Category: Fishing Reports

We ran to the Spencer Canyon on Sunday. Found the right water. Beautiful shade of blue. Tons of porpoise and whales. Skipjacks attacking our spread every 5 to 10 minutes. Caught one small bluefin tuna, not even big enough for the cooler and way too many skippies. That’s the report. We were one of the boats that didn’t catch that day.

The Fluke bite has been a little off due to very cold incoming temperatures in addition to cooler than average air temperatures.  It seems most have been hitting jigs that have been slowly jigged or even dead-sticked.  The bite should get better as it begins to get warmer.  There are Bluefish around the back and near the inlet, but they are hitting on specific tides.

This past week I had Matt Odalen and his wife Chris along with his parents William and Mary on a 4hr bay & inlet charter. With rough conditions at the jetty, we opted to go for Fluke in the backwaters. It was extremely tough drifting conditions with steady 20 knot winds and higher gusts, but the crew did manage to catch close to 15 Fluke with a lone keeper to 21 inches.

Next, I had Ryan Hathcock and Cole Danielson on a 4hr bay & inlet charter and we had very good conditions in terms of wind and tide. We worked close to 10 different areas in the backwaters on both the east and west sides of Barnegat Bay. The duo had well over 20 fish for the trip with only one keeper at 22 inches, but we did have a few that almost taped to 18 inches.

With a last minute rescheduling due to potential unsettled weather/winds, I took my father out for 2 hours prior to the winds in the late morning.  We worked some old and new areas, and had over 25 fish in about 2 1/2 hours. The incoming water was 58F so we had to find some spots that were 6-8 degrees warmer. We ended up icing a nice 23 inch and 19.5 inch Fluke on the S&S Bigeye.

I will be running weekday charters (3pm to 7/8pm) until school gets finished on June 21st, then we are 7 days a week (morning/afternoon). If interested in booking a charter, book our site (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.

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

This report update has a variety of positive fishing info from back bay to surf and inshore to offshore. Anglers of all ages got out and enjoyed the water in celebration of National Fishing and Boating Week. Who actually knew a thing existed? In our book everyday is National Fishing Day! Even though the nationally recognized week is over, it is a great time to introduce friends and family to the fun sport of fishing.

Positive reports off the surf themed around fluke, blues, black drum, striped bass and kingfish.

Torr Cohen got this healthy 31″ striped bass off the surf. He reported, “Persistence pays off!”

The amazing piano man Paul P of the LBI Fishing Club was in the shop this morning for bait. He reported, “This spring has been good. So far I have eight bass to date. My last outing both bass and blues were hitting just about every bait.”

Steve P fished the mid-island surf yesterday afternoon. He reported, “Bass, Blues, Bunker!”

Store staffer Frezza says, “Fluke are in the surf; north, mid and south end beaches are all producing. Most of the fish are shorts but if you find the right cut, keepers will be had.”

@jhbdpw shared, “Flounder are out and about today (weekend report). Just can’t seem to catch one over 18 inches.”

On the fluke front most anglers are targeting the backwater’s, sod banks, main thorougfares as well as the rolling open bottom of the bays. Seems like a new wave of fish arrive this past week as the reports have picked size wise. Some reporting limits with occasional 3-4 and 6 pound fluke. Most of the action is on bucktails tipped with Gulp. By far our two best sellers are Magic Tail Tear Drop Bucktails and Spro Prime Bucktails.

New to the scene, Magictail’s Squid Hoochie Jigs are turning heads out producing some classic jigs. In new product testing they were responsible for quality catches and pool winnings. These hot new jigs feature big eyes and the right shape and balance for best action. The super sharp and strong hooks are perfect for rigging with Gulp or natural bait for both fluke and sea bass.. Their silicone skirt (no hair) and long glow trailer tail are secrete suducers. Soon after this summer’s fluke tournaments they will be main stream. You heard it here first!

The classic school of flounder pounders fishing the live bait route (spot, minnows) have experienced difficulty. Not catching fish, but finding bait. So far this year both of these baits have been very hard to get. Late weekend (Sunday evening) we got a nice deliver of the season’s first good size minnows. We didn’t get a ton so they sold fast. We are hoping for another delivery soon.

David DiGangi send in this recent back bay fishing report, “Got a 22 pound black drum and 15 fluke, two keepers.”

Inshore Sea Bass Fishing

The Carolyn Ann III had The Boy Scouts Pack 61 aboard Sunday. Rain or shine, the Scouts had a great time. These kids don’t mess around. It was all about fishing for this gang!” More tackle boxes and less Xboxes.

