The BluefinTuna and squid are still going strong within 20 miles of the inlet.
The fish are all 70 to 100+ pounds! We will be sailing Open Boat Tuna Wednesday August 23. We have one spot left. 6 AM to 4 PM $350 per person. Four people max. All fish are shared.
Our next availability for inshore or offshore are Wed Aug 30 and Thurs Aug 31. If these dates do not get booked as charters we will offer them as Open Boat trips.
Dave DeGennaro
Hi Flier Sportfishing
732.330.5674 cell
It’s been an interesting few days of fishing. We started out with live grass shrimping trips in the bay on Fri and Sat. Friday had a mix of species including 5 weakfish for the Rick Masters charter. They had the usual assortment of species that visit our shrimp slick: weakfish, juvenile sea bass, little blues, blowfish, fluke, sand sharks, spots, and sea robins. Non stop action. On Saturday I had Mike and Karen Romance out for an Inshore Shark/Live Grass Shrimp Combo. We got bit off by a few bigger sharks that were not invited to this particular party but Karen did get the best of an Atlantic Sharpnose Shark, the targeted species before we decided to head into the bay. I anchored in the exact same spot as the day before but it was S L O W……..and then S L O W E R. Just doesn’t make sense sometimes, same spot, same tide, but my other spot was infested with silver perch, so we stayed put. We finally hook up and Mike is fighting what I tell him is going to be a big weakfish. The 6 lb ultralite rod is bent, the reel is singing, and as the fish finally gets close enough to land, we see it’s a cobia. Twenty incher. Not legal to keep, but great sport on that tackle. They then proceed to deck two keeper weakies, a 13 and 19 1/2 incher to wrap things up and put a little fillet in the Ziplock.
Now, Sunday (yesterday), the weather is nice enough to head offshore looking for tuna with the Jim Padilla party. I knew the fleet on the inshore tuna grounds up North has grown to 100 plus boats on a weekday and with a bluebird Saturday, that would surely almost double. I stayed south and after trolling for an hour we had only managed one false albacore and heard of one bonita among the few boats that were there with us. We reeled in and started to run further offshore. After a while, we stumbled on some fresh slicks with a good amount of chick birds picking at them. The machine showed a carpet of bait readings that looked like the squid that have been so prominent on the tuna grounds this season, so we dropped in some squid jigs and started swinging jumbos over the rail. We put them out for bait and proceeded to hook up with shark after shark. Mostly 150 to 200 pound brown sharks but one 12 foot hammerhead that fooled me into thinking it was a tuna run off. He hit and ran so hard. At 1:00 PM we get another good run off on the balloon that was set at 60 feet, and no one is enthused about doing battle with another shark. So I left it in the holder, rod bent, and giving out a good amount of line. I figured, let him bite the hook off. Jim finally said, begrudgingly, “I”ll take him”. He fought him for a while and then his son Greg took over for a while before I realized this fish was deep and starting to spiral. I yelled to Dave Flood, our deckhand for this trip, to get a gaff ready and then we saw color on a good size bluefin. Decked him after a good fight. 51 inches, about 90 pounds. Everyone was ecstatic and we headed for the barn right on schedule. Here is the final five minutes of that tuna: youtu.be/6-0-EjBKoVg
I only have tomorrow, Tuesday Aug 8 available for a Live Grass Shrimp charter in the bay and Thurs Aug 10 for the same or an Open Boat Tuna 9AM to 5PM, we are only running 16 miles from the inlet to the fishing grounds. Thursday looks like the marine forecast is good enough to get to where we need to go. If we go Open Boat Tuna on Thurs, 9AM to 5PM, $300 person, 4 people max, all fish are shared.
After these dates, my next availability is not until Thurs Aug 17 and Mon Aug 21 for inshore or offshore.
Dave DeGennaro
Hi Flier Sportfishing
732.330.5674 cell
hiflier.com
We will be running an Open Boat Bluefin Tuna trip this Monday Aug 7, 6AM to 4PM. $350 person. 4 people max. All fish are shared.
The word is out. There are 75 to 200 plus pound bluefin tuna less than 20 miles from our Barnegat Inlet. There are huge schools of big squid there that we will be catching for our live bait. Drifting with bait is how we will be fishing, no trolling. Very exciting when you hook up on these big fish.
This and any other dates are always available for your private charter, as well, for bay, inshore, or offshore fishing. We only have Tues Aug 8 and Thurs Aug 10 left as available dates left to book for any kind of fishing. After that, our next available date is Thurs Aug 17.
