It sure has been a hot week, both temperature and fishing. I was on the water almost every day and here is what I have to say. Bay fluking on the right tide is brisk. By brisk I mean, like 10 -15 fish an hr. Albeit mostly shorts, but lots of fun and a few invited to dinner. The bay temperature is solid 80s and the ocean in the low to mid-70s. Baby ospreys are getting bigger and bigger and soon will take their first flights. After that, they will have to learn how to fish. Hopefully, there will be enough forage for them. Schools of adult bunkers around Barnegat Inlet have been hard to come by this summer thanks to the spotter planes and highly efficient purse seiners. If you have some time to read and want to know more about bunker I suggest you read; The Most Important Fish in the Sea, by H. Bruce Franklin. Speaker of the bunker, I have been seeing lots of schools of about 2” peanut bunker in the back lagoons and channels. These recently hatched fish will grow to be maybe 4-7” by summers end. They are filter feeders, and there is plenty of food for them in Barnegat Bay thanks to algae growth. Algae growth enriched by runoff of lawn fertilizers inland at places like Jackson and Manchester Twp. OK back to fishing, seems like I get sidetracked a lot. ADHD maybe? You see it happened again, back to fishing! The bluefish bite around Barnegat Inlet slowed somewhat earlier in the week but got back going by Wednesday. On my last trip, which was Friday, the Rich Ziegler saw first-hand my amazing ability to gears, or should I say species, and go from fluking to targeting a Barnegat Bay Slam (fluke, bluefish, and striper). Switching over from fluke, we went on the hunt for stripers and blues. The hunt was successful and after it was over I am not sure if two or three of the guys in the party got a Slam. Nonetheless, all three species caught and caught in multiple numbers. Some of the best light tackle action Barnegat Bay has to offer.

Now offering 2hr Kayak eco-tours to Clam Island, 25th St Barnegat Light. $40 per person which includes the kayak. After learning about all of the incredible things you see along with some history, you may walk away thinking how you can become a steward of Barnegat Bay yourself.

Screaming drags, Capt. Alex 609-548-2511

Both novice and savvy anglers [ with a quick tutorial] aboard the Reel Fantasea continue to score a mix of teen size [ pound]  drag scorching blues and  bass [ 22″-26″] for the more adventurous anglers while employing well appointed high quality light PENN spinning tackle!

All week long bluefishing was as good it gets and you did not think it could get any better. Well, it did not get any better, it got a little slower. Not sure why, but then again not sure why Saturday’s evening high tide was much higher than normal with no moon phase pulling it higher or persistent NE winds backing water up in the back bay. Sea level rise??? Saturday evening the Pereni group was back aboard the Debbie M looking to get into some of the hot bluefishing that has been going on. Well, the bluefish bite was off. They did get to wrestle with a few bruisers in between the slop n& chop around the mouth of the inlet. We also decked a few short fluke in what would have been the best time but now is not. The fluke bite seems to have taken an 180. The last few days incoming has had the upper hand. Likely cause is that the bay has finally broken the 80-degree mark for a sustained period. Some may like it hot but fluke is not one of them. Weakfish, on the other hand, love the warm bay temps. I have not tried for them yet but will try to chase some down soon. Cownose rays have arrived and you never know when you may hook into one. I heard they are pretty tasty. Think I will try one out this year. Since it has cow in its name I am going to make a burger out of it and make it like this: two all-ray patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions on a sesame seed bun. Have some openings this week, for back bay and inlet fishing. If you like hard fighting fish and don’t want a long boat ride you may be interested the beach shark trips I offer.

Screaming drags, Capt. Alex 609-548-2511

Head on over to our Instagram page to win a 6oz Bottle of Cactus Juice! This stuff is the real deal! Perfect to protect against the nasty greenheads and flies that cover our region.

Winner picked tomorrow, Saturday 7/15/17

*RULES*
Follow @fishermansheadquarters on Instagram
Like the photo
Tag 2 friends on the Instagram post

WIN A FREE BOTTLE – Like & Tag 2 Friends, a winner will be chosen on Saturday. Cactus Juice, the Essential All Natural Skin Protection From Bugs!!! 🌵 🐜 #cactusjuice #prectionfrombugs #bugssuck #noseeems #LongBeachIsland #BeachHaven #barnegatlight #beachlife

A post shared by Fisherman’s Headquarters (@fishermansheadquarters) on Jul 12, 2017 at 7:42pm PDT

The fluke fishing in the bay continues to provide excellent action. We have been using gulp and various live baits. The colder incoming ocean water has definitely out-fished the outgoing.

Sunday I had Jim and Linda Henderson of High Bar Harbor, NJ out to celebrate Linda’s birthday. The bay fluke were not cooperating and several spots weren’t producing (2 close at 17.5″). We headed to ocean and Linda reeled in our only keeper at 19″. Jim caught a lot of fluke but his highlight was a very large stargazer!

Monday I had Matt Bailey of Coopersburg, PA with his kids Madison and Jay and their friend Damien Szlachta out for fluke. We found 3-5lb. blues at the inlet and played with them for a while. Matt had a 10+lb. that snapped the line at the boat (we saw it at least). Our first ocean location was terrible. We moved to the bay and after a slow start the bite improved. Madison showed the guys how it was done, catching 2 keeper fluke at 18″ and 18.5″. Damien was high hook with 15+ fish and ended with a 19″ fish on our last drift. Everyone kept the bucktails moving and did a great job!

Wednesday I had John Conzelman of Jamison, PA out with his brother Bob and Uncle Bob for fluke. The crew worked the fish, catching close to 50 fish and 4 keepers ( biggest at 20″) making the trip back to the dock. They had 5 fish very close being over 17.5″ and just shy of 18″.

