We hope everyone had a great Father’s Day last weekend! We finished up our spring sea bass season last weekend and are now switching gears to primarily be targeting fluke.
Saturday 6/20, we had a last minute cancellation so we were able to get return client Sammy, back from last week, along with new clients Hazem and Moh, out for our last sea bass trip of the spring season. We had to jump around to a bunch of spots and weave through a ton of small fish, but were able to put a solid catch together. The guys fished hard and ended the trip just 2 fish short of their limit. Also, if you’ve never tried homemade Egyptians cookies, they are a must try!
Sunday was reserved for my father since I owe everything to him. For the first time ever, he opted out of fishing and we took the boat for both a lunch and dinner cruise to local restaurants instead.
With the spring sea bass season closed, we will primarily be targeting fluke. Right now fluking has been good in the bay. Once the ocean water temps warm up in July and sea bass opens back up to 2 per person, we will also be doing combo fluke/sea bass trips.
Dates are booking quick but we still have a few available throughout July and August, so BOOK NOW before it’s too late! We also have some weekday afternoons available to get out, fish, and relax after work. 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
I have been off the water since Father’s Day (6/21/2020) as our newest crew-member decided to come 3 weeks early. Jakob “Jake” Sawyer Taylor was born 7pounds 1oz and 20 inches long. We are all a little tired, but doing well. I will be back on the water 6/30/2020 and will continue doing 2-3 trips a day until September.
Our fluke fishing in the backwaters has been amazing with 6 to 10 keepers per trip coming with regularity and we have been catching on both vessels. The skiff is a little more conducive/productive as we can get into less pressured areas which have been “loaded” with keepers.
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 coming off the late June new moon, the LBI waters are full of opportunity for anglers. Everything from fun fishing with toes in the sand to inshore light tackle fishing and even offshore big game fishing mid-shore and offshore. It’s a great time to be fishing Long Beach Island!
Here’s the LBI Fishing Repoirt Update for June 22, 2020
LBI Surf Fishing Report
Blues – Fluke – Kingfish – Striped Bass
Off the surf bluefish rule the roost. The reports flooding into the shop all have a similar theme. Bunker and mullet are producing bluefish from small size, through cocktails (1-4 pounds) and occasionally medium sized ones. These blues are a ton of fun on light tackle!
Kingfish and fluke are also present in good number. For kingfish you’ll want to rig up with small hooks and bait up with live bloodworms. A convenient and effective alternative is Fish Bites Bag O Worms. For fluke you can’t go wrong with a bucktail and Gulp!
Here’s a recent LBI surf fishing photo sent in by Jim Crane. He reported catching this 19.5″ fluke off of LBI’s mid-Island surf on Gulp.
There’s still striped bass cruising the LBI surf too. This one was reported on Sunday by Ryan Blemings, “I got this 24″ striped bass off of the LBI surf with Fish Heads fresh bunker.”
Here’s Ryan Blemings Sunday surf catch… a 24″ striped bass!
Barnegat Bay Fluke Fishing
Now’s a great time to target summer flounder in the Barnegat Bay and the thoroughfares. Today we got a nice photo from Rich Labor. He got a 6-lb 10-oz fluke today in the bay. Rich reported, “My buddy Sam and I caught 25 fluke with three keepers. Last fish of the day on the bucktail tipped with Gulp!“
Here’s Rich with a beautiful Barnegat Bay Fluke!
Inshore Fishing
Black Sea Bass fishing was the name of the game at the inshore structure as well as deeper waters. It was very god fishing for the past number of weeks. However today June 22 was the last day of the “Spring” Sea Bass Season. It is now closed until July 1st when it opens, 2 fish at 12.5″.
We expect the inshore/near shore fluke fishing to kick into high gear soon. It’s still slow with the cooler ocean water temperatures (61 degrees today). So far this season some fluke have been caught in the ocean but most all of the action is in the shallow water along the surf and in the bay.
Some big thresher sharks along the beaches and inshore waters. These whip tails are nothing new as these guys have made their precent know for a number of weeks now. They are active on the bunker pods just about daily.
Midshore/Offshore Fishing
The big game blue water fishing offshore has been on a solid run as of late! Thanks to Lake Atlantic like conditions, the mid-shore grounds 30-50 miles are producing for small boat anglers. Even areas as close in as the Barnegat Ridge and the AC Reef have had bluefin tuna. The primary areas such as the AP, Glory Hole, Chicken Canyon, Triple Wrecks, Resor as well as areas further south like the E. Cole and Lemkies all had fish in recent days. Some better than others. Gotta find the bait and the life!