We are catching blues at the inlet jetty, fluke in the bay, and small Atlantic Sharpnose sharks 4 miles offshore. We are offering Live Grass Shrimp trips targeting weakfish and the assortment of species that find our shrimp slick. We scale down to the ultralite 6 pound outfits for this fishery and the goal is to catch as many different species as we can.
Dave DeGennaro
Hi Flier Sportfishing
732.330.5674 cell
hiflier.com
There are 70 to 100 plus pound Bluefin Tuna within 20 miles of our Barnegat Inlet. So much fun. Most of the time we are jigging for squid while we are drifting for the tuna. As soon as we catch the squid, we put them on as live bait. It’s so much fun catching bait that sometimes we forget we are there for a higher purpose…..TUNA!!
We ran to the spot I left them at last week and fished all morning without a bite. There was a sizable fleet to our west, but I would always rather be off on our own. A friend gave me some coordinates where they caught one in the morning within that fleet and being that it was 12:30 in the afternoon and we had not had any bites, I figured let’s go see. We entered the fleet and there was some radio chatter about a boat that was hooked up, good sign. Immediately the depth recorder was lit up with massive schools of squid. On our second drift the 30 International in the bow holder was screaming and we were no doubt hooked up to a bluefin. Thirty minutes later, my son, Max decked a 49″ Bluefin. Here’s the end game: youtu.be/TSSzeYW1_F0 Dave Flood on the gaff.
Something to know about Dave Flood, even though he isn’t in many of the pics, none of this happens without Dave. He gets to the boat an hour before anyone, dries all the seats, brings all the lunch and drinks, packs the coolers, gets the boat turn key ready and then never stops contributing during the day. Catching bait, jigging for tuna, getting new hookbaits, letting the lines out, constantly cleaning, giving the angler that’s hooked up water, and then when the rod goes off, his rod mind you, he steps aside to let someone catch the fish. Then he is there to gaff it and when we hit the dock he is the butcher. Every crew needs a Dave Flood.
Sailing Open Boat Tuna tomorrow, Wed Aug 2 and Sat Aug 5. 4AM to 2PM. $350 person, 4 people max, all fish are shared. We will be within 20 miles of the inlet, so a little over an hour each way from the marina to the fishing grounds. No trolling, we will be drifting and bait fishing. There are always jigging rods ready if you want to do that. And, of course, bait rods to catch live bait. Everything is provided, just bring whatever you like to eat and drink for the time we are out.
These and any other dates are always available for your private charter, as well, for bay, inshore, or offshore fishing. We are catching blues at the inlet jetty, fluke in the bay, and small Atlantic Sharpnose sharks 4 miles offshore. We are offering Live Grass Shrimp trips targeting weakfish and the assortment of species that find our shrimp slick. We scale down to the ultralite 6 pound outfits for this fishery and the goal is to catch as many different species as we can.
Dave DeGennaro
Hi Flier Sportfishing
732.330.5674 cell
hiflier.com
Spent Sat and Tues at the 20 mile tuna spot. Struck out on Sat but Tues was a little better. We hooked and boated a 45″, 30 lb Cobia at 8AM. Here is Matt Dlugosz doing battle with him: youtube.com/watch?v=OaFOmgXZIhY&feature=share
We jigged a livewell full of live bait and had some shark and king mackerel bite offs but at Noon we hooked up on a bluefin. We fought this fish for two hours, the last hour he was 50 feet from the boat. Honestly, the rod was not capable of moving him. I like to use these lighter 30 class combos because most of the tuna we hook are in the 40 to 100 lb range and these rods have always been more than adequate. I use them to enjoy 99 percent of the fish we hook up with. This fish was one of the one percenters. He finally broke us off after 2 hours. If I had to guess, he was in that 150 to 200 lb class. I am now inclined to put the 50 class gold reels out now. The good news is this place is still fishy. lots of bait and a good amount of bluefin with king mackerel and more in the mix. I am going to continue fishing this area just for the quality of the size fish there.
Open Boat Tuna: Sun July 30 and Mon July 31 4AM to 2PM, $350 person, 4 people max, all fish are shared. Everything is provided.
These any other dates are always available for your private charter, as well, for bay, inshore, or offshore fishing. We are catching blues at the inlet jetty, fluke in the bay, and small Atlantic Sharpnose sharks 4 milkes offshore. For the first time this season we are offering Live Grass Shrimp trips targeting weakfish and the assortment of species that find our shrimp slick. We scale down to the ultralite 6 pound outfits for this fishery and the goal is to catch as many different species as we can.
