If you plan on fishing the bay, it’s best to cast net live baits and hit the inlet area. The fluke or summer flounder fishing in the area has been absolutely exceptional for us this year. In our last 3 trips, we boxed 35 fluke and all within the 5hr time limits. When time permits, we have been adding some blackfish action with quick 1-fish limits.
Currently, we have some weekday trips available in September for fluke and we will start running our 3 hour twilight skiff trips for Striped Bass, Weakfish, and Bluefish along some of backbay areas. These trips will focus on light-tackle artificial action with the potential for the NJ Striped Bass Bonus Permits.
October & November will be here before you know it for Striped Bass and Tautog!!
Currently, we are booking for September, October, November, and December. If interested in booking a charter, book through our site (reelreactioncharters.com) or call/text 609-290-7709. As always, we use the highest quality gear and everything is included: gear, bait, 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
Here in the third week of August, a lot of awesome summertime fishing is going down right now. From light tackle inshore fishing to big game offshore fishing, now is a great time to get out and catch fish on the waters of Long Beach Island!
The past few days fair weather perfectly suitable for fishing allowed anglers to get out and enjoy the outdoors. The next few days look great with good winds and near Lake Atlantic conditions. BUT… Come early to mid next week expect an uptick in south east swell from Tropical Storm Laura. Nothing crazy at this time, but 2-3′ swell which with some wind on it will limit the possibilities of most small boat anglers.
Here’s the Long Beach Island Fishing Report Update For Friday August 21, 2020.
Fishing LBI’s Bay & Back Waters
Summer on Barnegat Bay is a special time where a plethora of species take up reside. By far summer flounder take the spot light but there’s A LOT more opportunities on the bay from crabbing and clamming to all sorts of fishing. Fluke, weakfish, blowfish and kingfish are plentiful.
It seems the fluke are making their move out of the bay. Some big doormats have been caught the past few days. Common theme amongst the catches; slower moving tide, larger bait, close proximity to the inlet.
Matt Messina caught this fluke fishing in the bay close to the inlet.
Recent report from shop regular Jay Simmons spoke of kingfish. While Jay was in loading up on live bloodworms, he shared. “I caught four on the beach and then went to the bayside. I was surprised to find more and better size ones bayside.”
Swagmattic was out today (Friday) with his friend Chris and his cousin Adam aboard the Lazy Daze. They started off fluke fishing in the morning one of the local reefs and caught a few keepers. The pre fishing session for Saturday’s tournament didn’t yield anything special. Swag said, “The wind picked up early so we shifted gears and moved inshore to look at some near shore structure. We caught blackfish and triggerfish.
This was one of the dinner plate sized triggerfish. It hit the scale at just under 3lbs.
Store Staffer Jared fishing today’s Fluke Tournament hosted by the South Jersey Saltwater Anglers in collaboration with Fish Heads. He was aboard the Just N’ Tyme with Capt Justin Swanson. The crew took the cheese with a solid cooler full of big fluke! A 5.86 was the smallest of their four fish bag! Their biggest was a 8.96, followed by two 7 pound fish.
Here’s the crew from the Just N’ Tyme
Justin reported, “Have had the tuna bug so I haven’t fluke fished much. Today was just one of those days where everything went right for me and the team. So proud of how hard we all fished! My brother who hasn’t fished much at all in the last couple of years came through HUGE for us with a 8.9 pounder to take the Big Fish Calcutta.”
Swagmattic fished with Captain Tony on the Flounder Wet Spot and scored Second Place with their largest being 7.5-lb. Congrats to all of the anglers who who fished. Thanks for participating. Keep an eye out for the next one in mid-August 2021.
Fish Head Charters
I had a great week of morning dawn patrol trips this week. Monday awesome surf on the south end. Tuesday bluefish, fluke and blowfish. Wednesday Matt P. put a nice 24.5″ fluke on the deck. Thursday Tony caught some blues and weakfish on the fly rod. Friday Joey Utchig and family shrimped up a slam (weakfish, bluefish, fluke).
Here’e Matt long arming a beauty from Barnegat Bay.
