These hooks will be available soon at bait-and-tackle shops. The Save the Flounder Fishery Fund provided valuable support to this effort. A list of participating shops will be made available on the DEP’s website and the Division of Fish and Wildlife Facebook page.

The Division of Fish and Wildlife encourages anglers to follow these techniques:

• Plan ahead – Expect to release fish and have the necessary equipment to do so, including de-hookers and proper nets; more experienced anglers may also consider using a recompression tool, a device that allows fish to be returned to the water at a safer depth.

• Use appropriate gear – Use gear suited to the size of the fish that you are trying to catch; 5/0 to 7/0 size hooks are recommended to successfully land bigger fish and reduce discards.

• Handle fish carefully – Use knotless, rubberized landing nets and rubberized gloves to avoid removing the protective slime layer on fish and help ensure survival when it is placed back in the water.

“By following these guidelines, anglers will be giving fish a better chance of survival,” said Division of Fish and Wildlife Director Larry Herrighty. “This campaign reminds all generations of anglers that proper handling and quick return to the water will help ensure an ample supply of keepers for generations to come.”

In February, the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC), a regional board comprised of representatives from Maine to Florida, approved a 19-inch size limit for New Jersey. However, Division of Fish and Wildlife data show that few fish in New Jersey reach that size due to the species’ biological needs and distribution patterns. Moreover, the overwhelming majority of fish that would meet that “keeper” size limit would be reproductive females.

New Jersey appealed the ASMFC decision to NOAA, expressing concerns that the larger size limit would result in a significant increase in discard mortalities and would make the population less sustainable by forcing anglers to keep reproductive females.

The Rozzi party was out this morning and got to see first hand the amazing bluefish action we have been experiencing. At first, with little current, it seemed as if there were no fish around. I asked them to be patient knowing that we were going to be at the right place at the right time. Not leaving, it was game on once the current started to flow. The weight of the bluefish was all over the place again going from 2 lbs to 14 lbs. A friend of mine fishing close by weighed a blue he caught on his Boga and it pulled the scale down to 18 lbs. That is a serious world class slammer. Cow-nose rays are starting to show so be prepared!

Screaming drags, Capt. Alex 609-548-2511

Anglers aboard the Reel Fantasea continue to enjoy solid action with a mix of Big Bluefish into the teens, quality fluke aproaching double digit weight and even a few stripers of which have hit the ice over the last week!!

Running trips on the morning and afternoon runs there has been little down time to sit at the computer but with a little random “drive bye” thunderstorm that canceled my evening trip I wanted to take a few minutes to update our report.

Inshore wrecks and reefs have reopened for seabass harvest and add new arriving trigger fish and porgies there is plenty to do a catch and enjoy!!

Presently, I have Friday and Sunday available for open or private charter targeting as many species that tide, time and weather will allow.

Call only to reserve – 609-290-1217

Wishing Everyone fair winds and calm seas,

Captain Steve Purul

Reel Fantasea Fishing Charters

Ryan Szelc and Erika Schoenee enjoyed LBI the right way! Ryan reported, “A day at the beach with the family turned out to be a very successful fishing trip!” Now that the water warmed back up fluke and kingfish are in the surf. As previously reported bass and blues offer fun too. They’re good size ones for this time of year. 

If this last two weeks is any indication of the amazing bluefish bite we have been experiencing it will definitely go down as the summer of the bluefish. In no way am I discounting the real good fluke action when you catch the right tide or the continuation of summer stripers. I was out every day except July 4 and on two of those days out I ran double trips. Most of the time was spent battling bluefish, and I mean battling. Most time we get into them we are getting several fish over 10 pounds. Have had a few in the 13-14 pound range and then some in the 2-3 pound class. There is a certain unknown with every hook-up as to the size or how long the fight will last. Been using mostly spinning gear in the 12-15 pound range for some drag screaming light tackle fun. Still tossing BKDs mostly but at times we have had good action with poppers. On Thursday I had the bite going for both of my trips during the time of 11 AM to 8 PM. The only time the blues stopped biting was when some porpoise swam by. Can you blame them? Most of the forage is still sandeels but I did see some Spanish Sardines getting picked off. The time spent fluking I have had the best success on the ebb. When fluking the outgoing during afternoon southerlies backing down into the wind and current has been a must to maintain the proper drift speed. A little extra work for da Captain, but it is what it takes to keep the rods bent.

On the nature side of things: just like the timing of a precision clock the fall bird migration started this week. Small flocks of shorebirds (mostly short-billed dowitchers and smaller sandpiper species) have been seen flying south down Barnegat Bay. These birds just left their breeding grounds way up north, like the tundra or locales at a little lower latitude. They left their young to fend for themselves as they head south to the southern hemisphere. This is what is great about the marvels of nature. While these birds are flying to the southern hemisphere we now have off our coast pelagic birds like petrels and shearwaters, that are wintering here in the northern hemisphere after leaving their breeding grounds in the southern hemisphere. So we have some species going one way while other species are going in the complete opposite direction. Now I’m even confused  Not all that uncommon in nature. Keep that in mind when I talk about flat fish next week.

Already looking at a busy schedule this week but have plenty of slots open so contact me as soon as you can.

Screaming drags, Capt. Alex 609-548-2511