Category: Fishing Reports

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.

LBI Spring Surf Fishing Tournament

Anglers chunking bunker of the surf are catching striped bass and bluefish. Here’s a link to the current leader board.

Offshore Fishing Report

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.

It was a long winter of eagerly waiting for the spring to come to get back out fishing. Over the winter, Captain Mike became surface ice rescue certified with the Waretown Fire Department. We also made several upgrades to the boat including new Simrad electronics with 4G radar and an active imaging transducer. After a couple of sea trials to dial in the new electronics, we are ready to go!

Sea Bass season opens on May 15 and we will be ready to go out and target those tasty fish! Shortly after sea bass opens, fluke season opens on May 24. The striped bass are also showing as well as bluefish. We have lots of different options of fish to target this spring. We have some striped bass and sea bass trips booked already so call now before our days get booked up!

If you want to get in on the Spring action call or text Captain Mike! (609)-709-7264

Striped bass continue to offer up fun light tackle action while employing artificial presentations ! Now add bluefish while employing both artificial and or fresh chunk baits it’s a recipe for light tackle fun!

I have this Saturday morning and afternoon available for light tackle enthusiast looking for some exciting opportunities!

Wishing everyone fair winds and calm seas,

Captain Steve Purul

Reel Fantasea fishing Charters 609-290-1217

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

Top Bluefish
1) 16.34# Kevin Laverty

For complete details see www.LBIFT.com

Fish Head Charters

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!

Here’s a report update for Friday May 3rd. This supplements our recent posts; Fishing Report Update May 2nd and Fishing Report Update April 29th

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.

Sign Up Now For The LBI Spring Surf Fishing Tournament

The best striped bass catching of the season scored today [ May 1st}  with both quality and quantity! 
 Artificial lures continue to be our standards aboard the Reel Fantasea as there isn’t  much  more fun than experiencing and detecting  the “hands on feel” of a subtle striper bite all the way to the hook set  and rod bending fun experienced on light tackle!
I’ve been on our local waters for just about a month contemplating relocating to the Raritan bay and it’s epic daily striper action but today calmed any undue worries as we found our selves deep into thick schools stripers through out many locations in the safe confines of Barnegat Bay!
Best catches are made with close attention to technique and instructions with bass ranging in size from 22′ -34″ with the bulk falling somewhere in the middle.
Every year I come across rafts of floating living inflated blow fish at the surface . This year was no exception . I can only surmise these early arrivals are chased to the surface [ predator fish – bass and blues ?] and gulp air to inflate to avoid consumption leaving them haplessly floating at the surface to only have gulls playing tug-a war[?] but who knows . You could do this for 3 lifetimes and still not unlock all the secrets and mysteries. 
I have a Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning [ private only] and 1 spot for Sunday afternoon available for anyone interested in jumping out for some light tackle fun. Keep in mind we are fishing in the bay and weather is not an issue unless you don’t have rain gear. 
Wishing everyone fair winds and calm seas,Captain Steve PurulReel Fantasea Fishing Charters609-290-1217