Tuna Fishing
The mid-shore yellowfin mayhem continues cranking! Just about everyone agrees… It has been exceptionally good. It has been awesome… some of the best we’ve had in many years with regards to consistency, abundance, size/quality. The past two days seem to been the best of it. Anglers catching trolling, jigging, popping, and chunking. Recently the chunk bite has really turned on. Nomad Streaker Jigs are lighting it up. Also Tsunami Surface Blaster Poppers are producing top water strikes.
While most of the action is happening 50-70 mile out, some tuna are being found more closer to port… Tony Kratowicz post on Facebook some great local fishing news after his last trip… “Solo, anchored, chummed, 8 miles off IBSP, 80′ of water. Using a 1/2oz diamond jig, 15# fluoro… catching mackerel for bait… a freight train grabs the jig! About an hour light and I sunk the gaff in on a fat 41” bluefin tuna.
Big congrats to the team aboard the MJ’s! Over the years they have got the job done on tournament days. This year was no different. They took 1st and 2nd place heaviest tuna in the 2020 Mid Atlantic 500.
*Striped Bass Tagging Update #2 for this year > Again during the great Striper Schoolie 2019 Fall Run – I Caught a 21” Striper on the beach that I tagged & released at LBI NJ on November 18th 2019 and it was just re-caught recently down South this time around Annapolis Maryland also at 21” / I will be offering tagging trips come mid – late November into December on LBI > it’s a great opportunity to see first hand how to tag a striped bass and I’ll share my data and stories of over a decade of tagging results for the Berkeley Striper Club and you will get to name some of these fish with hopes that they will one day get reported back to us. Book your dates now – call 609-276-6983 / Nightstrikes Surfcasting Guide Service LLC
A serious change came this weekend to our weather pattern. The hot and humid dog days of summer got pushed out from a dip in the jet stream. This dip has let in some comfortable cooler temps with a “fall like” feel but some unsettled weather. The tropics have been active. Rightfully so with the peak park of the season coming just a few weeks away.
Current LBI Fishing Weather Situation
Currently north east winds and building easterly swell from Tropical Storm Kyle makes for poor ocean conditions. It’s a bit unruly for surf anglers hunting fluke and kingfish. It would be a totally different story if it was October/November and the big striped bass and blues were around. Monday another area of low pressure will push out over behind Kyle keeping the local winds northerly making the conditions a bit dicey for the region. These conditions will close off the ocean access to most and make drift fishing in the bay difficult except for those leeward areas. There’s a possibility of some lighter winds late morning to mid day but don’t bank on it. Things will be churned up from the blow so it’s a good day to catch up on the To-Do List and make sure your tackle is in good shape for the week ahead. Tuesday on looks like dry weather with fair winds making for great fishable days!
Experience The Fish Head’s Advantage!
The team at Fisherman’s Headquarters has been fishing hard! (See Reports Below) We are confident the team will stack up against or blow away any other tackle shop in the area, state, region or country for that matter. While it isn’t a contest, it should be. We don’t shoot rom the hip and suggest/sell tackle cluelessly. The team here points customers in the right direction sharing first hand information and guidance. It’s out goal to help each and everyone of our customer catch more fish and have a better experience doing so! Experience The Fish Heads Advantage!
So what’s up on the Long Beach Island fishing front? Here’s the Long Beach Island Fishing Report Update for Sunday August 16, 2020.
From beach or boat there’s a lot on offer…
Land based anglers are catching fish on the surf, bayside and inlet. Barnagat Inlet possibly offers the best land based fishing right now with a strong variety of species… fluke, tog, bluefish, striped bass as well as triggerfish and sheepshead.
Jeff fishes the jetty harder than anyone and it shows with his solid catches. Here’s a really good size tog that looks small when matched up against this big sheepshead.
The LBI surf has fluke, kingfish and bluefish. The bayside offers good crabbing and some areas have blowfish, weakfish and fluke.
Here’s John DeBona from The Fishermans Magazine on the LBI surf with his grandson earlier this weekend. John said, “Take a kid fishing and you’ll be rewarded for life!”
Here’s some recent fishing reports from Team Fish Heads…
Jared – “What a great birthday out on the water fishing with by Dad. We had non stop action from the first drop. We had 4-6 pounders flying over the rail with just about every drop. Had an easy limit before the blow came. As always Magictail were the key! The fish can’t get enough of them.”
