Here in the final stretch of June the fishing opportunities on and around Long Beach Island are plentiful. Bluefish are snapping and the fluke fishing is rocking. Also offshore tuna are on the chew. Here’s the Fishing Report Update for Sunday June 28, 2020

Two key trends to take note of right now for near shore anglers. The ocean water temperatures have been somewhat stable for the past 3-4 days, hovering in the low 70’s. There’s an abundance of small slender baits. Spearing, bay anchovies and sand eels are the primary forage for the local striped bass and bluefish. Hatch The Hatch!

LBI Bay Waters Fishing Report

In the bay summer flounder (fluke) is the main target. They can be found in the back bay (mid-Island) and in the areas closer to the inlet. Anglers are doing good fishing Gulp as well as live and natural baits. At times certain areas have grass/weed/snot which makes things difficult. In these situations pay attention. Drifting and dreaming with balls of grass isn’t productive. Simply just a waste of time. Keep your rigs clean and you’ll find fish.

Vinnie Pena got out early before the boat traffic and worked the structure and edges. He reported, “Did a few quick drifts and put a 25″ and an 18″ fluke in the box. Back home by 9.”

Store staffer Grey Colston was out on the bay this morning fishing some channels and reported catching a bunch of fluke but only one keeper.

With all the pressure anglers fishing live bait seem to be outproducing with classy fish. Most all of the fluke we have heard of over five pounds were caught on live bait.

In the bay, blowfish as well as other smaller “pan fish” critters are beginning to arrive. A couple kingfish and spot were recently reported by anglers fishing Fish Bites for blowfish. There’s also a few weakfish present.

James Walker had a good day today with blowfish in Barnegat Bay. He reported, “70 blowfish and 17 kingfish using squid in 6′ of water.”

LBI Surf Fishing Report

Fluke and kingfish are the two most abundant species on the beach of LBI. Both are great fun to catch and even better table fare. Get out on the beach and catch a fresh fish dinner!

Ryan Sherwood has been on the beach finding fish… he always does! Here’s his Sunday morning trip report, “Quick beach limit plus released another keepers this morning before the rain. The mid-Island surf has been good to me. I had one keeper yesterday and four today. I’m using a hi/lo rig and baiting up with white Gulp. Today was the best day I had on the beach so far.” Ryan said the bunker pods are still stacked up right off the beach, “They are thick but just out of casting range.” There’s striped bass, bluefish and sharks on them as well as the occasional show off dolphins and whales.

Kingfish on the surf chewing bloodworms and bloodworm alternatives. Rig up with a hi/lo small hook (size #2-#4) rig and bait up with Fish Bites, DynaBait or Live Bloods.

The sharks and rays have around so keep an eye on your rods. They can be pulled down, out and into the water in a split second. Our suggestion is to get a Quality Sand Spike to better protect your investment.

Offshore/Mid-Shore Big Game Fishing

The Jersey Shore big game fishing season is in full swing! At times the tuna fishing has been lights out. Offshore reports at the Lindy-Carteret have been good. The midshore bluefin action at the Triple Wrecks (a bit east) has been red hot for days/weeks. The sharking is kicking into gear.

Dan Rosetto was out on the Let ‘Em Run this weekend and reported great trip. “We went big eye hunting and had another epic trip. Going 3/4 on big eyes and four yellowfin. What a day with an amazing crew. We found them in the fog and mid day kept pounding them until they cam back up.”

Some Great “Sunset Tides / & Open available Dates are setting up nicely for this upcoming week.
Contact Me if you want to get out and have fun fishing the beaches of LBI ~ Long Beach Island NJ for some really nice Fluke/Summer Flounder off the beach. #LBI ~ Visit >Fishermen’s Headquarters ~ Ship Bottom NJ CALL Me @ 609-276-6983 Nightstrikes Surfcasting Guide Service LLC/ Steve George

We hope everyone had a great Father’s Day last weekend! We finished up our spring sea bass season last weekend and are now switching gears to primarily be targeting fluke.

