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Reel Reaction Charters – Fishing Report

I hate to bring attention to it, but the Barnegat Bay Fluke bite has been “flat-out amazing”.  We have been consistently catching over 40 Fluke per trip with keeper numbers ranging from 3 to 8 this past week.  I have been concentrating most of our efforts in shallow-water, but the fish are starting to move and I’m finding them in some of my honey holes.  Yes, there are Bluefish at the inlet, but with the Fluke bite this good – it is game on in the backwaters.  I will start running Ocean Fluke trips soon, but I’m not getting positive feedback and we will stay on the fish until the bite dies.

Here is this week’s rundown:

Amongst running charters almost everyday, I did a quick trip with my wife Jennifer and 9yr old son Luke  we caught over 20 Fluke with two nice keepers at 24 and 23 inches.  We only fished for about 2 hours, and it was non-stop action even in wind-against-tide conditions.

I had Eric Ebinger of Warrington, PA along with his son Chad and daughter Mackenzie on a 4hr Bay/Inlet charter. The trio wanted to concentrate their efforts on Fluke, so we opted out of the inlet Bluefish bite. We started working some shallow water areas at it was game on with the team boating over 45 Fluke with 7 keepers (24.5, 22, 21, 20, 19, 18.5, 18). Eric’s was the biggest at 24.5 inches, but a great job by all working the S&S Bigeye through the shallows.

Next, I had return clients Dan Unger of Ship Bottom, his son Danny, and Art Diebel of Jackson with his son Walter on a 4hr Bay/Inlet charter. With the Fluke bite pretty solid over the last few charters, we concentrated our efforts on the flatties. The crew caught and released over 40 Fluke, while keeping 5 solid ones for the table (24, 22, 21, 19, 18.5). We worked another shallow area with the white S&S BigEye bucktails – that’s what the keepers wanted!!

I had return client Mike Geddis and his two boys, Ethan and Nate, of Cream Ridge on a 4hr Bay/Inlet charter. We worked the same area, with the only difference being wind against tide conditions for the first hour or so. It didn’t matter in terms of numbers, as the trio still managed over 40 Fluke with 3 nice keepers (21.5, 19.5, 18). Great job by the boys!!

I had Juliann Jakeman of Waretown, her father Don Jakeman of Waretown, and her sister Dr. Allison Jakeman of Florida on a 4hr Bay/Inlet charter. Juliann and her sister booked the trip as a Father’s Day present, and Allison flew up specifically for the charter. We worked multiple areas in the bay and the trio had a ton of action catching and releasing over 50 Fluke, while keeping 8 for the table (23, 22.5, 22, 21, 19.5, 19, 18.5, 18). They did a great job and look forward to seeing them in November for Striped Bass!!

If interested in booking a charter, book through the website (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

Lighthouse Sportfishing Barnegat Bay Report 7/22

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

Reel Fantasea Fishing Report – 7/17/17-Barnegat Bay Fishing report

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!

This is “all hands on fishing” with a bit a couching tips through out the trip to ensure our anglers not only maximize their day aboard the Reel Fantasea but to take a some tips, tricks and techniques beyond their day on deck.
Summer flounder have been mixed in once our anglers are arm weary and are looking for a bit more civilized “Vaction-al” style kinda of fishing to add more fine table fair!
Seabass, trigger fish and porgies have taken up residence on our inshore structures and wrecks with tog aka blackfish fish reopening July 17 we will be taken full advantage of some of the best fine dinning that the New Jersey coast has to offer!
Remember to join us on Facebook to view latest reports and pics and our Facebook “review” section for a look at our catching and angler experience and 5 Star rating!!
I have a few “happy hour specials” 5pm – 8pm specials this week for those looking for some light tackle action!
Wishing everyone fair winds and calm seas,
Captain Steve Purul
Reel Fantasea Fishing Charters

Lighthouse Sportfishing Barnegat Bay Report 7/16

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

Cactus Juice Giveaway ! Winner Picked Saturday 7/15/17

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*
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Reel Reaction Charters – Fishing Report

The Full moon and strong winds definitely affected the fishing in the beginning of the week as the bites were not like the typical ones you get.  As the moon-tidal effect eased, the fish were on the bite and we did better each trip.  I used a variety of methods to get the groups on fish, including fishing in as little as 2 feet.  We had multiple trips where 5 to 6 pound fish inhaled bucktails in skinny water – you literally see them explode on the lure.  I will start running some Ocean Fluke charters very soon but the bay bite is still pretty hot.  Reminder: We have started running 7 days a week until September.  

On a personal fishing note, I was able to do some kayak fishing around dinner time with my wife, Jennifer, and 9yr old son Luke.  We fished a sheltered area and Luke had the hot hand jigging a solid 18.5 inch Fluke with a 3/4oz Bucktail for his first ever kayak-landed Fluke.

In the beginning of the week, I had return client Tom Clark and his daughter Alexis on a 4hr Bay/Inlet charter.  With warmer bay temperatures, we opted to start at working the inlet-ocean for Bluefish.  With both father and daughter throwing artificials, they quickly hooked up on 2 to 5 pound Bluefish and we worked the area for a good hour.  With better conditions in the areas we have been fishing, we headed back with bucktails in hand to jig up some Fluke.  We worked a very shallow area to 3 feet and had close to 20 Fluke with 1 solid keeper to show.  The Full Moon definitely affected the bite as the Fluke were a little off.  Nice job by Tom and his daughter Alexis!