Here’s Jared and his day with a solid haul!
Grey – “Both tog and triggerfish are chewing up at the Barnegat Inlet. I tried a couple of times and struck out but got them good last trip. Gotta use a small strong hook! Lotts black fish up there and fluke too. The fluke fishing has been wide open all summer.”
Here’s an epic catch from Grey’s last trip out.
Frezza – “Had beautiful flat Lake Atlantic conditions on my trip out to the mid-shore tuna grounds. We found life and got into them light line chunking. Also hooked up on the jig and popper. Unfortunately lost the one boat side that ate the popper.”
Here’s Frezza getting bloody with the ahi tuna action!
Greg – Recent trips aboard Fish Head Charters were full of fog but great fishing with Barnegat Bay Slams all around… striped bass, blues and fluke.
Fish Heads Alumni Dad – Dan D aboard the Reel Innovation has been putting some serious weight on the deck. They’ve also released a some big fish!
A big round one on the deck and a big fish down and tight!
Once the weather breaks anglers will be able to get back off to the bluewater tuna grounds. Before the wind machine got going the action was smoking! Numerous boats reporting very good catches of both bluefin and yellowfin tuna.
Jacob Bowles and Zach Michot reported having a good trip aboard their friend Tim’s new ride. They reported, “Started off nasty with fog but we made it out safely and found the fish. Got jiggy with it and put meat in the box
Brian Williams reported catching too, “Another unbelievable day with unbelievable fishing!”
Fluke Fishing Tournament! Save The Date!
The South Jersey Saltwater Anglers Fluke Fishing Tournament is coming up!
Sorry for the lack of reports, but we have been busy on the fluke grounds!
Saturday 8/8, We had new clients Eric, Matt, and Aaron out for a 5hr ocean fluke trip. With the water still churned up and very dirty from the hurricane this past week, we took a shot in the dark and started working a few areas. The crew did awesome jigging up over 40 fluke, catching 3 quality keepers for the box. They each were able to jig up solid keepers at 22”, 23”, and 24” all ranging from 4-5+lbs. It was also Aaron’s first time ever fluke fishing and he did a great job catching the biggest fish of the trip! Great job today guys we look forward to striper fishing with you in November!
Sunday 8/9, We had long time fishing friends Jeff and Jeff Jr. along with Brian and Mike out for a 6hr ocean fluke trip. We started the morning in pea soup fog, working a new area where the water quality was much better than yesterday. Mike wasted no time putting his limit in the box on the first couple of drifts. The crew ended the trip catching over 50 fluke with 8 keepers up to 23” as well as 5 nice sea bass to add to the box. Great job today guys, we will see you in the fall for tog!
We have some dates available in October for sea bass and limited dates available in November for striped bass, but they are booking quick! If you are interested in getting out please contact us to book your trip. Call or text Captain Mike to get out on the water or send us a message through our website! (609)-709-7264
This past weekend was a good one! Both Saturday and Sunday allowed anglers to get out and fish. We received some good feedback from inshore offshore and from shore. Here’s a short fishing report update for Monday August 10, 2020.
Fishing LBI From Shore
Store staffer Jared fished the Barengat Inlet Sunday afternoon. He reported, “Got two keeper size tog fishing live green crabs. I also got six shorts. All fishing off the concrete walkway.” Also present at the Barnegat Inlet… sheepshead, trigger fish and a surprising positive showing of striped bass.
The Long Beach Island surf offers fun fishing for one or the entire family. Kingfish and fluke are the best species to target. There’s also some small blues around.
Fishing LBI’s Inshore – Near Shore Waters
Store staffer Frezza was out on the reef Sunday. He reported, “It was a slow day but some nice fish were caught. Got a 22″ and a 25″ as well as two other keeper size fish. Not too many shorts. Got 10 fish all together.”
Dan Harley was out on the reef Sunday and got into some good fluke. He reported, “Quality to 25″ on the slow pitch.”
Gary Adair caught this 28.5″ fluke this weekend fishing out in the ocean.