Saturday 6/20, we had a last minute cancellation so we were able to get return client Sammy, back from last week, along with new clients Hazem and Moh, out for our last sea bass trip of the spring season. We had to jump around to a bunch of spots and weave through a ton of small fish, but were able to put a solid catch together. The guys fished hard and ended the trip just 2 fish short of their limit. Also, if you’ve never tried homemade Egyptians cookies, they are a must try!

Sunday was reserved for my father since I owe everything to him. For the first time ever, he opted out of fishing and we took the boat for both a lunch and dinner cruise to local restaurants instead.

With the spring sea bass season closed, we will primarily be targeting fluke. Right now fluking has been good in the bay. Once the ocean water temps warm up in July and sea bass opens back up to 2 per person, we will also be doing combo fluke/sea bass trips.

Dates are booking quick but we still have a few available throughout July and August, so BOOK NOW before it’s too late! We also have some weekday afternoons available to get out, fish, and relax after work. If you are interested in getting out please contact us to book your trip. Call or text Captain Mike to get out on the water or send us a message through our website! (609)-709-7264

www.nolimitssportfishingllc.com/

Here coming off the late June new moon, the LBI waters are full of opportunity for anglers. Everything from fun fishing with toes in the sand to inshore light tackle fishing and even offshore big game fishing mid-shore and offshore. It’s a great time to be fishing Long Beach Island!

Here’s the LBI Fishing Repoirt Update for June 22, 2020

LBI Surf Fishing Report

Blues – Fluke – Kingfish – Striped Bass

Off the surf bluefish rule the roost. The reports flooding into the shop all have a similar theme. Bunker and mullet are producing bluefish from small size, through cocktails (1-4 pounds) and occasionally medium sized ones. These blues are a ton of fun on light tackle!

Kingfish and fluke are also present in good number. For kingfish you’ll want to rig up with small hooks and bait up with live bloodworms. A convenient and effective alternative is Fish Bites Bag O Worms. For fluke you can’t go wrong with a bucktail and Gulp!

There’s still striped bass cruising the LBI surf too. This one was reported on Sunday by Ryan Blemings, “I got this 24″ striped bass off of the LBI surf with Fish Heads fresh bunker.”

Barnegat Bay Fluke Fishing

Now’s a great time to target summer flounder in the Barnegat Bay and the thoroughfares. Today we got a nice photo from Rich Labor. He got a 6-lb 10-oz fluke today in the bay. Rich reported, “My buddy Sam and I caught 25 fluke with three keepers. Last fish of the day on the bucktail tipped with Gulp!“

Inshore Fishing

Black Sea Bass fishing was the name of the game at the inshore structure as well as deeper waters. It was very god fishing for the past number of weeks. However today June 22 was the last day of the “Spring” Sea Bass Season. It is now closed until July 1st when it opens, 2 fish at 12.5″.

We expect the inshore/near shore fluke fishing to kick into high gear soon. It’s still slow with the cooler ocean water temperatures (61 degrees today). So far this season some fluke have been caught in the ocean but most all of the action is in the shallow water along the surf and in the bay.

Some big thresher sharks along the beaches and inshore waters. These whip tails are nothing new as these guys have made their precent know for a number of weeks now. They are active on the bunker pods just about daily.

Midshore/Offshore Fishing

The big game blue water fishing offshore has been on a solid run as of late! Thanks to Lake Atlantic like conditions, the mid-shore grounds 30-50 miles are producing for small boat anglers. Even areas as close in as the Barnegat Ridge and the AC Reef have had bluefin tuna. The primary areas such as the AP, Glory Hole, Chicken Canyon, Triple Wrecks, Resor as well as areas further south like the E. Cole and Lemkies all had fish in recent days. Some better than others. Gotta find the bait and the life!