I had new client James Saskel of Morris County, his nephew Micheal Ferraro of Brooklyn, and his grandson Ryan Raugh of Georgia on a 4hr Bay/inlet charter. We started in the same area as the morning trip, but had the start of the outgoing. Our first drift produced 3 quick fish up to 17.5 inches, and then the South winds started cranking making it nearly impossible to drift the “fishy” stretch of water. We moved around and Ryan found a solid keeper at 19 inches. By this time we had to find a different area with strong 15-18 knot South winds and a dirty outgoing tide. We worked a stretch closer to the inlet for the remainder of the trip, and Michael boxed a fat, solid 22 inch Fluke followed by a few shorts close to 18-inches. Nice job by James, Michael, and Ryan for working the bucktails the entire trip in very challenging conditions.

Towards the end of the week, I had new client John Imbrogno with his 9yr old son Nicholas and father Sonny Imbrogno on a 4hr Bay/Inlet charter. Sonny never fished before and this was Nick’s second time, but they did a pretty good job at bucktailing Fluke. We worked some shallow areas as keepers have been found as low as 2.5 feet on our last few trips. It was the same on this trip as most of the keepers were boxed in the same depths. Nick had the high hook with 10 fish and 2 keepers (18.5, 22 inch) followed by Sonny’s (21 inch) and John’s (19 inch). The 3-generational crew did a great job boxing 4 keepers, while releasing close to 25 fish. It has been pretty neat to see keeper fish hitting the lures in the shallow water.

I had return client Matt Bailey with his son Jay, daughter Maddison, their friend Damionon a 4hr Bay/Inlet charter.  We worked a newer area today and had solid results with multiple quality fish caught on a bucktail tipped with straight minnow.  The trio boxed 11 keepers with the two biggest at close to 6 pounds (18, 18.5, 19, 19, 20, 21, 21.5, 22, 22, 23, 23.5).  We really hit a pile of fish and they were all in another shallow water spot as low as 2 feet.  Again, we saw fish hit the bucktails and a few times we had multiple keeper hookups.  An amazing job by the group and look forward to next year’s trip.

If interested in booking a charter, book through the website (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

We’re Back from OC,MD. Hi Flier Fishing Bay and Offshore

We just got back from OC,MD yesterday with the Hi Flier. She’s back in Waretown and we are jumping back in to our home base fishing. We did pretty good down there. We didn’t kill it, but we weren’t awful. The weather allowed us to get out four days out of the ten we were there. Attached are the pics of our catch. Steve Spina of Canton, CT with his first ever tuna, a 60 lb bluefin that crushed a rainbow spreader bar. Here’s a few minutes of the end game: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EhB5RBwXsvA
Anthony Scalea Jr. of Cranford, NJ with a mahi that snatched a flatlined cedar plug. Nick DeGennaro, my son and first mate with his first wahoo, a 31 pounder that smoked a ballyhoo he just learned to rig on the ride out. Steve Ondrof of Rockaway, NJ with his first billfish, a 90 plus pound white marlin that put on endless show of jumps and greyhounding. We counted eight jumps in a row on just one of his ariels. Big thanks to Darren Dorris who gratefully was on board to teach Nick how to rig Joe Shutes with ballyhoo as well as how to maneuver the boat and handle a marlin boatside. I didn’t anticipate a billfish as I had tuna on my brain when making our packing list so I didn’t have any leader gloves. Nick volunteered the sleeves of his sweatshirt and Darren used them as makeshift gloves to bill the fish for a few quick pics and then we revived her until she swam away on her own. A magnificent thing to experience. Had the trip of a lifetime down there with both my boys, Nick 18, and Max 16, working deck while I ran the boat. Max stuck his first fish with a gaff, the 60 lb bluefin. He also did battle with a 150 pound Southern Sting Ray that ate a chunk bait and after 30 minutes he got him close enough for me to cut the leader at his mouth. Nick filled the void of Darren’s departure by taking over the cockpit and rigging all the baits, and they caught fish.
Locally we will be jumping right into grass shrimping and other gourmet baits for weakfish and the mixed bag on light tackle in the back bay. There are also blues and bass to catch in the inlet throwing soft plastics and surface lures. We will also be running offshore in search of tuna and mahi. I have availability this Fri, July 14 for an afternoon trip in the bay and inlet. Sun and Mon, July 16 and 17 I am available for inshore or offshore morning and afternoon. The marine weather looks favorable so if nobody charters those days, I will be running Open Boat trips on Sun and Mon to the 50 to 60 mile bluefin tuna grounds. This is mostly a trolling trip but we will always be armed with jigs and casting gear just in case the opportunity presents itself. $350 person, 4 people max, all fish are shared. Depart at 3AM, return around 12 hours later (probably later). Everything is provided, just bring whatever you want to eat and drink for the time we are out.
Capt. Dave DeGennaro
Hi Flier Sportfishing
732.330.5674 cell
hiflier.com

Old Barney Charters Fluke

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

 

 

NOAA Affirms NJ’s Fluke Regulations

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.

 

Lighthouse Sportfishing Barnegat Bay & LBI Report 7/11

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