Store staffer Willie Davis was out in the boat Sunday fishing the North End inside. He caught some fluke. This morning he caught some striped bass.
Fish Heads Ambassador Swagmattic Strikes Again!
This past weekend there was a a couple of the area’s and season’s biggest fluke fishing tournaments. Once again Swagmattic puts meat on the deck when it matters most! Here’s his report…
Jersey Jumbos! What a day to have a day. Ocean fluke fishing hasn’t been as epic as we would have liked. We haven’t seen any real big fish hit the deck at all. Today (Sunday) was the JCAA heavy hitters tournament and we were out hoping to get lucky and defend our win from last year. Boy did the stars align for us.
Absolutely tough fishing with zero visibility in the monring and no wind and drift in the morning. Then a stiff south wind the rest of the day. Shout out to Capt. Tony for putting in work staying on the motor all day.
We didn’t have many bites (with only 9 keepers) but we made them count. I was fortunate enough to land the two biggest fish of the day with a new personal best. Official JCAA Tournament weight was 9.92. It was 9.96 in Forked River weigh in and 10.06 in LBI. [Impossible to have all the scales in the state calibrated together.] Regardless I’m welcoming myself into the double digit club.
Huge Congrats to Fish Head Ambassador Swagmattic! He puts in the time and hones his skills so he is more than ready come tournament day. Here’s the money fish from game day!
As always Magictail Bucktails are the go to. The Jigging World Shogun medium light made easy work of this monster. I’m super happy I made the switch this season. Big shoutout to Mike Kim, of course Fishermans Headquarters and Fish Head Greg for stocking the best of the best always. If you want to fish the best and learn from the best drop on in, they’re located on the causeway in LBI. Thanks Cortland Line Co for the best line in the game (made in the USA) and even though it blew up later in the day the Quantum Accurist got the job done when I needed it (if you guys wanted to send me a new one I’d be cool with that). We worked hard for it, we got lucky, we took it down. Back to back full fluke sweeps!
Fishing LBI’s Offshore Waters
Offshore the tuna are jumping in the boat. Just about everyone making the trek out to bluewater are killing it! Dan Rosetto left the trolling stuff at home and got ’em on jigging and popping gear. He reported, “Sunday was good. Got out and made it happened and was back to the dock in time for Sunday church.” Ryan Degraw went 4-6. Jeff Haly had five jig and pop. Rick Bragg reported a great day, “3 nice yellowfin two small bluefin and a bonita.” got one them too. Lots of other reports too all with the similar theme… it’s Sea World Out There!
By: Steve George – Nightstrikes Surfcasting Guide Svc. LLC
As the “Dog Days” of August fall upon us here along the shores of Long Beach Island New Jersey it’s a period of change. It is especially evident with Fluke Fishing (Summer Flounder) which is the main target species for most summertime surfcasters. As an angler looking for success catching and maybe a great dinner for family and friends, one needs to look for the signs and plan accordingly with tackle and gear.
Look Deeper When The Water Is Warm
This is the time of the year with the hottest weather for New Jersey. That means the water temperatures rise to a steady level high. We all look to cool off and so do the fluke! If you have felt the heat along the surf line and possibly lost the consistent bite or bigger fish it’s time to move.
The fish move into the cooler waters and that means deeper water. The main bodies of these schooled up fish will start staying out and away from most of our local beaches and that’s why boat anglers start to see an increase in action in the ocean.
But as a land based fishermen that doesn’t mean our season is over and in fact it sometimes it gets even better. Now is when I shift attention to the Barnegat Bay and Barnegat Inlet. The deeper holes and channels have water temperatures sometime 10 degrees cooler. This is where I find fluke holding for the rest of the season. At times better fish and active ones.
Last Season Fluke Fishing Gear
So you now know where to look. But it is also time to change up some of your tackle and gear! For the most part we use lighter 7’ and 8’ spinning rods and small spinning reels in the 2000-4000 size.