Further offshore at the edge anglers are filling boxes with yellowfin and bigeye tuna. Closer to home the Spencer and Wilmy are holding a lot of fish and life! Reports from the Poorman’s was great with tons of Bigeyes and good size yellowfin. We got one report of some blue marlin, “Had 10 yellowfin hooked up and a 500lb blue ate 6 of them off!”

Mark Haley reported going 12 for 13 on bluefin.

Mike Schermerhorn reported, “First time on the tuna grounds! Thank you to Capt Jef Warford for all of the help and support!”

Sunday report from Jacob Bowles, “Absolutely lights out fishing today out east! Doubles and triple headers all morning long. Finished the day going 15/17 heading home with sore arms.”

The tuna fishing is the only thing going down out in the deep… “Just because the gyms are still closed doesn’t mean you cant curl 40’s and 50’s. Here Rob Pompilio with a pair of big golden tilefish.”

Report from Paul Haertel “Left at the crack of non and plowed through confused sea for 2.5 hours before arriving to the fishing groups. The seas eventually calmed down and we had another great mixed bag including two bluefin tuna, a false albacore, a cod, two blues, and a bunch of ling and sea bass.”

Fish Head Charters

It’s been a crazy year so far to say the least… super busy with great fishing! All spring was solid and now summer is off to a great start. Sorry I haven’t had the time to detail out specific charter trip reports. It surly wasn’t or the lack of catching.

Return client Levi Bonnice shared a report after our trip today. He’s on a 40 For 40 quest this year. Forty different species for his fortieth birthday year.

“What an awesome day on the water! Added two more species to the list and had some repeats. But not before catching my first ever saltwater fish on tje fly. Best part was watching a youngster get his first saltwater fish from the boat. Thanks Fish Heads!” Striped Bass, Bluefish and Fluke. We were just missing weakfish for the grand slam!

Save The Dates: June 26th & 27th, 2020

The 5th Annual South Jersey Fluke A Mania Fluke Fishing Tournament is this weekend! This family fun fluke fishing tournament hosted by the Beach Haven Marlin & Tuna Club raises money for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

Cash Prizes for Each Category – Men’s, Women’s, Intermediate & Children’s Categories.

$125 Boat Entry Fee – 6 Anglers Per Boat.

Registerer at www.FlukeAMania.com

June 26th – Registration, June 27th – Fishing Day & Weigh In

Flukeamania Final Results

56 Boats 226 Anglers

Directors: Matt Garabedian, Brendan Graham, Weigh ins: Bob Percopo

Juniors (Under 11): 1 – Riley Lynn – Riley Lynn – 4.82 ($100)2 – James Biddle – Anthracite – 2.66 ($50)3 – Matt Kopenhaver- Yahoo Fishing – 2.20 ($25)

Teens (11-19): 1 – Connor Johnson – Shore Thing – 3.54 ($200)2 – Owen Fizulich – Sales Calls – 2.68 ($100)3 – Walker Ryon- Anthracite – 2.52 ($50)

Women: 1 – Denise Hart – Nana Got a Fat Bass- 6.06 ($500)2 – Heidi Larson – Torment – 5.94 ($250)3 – Kare Matrisciano – Magic Man – 2.62 ($125)

Men: 1 – Rich Aster – QT – 5.78 ($500)2 – Sean Carey – Francesca Marie – 5.58 ($250)3 – Joe Casaletto- Francesca Marie – 5.30 ($125)

CALCUTTAS

Total Calcuttas – $6240 (10% – $624 to Cystic Fibrosis Foundation)

Heaviest Bluefish:L 1 – Boobie Bouncer – 3.84 ($864)

Heaviest Fluke: 1 – Nana Got a Fat Bass – 6.06 ($1026) 2 – Torment – 5.94 ($615) 3 – QT- 5.78 ($410)

STRINGER (Heaviest 3 Fluke): 1 – Francesca Marie – 15.92 ($2700)

Big congratulations to Capt Fran Verdi and the Crew of the Francesca Marie who fished hard in the ocean and walked away with a cool $3075!
Also congrats to Denise Hart and Heidi Larson who caught the TWO HEAVIEST FLUKE of the tournament!

