Tog closed out with a strong performance offering anglers a final weekend of wreck fishing. The inshore reefs were very productive. Read more about the reefs below. (New Reef Site) With tog/blackfish season now closed, the focus is strictly striped bass and bluefish. Both providing anglers fun with the latter stealing the spot light. Now is a great time to get out and take a kid fishing. Lots of anglers returning home from their winter hiatus are raving on the world class light tackle fishing we have in the local waters. Anglers are catching from the beach, bay and boat.

The Inlet is the epicenter of the bluefish bite however the back bay and surf are great too. Yesterday throughout the day there was a good pick. Early in the day, then again later afternoon into sunset was good. Some anglers complained about weeds.

Here’s a recent photo of Denis Betev who got into the blues in the inlet.

South Philly Fred and Fish Finder Frank Foley hit the Inlet yesterday afternoon and caught off the rocks. The yellow eyes were chewing bucktails.

More reports from the surf… Here’s two recent reports from shop regulars, both on bunker, mid-island surf. Andy got two blues then a 34″ bass. Eric got a 28″ bass on his first cast then a couple blues. Matt Krezel got this bluefish on the beach…

Drum fishing is good if you can get through the bluefish.

Crabbing has been very good in the bay.

Simply Bassing has begun! Register now before the classy bass roll into the surf. When signing up ask to joint our shop side-bet (Fisherman’s Headquarters Spring Striper Side-Bet, additional $10). Sorry this spring we are not having the catch and release tournament. There was little to no participation. Only a couple of fish were entered last spring. Not one fish was entered this past fall. Seems there was no interest. Those looking to fish a catch and release tournament should take part in the Berkley Striper Club’s 14th Annual Striped Bass Catch & Release Spring Tournament May 25 – May 29th  The Tournament is to benefit the Berkley Striper Club Fisheries Defense Fund. Enter at www.BerkeleyStriperClub.org
=====
Inshore structure is hard to come by in this neck of the woods. If it wasn’t for the NJ Artificial Reef Program we wouldn’t have much. These sites offer some of our area’s best bottom fishing for fluke, sea bass and tog among many other species. Can you imagine what fishing life would be like along the NJ coast without the reef sites?

New Reef Site

Since 1984, the Bureau of Marine Fisheries has been involved in an intensive program of artificial reef construction and biological monitoring. The purpose is to create a network of artificial reefs in the ocean waters along the New Jersey coast to provide a hard substrate for fish, shellfish and crustaceans, fishing grounds for anglers, and underwater structures for scuba divers.

Artificial reefs are constructed by intentionally placing dense materials, such as old ships and barges, concrete and steel demolition debris and dredge rock on the sea floor within designated reef sites. At present, the division holds permits for 15 artificial reef sites encompassing a total of 25 square miles of sea floor. The reefs are strategically located along the coast so that 1 site is within easy boat range of 12 New Jersey ocean inlets.
Reefs are now being used extensively by anglers and divers who catch sea bass, blackfish, porgy and lobster.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 27, 2017

DEP SECURES ARMY CORPS PERMITS TO BUILD NEW ARTIFICIAL REEFS
SITES TO BE DEVELOPED OFF OCEAN COUNTY’S MANASQUAN INLET AND IN DELAWARE BAY

(17/P36) TRENTON – The Department of Environmental Protection’s artificial reef program has secured a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers permit to proceed with construction of two new reefs for recreational fishing, Commissioner Bob Martin announced today.

A reef to be built off Ocean County’s Manasquan Inlet is part of a compromise the Christie Administration reached between recreational anglers and commercial fishermen over reef access that resulted in restored federal funding for the program. A second, previously planned reef to be developed in Delaware Bay will expand fishing opportunities in that region.
“We are very excited to move forward with this expansion of the state’s network of artificial reefs, which create important habitat for many types of marine life,” Commissioner Martin said. “By enhancing recreational fishing and diving opportunities, these reefs help boost the state’s tourism economy. We are particularly pleased with the opportunity to develop Delaware Bay’s first reef site, which will help bolster tourism in that region.”

Recreational fishing generates $1.5 billion in economic benefits in New Jersey each year, and directly employs some 20,000 people.

Artificial reefs are constructed from a variety of materials, such as rocks, concrete, steel, old ships and barges. These materials provide surfaces for a wide diversity of marine organisms to grow, ultimately providing food and habitat for many species of fish and shellfish.

