A Long Beach Island native with life long experience fishing and navigating the local waters, Greg is a distinguished Master Captain (the highest qualified operator license), holding a US Coast Guard Masters 50T Near Coastal License with Towing Endorsement. Raised in and now managing his family's bait and tackle business, Fishermans Headquarters (Since 1962, The Saltwater Fishing Bait & Tackle Experts) Greg is daily immersed in fishing. He is the Chief Contributor of FishingLBI.com (Long Beach Island's best fishing report blog) as well as the Admin for the shop's social media pages (on Instagram and Facebook). Be sure to follow!
So the weekend was a bit gnarly weather wise on Sunday but Saturday offered great fishing. Now that things settled down, anglers are back on them! It’s prime time spring fishing for stripers and bluefish on Long Beach Island. Get in the game!
Anglers fishing the Barnegat Bay report striped bass and blues. They are catching casting and retrieving lures and also trolling.
Sunday was a wash out blowing a gale. Monday wasn’t much better but things started to clear up. Late in the night Monday store staffer Kelley and Swag got out and enjoyed catching bass and blues on the bayside.
Today (Tuesday) is off to a great start. Gio from Philly stopped in late morning for some tackle. He reported the blues were snapping. “It was go good they ripped the hooks off. The Shimano Coltsniper is the Bee’s Knees!” We re-rigged his MVP with some heavy duty VMC trembles so it’s ready for round two.
On the surf there’s bass and blues. Todd Luyber stopped in the shop about 11am and got some fresh bunker. He hit the surf and quickly reported, “Got one on my first cast.” About an hour later he followed up, “Got three so far!” Todd has been hitting the surf consistently and had kept a pretty good run of fish going.
We got word from Brian and crew who got out on the boat this morning and found some bass locally in the ocean. Here’s a photo he sent us.
There’s a good stretch of weather ahead… let’s go fishing!
Happy Mother’s Day! This day like all holidays are milestones which help gauge the season’s progress. Over the years Mother’s Day is a mark when a larger class of fish show in the local Long Beach Island waters. This year they are right on time possibly a little bit early.
Right now striped bass and bluefish are here and anglers are enjoying good fishing on the surf, bay and inlet. If you have the time get out and FISH!!!
Jacob Bowles reports, “Fishing is lights out right now! These bluefish are all over plugs and the striped bass just keep demolishing soft plastics. I has a lot more keepers in the mix this weekend too!”
The Barnegat Inlet was on fire yesterday with bluefish.. Store staffers Pat and Frezza were in on the action. Pat said, “It was good from 4:30 to 7:30 with just about non-stop bite on anything from bucktails to SP minnows. Most of the fish were about five pounds, though I saw a couple 10-12+ pounders caught. There were also striped bass in with the blues.” Frezza shared, “Everyone on the jetty was catching but they were mostly smaller size fish. My biggest was only about six pounds but it was a good time for sure.”
Yesterday evening, store staffer Max got into a roast session with gators fishing the flats.
Out front anglers are catching both bass and blues in the boats. We heard of boats catching along Island Beach State Park and along Long Beach Island. Some solid reports from Beach Haven to Harvey Cedars. One angler reported catching a large bass (possibly 50#) trolling a green bunker spoon.
Dan Rosetto is stoked on his new Sea Hunt Gamefish boat. “Fueled up Friday night and had eyes set on a good section of water moving in. But the weather was marginal. Decided to stay in and fish for bass along the beach, IBSP. Ended up getting out late but found fish right away. Stopped the boat in 40′ of water and marked fish right away. Dropped the gear and got a bite on a mojo. Shortly after a bite on a bunker spoon. Then the bite went dead. I head of a other fish caught. My buddy had a 40# class bass. They are here!”
Offshore Fishing Report
Look what’s swimming around in the local waters! Captain RJ on the Jersey Nuts made it out yesterday putting three fish in the boat, the biggest was a 70″ bluefin! Let the games begin!!
LBI Surf Fishing Report
Lots of action! The Long Beach Island surf is producing striped bass and bluefish.
John Parzych stopped in the shop yesterday (Saturday) afternoon and geared up before hitting the beach. He reported having a great time on the beach. “I did good last night fishing until 12:30am. Couldn’t keep bait in the water. I actually had to switch to one rod because I was running back and forth. Two bass one short and one 25# (photo below) that I released, about a dozen blues also sand sharks. All on bunker, mid-island surf.”
Fred Soper weighed in a 17 pound striped bass that he caught this morning off the surf on bunker.
