fbpx

Reel Fantasea Fishing Charters – 2018 Season Opener – We hit the ground running !

Although it has been only a couple of months since I’ve been behind the helm of the Reel Fantasea it actually feels like an eternity! With winter [hopefully] winding down the optimism of a new season is always full of excitement and wonder. Today we found the reason for optimism!

Despite windy [30mph+] and cold conditions we managed to get our early season anglers catching and releasing striped bass on a mix of artificial and live baits while employing light spinning tackle. Both morning and afternoon trips saw double digit catch numbers even though air and water temps were low and gale force winds proved challenging with boat positioning. With weather looking a bit more timid [ for now] I am anxious to get back out there to see what more civilized conditions will produce.

Keep in mind that these early season trips are for those cabin fever ridden few that need to get back out on the brine and catch a few fish and enjoy the day. Most of the striped bass are ranging in the 12-18″ with a few smaller and larger but on our light spinning tackle are just what the doctor ordered to cure cabin fever.

I have 2 spots open for this Sunday 10am -2pm , all bait, tackle, rods….. included $120.00pp.

Don’t forget to book your 2018 season trips soon as we are already booking into November!! Please join us Face Book and Instagram and Like us and share us!

Wishing everyone fair winds and calm seas,

Captain Steve Purul

Reel Fantasea Fishing Charters

609-290-1217

 

2018 LBI Spring Surf Fishing Tournament

We are excited to announce Simply Bassing is now the Spring Derby!
For 16 years “Simply Bassing” the LBI Spring Surf Fishing Tournament was a great competitive way for anglers to enjoy surf fishing the beaches of Long Beach Island. With the awesome spring bluefish action lots of anglers asked (many demanded) a bluefish division. Finally it’s added!

Now more than ever, the Long Beach Island Spring Surf Fishing Tournament continues to offer Jersey Shore anglers the State’s best surf fishing tournament. Sticking to its roots, it’s a family fun surf fishing tournament with a simple format. Most importantly it’s a low kill contest that awards only the top fish/anglers by weight. Daily, weekly or segment prizes do not exist. If your fish can not beat the three top leaders, please release your fish to swim another day or responsibly harvest for a delicious dinner.

The LBI Spring Derby will start on April 21st and end on June 24, 2018.
It’s $20 to register for the 9 week striped bass and bluefish surf fishing tournament. Top Three Striped Bass and Top Three Bluefish Win Cash! Based on 100 registered anglers: First Place Bass and First Place Bluefish get $500 each (25% Payout), Second Place Bass and Second Place Bluefish get $300 each (15% Payout), Third Place Bass and Third Place Bluefish get $200 each (10% Payout).

With spring surf fishing right around the corner, it’s time to Save The Dates Now! Registration will begin in the near future (about a week or so). Sign Up Soon and get ready to fish your favorite LBI beach!

For more details… www.LBIFT.com

Reel Reaction Charters – Fishing Report

The season is getting closer, and I’m pretty close to being back in the water.  We will start targeting backwater, light-tackle Striped Bass until the Bluefish arrive in April.  If it’s anything like the last few years, then it should be another EPIC bite on topwaters and poppers.

I saw a bunch of anglers at last week’s Atlantic City Boat show and it was nice to talk fishing. A big thanks to the Recreational Fishing Alliance for booking me to give another Fluke seminar!!  After this weather moves out, I will be finishing the seasonal prep for the Jenny Lynn and splashing in 2 weeks after maintenance from South Harbor. Looking forward to light-tackle Striped Bass!

I have starting booking trips for 2018 season.  If your vacationing on Long Beach Island and have your week, then call (609-290-7709) or book through the reelreactioncharters.com to get the best optimal tidal day.

As always, we use the highest quality gear and is included: gear, tackle, fish-cleaning, and ICE!  It’s “no worries” fishing.  Just come aboard and FISH!!

 

 

LBI Fishing Report – March 6, 2018

We are happy to share our first winter flounder report…

Lots of calls asking, “How’s the winter flounder fishing?” Unfortunately we did not have information to share until now.  Today we got our first…

Dustin Sherman stopped by the shop this afternoon to grab some chum logs. While here he gave us a little info. “I enjoyed the morning fishing the bay. Lots of sun and no wind made for a good session. Best of all some winter flounder are biting!”

Dustin reported catching some flatties fishing the the mid-island bay. He chummed ’em up with a clam log and soak some baits. He mentioned, “The action died at the top of the flood. The morning’s incoming flow was best.”

