As I sit at my desk thinking about the surf fishing action on Long Beach Island, I wonder if these northeast winds will ever let up.

At least I see sunshine outside my window as the torrential rains are gone for now. But those darn winds gusting to 30-mph and more keep blowing their brains out. I knew this was going to be one heck of a week when I saw 10-foot waves in the forecast for Sunday and much of the week.

Now the big question is what the fishing will be like when this is all over. I just peeked at NOAA’s marine weather forecast, and it predicts lighter northeast winds on Friday, May 13, of just 10-mph with the wind shifting around to the SE after midnight and into Saturday when the wave heights are projected to drop down.

In my many years at the Jersey coast, I can recall our share of northeast storms, but few come to mind that were as strong and as lengthy in duration. But enough of that negative stuff, let’s see what positive things we might have in store for us.

Before looking at the surf action, take note of the pre-storm happenings in the bay waters. This year’s start to the summer founder season was earlier than it has been for a while. First results were very promising with many limits reported, especially in the Great Bay area. I heard of good catches inside Barnegat Inlet also. I didn’t hear much from mid-island waters, but that could very well be due to a lack of anglers trying there.

There were goodly numbers of smallish stripers in the bay waters, especially on the west side of the bay and around the LBI Causeway, with a few keepers in the mix. As is usual for this time of the year, drumfish are feeding near the sodbanks in the Tuckerton and Great Bays and assorted islands in that area.

Early season blue-claw crab action was an increase over recent years with recreational crabbers doing quite well on keepers.

The striped bass action in the surf of LBI was just really heating up when the storm arrived. In addition to keeper sized slot fish showing up, a surprising number of stripers over the 38-inch limit were being reeled in. A couple of bluefish even showed their faces.

A true barometer of what the action was like is to take a gander at the entries in the Long Beach Island Derby which began April 2 and runs until June 26. A total of 10 fish were weighed in prior to the storm with nine bass and one bluefish.

Courtland Foos leads the striper section with his 22.86-pounder caught on May 1 in Brant Beach on bunker. The fish measured 37.75-inches. Jay Shayne beached the second place linesider on May 3 in Surf city, a fish measuring just under37-inches and weighing 20.22-pounds.

Vince Orzel landed the only bluefish thus far on May 3 on a plug in Barnegat Light. The chopper weighed in at 5.52-pounds.

Of the nine stripers entered so far, 1 fell for fresh bunker, 3 for salted clam, and the rest for fresh clam. Holgate and Brant Beach produced the most fish with 3 each while Surf City provided 2 and Spray Beach 1.

There are cash prizes for the top fished entered in the contest with photo prizes which give anglers the opportunity to share their catches and still release them safely.

Registration for the Derby can be accomplished at any of the three official weigh-in stations. These are Jingles Bait and Tackle in Beach Haven, Fisherman’s Headquarters in Ship Bottom, and Surf City Bait and Tackle in Surf City.

The official website for the event is  https://www.lbisfc.com. Those of you on Facebook can check out the event on its Facebook site, LBI Surf Fishing Tournament.

Now let’s keep our fingers crossed that these winds finally start to shut down. Once the waters clear up, there is not reason for good action to return.

Like it or not, state and federal circle hook gear restrictions will eventually become law with more species. It’s time to learn about circle hooks and perfect your technique fishing with them. While this is mainly focused around circle hooks and striped bass fishing, a lot of the ideas can be applied to circle hooks with regard other species. This is Part 2 of a three part blog series. Check Out Part 1

Because circle hooks require a different approach, a lot of anglers need time to get comfortable. But like anything else, practice and learning from others is the best way to fast track your way to success. This article is for anglers who have never fished a circle hook before. And hopefully it also helps anglers who have some circle hook fishing experience too. Let’s start with the basics and go from there.

What Is A Circle Hook?

A circle hook is a style of fishing hook which is very round with a hook point perpendicular to the hook shank. An inline hook is not offset, meaning the hook’s point, barb and shank are all on the same plane.

How to confirm if a circle hook is inline? Lay the hook on the edge of flat table. An inline hook will lay flat. An offset hook will show its offset bent hook point and not lay flat. Offsetting a circle hook (bending the point to one side of the shank) reduces the conservation benefit of circle hooks.

The benefit of inline circle hooks is they set/catch fish in the jaw and radically reduce deep/gut hooking events. From a conservation perspective inline circle hooks reduce injury to fish and cause far less catch and release mortality.