With the inshore waters are full of sandeels with game fish like bass, blues, fluke and sea bass gorging on them. Diamond jigs are working their magic. Anglers working the inshore structure enjoy a good jig bites with the seabass loving diamond jigs.

Striped Bass Fishing

The local early June striped bass is much slower than recently years. Usually we have bunker stacked up and stretch along the beaches. This year is much different. The westerly wind pattern just never came together.

With the June New Moon upon us it’s still time for trophy striped. The few fish that are being caught in the boat are really good ones!

Peter Cichon reported, “Gina Gambogi caught this 49″ monster striped bass trolling off of IBSP out in 60 feet of water this weekend.”

High Point Striper Shootout Results

The 11th Annual High Point Striper Shootout went down this past weekend. The fishing tournament had 53 boats entered. Jason “J-Bird” Marti (one of the key tournament organizers) summed up the event saying, “Another great year with one hell of a fun time! Slow fishing with only 24 fish total (11 striped bass, 13 bluefish) but everyone had a great time at the party. Thanks again for the support.” We spoke to a few of the anglers who fished it and they all agreed the part that High Point puts out is second to none! Here’s the final results…

First Place – 32.9# Captain Mark Finelli aboard the Laura
Second Place – 16.2# Captain Mike Green aboard the Luckey Stripes
Third Place – 11# Captain Kevin Schmidt aboard the Bonnie Ann

Top Lady Angler – 10.5# Katherine Nutt
Jr Angler – 9.8# Bebe Finelli

Congrats to all the anglers who fished and placed. We spoke to Captain Mark Finelli after the tournament to congratulate him on the win. He said, “IT was a tough day. We picked at keeper fish all day. Fortunately we got the right bite and capitalized. After years fishing these bass tournaments… finally got the win! Anyone looking to get out aboard Laura Sportfishing for fluke, sea bass or striped bass should call (P: 8563416562) and book a trip with Captain Mark!

Offshore Is Hot

Recent reports from the edge all have one thing in common. The Bluewater fishing is red hot right now. It’s great to get into the action as well as hear all the positive reports. Let’s keep this going all season long!

A few days ago we geared up Dave Simcoe and his son for their first offshore trip of the year. Some help rigging, setting up reels, correcting some issues and loading up with tackle. It all was for the better! They stopped in today and shared the results. “We got covered up in big eyes. A Wolfpack came up and piled on. We landed two out of the four and left us in shambles. It was a great trip with lake like conditions on the ride in.”

The Reel Fishers Scott, Dylan and Friends were out fishing offshore this weekend for their first canon trip of the year. They reported, “The trip was a success! Can’t wait to get back to the edge!”

The guys aboard the Jersey Nuts were recently in the shop gearing up. We loaded ’em up with Baitmaster Ballyhoo. They went out and filled the boat!

Offshore Baits: Ballyhoo, Squid, Sardines, Butterfish +

Any one looking for offshore bait… stop in. We’ll hook you up. We’ve got a great supply of premium winter caught offshore baits from Baitmaster’s, the best name in big game bait. With ballyhoo from small, medium, and large to squid (beautiful trolling squids and swordfish deep drop baits), split tail mullet, Spanish mackerel as well as super hard to find flying fish. We also have professionally rigged baits for beginner anglers as well as those that are on a time crunch. We are also loaded up on flats of whole chunk baits like sardines, butterfish and mackerel as well as buckets of chum for sharking.

Speaking of sharking… a few customers in the shop reported the shark bite inshore was non existent this weekend, “The water is too cold.” You got to get out to the edge to find water in the mid 60’s. Everything inside has been chilly in the high 50’s to about 60. Anyday new warmer water should move it.

We had a pair of nice fluke weighed in today from Aaron Allison of the Village Harbour Fishing Club. Fishing the Barnegat Bay aboard the Crying Crabber they fooled two really good fish with a bucktail/Gulp combo. One 4.78 and one six pounder.

Store staffer Kelley was on the surf this morning getting his fluke on. He caught about 10 shorts but didn’t manage a keeper. He reported lots of shorts as well as some keepers by other anglers. Kelley mentioned one guy got a big tog that he released because season is closed.

Daniel Whitcraft Jr sent in this report, “My friend Dave and I fished the bay and did ok catching rays and sharks. I caught an 18″ fluke on an 8/0 circle hook with a big chunk of bunker. :-)”

Some sand tigers are showing up! Prime time ghetto sharking is getting close.

Save The Date

Here’s some upcoming fishing tournaments….