Ken Perry took the three hour drive down from his home in the Pocono Mountains this weekend to fish Long Beach Island. He reported, “Thank you all at Headquarters for all the help and support over the years. I am 61 years old and have been fishing almost my entire life. This was my very first “keeper” striped bass! Many schoolies including two, over the years, that measured in at 27.5″. It’s a long drive, so I only get a few opportunities a year.” On Saturday Ken weighed in a 38″ 22.12 pound bass. It was caught off the mid-island surf not far from the shop on Fish Heads Bunker. Ken said, “The tide was incoming, about three hours in. Also got a 30″ bluefish about a half hour earlier.”
TGIF – The weekend is finally here and so are the fish. Now fully into May fishing on Long Beach Island is in full swing. See our previous report posts (May 7th Report, May 6th Report) for more details on what went down this week. Here’s some updates…
The LBI ocean temps in the surf is right at the 50 degree mark and with it comes an increase in size class. Recently the season’s largest striped bass were caught. We expect the next couple of weeks to offer the spring season’s best surf fishing quality. Take one look at today’s Striper Migration May from On The Water and it’s clear… It’s game time!
The Barnegat Bay water temps are in the mid to high 50’s and these waters are holding both striped bass and bluefish. The striped bass info shouldn’t be a surprise since they’ve been chewing for weeks on end. However, a new influx of bluefish is news to talk about!
This week saw a good push of bluefish in the bay. Some were also caught in the Inlet however nothing like what end down on the bay. Angler are into a lot of fun fishing the shallow water.
Time to start hunting the blue water! This week we received our monster delivery of premium offshore baits from Baitmasters. These ballyhoo are premium quality. We are fully stocked up and ready to go! It’s time to push off on the next weather window. So far we’ve heard about good sections of water that have produced.
Jon Kelly was recently out and got this tuna.
A littel further back, as reported on a previous pos, Offshore Fishing April 26th Report Nick Perello and crew aboard the “Fun For One” got one.
Fish Head Charters
On Thursday I made my first local trip. I was spoiled being up in the Raritan Bay for the past three weeks but I’m back and ready for the run here on LBI. I went out on the hunt for found found. Both bass (schoolies) and blues (5-10# class). It was epic fishing but a ton of fun on light tackle. All the action was in 4-8′ of water on minnow style swimming plugs (Rapala X-Rap and YoZuri Mag Minnow).
I’m currently out of the water for maintenance (already have to do an oil change among a couple other things) but will be back in any day. I’m looking forward to the great fishing ahead.
The fishing musician Rick Wieland had a successful first cast of the tour (season). Rick reported, “Late this morning at the top of the tide about 10 I got one. First cast out baited up with bunker got a 27″ striped bass. The mid-island surf has fish cruising through.”
“A big thank-you to all the Fish Head staff for their courteous and helpful assistance while I was down fishing this past weekend. Great to finally meet Fish Head Greg, and along with the rest of the staff. A great stop before fishing the waters around LBI! Anyone searching for the best bait and tackle shop on the Island, need not travel beyond the Headquarters of Fisherman, other than to begin your journey in the Brine n suds! Missed several strikes and had some break offs, but managed to land this Blue.” ~Robert Gernert (Previously Reported May 6th)
LBI Spring Surf Fishing Tournament
The LBI Spring Surf Fishing Tournament is in full swing. Here’s the leader board as of Day 11…
Top Striped Bass 1) 29.86# Ryan Jones 2) 23.54# Gary Grippaldi 3) 20.18# Jason Wilt
We had a fun morning aboard the Fish Head today. I got out on the water with store staffer Frezza for my final Raritan Bay trip of the 2019 spring. We got out early and found the fish in the same area we’ve been working for a few days. They were not stacked but plentiful none the less. In a short time we caught and released five striped bass. What an awesome three weeks up there but it’s time to get back on my local waters and enjoy fishing close to home. I’m looking forward to working the backwaters of Barnegat Bay and soon the inshore waters. I got word from a friend who got a quality striped bass today (photo looked to be a 30# class fish) not all that far from Barnegat Inlet.
Crazy night of weather left off with a unruly but clearing early morning. The day cleared up and went wide open with great fishing. Reports from the bay, inlet and surf were all strong!
Peg Bucci of Manahawkin stopped by just before closing with a big bass from the mid-island surf. She reported, “I set up my first rod and was quickly bit off by a bluefish. I re-rigged and shortly after I hooked up with a good fish. After a 20 minute fight I landed it. Thanks to the Fish Head’s morning guys Joe and Kevin. They’ve helped me out big time getting to this point.” 43″ 36 pounds! Awesome Fish Peg!