The ocean fluke bite should start soon and with sea bass there are options to do combo trips. Contact us and come out for a great day on the water fishing! 267-918-1746

PRESS RELEASE FROM NJ FISH & GAME
IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NOAA AFFIRMS NEW JERSEY’S CURRENT-SEASON SUMMER FLOUNDER LENGTH AND BAG LIMITS

DIVISION OF FISH AND WILDLIFE LAUNCHES OUTREACH CAMPAIGN TO EDUCATE ANGLERS ON KEEPING FISHERY SUSTAINABLE

(17/P73) TRENTON – The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has affirmed New Jersey’s summer-flounder fishing size, bag limits and season, meaning all rules adopted by the state earlier this year will remain in effect through early September, Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Bob Martin announced today.

The decision, approved by U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross, finds New Jersey in compliance for management of summer flounder. It follows weeks of information-sharing between the DEP and NOAA about the expected impacts on New Jersey’s summer flounder fishery imposed by a regional fisheries commission earlier this year.

“We are very pleased that NOAA worked with us to understand our position that sound science and good long-term planning must drive decisions about the management of summer flounder, one of the state’s most important recreational and commercial fish species,” Commissioner Martin said. “New Jersey is fully committed to employing science and public education to conserve a species that is critical to the fishing culture and economy of the state.”

“I would like to thank Secretary Ross and Assistant Administrator of NOAA Fisheries Chris Oliver and for working with the State of New Jersey to preserve and manage our fisheries through responsible management processes, while recognizing the economic impacts of this industry to the state,” said DEP Deputy Commissioner David Glass.

The decision means that the recreational summer flounder season, that began May 25 and runs through Sept. 5, remains unchanged. The minimum size remains 18 inches for summer flounder for most coastal waters, including the ocean, estuaries and creeks. Anglers in these areas may keep three legally sized fish per day. The size limit for Delaware Bay is 17 inches, with a three-fish per day limit. At Island Beach State Park the size limit for shore fishing is 16 inches, with a daily two-fish limit.
Toward the DEP’s goal of ensuring a sustainable summer flounder fishery, the DEP’s Division of Fish and Wildlife launched a campaign to educate the fishing public on how to reduce discard mortality by safely releasing summer flounder that do not meet minimum size requirements.

“We are asking all anglers to help protect this important species for future generations,” Commissioner Martin said.

Recreational and commercial fishing generates $2.5 billion in economic activity in the state each year. Also known as fluke, summer flounder is popular because of its delicate flavor and abundance along beaches and in bays and other coastal waters.

The “If You Can’t Keep It, Save It!” campaign focuses on the proper handling methods and gear to use to reduce unintentional mortalities that can occur when flounder that do not meet minimum length requirements are returned to the water.

The campaign builds upon the FishSmart campaign promoted by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. New Jersey’s effort features distribution of print and electronic brochures to anglers registered through the state’s Saltwater Registry, charter and party boat operations, bait-and-tackle shops and members of fishing organizations, as well as radio public-service announcements and newspaper advertisements. The Division of Fish and Wildlife is also doing outreach through its website, email lists and social media.

To make the “If You Can’t Keep It, Save It!” campaign even more successful, the Division of Fish and Wildlife, in coordination with the American Sportfishing Association and Eagle Claw

Fishing, will distribute 20,000 free larger-sized hooks that help anglers land bigger fish and reduce the potential for discards.

These hooks will be available soon at bait-and-tackle shops. The Save the Flounder Fishery Fund provided valuable support to this effort. A list of participating shops will be made available on the DEP’s website and the Division of Fish and Wildlife Facebook page.

The Division of Fish and Wildlife encourages anglers to follow these techniques:

• Plan ahead – Expect to release fish and have the necessary equipment to do so, including de-hookers and proper nets; more experienced anglers may also consider using a recompression tool, a device that allows fish to be returned to the water at a safer depth.

• Use appropriate gear – Use gear suited to the size of the fish that you are trying to catch; 5/0 to 7/0 size hooks are recommended to successfully land bigger fish and reduce discards.

• Handle fish carefully – Use knotless, rubberized landing nets and rubberized gloves to avoid removing the protective slime layer on fish and help ensure survival when it is placed back in the water.

“By following these guidelines, anglers will be giving fish a better chance of survival,” said Division of Fish and Wildlife Director Larry Herrighty. “This campaign reminds all generations of anglers that proper handling and quick return to the water will help ensure an ample supply of keepers for generations to come.”

In February, the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC), a regional board comprised of representatives from Maine to Florida, approved a 19-inch size limit for New Jersey. However, Division of Fish and Wildlife data show that few fish in New Jersey reach that size due to the species’ biological needs and distribution patterns. Moreover, the overwhelming majority of fish that would meet that “keeper” size limit would be reproductive females.

New Jersey appealed the ASMFC decision to NOAA, expressing concerns that the larger size limit would result in a significant increase in discard mortalities and would make the population less sustainable by forcing anglers to keep reproductive females.

The Rozzi party was out this morning and got to see first hand the amazing bluefish action we have been experiencing. At first, with little current, it seemed as if there were no fish around. I asked them to be patient knowing that we were going to be at the right place at the right time. Not leaving, it was game on once the current started to flow. The weight of the bluefish was all over the place again going from 2 lbs to 14 lbs. A friend of mine fishing close by weighed a blue he caught on his Boga and it pulled the scale down to 18 lbs. That is a serious world class slammer. Cow-nose rays are starting to show so be prepared!

Screaming drags, Capt. Alex 609-548-2511