Saturday 7/14 – I was out for a 6hr ocean fluke charter. We worked several wrecks in 70-80’ of water. Since we were drifting over 1.0kts most of the day, we had to grind it out by making very short drifts. The group managed to pick up 40 fluke, 5 being keepers, as well as 3 nice sea bass for the table. It was a nice day on the water and we were back at dock by time the wind started to blow up.

Fluke fishing in the ocean is picking back up now that the ground swell from the storm is laying down. I only expect the fishing to keep getting better from now on as we get deeper into the season.

To book a charter and get in on the action Call or Text Capt. Mike Villanova (609)-709-7264

Beach Haven Charter Fishing Associations Fishing Report Update

by Jim Hutchinson Sr.

The boats of the Beach Haven Charter Fishing Association have been pretty much concentrating on fluke along with black sea bass on the inshore wrecks and artificial reefs. In addition, one captain made his way offshore for some good results on tuna fish.

The boat “Star Fish” has been fishing daily with good catches of sea bass and fluke. One day rods bent with over 100 fish in less than 4 hours. Keepers are mixed in with lots of short fish. One day Captain George and mate Marlyn fished with a family group of five from Harvey Cedars. The day’s highlight was when Marissa and her father Louis used teamwork for the largest sea bass of the season. They both hooked at the same time and reeled their lines in together.. When the fish was brought up, it had the hooks from both anglers in its mouth. The fish measured 18-inches.

Captain Gary Dugan on the “Irish Jig” reports fluke fishing as being very good lately in the ocean on the local lumps and reefs. In addition to the good catches of fluke and sea bass, his anglers have been enjoying looking at the sea creatures such as sea turtles, dolphins, and sharks,

Captain Brett Taylor of “Reel Reaction” Sportfishing has been averaging over 25 fluke a day on his bay trips with a handful of nice keepers each day. He had return client Ryan Hathcock, his wife Eliana, and friend Archie Glover with his 9-year old son Zavion on a 4-hour trip. Despite wind vs tide conditions, they found some cooperating fish and the crew ending up catching close to 30 Fluke with two nice keepers of 22-inches. Another trip he had Dave Rowan, his daughter Ashley Coleman, and her two boys Dylan and Andrew on a bay trip for fluke. The trip was about putting the boys on fish. They worked quite a few areas, and the foursome boated over 30 fish with 2 nice keepers of 21 and 22 inches.

Captain Bob Gerkens took the “Hot Tuna” on the 90-mile run to the Baltimore Canyon. Weather conditions were excellent as the boat was able to cruise at 25-knots in both directions. The group of anglers had a good day of fishing as four yellowfin tuna were boated. Captain Bob added that he has also been getting some good reports of bluefin tuna.

Additional information on the Beach Haven Charter Fishing Association can be found at www.bhcfa.net

We had a surf fishing report sent in from Tom of Beach Haven Park…

Lots of small fluke in the surf! I picked up eight yesterday (Monday) and six more this morning (Tuesday). They were all between 12-17″ so no keepers. All caught on Gulp! Had to pack it up and leave today when the rays moved in at low tide.

ICAST 2018

Sorry for the late report…

After some last minute planning and an iffy weather forecast we headed out on our buddy boat to spend our 4th of July at the edge. With a very promising big eye report we headed to some new waters and were up on the troll an hour before first light. Within the first hour we had our first fish on the boat. We kept moving trying to find the temperature break that we were looking for. Once we found the right water with only 2 other boats in site, the bite was on and we had 3 double headers of yellowfin up to 80lbs. We never found the big eye bite that we were looking for but we ended the trip going 7/8 on yellowfin. Excellent way to spend the holiday and the weather was perfect.

We are sailing every weekend for fluke and sea bass now. When the weather permits we will also be running offshore to get in on the tuna bite but we need to keep a very close eye on the weather. Fluke fishing is picking up on the wrecks as well as some quality sea bass being caught. Call now to book a date. Capt. Mike Villanova (609)-709-7264

Colby Capri stopped in the shop today and checked in a 25.5″ 7.52 pound fluke. He was fishing Barnegat Bay this morning.

Another Barnegat Bay fluke report came in from Max DeGennaro. He caught a 26″ fluke this afternoon fishing aboard Hi Flier Sportfishing with captain and dad David D.

One customer who was in and out quick shared an awesome schoolie striped bass report. During the two minutes he was here he said, “Small bass are roaming the inlet rocks. Fish the golden hour with soft baits! I had five in less than an hour.” When the wind turned onshore out of the northeast or east the inlet comes alive. Happy to hear this angler was in on it!

The surf was very warm on Sunday. The onshore winds have pushed in some beautiful water. It’s clean (a little bit of grass in Ship Bottom) and loaded with rays.They were cruising in the waves for most of the day. The beach also has fluke during the day and sharks during the low light hours.

Bad new for the bluewater boyz trying to get back out on the tuna grounds… Tropical Depression 3 has become Tropical Storm Chris and looks to intensify for the next few days. The “professionals” are saying it will hang around the Carolinas then move out to the north east. Still lots of uncertainty. Keep your eyes on the forecasts to see how it plays out.

This might be my last fishing report update for 5-7 days; however, I will try to share some breaking news from ICAST 2018. Stay tuned to our social pages all week for the latest info from the show floor. There’s some awesome products that will be released from all the big name brands.

Not sure if there is anything happening at Barnegat Ridge but it’s time to go find out. I passed through there the other day on the way home from an offshore trip and the water was 78 degrees, blue-ish green, and there were slicks and flying fish. We only had 30 minutes to try as my group needed to be back at the dock. We didn’t catch anything in that short try but it sure looked good. Now with a few days of NE we just had, it can only have gotten better. Bonito and albacore are always the target but sometimes we find school bluefin tuna there, as well.

The Jersey Coast Anglers Association’s 24th Annual Fluke Tournament is August 4, 2018. This awesome statewide tournament is actually seven mini-tournaments in one. With tens of thousands in cash & prizes this one of the summer’s best fluke fishing tournaments!

Make sure to enter the Doormat Category (additional $25 fee) to try your luck at winning $50,000… largest fluke in excess of 12 lbs (see rules & regs that apply on JCAA website)

Register Online Now!

Early Entry $130 per boat (up to 6 anglers)

Regular Entry $160 per boat (if postmarked after July 23th, 2018)

For additional info, call the JCAA Office at 732-506-6565

About Jersey Coast Anglers Association

The Jersey Coast Anglers Association is a non-profit organization formed in 1981. The original objective of the JCAA was to combine a loosely fragmented group of marine sportfishing clubs in order to form and promote a united consensus on issues relevant to saltwater anglers in New Jersey. Over the years, the mission of the JCAA has remained unchanged, but now has the added goal of joining forces with organizations having similar objectives in states along the East Coast and national organizations. While the JCAA is relatively young, it has emerged as the most effective organization of its kind on the East Coast. For more information, or for information about becoming a member of the JCAA, please call (732) 506-6565 or visit www.jcaa.org.

Barnegat Bay area has been rewarding Reel Fantasea Fishing Charter anglers since early March and we continue to deliver the best light tackle action found anywhere!

609-290-1217 

I have a rare opening this weekend (Sunday 7/8 – 5am to 9am) and we would target backbay Fluke with decent tide.  I’m willing to run either full charter or open-boat, but need 3 to run for openboat ($130 per person).  All tackle/bait/artificial baits, rods/reels, etc are included.  If interested, give me a ring 609-290-7709 or email:  reelreaction@gmail.com

Capt. Brett Taylor – Reel Reaction Sportfishing LLC. www.reelreactioncharters.com