The DEP’s Division of Fish and Wildlife resumed deployments of old vessels and other materials last year following a decision by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to restore funding for the program. This decision was the result of a compromise the DEP reached that allows commercial interests to have continued access to portions of two reefs sites in state waters and calls for the construction of a new reef for recreational fishing in state waters. State waters extend three miles from the shoreline.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service had suspended the funding due to concerns that commercial fishing was intruding on and hampering recreational fishing on artificial reefs, which are funded by excise taxes on recreational fishing gear and boat fuel.

The Army Corps permit allows the DEP’s Division of Fish and Wildlife to develop the two new reefs over the next 10 years as materials suitable for deployment become available.

The Manasquan Inlet Reef site is located 1.7 nautical miles southeast of the inlet, which is just north of Ocean County’s Point Pleasant Beach. When fully developed, it will occupy nearly one square mile of sea floor in water from 67 feet to 74 feet deep.

The Delaware Bay Reef site is located 9.2 nautical miles southwest of the mouth of Cumberland County’s Maurice River and will occupy a little more than a square mile of bay floor, at depths ranging from 23 feet to 35 feet.

The Army Corps permit also reauthorized continued operation and development of 15 artificial reef sites – 13 in federal waters and two in state waters.

DEP studies have shown that these materials are colonized quickly with organisms such as algae, barnacles, mussels, sea stars, blue crabs, and sea fans that attract smaller fish which, in turn, attract black sea bass, tautog, summer flounder, scup, lobster and other sought-after species.

For more information on New Jersey’s Artificial Reef Program

Visit: https://www.nj.gov/dep/fgw/artreef.htm

I had Bruce Conner of Illinois, Paul Covine, and Tom Duralek of Manahawkin on our first charter/open boat trip of the 2017 season. The trip’s goal was to have fun on shallow-water Bluefish and we got into them at our second spot. There is nothing like throwing a popper or plug, and having Bluefish destroy them in 2.5 feet of water. Some of the Barnegat Bay’s shallows produced some epic bites with fish nearing the 40 inch mark and up to 16 pounds.  Bruce was lights out working the Tsunami popper, followed by Paul on the SP Minnow, and Tom on a variety of lures. We had a busy morning scoring Blues on nearly every drift until it slowed. As we neared the end of the trip, we took one long drift along one of the lagoon fronts and scored a small Striped Bass and another monster Bluefish.

As we wait for the arrival of the bigger Striped Bass, I can run WEEKDAY afternoon bay Bluefish / Striped Bass trips from 3 to 7pm either full charter or $120 per person OPEN BOAT, in addition to WEEKENDS.  Once the OCEAN Striped Bass scene starts and tide is much less a factor, I can run weekends (anytime) and weekday (afternoons).  Again, as full CHARTER, or OPEN BOAT $150 per man for 5 hours.  All open-boats need 3 to run.

If interested in booking a charter, book through the website (reelreactioncharters.com), or call/text 609-290-7709 .  As always, we use the highest quality gear and everything is included all gear, tackle, fish-cleaning, and ICE – it’s “no worries” fishing.  Just come aboard and FISH.

Capt. Brett Taylor ~ Reel Reaction Sportfishing ~ Call or Text: 609-290-7709

First trip of the year Sunday with John Morley from Manahawkin and his 10 year old son Jack. Going into my fourteenth year of guiding I made a promise to myself to try some areas that I have not fished in a while and to target a new species (have to wait for summer to see if I keep that promise). Well out of the gate first cast Jack get a schoolie striper! Well that was the kiss of death on that bite, because during the next 40 minutes we landed only a 2 pound blue. We fished a spot I have not fished by boat since 1986. Even with that I think the change of spots paid off, and I plan on taking more of my clients there in the future. After that we were in search of gator bluefish and they did not let us down. Blues from 10-12.5 pounds on poppers and swimmers in shallow water. World class action folks. The bite was slower than normal but no complaints with the results. Here is a picture of Jack with the 12.5 lb. blue. I have Wednesday and Thursday (May 3rd & 4th) available for magic hour trips and then the next available date is one (1) spot for open boat Monday May 8th Magic hr trip . May dates are filling in fast so let me know if you want me to hold one for you. Remember I do offer fly-fishing as an option and with the monster blues in the shallows there is no better time than now to fly-fish the bay.

On the nature side of things: I am totally psyched for the World Series of Birding next Saturday, May 6th. Here is my teams page the LBIF Ospreys.  To date I have raised over $1,000 for LBIF and Fisherman Headquarters was one of my pledges. Thanks again Greg!  My team and I have been scouting breeding birds locations every available minute we have. For some, like myself, this competition is not just pick up a pair of binoculars and look for some birds. It takes countless hours of scouting out birds right before the big day. And if you know where a certain hard to find species of bird can be found it is not good enough. You need a backup location, and maybe a backup to your backup. This is serious stuff and I want to bring home the first place cup. Wish me luck come this Saturday.