Choosing The Right Circle Hook

Circle hooks are effective and dependable. But like all hooks, the anglers must choose the right one for the job. Unfortunately the fishing industry lacks a hook sizing standard so it can be confusing to compare hooks. This is especially challenging when looking at different manufacturers’ offerings. It’s always best to have the hooks in hand.

Fishing Hook Terminology & Characteristics:

The various styles of fishing hooks have distinct features which set them apart. Both a hooks profile/shape and the gauge/thickness wire stock used is very important. A hook can be broken down to these parts; eye/ring, shank, bend, gap/gape, throat/bite, point/spear and barb.

Circle Hook Size & Gap

When choosing a circle hook be mindful of the bait being used. Due to the relationship of a circle hook’s shank and hook point, the size and its gap must be considered. Always match the hook to the bait. A hook that is too large or too small is no good. Never ever choke the hook’s gap. Blocking the gap prevents the circle hook’s working ability. Both the hook size and hook’s wire gauge are very important.

Circle Hook Gauge Choice

Generally speaking nothing more than a light to medium wire hook is needed for targeting striped bass. A lighter wire hook is used for the easiest hook sets. But lighter wire means lighter line, lighter drag, lighter tackle approach. Using a big reel and a broom stick rod is not the recipe for success when fishing circle hooks. Thicker gauge hooks means more strength but these hooks do not set and penetrate past the barb as easily as medium or light wire hooks. For this reason it’s best to leave thick gauge circle hooks for big game fishing with heavy tackle for sharks, tuna and marlin fishing. Even in some of these cases a medium wire hooks will work better.

The Best Circle Hooks For Striped Bass

All of the top hooks brands make quality circle hooks options. Each one has slightly different variations in design, features and price points. The following are great options for striped bass fishing with bait.

Gamakatsu 2214 Octopus Inline Circle Hook

This mid-wire octopus inline circle hook is forged for strength. The bent is some what flat allowing for a little more are for a chunk bait to sit. It’s turned up eye is great for snelling and offers the best presentation. This is one of the best hooks for chunking and live bait fishing for striped bass! Gamakatsu Octopus Inline Circle Hooks

Owner 5179 Octopus Inline Circle Hook

This mid-wire hook has a straight eye, round octopus like bend and a large gap. It’s a great hook for both striped bass, redfish and billfish. There is also the 5114T which features Owner’s elongated “Mutu” style shape. It’s said that this elongated more oval like than circle helps increase the jaw hook ratio and has more strength once the hook is seated. Owner Octopus Inline Circle Hooks & Owner Mutu Inline Circle Hooks

Mustad 39951NP Med/Hvy Inline Circle Hook

The Mustad 39951NP is a medium/heavy wire hook (shown in the photo below) that is good for anglers looking to chunk bunker or any extra large baits with heavy tackle. For bunker chunking use the 9/0 or 10/0 size. Mustad also have some other great inline hook options. The Mustad 39928 is an Ultra Point mid-wire forged in-line circle hook has an octopus style shape which features a very round profile and a turned up eye. The Mustad 39944 is also a great hook which has a better price point, slightly shorter shank length, straight eye and is not forged.

BKK Inline Circle Hook

The BKK Hybrid Heavy Inline Circle Hooks feature a medium gauge wire inline circle hook that has a turned back eye, great for snelling. The hook shape has a very round curve, similar to the Owner 5179. BUT the BKK Hybrid Heavy Circle has a shorter shank and also taller rise from bend to barb giving the hook more throat. This offers two key advantages. One, more throat allows the hook’s bend to better accept bait without choking the gap. Two, once a fish is tight and hooked up it is much harder for fish to shake off these hooks, delivering a great hook-to-landed ration. BKK also has a proprietary “Super Slide” finish and coating that enhances hook penetration performance.

Eagle Claw L2196PG Baitholder In-line Circle Hook

This is the Baitholder In-Line Circle Hook that is perfect for fishing clams and worms. The barbs are on the shank so it is very important that the angler does not bait up and choke the gap. Do not use this hook with large chunk baits! The L2004 is a very popular hook for the billfish and guys. It too is good for striped bass in the 6/0 – 10/0 sizes.

VMC 7385 In-Line Circle Hook

This mid gauge wire forged non-offset circle hook is great for all purpose saltwater use. Featuring a unique elongated bend (similar to the Owner Mutu) with an extra large gap, straight eye and a small barb.

Also check out the VMC 7385LKCB. It’s a new idea, sort of specialty hook with a “B-Lok” (bait lock) stopper. The stopper, keeps the bait properly in place at the bottom of the hook bend and prevents the bait from creeping up the hook shank. This ensures the bait doesn’t choke the hook gap. In essence reduced the chances of missing a fish due to the impeding the hook up.