THANKYOU to all the Participants and volunteers that made this an outstanding event to support the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

Even though we had many restrictions due to the pandemic, the fishing community came out in force! We are very appreciative of everyone’s efforts to fish this tournament during these difficult times.

Can’t wait till next year! We are planning to have the biggest and best Fluke-A-Mania yet! HOPE TO SEE YOU ALL NEXT YEAR!

It’s Prime Time to hook up with keeper size fluke (aka summer flounder) fishing the beaches of LBI. There’s an abundance of fish along the beaches and some days we are limiting out. Now’s the time to get your toes in the sand and catch this great summer time species.

*Open Surf Fluke Trip Dates Are Available Now Thru July 4th Weekend.*

Contact me for the best dates/tides. Call Steve George at 609-276-6983

Nightstrikes Surfcasting Guide Service LLC

Today Thursday June 18th is National Go Fishing Day! It’s officially in the calendar but in our bok everyday is Go Fishing Day!!! Let’s grab a rod, hit the water and enjoy! Be sure to take some photos and send them our way!

Here’s the Fishermans Headquarters Fishing Report Update for Thursday June 18, 2020

Surf Fishing Report

Recent reports from the surf are themes around blues, fluke and kingfish. But some black drum and striped bass are around. As expected, the latter, are beginning to fade as expected at this time o the season. If looking to get after a linesider or two… don’t delay.

Our mullet man Jimmy shared a positive surf fishing report today, “Blues on bunker and black drum on clam.” It’s was great to hear about good size drum from the surf.

Still some striped bass roaming the suds. Today Trevor Jones was enjoying the beach fishing with the family today. He caught a nice keeper slot size striped bass.

Here’s a quick look at the Long Beach Island surf this morning before it cleared up and turned into a beautiful day.

Fluke Fishing

The fluke fishing around Long Beach Island is good. Reports from the surf, inlet and bay are all promising.

From the surf Steve at Night Strikes Surf casting Guide Service reported fluke fishing continues. He was out enjoying the afternoon today fishing the surf right into sunset.

Sam Forlenza stopped in the shop and picked up some bucktails. He reported back today he caught this 26″ fluke on one fishing Barnegat Bay this morning.

Grey Colston fished Barnegat Bay this afternoon and reported both fluke and blues fishing bucktails with live minnows. Another bay fluke report came from shop Ambassador Swagmattic. He reported a great afternoon in the kayak, “Lots of fluke but only one fish close to keeper size.”

The newest Fish Heads Team Member Jared Grady made the trek up and out east earlier this week. Here’s his report rom his trip. “Non-stop action aboard the Miss Montauk. Landed well over 30 fish, two came in over 5 pounds and this beauty that measured just under 29”. Bounced around between 8.6-9 pounds. My new Shogun rod paired with my 3k Shimano Stradic loaded with 15lb Cortland Master Braid handled this beast with ease. Had another dozen fish that just missed the mark between 18-19” that would have made the cut back home. This fish took a 3oz Salmon Magictail Squid Hoochie which was the key. It outproduced all other baits/rigs by a lot! It was awesome seeing all the heads turned and questioning as I pulled in fish after fish on light tackle. Everyone else was using 12oz of lead dragging bottom. If you haven’t fluke fished Montauk I highly recommend it. Almost makes me not want to fish Jersey anymore!”

Sea Bass Fishing

Sea Bass fishing continues on 10 fish at 12.5″ until June 22nd. At that time it will close until July 1st when it opens at 2 Fish 12.5″.

Jeremy Muermann went out to the sea bass grounds and found some nice fish. He caught his new personal best sea bass as well as some ling, winter flounder, cod and tog.

Tuna Fishing

Recent reports have been few and far between due to the recent weather conditions. The three day blow kept most boats tied up at the dock. Finally things have settled down and the weather looks to serve a couple days of fair seas and conditions. So far this early part of the season has been full of solid reports. Loads of bluefin tuna reports with lots of false albacore (some big ones) in the mix too.