The 21st Annual Sunshine Foundation Fishing Tournament hosted by the Southern Ocean Chapter is Saturday July 7, 2018 at the American Legion Post 493. Entry Fee is $70 per boat, Early Entry $60 (Paid By July 1, 2018). Captain’s Meeting is Friday July 6th at the Legion

Two great long running tournaments, The Greater Atlantic Bluefish Tournament (GABT – 31st Annual) and the Ladies Invitational Bluefish Tournament (LIBT – 34th Annual) are now one, honoring John Dunn who passed away earlier this year. The John Dunn Memorial Fishing Tournament is a one day event on June 30, 2018. Entry fee is $150 for the boat division and $75 for the surf or kayak division. Cash prizes will be awarded for 1st, 2nd, 3rd place (single heaviest fish) for striped bass, bluefish and flounder in both the boat and kayak/surf division. Captain’s Meeting is Friday June 29th 7pm at the American Legion Post 493. Fish 6am-2pm, Weigh In 2pm-4pm Saturday June 30, 2018.

TGIF – Thank God It’s Friday! Here’s the Long Beach Island NJ fishing report update for Friday June 8th. The first full week of June turned out to be a good one. Fishing as a whole is strong with great reports from all the local waters; back bay, from shore, inshore and offshore.

Back Bay Fishing Report

The bay is chock full of fluke. Small striped bass and blues also offer great fun for light tackle enthusiast. Crabbing started early and continues with the best reports from the bay’s west side.

Rick the Fishing Musician came out for the encore today and kicked off the weekend right. He caught a 21″ three pound fluke fishing the bayside today. Rick fooled the fluke fishing slow and low on the outgoing tide with a Gulp Jerk Shad rigged on a jig head.

Store staffer Max recently fished the bay and did well. He said, “The area I wanted to fish was loaded with grass. It was tough. I had to adapt and work through it. The Tom Scibek Floating Jig Heads was the solution. Rig it on a dropper loop about 12-18″ up above a dipsey sinker for a near weedless approach.”

Ron Hart stopped by today with a pair of nice fluke fishing Gulp in the bay. One was 21″ and the other was 24″ going 5.14 pounds.

From Shore – LBI Surf Fishing

Some nice weighs from the surf today and a number of good reports.

Tim Daly of Manahawkin weighed in a 37″ 19.35 pound striped bass. He caught the fish off of the mid-island surf fishing fresh Fish Heads bunker at about 10am.

Anthony Aloi of New City New York caught a cow fishing the surf last night. Fishing the night shift on the mid-island surf Anthony got a good bite at about 10pm. Turned out to be a hoss! 46″ 38.3 pound bass.

Henry from Ship Bottom got a kingfish on the beach today fishing bunker off the mid island surf.  Yesterday his father-in-law had a nice striped bass fishing the water.

The Battle on the Beach – High School Fishing Tournament

The 10th Annual Southern Rams High School Surf Fishing Tournament the “Battle On The Beach” was this past Thursday June 7, 2018 (4-7pm) on the Barnegat Light Beach. The annual contest between local Ocean County high schools was a success with over 40 student anglers fishing between four teams. Surf conditions were calm with clean water and a mild south easterly wind. A majority of the fish caught were blues and fluke. The high hooks for Southern were Freddy Farina and Cam Conrad. Both seniors each caught a half dozen targeted game fish.

We would like to thank the LBI Fall Surf Fishing Classic, Fisherman Headquarters, The Barnegat Light Heavers and other local tackle shops for their support. The local fishing clubs are looking forward to the summer.

~ Jason Hoch

Inshore Fishing Report

Striped bass and sea bass are the name of the game inshore.

Early June is well known for trophy striped and today a couple big bass were caught in the boat today.

Mike Nini and Cole Cronin got into some nice ones fishing today out of Barnegat Light. It was the boat’s first trip out since back from the Florida Keys. They headed up the beach and marked some fish. Went on the troll and got big on a Magic Tail Mojo! They also dropped a good fish. They reported, “On the deck of the boat the fish was coughing up squid. We laid her on top of the cooler before letting her go and she had about 8″ at least on the 46″ cooler. Fish was a monster!”

Robbie Vallone was on the Carolyn Ann III today and reported good sea bass fishing. Robbie said, “The jig bite was good. I got seven keepers and another anglers got the same. We were the two high hooks but didn’t get the pool. The pool winner was a

Offshore Big Game Fishing

The solid early season offshore fishing continues. Reports from the edge have been great. Days ago a section of water came into the Toms. Some boats got on it and produced. It slid down into the Lindy and things broke wide open. The water continues to move south lighting up the Spencer and soon if not already will be in the Wilmington. Any quick look at social media will turn up some awesome fishing photos from recent days.

Lots of great fishing! Now’s the time to gear up and Go Go Go!!!

Yellowfin, Bluefin, Bigeyes, Makos, Mahi and Golden Tilefish.