Part 3: Better Fish Circle Hooks

It was a great weekend here on LBI, fishing out the month of April and kicking off the new month of May with phenomenal weather and really good fishing. Here’s the Long Beach Island fishing report for May 2, 2022.

Anglers in recent days have caught striped bass as well as a few black drum and bluefish. We also heard of a couple fluke, which as of today May 2 is open season here in NJ. Let’s Go Fishing!!!

Bluefish At LBI

Bluefish are slowly showing up. A few reports from the LBI surf and the bay. David Gerard reported catching a 14″ in his lagoon on Friday afternoon, “At sunset they were jumping like crazy. But I cooled off.” His catch was on a SP Minnow lure.

Black Drum Fishing At LBI

Black Drum are still being caught in the bay and a couple on the surf too (see Emmit’s catch on the last report update). Gio DeMarco (below) reported, “Took awhile but finally landed one.”

Fluke Fishing On LBI

Fluke – It’s that time again!!! Fluke season is open and anglers are finding fish. On Saturday Steve George from Night Strikes Guide Service posted a photo after a guide and shared, “What a beautiful day on the Island. I got out with Ryan and Andrew and we caught a 20″ fluke.” The day before Steve reported, “They are here!” And had a photo of a small bluefish he caught off the surf. He also caught some herring and small bass.

Striped Bass Fishing On LBI

Striped Bass activity on the surf and in the bay is and has been great. Here’s some recent catch photos that were sent in.

There’s some nice fish hitting the beach! Recent days have offered good striped bass fishing off the Long Beach Island surf. Some black drum are also showing. For a more detailed report check out the last report post.

Yesterday Justus Mirth sent in a catch photo and report, “Thanks for the rigs and clam! I got this 40.5″ right after sunset and also had a 29″ bass earlier in the session. Mid-island surf.”

Yesterday at 1pm Dennis Street weighed in a nice 12# 33″ striped bass. He reported, “A caught a couple and missed a couple fishing clams at low water.” Low tide was at 12:23pPM Today low tide is at 1:06PM.

Emmit from Top Notch Tackle Rigs caught this black drum off the LBI surf a few days ago. In recent days reports of black drum off the surf and in the bay have been good. They love clam!

American Anglers Surf Fishing 101

American Anglers Fishing Clubs is hosting a Surf Fishing 101 this Saturday April 30th from 9am to 1pm on the beach in Brant Beach.

Use the enterance ramp on 66th Street which is near the Long Beach Twp Muniucipal Building at 6805 Long Beach Blvd, Brant Beach NJ 08008.

Itinerary:
9AM – Meet at the beach. Either drive or walk on and set up for fishing.
10AM – Bayside Dave: Introduction to Surf Fishing & Q/A
11AM – Greg Cudnik: Reading The Water & Q/A
12PM – Carl Hartmann: Fishing Techniques, Rigs & Equipment for Targeting Multiple Species
ALL DAY: Demos & Vendors – Century Rods, Milspray Rustproofing, Top Notch Tackle

This past weekend was a good one here on LBI with anglers catching fish. For the most part clam was the top producer hooking up both striped bass and drum. The next 6 to 8 weeks are prime time fishing here on LBI. Let’s go fishing!!!!

LBI Surf Fishing Report

The water temps reached 50º this past weekend and things popped. There are striped bass of all sizes from schoolies to trophies. Now’s the time to hit the surf with clam to target striped bass. Here’s just a some of the reports that were sent in and shared.

Tommy McCann reported a pair of striped bass; a 25 and a 26 inch. Dave Minnick reported catching his first keeper of the year this weekend. Randy Edwards caught a couple good ones. First, a 42″ that he released and then the next day a 37.75″ that he kept for the table. Both on clam.

The largest fish that we heard about this weekend was caught by LBI Fishing Guide Connor Smilon caught a 47″ bass on clam.

The 2022 Spring Surf Fishing Derby is on. Here’s the current leader board.

Barnegat Inlet Fishing Report

Tog fishing is good now to the end of the month when the season closed. The Barnegat Inlet Jetty has been producing for a lot of anglers.

There’s also herring present which offered anglers light tackle fun this past weekend. Bob Haines reported, “No bass for us today but we caught a handful of Jersey Tarpon (slag for large herring).” We previously reported a striped bass catch from the inlet. We anticipate more bass reports from the rocks in the coming days and weeks. We are also on the look out for bluefish which SHOULD be here right now.

