LBI NJ Fishing Report – LBI Surf Fishing, Barnegat Bay & Inlet

The fishing on and around Long Beach Island is moving forward. As we enter the final weekend of April there’s a smorgasbord on the menu. The variety ranges from striped bass and drum to perch and tog. Add tuna to the list and any day some bluefish could show. How strong the showing is anybody’s guess. We have out fingers crossed for an invasion of epic proportions but we’ll have to wait and see.

Striped Bass & Black Drum

Bayside docks and bulkheads are productive areas to target striped bass. Reports from both day and night anglers are good. Anglers also find bass along the sod banks and flats. These areas also have drum.

Chris Rudick stopped in Wednesday and got a bushell of live clams. He reported catching both bass and black drum. We got word of some anglers are catching drum on Kettle Creek Swim baits.

Striped Bass reports are becoming more common off of the LBI Surf. It’s right in time as Saturday is the start to the Spring Surf Fishing Derby.

Tog Fishing Report

It’s the final stretch of blackfishing this spring season. It closes at the end of the month. Tuesday April 30th is the last day to get out. Recent reports from days when weather allows were good. This weekend things did not co operate.

The Ultimate Angler Experience (Tog Fishing Trip) is cancelled due to weather (rough seas and high winds). Unfortunately we can’t reschedule as the season ends Tuesday. Keep an eye out as we are looking to host a fluke event this summer followed by a second attempt at a blackfish event in the fall.

Fluke Fishing Report

Fluke fishing season is quickly approaching and they are already here. So far this spring we’ve heard about a number of fluke that were caught from anglers targeting striped bass with bucktails and rubber swim shads.

Here’s a photo of store staffer Willie with a nice fluke he caught and released just a few days ago. The fluke had a tag on it that was pulled and reported.

Early season fluke fishing offers some of the best quality fish of the season. Now’s the time to prepare.

The NJ Summer Flounder aka Fluke Regulations are final.

Please remember, “If you can’t keep it, save it!” Take proactive measure to reduce discard mortality. It’s crucial to our fishery.

Offshore Fishing Report

Not many boats are getting offshore yet but the season is here! Two local boats got out Thursday and came back with good news.

Nick Perello stopped in, shared a bluefin tuna stake and reported, “We got one! I was out aboard the “Fun For One”. We trolled up a bite at about 11am Thursday and angler “Big Fish” Marty Mannion did work on the rod. It was a fifty pound bluefin, the first bluefin of 2019 for the Beach Haven Marlin Tuna Club.

Another report came in from our boy Flag Pole (Jim Kuhl)… “We took a shot on some water offshore and it paid off big time! Absolutely epic top water feeds all day. April tuna, it’s water’s for dinner!”

Check out our Instagram post for a short video clip of the topwater action.

Keeper striped bass! are starting to show up in the mix to add a little more take home value to the light tackle action on hand.  Bluefish shouldn’t be far behind .Presently we are employing all artificials on light spinning tackle for the most excitement and drag burning fun!
Saturday’s forecast has a robust West wind but we are fortunate with the lay of the land locally as this usually really gets the action going [ West is Best!!] and also flattens the ocean waters situated tight to the beach. We will likely be utilizing a combination artificial and fresh chunk baits. 

I have a few spots still open for Satuday and Sunday mornings and afternoon. This is the weekend that blows the action wide open!! Don’t read the fishing report , be the fishing report!!
Wishing everyone fair winds and calm seas,Captain Steve PurulReel Fantasea Fishing Charters609-290-1217

The present striped bass population is made up of primarily fish ranging in size from 12 -26″ but are abundant and a flat out blast on light spinning tackle ! 
With each passing warming day bigger bass and blues should join forces providing exciting opportunities for ligh tackle enthusiast seeking the screaming of the drag!!
I have a few spots open for this week end Saturday and Sunday mornings and afternoons , weather dependent we may jump outside [ ocean] for a look but for now the back bay is providing a solid amount of action!
Wishing everyone fair winds and calm seas,Captain Steve Purul Reel Fantasea Fishing Charters 609-290-1217

With April winding down fishing is heating up. Currently there are great opportunities to get into good fishing before the end of the month when the Blackfish season closes. Here’s the Fishermans Headquarters Fishing Report Update For Wednesday April 24.

