Albies were up on top again today, although a bit on the spooky side. Saturday morning’s boat traffic didn’t help at all but it was great to see anglers out on the water on the hunt! For the most part everyone played nice and allowed for productive close quarters fishing. The opportunities are out there if you get out there.

Dewey Knapp reported, “What a blast these little critters are… already looking forward to the next time!”

Kyle Gronostajski, “Have to love when the ocean is so alive. Bait, blues, albies, dolphin and whales. A few more degrees cooler and the bass should arrive to a giant feast.

Some large bass have moved in! Today the Jen-Jen got into a good bite on the bunker pods off of IBSP, snag and drop in the afternoon. It came alive! They caught one that went 41.6 pounds.

Some big gator blues are chomping!!! Here’s store staffer Dan with a monster he caught today.

1st Annual Merchantville Fishing Club Tournament

Here on LBI, today was the 1st Annual Merchantville Fishing Club Surf Tournament. 30 teams plus about 20 individuals rounded out for about 200 anglers fishing. The winning team taking the $750 cash prize, RH Custom Rods, had 220″ of scoring fish. Equal mix of kingfish and small blues. The $450 Second Place was Ocean City Fishing Club with 180″. The $300 Third Place went to South Jersey Surfcasters with approx 160pts. Most pts individuals was Bill Kephart Jr with 97pts. Most fish female was Lynda Greaves with 60pts. Most points (27.5) and Biggest Fish youth (14.5″ hick shad) went to Lachlan Pirello of Long Beach Island FC. Largest Fish Overall was a 15.25″ blue. Calcutta $480 Largest fish “other than blue” Calcutta was a 15″ kingfish. CHRIS Thatcher of Surf n Land Club. Calcutta $300.