Seems like it picked up right where things left of last year. Anglers on the troll are catching pulling natural baits (BALLYHOO!) as well as bars to create a commotion. Both the Chatter Side Tracker Bars and Chatter Floating Squid Splash Bars continue to be studs. Also on the jigging front, theres piles of sand eels on the mid-shore grounds. The same smoker is still hot… The Nomad Streaker Jigs are a best in breed slender sand eel jig that bluefin tuna can not resist.

The only report we heard today was from shop regular Joe Franckowiak. He did a quick trip after the weather cleared up today. He reported seven false albcore in the two hours session. He’s heading back out in the morning.

Captain Cody from Jersey Nuts Sportfishing stopped in the shop today to pick up some premium Baitmaster Ballyhoo. We are stocked up but there’s no telling how long these baits will be in stock for. If you need baits… NOW IS THE TIME TO GET THEM!!!

While at the shop Captain Cody gave us heads up that the Jersey Nuts has been on the fish offshore, “Fishing started out good this season. The last trip we battled the weather but got out and got the job done quick. We caught eight solid big eye tuna and five yellowfin. The coolers and boxes were packed early so the meat wagon headed in.” Any one looking to get out to the offshore tuna grounds should give Captain Cody at Jersey Nuts Sportfishing a text message at 609-354-2734

Summer is almost in full swing and we are fishing!

When the ocean allows (not often lately), we are targeting sea bass with drop and reel action. Bay fluke fishing has been very good so far this year. We are finding fish as shallow as 2 feet of water. All fluke trips have brought back multiple keepers with consistent action. We had 5 nice keepers on Saturday and 3 keeps on Sunday, including a 28″ and 25″! We found a couple locations out of the wind, and worked our bucktails and Gulp!. Quality fish in the back bay!

We have weekday dates in the upcoming weeks available. We will work the bay for fluke and come July 1st, back to sea bass/fluke combo trips. All tackle, bait, rods, and ice is provided.

Like us on Facebook and come out and catch with us.

~ Captain Kevin Schmidt
www.oldbarneycharters.com
Call: 267-918-1746

Lots of action this weekend!

We ran a double on Saturday. Saturday 6/13 AM we had new clients Patrick and his wife Jen, along with their sons Patrick, Nathan, and Ben from King of Prussia, PA out for a 4hr bay fluke trip. The conditions were tough as the weatherman botched the whole forecast for the day. The crew fished hard with the tough conditions and caught close to 20 fluke with 2 keepers 19” and 21”. Nathan and Ben were new captains in training and ran the boat back to the dock for us. Great job today guys and we look forward to fishing with you in the future!

Saturday 6/13 PM we had new clients Sammy, Ash, Hesh, and Mac all originally from Egypt but now living in Lansdale, PA out for a 5hr sea bass trip. The weatherman was still wrong and the ocean never got nicer in the afternoon. It was a tough bite with very tough conditions but the guys fished hard and filled a cooler full of sea bass just a few shy of their limit! It was Mac’s first time in the ocean and with poor conditions he did great contributing to the cooler!

Sunday 6/14 The fluke were chewing today! We had Brit and Fred out with their father big Fred for a 5hr fluke trip as an early Father’s Day present. Once again the weather forecast was wrong and the wind was turned on as soon as we left the dock. We worked some areas somewhat protected by the wind and caught 50 fluke! We had to weed through a ton of shorts to find 2 keepers at 18.5” and 21” but it was non stop action the entire trip. Happy Father’s Day Fred!

We still have some dates available in July, but August is filling fast so BOOK NOW before it’s too late! We also have some weekday afternoons available to get out, fish, and relax after work. If you are interested in getting out please contact us to book your trip. Call or text Captain Mike to get out on the water or send us a message through our website! (609)-709-7264

www.nolimitssportfishingllc.com/