Todd Luyber stopped in and shared this report… “I had a nice steady bite fishing some heavy water on the LBI surf. Had fish eight and bait with his chunking rod, walking with the current. Several bluefish of various sizes up to around 12 pounds.. Two short bass, dropped two decent fish. Beached a fish or dropped a fish on just about every bait. Fished the last half of the outgoing till I ran out of bait.”
Bob Gernert of Palmyra stopped in after having a good session on the mid-island surf. He reported, “Can’t catch ’em on the couch!” He got out and found some action. “Bluefish on the mid island surf. I got one chunking bunker and anglers down the beach also caught.”
Here’s a weekend recap and update on the fishing from for the Long Beach Island area and surrounding waters.
This weekend was the first with solid participation. Light onshore winds with no rain (thanks weather man for blowing it) made for very good surf fishing conditions on Saturday. Early morning fog made navigation difficult for boats but it could have been worse.
All reports this weekend had the same theme… The Fish Are Here! Striped bass, bluefish, black drum and fluke (will have to wait until May 24th to harvest). On the bayside striped bass continue to offer fun and bluefish add to the excitement. The same holds true on the surf just with a larger size class of fish. Black drum are a good possibility for anglers fishing clam in either the bay or ocean.
Fishing Reports From Long Beach Island & The Surrounding Waters
Right at closing time on Saturday Joe Handley stopped by for bunker. He posted this photo of Jim Holmes late night, about 11:30pm. His caption, “Get off the couch people. Stripers are chewing before the blow. Jimmy’s second bass was a good one… 20lbs+ We are on them!”
Jack Keating is looking forward to being out of school soon. He fished this weekend and was rewarded. “Got a bass off the surf and a bluefish on the bayside.” Bass photo below. Bluefish photo above in previous section.
Captain Justin Swanson reported, “I went out Saturday for an evening session and it paid off. They had fish blowing up all around the boat with no one insight.”
Jacob Bowles had another crazy evening on Saturday. Bass were inhaling everything just about every cast. We had bass up to 27 inches.
A few blowfish reports… First reported by Captain Steve Purel from Reel Fantasea Fishing Charters. Just got another report from Steve Polidore, photo below.
Barnegat Bay Crabbing & Clamming
Denny Miller stopped in for a new clam rake and when out to the grounds this weekend. He said, “We got what we wanted to make chowder and seamed a few. While out on the bay we made some cast and found school bass stacked on the outgoing tide.
We heard from customers purchasing bunker that there’s blue claws potting. We’ve got all of the blue claw crabbing supplies here ready for you!
Fish Head Charters Report Update
Anglers aboard Fish Head Charters are having fun with a beautiful class of striped bass in the 15-30 pound class. While the first plan of attack is a light tackle approach with lures or fly some days Plan B (trolling) is pulled out to produce when scattered readings dominate the day. Like Forrest Gump said, “Life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re gonna get.” Some days are slow while others are all out, but most fall in the middle. That’s how the day was for Eric and Stephen on Friday. Fishing wasn’t epic but we worked hard and hunted down some beautiful striped bass. Here’s Stephen Hoy with a healthy one!
As details show there’s fish here on Long Beach Island… from the beach, Inlet and bay. Go Fish!
Kevin Laverty from Blackwood weighed in two bluefish up to 16 pounds this morning. His largest was entered into the Fisherman Magazine Dreamboat competition. Kevin also caught one short striped bass. He said all of the action was bunker from the mid-island surf in the late morning, top of the tide out. Photo below
Blake and Chris went out for an evening session after work yesterday (Thursday) and had a blast with schoolies along the sod banks. Both of them had a blast catching bass on poppers.
Store staffer Willie put his buddy on some proper bluefish action on Thursday. He said they bigger class of blues were hammering lures. Here’s Ryan Weaver (below) with a chomper.
Joe Handley Jr reported, “Catching monster tackle destroying bluefish with Jake Adams this evening (Thursday) on LBI. This fish was in the 15-16 pound range. Proptly released to fight again.” Photo below…
Here’s a nice 23 pound bass caught by Brian Schmidt recently. Photo Below
If you are sitting on the sidelines waiting you’ve missed out on a lot of great fishing. However if you get in the game now you aren’t too late. May is a time when things kick into high gear!Go Fish!
The bay side is alive with striped bass as well as the new arrival of bluefish.
Steve George shared this report, “Early week lots of action with tog (now closed… you snooze you loose), bluefish, stripers and… my first fluke of 2019! The blues are inconsistent and not schooled up but it’s starting. Some were about 20″ and one at 36” or so.