Further offshore at the edge anglers are filling boxes with yellowfin and bigeye tuna. Closer to home the Spencer and Wilmy are holding a lot of fish and life! Reports from the Poorman’s was great with tons of Bigeyes and good size yellowfin. We got one report of some blue marlin, “Had 10 yellowfin hooked up and a 500lb blue ate 6 of them off!”
Mark Haley reported going 12 for 13 on bluefin.
Mike Schermerhorn reported, “First time on the tuna grounds! Thank you to Capt Jef Warford for all of the help and support!”
Sunday report from Jacob Bowles, “Absolutely lights out fishing today out east! Doubles and triple headers all morning long. Finished the day going 15/17 heading home with sore arms.”
The tuna fishing is the only thing going down out in the deep… “Just because the gyms are still closed doesn’t mean you cant curl 40’s and 50’s. Here Rob Pompilio with a pair of big golden tilefish.”
Rob Pompili caught these monsters golden tilefish bottom fishing the deep.
Report from Paul Haertel “Left at the crack of non and plowed through confused sea for 2.5 hours before arriving to the fishing groups. The seas eventually calmed down and we had another great mixed bag including two bluefin tuna, a false albacore, a cod, two blues, and a bunch of ling and sea bass.”
Fish Head Charters
It’s been a crazy year so far to say the least… super busy with great fishing! All spring was solid and now summer is off to a great start. Sorry I haven’t had the time to detail out specific charter trip reports. It surly wasn’t or the lack of catching.
Here’s one of many quality striped bass that were caught and released aboard Fish Head Charters this spring. This one checked in over 40 pounds on the boga grip (40-42# range).
Return client Levi Bonnice shared a report after our trip today. He’s on a 40 For 40 quest this year. Forty different species for his fortieth birthday year.
“What an awesome day on the water! Added two more species to the list and had some repeats. But not before catching my first ever saltwater fish on tje fly. Best part was watching a youngster get his first saltwater fish from the boat. Thanks Fish Heads!” Striped Bass, Bluefish and Fluke. We were just missing weakfish for the grand slam!
The 5th Annual South Jersey Fluke A Mania Fluke Fishing Tournament is this weekend! This family fun fluke fishing tournament hosted by the Beach Haven Marlin & Tuna Club raises money for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.
Cash Prizes for Each Category – Men’s, Women’s, Intermediate & Children’s Categories.
Here’s Fish Heads Ambassador Swagmattic with a solid catch from earlier this week.
$125 Boat Entry Fee – 6 Anglers Per Boat.
Registerer at www.FlukeAMania.com
June 26th – Registration, June 27th – Fishing Day & Weigh In
Flukeamania Final Results
56 Boats 226 Anglers
Directors: Matt Garabedian, Brendan Graham, Weigh ins: Bob Percopo
Big congratulations to Capt Fran Verdi and the Crew of the Francesca Marie who fished hard in the ocean and walked away with a cool $3075! Also congrats to Denise Hart and Heidi Larson who caught the TWO HEAVIEST FLUKE of the tournament!
THANKYOU to all the Participants and volunteers that made this an outstanding event to support the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.
Even though we had many restrictions due to the pandemic, the fishing community came out in force! We are very appreciative of everyone’s efforts to fish this tournament during these difficult times.
Can’t wait till next year! We are planning to have the biggest and best Fluke-A-Mania yet! HOPE TO SEE YOU ALL NEXT YEAR!
It’s Prime Time to hook up with keeper size fluke (aka summer flounder) fishing the beaches of LBI. There’s an abundance of fish along the beaches and some days we are limiting out. Now’s the time to get your toes in the sand and catch this great summer time species.
*Open Surf Fluke Trip Dates Are Available Now Thru July 4th Weekend.*
Contact me for the best dates/tides. Call Steve George at 609-276-6983
Nightstrikes Surfcasting Guide Service LLC
Here’s Steve George with a recent limit catch of fluke of the LBI surf. Call Steve today to get in on the action.
Today Thursday June 18th is National Go Fishing Day! It’s officially in the calendar but in our bok everyday is Go Fishing Day!!! Let’s grab a rod, hit the water and enjoy! Be sure to take some photos and send them our way!