Screaming drags and clear binoculars,

Capt. Alex
Barnegat Bay, NJ
609-548-2511

Big burly brute slammers continue their unabated assault on Barnegat Bay !

Barnegat Bay continues to offer up some of the most bountiful big slammer blue fish action to the delight of drag screaming worshipers and local [ wink , wink FishHQ] tackle shop everywhere!

All trips this week saw fast out of the gate action that continued through even slack tides which eventually led to angler arm exhaustion well before trips end! Doubles, triples, and quads hook ups were the norm for all trips all week long!

The most reliable has been chunking cut baits but poppers have scored well for those seeking explosive visual surface strike!

Want rod bending, drag screaming, visual strikes? Don’t delay and jump aboard the Reel Fantasea sailing out of historic Barnegat light’s 18th street aka Viking Village.

I have this Friday afternoon [ May 5th] 3-8pm available for open or private charter for any light tackle enthusiast looking for an afternoon of fun!

Wishing everyone fair winds and calm seas,

Captain Steve Purul

Reel Fantasea Fishing Charters

609-290-1217

 

 

    

A honking west wind and ripping current made fishing very difficult this afternoon. Had to step up to a 3oz bucktail to get down and had somewhat of a pick of decent Blues but nothing like it was yesterday. The Fat Cow Jig Strips outfished the 8″ Gotcha Grubs this time. Saw very few rods bent for the amount of people out there as the fish seemed to stay down deep for the most part. 

However, the bite seemed to stay pretty consistent on the west side of the bay all day long for the boats.  Captain Glenn Worgan on the Wolverine  reported steady action using little swimming plugs. 

Heading out on the boat in the morning, perhaps the front moving through tonight will get the bass chewing a little harder in the back!

Tight Lines,

Dan DiPasquale

Yesterday afternoon (4/28), my friend Mike Nini and I hit the jetty for the outgoing tide. With a heavy south wind and a ripping current, we stepped up to 2.5 oz buckatils to get down in the water column. It was game on. We had fish nearly every cast for a solid two hours on bucktails with grubs. During that time, we chased the fish from the monument down to the lighthouse. It was finally nice to see some blues with a big stomach, unlike last weekend’s skinny ones. They were all coming up fat and full of bunker, almost every fish was over 35″. The bite only looks like it is going to get better with lots of fish on their way. The time is now, get out and get on it!
Yesterday Paul Haertel reported, “Good togging with our 4 man limit plus other legal sized ones shorts and sea bass thrown back. Zachary Michot had his personal best and big fish of the day at 8.55 lbs.”
One customer this morning, stopped back again for more fresh clams. He said, “Mid twenty inch range bass mid-island surf on clam!” 
The bay bite continues to get better. Both bass and blues. The blues are here in full force and feeding heavy. Lots of anglers are finding fish and catching all across bays on poppers and little swimmers. Jeff Warford was on the water this morning loading up on shark bait for the mako season.

Tight Lines,

Dan DiPasquale

Finally the weather has cleared and fishing is back to where it was.  The water clarity and salinity was upside down but is settling. The bluefish bite turned back on and the yellow eyes are thick in the bay. The inlet has been on the slow side but we expect it to tee off soon. If heading up to the rocks we suggest bringing crabs to target blackfish if the blues aren’t cracking.

Crabbing is good! Got two positive reports.

Perch Fishing – The white perch fishing season got off to a early start and has been going strong ever since. It has been on fire in the tidal creeks and lagoons. The bite seems to only get better. Both the size and the quality have been great. Perfect timing for this weekend’s tournament, the 10th Annual Spring Perch Derby hosted by the Red Man Lodge #61. With fishing good, there will be a good turn out. There’s still time, if you want to join in on the fun. The Captain’s Meeting is tonight April 28th at 7:30pm at the Red Man Lodge. Location: 143 W. Main Street, Tuckerton, NJ 08087. The fishing tournament day will be Saturday April 29, 2017.

Striped Bass Fishing – Small fat stripers are in the surf and bay. Clam, small bunker chunks as well as lures are producing. Erik Oerther sent us in a photo of a small bass he caught on the mid-island bayside. First word of the local arrival of a bigger class of bass… Yesterday a customer stop in the shop reported his buddy caught a 20+ pound striped bass off of the surf on bait. Usually around this time the boat anglers trolling start picking good size fish. Now’s a good time to start working the 30-60′ along the beaches.