Today (Thursday) anglers fishing the Barnegat Inlet Jetty as well as surf had fish. Bass and blues are moving through. A couple customers in the shop reported catching. One angler Jeff reported releasing a 21″ fluke
Store staffer Blake fished Wednesday evening after work. He reported, “Bass and small blues in the mix blowing up on the Stillwater Smack-It Popper.” Tuesday night store staffer Dan D got into good action with bass too on Sebile Stick Shad Lures.
LBI Spring Surf Fishing Derby
Day 6 Update: Gary Grippaldi leads the tournament with his 23.54 pound striped bass bass. Mike Gowen holds the top bluefish spot with his 14.3 pound yellow eye. TJ Loughran is the high hook with three bass on the board, up to 20 pounds. All on bunker on the mid-island surf.
With April coming to a close it’s worth a quick look back and the fishing scene and what our expectation are for the weeks ahead.
For the most part April was good to us this year. Sure the weather was awesome but it could have been worse. Plentiful school striped bass offered fun to light tackle anglers fishing the bay. Late month the surf anglers started picking at them. Those fishing the early season big fish spots (Chesapeake Bay, Delaware River and Raritan Bay) are rewarded with quality size striped bass. The black drum showed up right on time mid April just a couple days before the full moon. Tog fishing started slow but improved as the month went on was very good fishing during the final stretch. Some quality blackfish were caught! Bluefish made an appearance for the final weekend of the month letting us know we didn’t forget about them.
With May days away, we have high hopes for another great month of fishing. We expect a couple weakfish to show and maybe the bluefish will invade (all yellow-eye demons are welcome to eat here!!!) enjoy our company and kick around for an extended stay. Fluke fishing starts May 24th 3 fish at 18″. The size class on striped bass will gradually increase with the largest around the third and fourth week of the month. If bait (bunker pods) stage up it could be fireworks on Memorial Day. May 27th is only 28 days away! (at time of the post) Other happ’s on our radar… The inshore/mid-shore and offshore fishing. Tuna & Shark fishing season is here!!!
Here’s the fishing report update for Monday April 29th. Anglers enjoyed the opportunity to fish this weekend. The action continued into the work week with a number of anglers finding fish on Monday too.
Surf Fishing Report
Today was our first day with weigh ins from the surf.
First it was Paul and Hak who fished the mid-island surf in the morning with bunker to catch two ten pound bluefish. Photo above.
Then in the late afternoon Kevin Cook stopped by with a 38-3/4″ 19.74 pound striped bass. This was our first weigh in for the LBI Spring Surf Fishing Derby, however it didn’t make the leader board (top three fish). Here’s the current leaderboard for the LBI Spring Surf Fishing Derby.
More fishing reports from the Long Beach Island surf…
Store staffer Steve-o hit the mid-island surf Monday afternoon. He reported slow fishing for himself. But, an angler fishing close by caught one bass. He said it went down around the high tide on bunker.
On Sunday Ryan Armbruster got out for a surf fishing session. About 3pm on the incoming tide he caught a 32″ striped bass on clam. He also caught a 27″ bass on bunker. Ryan was fishing the mid-island surf. Photo below.
Barngate Bay Fishing Report
On Sunday Jacob Bowles reported, “A few buddies and I dumped the boat and went for an afternoon trip. We found some good water in the back bay and it paid off with non-stop striped bass action. Bluefish were in the mix. We must have caught about 50 bass all together, but nothing over 28”. Our MVP was a 1/2oz jig head with plastic, literally any kind of soft bait. There’s a ton of fish out there and it’s only getting better from here!
Tyler Leary fished a Barnegat Bay dock this past weekend and fooled a linesider. It went for a topwater lure, Stillwater Smack-It Popper.
Bluefish Report
Word on the street is bluefish moved into Atlantic City on Sunday. Some anglers got into quality action. It seems to have spread around now. Reports in our local waters are more consistent however, still mixed. A couple who hunted and found blues and some who didn’t. Hopefully they’ll show up strong.
Store staffer Jordan fished Sunday afternoon and found some yellow eyes in Daiwa SP Minnows Lures.
The 3rd Annual Nicole Born Memorial Surf Fishing Tournament went down on Saturday April 27th. The turn out was great with over 300 anglers. The event broke an ASAC tournament record with 41 youth anglers registered toppling last year’s record number of 35. It’s great to see the youth participation!
The tournament anglers were into productive fishing most of the day with a awesome showing (~100 fish) of striped bass in the 22-27″ range. But there was only one score-able fish, a 22-1/4″ bluefish by angler Jackie Scarrellie of Team Noodle. They won first place team and Jackie won most fish points women’s and largest fish women’s awards.
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