Here’s the Fishermans Headquarters Fishing Report Update for Thursday June 18, 2020
Surf Fishing Report
Recent reports from the surf are themes around blues, fluke and kingfish. But some black drum and striped bass are around. As expected, the latter, are beginning to fade as expected at this time o the season. If looking to get after a linesider or two… don’t delay.
Our mullet man Jimmy shared a positive surf fishing report today, “Blues on bunker and black drum on clam.” It’s was great to hear about good size drum from the surf.
Still some striped bass roaming the suds. Today Trevor Jones was enjoying the beach fishing with the family today. He caught a nice keeper slot size striped bass.
Here’s a quick look at the Long Beach Island surf this morning before it cleared up and turned into a beautiful day.
Fluke Fishing
The fluke fishing around Long Beach Island is good. Reports from the surf, inlet and bay are all promising.
From the surf Steve at Night Strikes Surf casting Guide Service reported fluke fishing continues. He was out enjoying the afternoon today fishing the surf right into sunset.
Here’s Sam with a 26′ Barnegat Bay fluke!
Sam Forlenza stopped in the shop and picked up some bucktails. He reported back today he caught this 26″ fluke on one fishing Barnegat Bay this morning.
Grey Colston fished Barnegat Bay this afternoon and reported both fluke and blues fishing bucktails with live minnows. Another bay fluke report came from shop Ambassador Swagmattic. He reported a great afternoon in the kayak, “Lots of fluke but only one fish close to keeper size.”
Here’s Jared with a quality doormat!
The newest Fish Heads Team Member Jared Grady made the trek up and out east earlier this week. Here’s his report rom his trip. “Non-stop action aboard the Miss Montauk. Landed well over 30 fish, two came in over 5 pounds and this beauty that measured just under 29”. Bounced around between 8.6-9 pounds. My new Shogun rod paired with my 3k Shimano Stradic loaded with 15lb Cortland Master Braid handled this beast with ease. Had another dozen fish that just missed the mark between 18-19” that would have made the cut back home. This fish took a 3oz Salmon Magictail Squid Hoochie which was the key. It outproduced all other baits/rigs by a lot! It was awesome seeing all the heads turned and questioning as I pulled in fish after fish on light tackle. Everyone else was using 12oz of lead dragging bottom. If you haven’t fluke fished Montauk I highly recommend it. Almost makes me not want to fish Jersey anymore!”
Sea Bass Fishing
Sea Bass fishing continues on 10 fish at 12.5″ until June 22nd. At that time it will close until July 1st when it opens at 2 Fish 12.5″.
Here’s Jeremy with his new personal best black sea bass.
Jeremy Muermann went out to the sea bass grounds and found some nice fish. He caught his new personal best sea bass as well as some ling, winter flounder, cod and tog.
Tuna Fishing
Recent reports have been few and far between due to the recent weather conditions. The three day blow kept most boats tied up at the dock. Finally things have settled down and the weather looks to serve a couple days of fair seas and conditions. So far this early part of the season has been full of solid reports. Loads of bluefin tuna reports with lots of false albacore (some big ones) in the mix too.
Seems like it picked up right where things left of last year. Anglers on the troll are catching pulling natural baits (BALLYHOO!) as well as bars to create a commotion. Both the Chatter Side Tracker Bars and Chatter Floating Squid Splash Bars continue to be studs. Also on the jigging front, theres piles of sand eels on the mid-shore grounds. The same smoker is still hot… The Nomad Streaker Jigs are a best in breed slender sand eel jig that bluefin tuna can not resist.
The only report we heard today was from shop regular Joe Franckowiak. He did a quick trip after the weather cleared up today. He reported seven false albcore in the two hours session. He’s heading back out in the morning.
Captain Cody from Jersey Nuts Sportfishing stopped in the shop today to pick up some premium Baitmaster Ballyhoo. We are stocked up but there’s no telling how long these baits will be in stock for. If you need baits… NOW IS THE TIME TO GET THEM!!!
This open boat crew aboard the Jersey Nuts filled the boat last trip out!
While at the shop Captain Cody gave us heads up that the Jersey Nuts has been on the fish offshore, “Fishing started out good this season. The last trip we battled the weather but got out and got the job done quick. We caught eight solid big eye tuna and five yellowfin. The coolers and boxes were packed early so the meat wagon headed in.” Any one looking to get out to the offshore tuna grounds should give Captain Cody at Jersey Nuts Sportfishing a text message at 609-354-2734
Summer is almost in full swing and we are fishing!