The 16th Annual Long Beach Island Surf Bass Tournament “Simply Bassing” kicks off tomorrow April 29th. Register now! For more details… www.LBIFT.com

Preparations for this Fall’s Surf Fishing Classic have begun. It will be the best one yet!

Here is an excerpt from The SandPaper’s “The Fish Story” by Jay Mann…

CLASSIC GROWTH: The Long Beach Island Surf Fishing Classic Committee is thinking bigger and better this year … and I’m lovin’ it.

This fall, the famed surfcasting event will be extended to nine weeks, broken into three, three-week segments. But no entry fee increase.

Dates have been set: Oct. 7 through Dec. 10.

This timeframe boost widens the window of weigh-in opportunity, meaning more time/chances to win a daily, weekly, segment or grand prize.

Weigh-in times are based on open hours of participating shops. More on those inner details as the big event approaches.

As noted, I’m highly in favor of this extension. It’s ideal to maintain fun competitive surf fishing for as much of fall time as possible – before the big winter chill sets in.

This nine-week format also adds an extra weekend for those who can only fish days starting with “S.” To be sure, weekenders are a major part of the contest. In fact, when the Classic began in 1954, as the Striped Bass Derby, it was almost exclusively for visitors. I kid you not. In fact, locals couldn’t win the grand prizes. Outsiders only.

Per usual, the 2017 Classic will be all but weighed down with cash and prizes. Anyone can win something at any time. It’s an equal-opportunity affair.

Special effort is going into the 2017 Classic T-shirt, likely in Kelly green, admittedly a good bit Eagles-like. There might even be some special T-shirt prizes and giveaways. Stay tuned for that angle.

I’m bringing up this fall event now because there will be a push to get entrants to register early – and, hopefully, often, i.e. with spouses, kids, buddies … the whole gang shebang.

 

Capt Mark from Bluerunner Sportfishing and Waterproof Fishing Intel Service stopped by yesterday to pick up two bags of clam. While here he shared this photo of a 17 pounder from Monday’s trip.

“Monday was a beautiful day. We fished six different wrecks over 25 miles of ocean. We had to work for them. Got our biggest blackfish to date, a 17 pounder. We backed it up with a 10 and a 9 pounder. Some nice sea bass, cod and pollock too. Last chance to get out is now. Go get it!” ~ Capt Mark Blue Runner Sportfishing

The NJ Tautog season (currently 4 fish at 15″) closes at the end of this month, April 30th. It doesn’t reopen until July 17th. Then it will be one fish at 15″.

The NJ Black Sea Bass season opens on May 26th with anglers allowed 10 fish at 12.5″

Hi Folks,

I have 2 spots open for Friday Afternoon , we will be targeting both bass and blues but we have continued to score the occasional big tide runner as well to sweeten the pot to score a Barnegat Bay Slam for the savvy angler! 4 Barnegat bay Slams in the last 4 weeks!!

It’s all “hands on” fishing with light tackle techniques , locations and coaching for both the novice and veteran. $125.00pp Everything included just bring your light tackle enthusiasm!

C’mon and jump aboard The Reel Fantasea for an afternoon of light tackle tactics and fun!

Captain Steve Purul

Reel Fantasea Fishing Charters

609-2901217

My family and I went on vacation (first one in a long time) and had a blast on Sanibel Island, FL.  We saw lots of wildlife (Ospreys, Dolphins, Otters, Manatees with calves, Gators, etc – too many to mention).  But it was most enjoyable to see my 9yr old fish on his own.

 

But now we’re back to Jersey fishing and the JENNY LYNN has officially made it in the water.  We have some big Blues and smaller Bass in the bays which can be targeted with artificials.  May and June are prime months for Striped Bass and Bluefish, and I have both weekend and weekday afternoon availability.   Once this coastal low pressure front moves through, I’m available to run afternoon weekday bay trips for Bluefish and Striped Bass (3 to 7pm) as long as the tide matches up.  We can run as full charter, or as OPEN BOAT $120 per man (but need 3 to run).

Once the OCEAN Striped Bass scene starts and tide is much less a factor, I can run weekends (anytime) and weekday (afternoons).  Again, as full CHARTER, or OPEN BOAT $150 per man for 5 hours (need 3 to run).

If interested in booking a charter, book through the website (reelreactioncharters.com), or call/text 609-290-7709 .  As always, we use the highest quality gear and everything is included all gear, tackle, fish-cleaning, and ICE – it’s “no worries” fishing.  Just come aboard and FISH.

Capt. Brett Taylor ~ Reel Reaction Sportfishing ~ 609-290-7709