It’s the final days of spring tautog fishing. With good fishing from land based and boat anglers try your best to squeeze in another trip. The nearshore wrecks and reef sites have fish as well as the offshore wrecks.

Good cod reports have come in from the deeper water areas (100’+).

Barnegat Bay, Manahawkin Bay, Great Bay Fishing Report

Spring offers some of the best fishing in the local bays. Right now there’s lots of life. The two primary targets are striped bass and black drum. Fishing clam and bloodworms would be the two best to soak.

Todd Brophy fished clams in the bay via boat and reported 12 bass and three classy drum. We’ve heard a number of good black drum reports from bay beach and boat anglers.

News worth notes: This weekend’s bunker delivery also came in with inlet. Our local gill net bait boat caught a couple kingfish, blowfish and large herring. Do you recall the last report post (4/22) and the photo of the blowfish washed up on the beach? There’s more around than we all might think!

NJ Summer Flounder Opens May 2

Fluke season is only a week away. We are stoked to get in on some early season fishing this year. Quality fish are already staging up and eating. Here’s a recent catch by Camille Caruso who was fishing with John Howell who has a commercial hook and line permit. Camille Caruso caught this fluke on a jig with a large Gulp Grub. Here’s the specifics on 2022 NJ Summer Flounder / Fluke Season Regulations.

Beach Haven Charter Fishing Association Update

It is not too early to start booking fishing trips with the boats of the Beach Haven Charter Fishing Association. Most of the 2022 New Jersey saltwater fishing regulations are now official, and the seasons are quickly approaching.

The summer flounder season will be opening on Monday, May 2, with a 3 fish per day bag limit. However, this year anglers may now keep two fish from 17 to 17.99-inches and one fish 18-inches or over. In recent years, all three fish in a bag limit had to be 18-inches or longer. The season will end on September 27.

The reduction in size should mean more fish fillets heading home for dinner.

The black sea bass regulations break the season into four segments with varying daily limits. It begins on May 17 until June 19 with a 10 fish per angler allowed daily. The second season goes from July 1 to August 31 with a 2 fish per day allowance. The next season is from October 12 to October 31 with a 10 fish per day limit. 

The final segment runs from November 1 to December 31 with 15 fish allowed per day. The size limit for all segments is 13-inches.

The daily bag limit for porgies is 50 with a 10-inch minimum size. Anglers once again are allowed one striped bass daily of 28 to 37.99-inches. The early season for blackfish will end on April 30.

Anglers interested in taking advantage of the numerous saltwater fishing opportunities are advised to make their reservations early with one of the experienced captains of the BHCFA. Most of the prime dates fill up fast. Those who want to try their luck big game fishing for species such as tuna, marlin, and mahi-mahi are advised to contact individual captains for complete details.

Detailed information on the boats and captains of the Beach Haven Charter Fishing Association can visit the website www.BHCFA.net

There’s great weather and good fishing opportunities right now here on Long Beach Island. Let’s go fishing!!! This fishing report update is to supplement recent posts 4/19/22 & 4/13/22.

The best striped bass fishing in the local area continues in the bay. The open bay flats are starting to produce. Here’s a photo of Fish Head’s Alumni Dan D from this morning fishing Barnegat Bay.

We’ve already heard of a couple striped bass caught in Barnegat Inlet and there’s striped bass being picked off the front beach too. One report of an inlet striped bass came in from Aaron Parker a few days ago who was tog fishing, “I never expected to catch a striper on a green crab at the Lighthouse this time of year.”

On the beach, a really nice 37-7/8″ 18.12# striped bass was caught by Pat Gallen yesterday on salted clam. Today Shawn Gallen caught a 33″ 14.28# striped bass on slated clam. Pat and Shawn currently are the only two fish in the LBI Spring Surf Fishing Derby.

The drum action in Great Bay has kicked up a notch and we expect a few more bluefish reports any day.

Store staffer Frezza got into good fishing yesterday aboard the No Limit with Capt Jon. He caught a big tog as well as a good size monkfish (not rare but an uncommon catch).

It looks like blowfish are showing up to the area too!

The powerful coastal low pressure system, late season Nor’Easter, blew a gale on Monday and cleared out this morning leaving a breezy westerly wind and a powerful swell on the beaches of LBI today. The west wind had gannets active painting a very fishy seascape. Here’s the Long Beach Island Fishing Report for April 19, 2022.

LBI Surf Fishing Report

Today there’s a powerful southeast swell in the water with waves in the 4-6′ range. The offshore winds have the swell groomed just right for the surfing crowds that has packed the Island’s more prominent sandbars. We have no report to share from the past 24-28 hours but we can share some updated since the last fishing report post on 4/13/22.