I got the invite from Jeff & Ilan of the Reel Innovation, “Wanna head offshore?” In a second, I jumped in on the opportunity. We broke the BL Inlet at 10pm Wednesday night and headed to the deep. We were shocked to find the inshore water from the Inlet almost all the way to the edge was 56-58 degrees. [Only a few days earlier the waters in the 30-40 fathom area was in the mid to upper 60’s and holding fish (makos and bluefin). The north east blow must have pushed it further south.] Once we pulled into the promise land it took a little bit to find the right water (69 degrees) but when we did lots of life was there. Minutes after stopping the boat squid were in the lights. Marking fish we dropped some baits and I tried jigging for a little bit but no bites.  We switched gears and go prep’d for the grey light troll. Some other boats fishing the area picked a few fish at first light but for us the first bite (one small mahi) did come until about 6:30-7am.

Shortly after the mahi things came alive! The rest of the day was full of action. At times the bite was very consistent making for fun mayhem in the cockpit. Doubles, triples… at one time we had 8 clickers screaming with fish airing out on every lure/bait in the spread. We found the bite to be best on splash bars (spreaderbars) and Joe Shute dressed ballyhoo.

Everyone aboard had a great time enjoying the full day of canyon fishing fun. Captain Jeff reports,” It’s great to see the incredible fishing continue. Our day troll trip was nothing short of incredible! Lots of good action today for Reel Innovations ending the trip with 22 yellowfin and six bluefin.

Dante from Magictail Bucktails was also aboard and shared this report, ” I had the privilege to fish aboard the 58′ Viking “Reel Innovations”  with Captain Jeff, owner Ilan, first mate Dan and Greg from Fish Heads. Catching a half dozen bluefins and then smoking twenty plus yellowfin in short order. The food was amazing thanks to Ilan Master Angler & Iron Chef! With a full course breakfast, lunch and dinner we ate like kings.”

Thanks Ilan & Jeff again for the invite and the great trip!

We had lots of anglers in the shop today gearing up for bluewater advnetures. From rods to reel to line to lures to top quality Baitmaster Ballyhoo we are fully stocked and ready to help you prepare for your next trip.

Some anglers in the shop shared reports from their recetn trips. All were very positive. One report spoke of heavy boat traffic today but still plenty of fish on the chew. We got wind of a good big eye bite one boat got into.

Here’s an offshore report from Ryan Dellane. “First offshore trip of the season. We went 86 miles out on a 25′ single engin center console. Yeah we are crazy. Lots of life out there. Got into a hot yellowfin bite on the troll. Great day on the water with friends.”

The Carolyn Ann III party boat fishing out of Barnegat Light reported good fishing yesterday. “That short northeast storm really helped the sea bass fishing. Tuesday’s trip we had two guys with limits and a few groups who are going to have a great fish fry tonight.  It was a good day of fishing today. Come join us!”

Chris Masino stopped in the shop yesterday evening to pick up some things.  While here he reported good fishing on the surf, “There’s blues in along the beach feeding on chunks. In the morning there were lots of bait but out of casting range.”

John Larue sent in a couple photos and this report, “Had some great fishing up north. We crushed the bass on poppers and jigs.”

High Point Striper Shootout

Next weekend is the 11th Annual High Point Striper Shootout! Now’s the time to gear up and prepare for what we expect to be a awesome weekend of fishing! Captain’s meeting is Friday June 8th at 7pm. For more information go to www.HPVFC.com

National Fishing & Boating Week

This week is National Fishing and Boating Week. As most know fishing and boating is fun, stress relieving activity that you can enjoy with family and friends anytime. Now’s the time to enjoy yourself on the water. Be sure to bring a friend or family member to introduce them to the world of fun.

Haven’t been out since the blow came through on Sunday. We did sail Saturday with a full boat. I had some good intel from friends up north that Deal and Long Branch were giving up nice stripers so we got an early start and made the left out of Barnegat Inlet. Thirty miles later we put the lines out and we trolled for hours without a hit. The radio echoed the same sentiment of “what happened?”. There’s nothing worse than getting there to hear that. We went as far as the Shrewsbury Rocks and then we headed back to Barnegat. Stopped at the North Barnegat Inlet jetty and did really well casting light spinning rods with soft plastics for 2 to 4 pound bluefish. Fortunately the guys I had on board were having fun doing that.

Some fish on the beach today. Here’s a report sent in from Scott Shirey…

Dirty water with lots of grass today on the mid-island surf. I chunked Fish Heads Bunker. The rip was strong and couldn’t hold bottom, so I walked the bait down the beach. The fish were there, though, on the last of the incoming. This big gator, a smaller 26” blue, and a 26” bass, along with a couple missed hits.