Although Thursday’s weather [4/19/18] looks like wind driven rain in the forecast , Friday’s weather looks a bit better and we will be fishing 1pm – 6pm [ afternoon time rescheduled]  targeting stripers , weakfish and blues. Winds are predicted to blow NW but pose no problem for our local protected bay/inlet waters and usually produce the best action as well!

This week’s light tackle action continued to be busy and fun with scrappy schoolie striped bass testing our anglers skills and light spinning tackle rods. These down sized bass are ranging in size from 12-27″ but employing our well matched tackle  to maximize the encounter and sport is what really brings the smiles to all anglers aboard this week. All trips continue to  see double digit catch numbers with some of our savvy anglers scoring double digit catches themselves!

I have a couple of spots still available for Friday morning 7am – 11pm and Sunday morning 7am – 11am , We will be targeting stripers, weakfish and bluefish with light spinning tackle checking around a few locations to “test the waters” for new arrivals.

This week Mother nature continued on her manic wintry demeanor with continued colder than normal temps and threats of wintry precipitation in the forecast grinding any thought of “season progression” to a “slow as molasses in winter time” pace. Tied to the dock for most of the week is where we found ourselves due to hard North West winds that emptied our bays enough to find the Reel Fantasea soft aground in her slip while testing the tensile strength of her dock lines.

609-290-1217

Striped bass continue to provide fun and busy light tackle action while utilizing both artificial and natural baits with tidal stages seemingly dictating which to employ.

609-290-1217 

Today’s open boat witnessed the season continued progression with slightly larger striped bass , bald eagles, ospreys, and even the first laughing gulls!! Presently our bay is also full of adult bunker that will soon be welcoming our newly arriving game fish into our home waters. The abundant bait that we have on hand could possibly be a real game changer for our Spring run!!

Although we are only 2 days earlier than last year with the arriving laughing gulls it’s still the earliest that I have ever seen them. Over the years I have always looked forward to their arrival as they usually will herald the migration of soon to be arriving stripers and blues within 10-14 days, they have yet to fail me in their prognostication .

Today 3/30 was an on boat with regulars who were joined by The Fishermen Magazine’s Jim Hutchinson Jr.  hoping to tag some bass for research purposes . Not only did we succeed in our goal in tagging striped bass but we used up all the tags that were brought aboard!  Regular Jay Simmons once again earned Bass Master honors scoring 15 striped bass before trips end.  Hutch not to be out done scored the biggest bass of the day at the buzzer.

Wishing everyone fair winds and calm seas,

Captain Steve Purul

Reel Fantasea Fishing Charters

609-290-1217

Hi Folks,

Today’s open boat proved challenging with wind chills into the twenties [ dock departure air temp 30 degrees] . Although we read fish through out the morning the bass seemed to be off the bite that I was expecting [ I hate when they don’t follow my plan or expectations ]. We did  managed to boat 2 striped bass [ along with some random snagged bunker] along with a flurry of short strikes through out the morning before calling it early quits .

609-290-1217

With heavy snow fall and NE winds tipping 40mph I wasn’t sure how the stripers would react afterwards but apparently it hasn’t effected them at all!

These are resident fish that have wintered up in our home waters and generally are running from 10-24″ but utilizing light spinning tackle maximizes the sport and fun for these feisty bass.

I have this Sunday 8am-12pm  for any looking to have some fun on with catch and release bass for either open or private charter.

Although these bass are on the smaller side they are tons of fun!

Wishing everyone fair winds and calm seas,

Captain Steve Purul

Reel Fantasea Fishing Charters

609-290-1217

Despite cold and windy conditions, anglers aboard the Reel Fantasea forged full speed ahead into the 2018 fishing season and were rewarded with cabin fever curing fun from schoolie striped bass while employing light spinning tackle tactics.