On Friday Rob Swift caught two striped bass off the mid-Island surf. Both were on clam.

Another surf side report came in from Eric, “Third cast with a tin and teaser!”

We anticipate a slow pick at striped bass on the surf side for the next week or so. Possibly a showing of bluefish. Soon (May) the action will heat up!

Boats targeting striped bass nearshore usually start catching at the 48º mark. We will be there any day if not already. It’s game time to get out front and start pulling some spoons! 

Tautog Fishing Report

Right now there’s good tog fishing on the wrecks and reef sites as well as for land based anglers fishing at the Barnegat Light State Park. Here’s a recent catch photo from Richie at the rocks. There’s only this week and next for spring tog fishing! The season ends on April 30th and does not reopen until August 1st to November section at one fish.

Striped Bass Fishing

The striped bass fishing around the Island this spring has been really good. It popped off early and has been going steady. There is and has been an abundance of smaller sized stripers, but keeper sized fish in the schools. While the local south-central Jersey spring fishery (Barnegat Bay, Manahawkin Bay, Great Bay) is radically different from the north jersey fishery of Raritan Bay, it does offers unique favors and highlights with much different vibes.

It’s a fun light tackle fishery that can be joined in by land based approach or from a boat or kayak. As far as time there’s fish caught morning, noon and night. Don’t over look the high sun hours and afternoons because these can offer some of the best spring fishing.

Live bloodworm and clam are the best baits to soak. If a more active approach is preferred get into the fun with small lures, jigs and soft plastics. Fishing the right windows can fire off some great action.

It should be noted that the recent storm could slow the bite for a day or two but we expect it to bounce back fast.

Striped bass fishing continues to be nothing short of epic up north in Raritan Bay. With April’s Full “Pink Moon” behind us we are getting closer to the next stage of spring fishing. Right now bigger bass are present and on the feed before making a charge to spawn! Soon some will make an exit into the ocean and cruise down the Jersey Shore’s beaches, active and hungry, after an energy spent spring spawn.

It’s great to see New Jersey’s vibrant spring striped bass fisheries rocking strong despite the rest of the Atlantic coast striped bass being in trouble.

Clam Up The Black Drum

Now is the time for black drum fishing in the bay. Reports started earlier this month and a few have trickled in over weeks. Locally Great Bay and Manahawkin Bay are the places to fish with clam. 

Speaking of clams

Ryan Warford was out clamming and got a nice Easter haul. Spring is a great time to get our and enjoy some clamming.

13 Day’s To NJ Fluke Season

The 2022 NJ Fluke Fishing Season opens this year on May 2nd. Here’s a link to the new Fluke Slot Limit Regulations

While we have not had an early season shot like this before, we expect the fishing to be good in the back waters. We have already heard about a couple out of season bycatch fluke reports.

We just got in the water this past weekend. We are available for charter or Open Boat this Saturday, Sunday, and Monday, April 23, 24, and 25. My plan is to try a few hours of winter flounder and a few hours of casting for schoolie stripers in the bay. We could try anchoring with clams in the channel for the bass, too.  

7AM to 1PM. $165 person on the Open Boat, 4 people max, all fish are shared. $650 for the whole boat if you are chartering it.

This is earlier in the season then I usually start, but I am going to load up on worms, clams, and chum and go on the hunt with plugs and soft plastics looking for life in Barnegat Bay. 
Looking forward to seeing everyone on board this season.
Dave DeGennaro

Hi Flier Sportfishing

732.330.5674 cell

hiflier.com

I would like to announce that I have opened up my 2022 dates for Fluke/Summer  Flounder Guided Surf Fishing Trips on Long Beach Island N.J. >> *Daily starting 6/1/22 and running until 9/27/22. The last few seasons the fishing has been great and I expect that to continue this year and into the future now with some new regulations in place. First, we will have a much longer season this year and we will be protecting some of the larger breeding size fish which is good for the fishery plus we will be able to bring home a couple more eating size fish for the table. So its looking like it’s going to be a great summer. 
I’m really looking forward to hitting the beach again with everyone as last year was so much fun and looking forward to making some more memories and friends. I will once again be providing all tackle, bait and gear needed for a fun day fishing on beautiful LBI. *I would suggest if you are interested in joining me to Book as-soon-as-possible as I expect it to be another busy season with prime dates/days going fast. You can contact me for more information via email at [email protected] – Cell # 609-276-6983 or Direct Message me on my FaceBook and Instagram pages. Thank You,, Steve George / Nightstrikes Surfcasting Guide Svc. LLC