LBI Surf Fishing News:

Lots of people asking but right now this is all we can share.

The Long Beach Island Spring Surf Fishing Tournament will be from April 21st to June 24, 2018. This year will be the 17th Annual Spring Tournament, but will not be called “Simply Bassin'”. For 2018 it’s The Spring Derby! Similar format but due to popular demand we’ve added the Bluefish Division. Top Three Striped Bass and Top Three Bluefish Win Cash! Registration is still $20.

Stay tuned for more details. The information will be shared once all is finalized.

Time For A New Fishing Reel?

Looking for a great quality reel that is water resistant, has a powerful drag and solid gearing? Take a look at the Tsunami Sheild Fishing Reel Series! They are a great affordable ($99-119.99) saltwater spinning reel with sizes ranging from 3000-8000. Check out our recent post on Instagram (@fishermansheadquarters). The 8000 shown was recently a new size that was released and already a great seller. Holding almost 400yds of 50# braid it is a perfect match on a Tsunami Airwave Elite 10’6″ or 11′ Surfcasting Rod.  Any one who questions the new series… You can rest assured these reels are a great buy. The crew here at Fish Heads fished a couple last summer and this past fall. In the summer we had the drags screaming on fat brown sharks. We also continued as the year progressed catching quality striped bass and big bluefish. We have nothing but great things to say! Best of all these reels are some of the few that have the option to fish bail-less. We have the Tsunami Shield Bailless Conversion Kits here.

Stop by and check ’em out!

 

Dream About Spring ’18 & Reflect On Fall ’17

At this time of the year we all can’t help but dream about the upcoming season and also reflect on the past. The 2017 Fall Run didn’t shine here on the beaches of LBI but the local inshore fishing on the boats was off the charts (in my opinion). I recently posted a couple photos on Instagram.

“A rainy day to remember… November 13, 2017 – Quality Central Jersey striped bass fishing at its best. Fish from 15-45 pounds gorging on bunker and plugs in the pouring rain. For hours on end the action just kept getting better. We almost didn’t push off the dock. So happy we did because there were only a handful of boats in on the action.”
A comment came in and it got me thinking. I had to go back in my log and also review my phone’s photos. For me our fall fishing kicked into high gear  right on time in mid November.  For me the run’s biggest fish were here during the stretch of Nov 12-20th. I would have to say the 12th and 13th were the Fall’s best surface feeds. Seemed like hours on end with classy bass slapping on top… What Dreams Are Made Of!!! Lots of fish over thirty. Numerous over forty, but didn’t find a fifty this past fall. The only other day that I experiences close was the 17th night into the 18th but WOW did it get snotty fast! Anyone who fished the Stafford PBA must recall. It got extreme by 1pm. The next day had brutal westerly winds and to the best of my knowledge only one boat went out. The  The 90′ catamaran, the Miss Barnegat Light, went and struggled all morning. After a long fish-less trip way up the beach and then back down again they found the mother load late in the day. Reports of epic fishing, quality fish and happy anglers. Those who went and stuck out the sporty conditions got the reward.

23rd Annual Berkeley Striper Club Fishing Flea Market

The Berkeley Striper Club’s 23rd Annual Fishermen’s Flea Market is this Sunday, March 4th. Doors open at 9AM.  The location is at the Toms River Intermediate North School which is located at 150 Intermediate North Way, Toms River, NJ 08753. Be sure to stop by and be early. It is always a great show that has some of the best plug builders present. We’ll be there with an assortment of tackle. Stop by and say hi!

Large Storm Brewing

Can’t help but mention a big Nor’Easter is brewing. This morning the bay was a sheet of glass depicting the classic saying, the clam before the storm. The large low pressure system kicks off the month of March with a bang. From the look of things the ocean will be angry for a good stretch of time. Rain (tonight & Friday), LARGE swell (7-10′ on the beaches of LBI Sunday and Monday, 10-15′ once it hits the beaches of Puerto Rico) and some heavy winds (brunt of it will be Friday). Flooding more than likely will be a problem this weekend. Right now Saturday looks to be the worst with the morning’s high tide at 11:24 AM (the Causeway’s tide).
We are currently under a Storm Warning, High Wind Watch and Flood.
What else do you expect for March? Kinda happy this isn’t another blizzard.

Sorry to all of the anglers looking to get bait for opening day of striped bass and winter flounder. Due to the storm we have decided to not bring in live bait. Once things settle down we’ll stock up.