Pics: Matt Dlugosz with the Cobia Eric Dlugosz with the bent rod battling our lost bluefin Eric and his son Matt are from Berkley Heights, NJ
Dave DeGennaro
Hi Flier Sportfishing
732.330.5674 cell
hiflier.com
We have two people signed on for our Open Boat Tuna trip tomorrow, Tues July 25, there is still room for two more. Call right up until “go time”.
It looks like the nice weather is going to extend through Wed July 26 now so we are adding that date, as well.
These are 20 to 30 mile trips. Drifting with bait and possibly some trolling. We have been catching our own live bait right at the fishing grounds.
4AM to 2PM each day. $350 person, 4 people max, all fish are shared.
We are also available for charter for bay, inshore, or offshore fishing. We are currently catching bluefish and fluke in the inlet and in the bay.
Dave DeGennaro
Hi Flier Sportfishing
732.330.5674 cell
hiflier.com
There are bluefin tuna and king mackerel in the 20 to 30 mile range right now. Both high speed trolling and drifting with bait are producing. We can do a little of each but I always prefer bait fishing.
The weather and sea condition looks great for the next few days. Sailing Open Boat or charter Mon July 24 and Tues July 25. 5AM to 3PM. $350 person. 4 people max. All fish are shared.
These dates or any dates are also available for your private charter. Inshore or offshore. We are catching blues and fluke in the bay and at the inlet jetty. It is possible to mix in some light tackle sharking only 4 miles from the inlet on these trips.
Call to reserve a spot.
Dave DeGennaro
Hi Flier Sportfishing
732.330.5674 cell
hiflier.com
Do you know why I have not posted any tuna pics this season? Because I suck. I am 0 for 4. It’s what is known in fishing as not being able to catch your ass with your hands. Phew! That feels better. As a baseball fan, I know that slumps are a real thing and most get past it. I think I could get past it.
With that said, I know a place that is holding some 60 to 80 pound bluefin. It is in the 25 mile range. No trolling, we will be drifting with bait, really good bait that we will catch ourselves on the fishing grounds. You want to fish with me right now. I’m so hungry for a tuna and bait fishing is my best game. Also, the weather and sea conditions are looking really good.
Thurs July 20 and Fri July 21 4AM to 2PM. $350 person. 4 people max. All fish are shared. Everything is provided, just bring whatever you like to eat and drink, I have the rest.
These dates and any dates are always available for your private charter to fish the bay, inshore, or offshore. We are booked already for Sat and Sun July 22 and 23.
Call right up until “go time”, sometimes there is a spot open.
Hope to see you on board.
Dave DeGennaro
Hi Flier Sportfishing
732.330.5674 cell
hiflier.com
There are bluefin tuna on the mid range grounds now. We only need to run 25 to 35 miles. My favorite kind of fishing: daytime tuna on bait and jigs! No need for the big gold reels. We use light 30 class conventionals and spinners. We will have the trolling gear on board, but hope not to use it.
Marine forecast looks good for the next few days. Sailing Open Boat or Charter Mon July 10, Tues July 11, and Wed July 12. 4AM to 2PM. $350 person. 4 people max. All fish are shared. Everything is provided: rods, bait, jigs, fish cleaning. Just bring whatever you like to eat and drink.
We are also available on these dates or any day for your private charter, inshore or offshore. Inshore we are targeting bluefish and fluke, with a few stripers mixed in at the inlet jetty.
Give me a call to reserve a spot. Hope to see you on board!
Dave DeGennaro
Hi Flier Sportfishing
732.330.5674 cell
hiflier.com
The yellowfin are now in our range. 40 to 60 lb fish on the jig and troll. 60 plus miles each way. Friday and Saturday both look like good weather days to get offshore. Low velocity winds. We will be trolling, jigging, and bait fishing, whichever gives us the best chance.
Sailing Open Boat Tuna Fri July 7 and Sat July 8, 3AM to 3PM, $450 person, 4 people max, all fish are shared.
Call me on my cell below to reserve a spot.
These dates and any dates are also available for your private charter, as well. Inshore or offshore. We are currently catching blues with a few stripers mixed in at the inlet jetty along with fluke in the back bay.
Hope to see you on board!
Dave
Dave DeGennaro
Hi Flier Sportfishing
732.330.5674 cell
hiflier.com
609-494-5739