June 13th was a good trip with nice fluke fishing and a couple bluefish.
When the ocean allows (not often lately), we are targeting sea bass with drop and reel action. Bay fluke fishing has been very good so far this year. We are finding fish as shallow as 2 feet of water. All fluke trips have brought back multiple keepers with consistent action. We had 5 nice keepers on Saturday and 3 keeps on Sunday, including a 28″ and 25″! We found a couple locations out of the wind, and worked our bucktails and Gulp!. Quality fish in the back bay!
June 14th was another great day of fishing the waters of Long Beach Island.
We have weekday dates in the upcoming weeks available. We will work the bay for fluke and come July 1st, back to sea bass/fluke combo trips. All tackle, bait, rods, and ice is provided.
Like us on Facebook and come out and catch with us.
We ran a double on Saturday. Saturday 6/13 AM we had new clients Patrick and his wife Jen, along with their sons Patrick, Nathan, and Ben from King of Prussia, PA out for a 4hr bay fluke trip. The conditions were tough as the weatherman botched the whole forecast for the day. The crew fished hard with the tough conditions and caught close to 20 fluke with 2 keepers 19” and 21”. Nathan and Ben were new captains in training and ran the boat back to the dock for us. Great job today guys and we look forward to fishing with you in the future!
Saturday 6/13 PM we had new clients Sammy, Ash, Hesh, and Mac all originally from Egypt but now living in Lansdale, PA out for a 5hr sea bass trip. The weatherman was still wrong and the ocean never got nicer in the afternoon. It was a tough bite with very tough conditions but the guys fished hard and filled a cooler full of sea bass just a few shy of their limit! It was Mac’s first time in the ocean and with poor conditions he did great contributing to the cooler!
Sunday 6/14 The fluke were chewing today! We had Brit and Fred out with their father big Fred for a 5hr fluke trip as an early Father’s Day present. Once again the weather forecast was wrong and the wind was turned on as soon as we left the dock. We worked some areas somewhat protected by the wind and caught 50 fluke! We had to weed through a ton of shorts to find 2 keepers at 18.5” and 21” but it was non stop action the entire trip. Happy Father’s Day Fred!
We still have some dates available in July, but August is filling fast so BOOK NOW before it’s too late! We also have some weekday afternoons available to get out, fish, and relax after work. 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
Been keeping a low profile lately with the COVID19 thing but been getting out doing well on bass from 26″-36″ on fresh and live bunker I’m catching out front and bringing on home to the back, son!
The story remains the same so this report update will be short and sweet. Long Beach Island has a lot to offer those who want to get outdoors and enjoy the water. Crabbing, clamming and fishing are all great. Get out there!!! Here’s the Fishing LBI Fishing Report Update for Sunday June 14, 2020.
The bluefish action continued into the weekend with an abundance of smaller sized fish. There’s some larger ones but few and far between. Nothing in the double digit range that we’ve heard about.
Here’s a 9-lb bluefish that was caught by Brian aboard Fish Heads Charters with Captain Greg on a recent trip. They also caught a couple health striped bass.
Kingfish, Striped bass, black drum and fluke were all caught off of the LBI surf this weekend. One customer reported 47 kingfish Saturday! Another angler reported catching more than a handful and said, “Two were bit in half.” With the warming surf temps the sharks have arrived.
Rick Zane reported, “Finally this week the LBI surf has broke and stayed above the 60 degree mark. Even after the southerly blow. It was 61 degrees on Saturday. I caught a couple short bass recently but can’t find a keeper.’
Threshers have made their presence know for a couple weeks. More recently the sand tigers with bite offs. Sandbars will show soon if not already.
Fluke fishing is strong with anglers catching in the open areas of the bays, main channels and out front. Yup! We already got an ocean fluke report. Expect this to improve over the coming weeks. Here’s Ryan DeGennaro with a pair of nice fluke he caught with his dad Chris on Saturday.
“We canceled out tuna trip due to the morning’s wind, but used the wind to drift for fluke.”
The midshore tuna fishing game is on! Get out there!!!
Here’s Chris O’Neill with a tuna that he caught fishing the midshore grounds on Saturday.
The offshore tuna fishing game is on! Get out there!!!
Here’s a boat load of tuna caught by the boys aboard the Reel Innovation this weekend.
609-494-5739