Along with it goes much lighter weight tackle; lead sinkers, bucktails, leader and line. However, you want to beef up some if planning on fishing along the rock jetty at Barnegat Inlet. There I would suggest a longer 9’ rod and a 4000-5000 spinning reel. You’ll need to be able to cast and fish weights up to 3oz. Here the fast moving current demand it. You’ll need to slow down your baits at times with heavier weights and be able to lift/swing fish up and over the jetty rocks to land them. Having a more moderate and higher rated fishing rod will allow you to do this with success. Smaller lighter rods run the risk of breaking.
Having a large landing net is a great option. Also for your personal safety on the jetty I recommend a good pair of Korkers Cleated Sandals!
Late Season Locations
Aside from the Inlet, another favorite place of mine to fish this time of year is along the banks of the bay. It is very similar to fishing the front surf line. In some occasions you will need just a bit more casting distance to reach the deeper channels where the fish are laying waiting for you. I try to hit these locations early in the morning before the boat traffic gets too hectic and also after sunset and into the night.
Some of my biggest fluke were caught late at night. Snapper bluefish and spike weakfish prey on baitfish around bridges and dock. Sometimes large fluke show up and feed.
Essentail Terminal Changes
Another change I make is to increase the size of hooks and bait. I go with a minimum of 5/0 hooks, up to size 7/0. They match up great on my go to baits, the 5-6” Berkley GULP! Grubs and Swimming Mullets. The fish like bigger baits at this point in the season and also it helps avoid gut hooked fish. We need to protect all throwbacks for the future of the stock.
Here’s the author, Steve George with a summer flounder caught off the rocks at the Barnegat Inlet near the Lighthouse.
Closing Remarks
As we head into the latter days of summer there’s a lot more fluke fishing still to go. Gear up right and target promising areas to make the most out of your trips. The Mullet Run is right around the corner and with it the back bay fluke exodus. Then we will have another chance to score on the beaches. Until then, there’s great opportunities to find and catch keeper fluke on the inside.
Good Luck and Stay Safe, ~ Steve George – Nightstrikes Surfcasting Guide Service LLC
Looking to book a guided land based fishing trip on Long Beach Island? Give Steve a call at 609-276-6983
Finally a beautiful stretch of weather along the beach, and the fluke bite is back on for sure in the surf, hit me up if you want to get in on the action the next few mornings/ evenings call 609-276-6983 Nightstrikes Surfcasting Guide Service LLC
Fluke hitting bigger baits now LBI Beach 5-Day Forecast
A few days after the storm, things are bouncing back. The water is cleaning up a few reports are coming in. This is what we can share on this Friday morning report… Here’s the Long Beach Island Fishing Report Update For Friday August 7, 2020.
The surf has settled down and the LBI water temperatures have rebounded from their upwelling lows to now in the mid 60’s. It was in the mid to upper 50’s a couple days ago. With the settling comes a welcome return of reports! Already surf anglers are getting back into good fishing along the beach of LBI. On Thursday we had numerous customers in the shop reporting the kingfish are still present. They were all buying Live Bloodworms, Dyna Bait Freeze Dried Bloodworms and Fish Bites. Others reported fluke from the beach. One group of anglers came in and reported tryin for striped bass with clam and bunker. They caught some small blues, skates and dogfish. One striped bass catch was reported by Jaime Grant. Her husband got a 27.5″ striped bass off the mid Island surf.
Fluke fishing reports in the ocean yesterday (Thursday) were slow (from two different sources). We expect this to flip back soon because August is a great moth for ocean fluke fishing!
The bayside activities have a lot to offer. From fishing for blowfish, snappers and weakfish to crabbing and clamming. Store staffer Grey Colston is reporting lots of bait (both spearing and baby bunker) and active game fish. He has caught striped bass, bluefish and weakfish the past couple of days.
The Barnegat Inlet Jetty is a great spot to fish all season long but especially right now! The fluke are present and transiting the inlet on their way out to their late summer early fall hiding spots. Tog, sheepshead and triggerfish are hiding. One customer reported catching five tog, three were keeper size. Also resident striped bass and bluefish are there too. Jetty Master Jeff got a large black drum a few days back! Bayside Dave stopped by late morning and shared a early morning report. He said, “I had a good morning before the rain. Got a keeper tog and a keeper fluke.”
Already got reports of both yellowfin and bluefin tuna as well as mahi from the midshore and offshore waters.
