More quality fish – The action continues to be good to excellent with most trips catching 20 to 35 fish when the conditions are optimal. We are still getting short to keeper ratios averaging about 10 to 1. Some days there are alot more short Fluke biting, but that is most likely do to water temperatures. We will start targeting Fluke outside in the coming weeks, but the bay remains the place to be. Reminder: We have started running 7 days a week until September. I was out almost everyday this past week, except when the wind has been blowing hard, so here’s our rundown:

I had Anthony Marino of Beach Haven West and his 13yr old son Anthony along with his daughter Briana on a 4hr Bay/Inlet trip. Anthony’s wife purchased the charter for his 45th birthday present, so we had some pressure to get keepers. We worked quite a few skinny-water areas to 3.5 feet in the backbay to boat some nice fish to 4.5 pounds. Young Anthony had the hot hand boating all three keepers with 2 being close to 23 inches and the third keeper at 19 inches. All three caught fish and worked the S&S Bucktails jig hard. They caught a bunch of fish just 1/2 inch shy of the keeper mark. With about an 45 minutes left in the trip, we checked some areas closer to the inlet with not much luck and the trio opted for a photo with the Barnegat Light commercial boats in the background. Nice job by the team and Happy Bday Anthony Sr!

Next, I had return client Doug Wainwright of Columbus, his son Doug, and younger son John on a 4hr Bay/Inlet charter. We worked alot of the same areas that we have been working with S&S Bigeye bucktails and Tsunami Flat Jigs. The fish were a little finicky in terms of keepers, but the crew worked very hard for two keepers one at 21 inches and the other at 18.5. Both fish were caught in very shallow water. The wind kicked up towards the end of the trip and made for some tough wind against tide conditions. The father-son team had a great time and kicked off their 4th of July with a couple Fluke in the box

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I had new client Steve O’Neil of Morris Plains along with his wife Katie and their two boys, Aidan and Keiran, on a 4hr Bay/Inlet charter. We had some lighter winds in the 1st hour of the trip, but then it kicked up out of the NE and made for some difficult drifts. This was the family’s first Fluke fishing outing and I had the family bucktailing for Fluke. They caught a respectable 30 fluke, with the boys catching 12 a piece. Aidan caught a beautiful 5.5 pound Fluke that taped out at 23.5 inches. Unfortunately, they could only muster 1 quality keeper amongst the 30 Fluke.

Finally I had new client Steve Balon and his wife Natalie on a 4hr Bay/Inlet charter. Steve has fished many offshore and inshore charters from Montauk to the Caribbean, but he wanted to try light tackle jigging. We had light winds, sporadic drizzle, and good tide for a good portion of the trip. The husband and wife team jigged S&S Bigeye bucktails to catch over 24 Fluke including 4 quality keepers that taped out at: 19, 19, 23.5, 24 inches. Steve caught the biggest weighing over 6 pounds on the jig. Natalie worked very hard for her first time bucktailing, but could only muster several at 17.5 inches. Awesome job!

If interested in booking a charter, book through the website (www.reelreactioncharters.com) or call/text 609-290-7709. As always, we use the highest quality gear and everything is included: gear, tackle, fish-cleaning, and ICE! It’s “no worries” fishing. Just come aboard and FISH. Like Us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/ReelReactionSportfishing/

Capt. Brett Taylor ~ www.reelreactioncharters.com ~ Call or Text: 609-290-7709