Blackfish Report

Swagmattic (Matt S.) is out every chance he gets mastering the juggling act of working like a mad man and being a crazy fishing fool. He shares this report from his recent trips with friends…

“Got out Sunday aboard the Mary M and it was good. My friend Dave I. got a juicy 13 lb tog, photo below. Monday Dave limited out (again) on the Osprey with nice fish in the 3-6 pound range. The whole boat did well. Eric M. got his personal best on a jig breaking 8 pounds.

With the end of April right around the corner blackfish season will be closing. Now’s the time to get in on the action. Anyone looking to fish and also for those looking to learn there are a couple spots left for the Ultimate Tog Fishing Experience. This Saturday’s trip is quickly approaching! Book now to secure your spot, $200.

The LBI Surf Fishing Report

The LBI Spring Surf Fishing Tournament kicks off this Saturday April 27th. Register now ($20) for the 8 week 100% payout tournament. The top three bass as well as the top bluefish win cash. Amount based on total number of anglers.

Sam Galioto called in a report today. He was fishing the LBI surf with bunker and caught a 30″ bass. This is the first direct report; however, we did hear a second hand report yesterday. A friend of a friend reported catching two small bass off the mid-island surf.

Barnegat Bay

Store staffer Mike Frezza reported the early spots in the bay are producing and new areas are seeing fish too. A couple night back he caught small bass up to 26″ on white rubber in an hour session. Lots of other anglers are catching fishing the Island’s bayside. Hunter Dargay posted a photo of a nice bass he caught recently on the Ship Bottom bayside, photo below.

Barnegat Inlet Jetty

Reports of small blackfish up at the rocks. Small blackfish are plentiful but finding a keeper is difficult.

Fish Head Charters

With rain and stiff winds Monday’s trip was tough turning out the first skunk trip of the year. Wish we could have fished earlier in the morning because the weather was good and friends were into fish. Sometimes the schedule of weather, fish and anglers don’t align.

Tuesday was a spectacular day weather wise for redemption. Got out early and the fish cooperated. The fish were scattered but marking strong making for a great trolling method of attack; however the crew wanted to fish big plugs so we power drifted casting and retrieving plugs. Max got the first and second fish working a chartreuse and white Northbar Bottle Darter. Photo below. As the morning progressed heavy boat traffic depressed the area and forced us to join the troll. In a short amount of time we got two more bass and called it a day. We could have trolled up just about as many as you wanted. The fish were consistently showing on the sounder.

It seems like the action has subsided a bit just after the full moon and is now bouncing back. I’ll be back out tomorrow on the hunt. I’m looking forward to more fun fishing before I bring the boat back to LBI in a week or so.

Wednesday was a good weather day which let anglers get out. Most found good fun fishing. Here’s the Fishermans Headquarters Fishing Report Updated for Thursday April 18, 2019.

Striped Bass Fishing Report

Local fishing continues for anglers fishing the bay. Long Beach Island’s bayside offer good opportunities both day and night. The early season spots of Great Bay and Barnegat Bay continue. The size is small but keeper size fish are present and the class might increasing. Daytime baits like live bloodworm and clam (especially if looking to get a black drum) are best. At low light and night lures in the 3-5″ range will do the trick. We suggest minnow type swimmers like the Yozuri Mag Minnow or Rapala Xrap. Also the essentials…paddle tail swim baits Storm Wild Eye Shads Or Kettle Creek and of course you can’t go fishing with our a bucktail… Magictail bucktails.

Back Bay Striped Bass

Youth angler Carter Leary sent in a report on Instagram… Here’s my first striped bass of the spring. I caught it one a Sebile Stick Shad Lure fishing low light conditions (at a dock on Barnegat Bay).

While still on the back bay it’s worth a mention, we have NOT received one bluefish report. We have heard from some that went out on a search but came up empty. We expect to see some soon.

Surf Fishing Report

The spring surf fishing action is right around the corner! Starting to hear more talk… Just heard of a surf report from Brigantine to our south as well as Island Beach to our north. The only direct report we’ve received was from Ron M which was reported on April 13, 2019.

Reminder: The 18th Annual LBI Spring Surf Fishing Tournament starts April 27th. Registration will begin soon, $20 Sign Up Fee.

Ocean Report & Outlook

The ocean temp is still cold but creeping up. Soon we expect the local ares to start. Historically the magic number has been 48 for when they show. Then, it really gets going once it breaks above 50.

Tog Fishing Report Update

Matt Swag was on the water yesterday. We went out aboard the Osprey and got into good fishing. He reported, ” Lights out black fishing yesterday! Fish finally got on the feed for me. They were chewing crabs. Fishing was so good I was catch and releasing nice keepers retaining my four fish limit. I kept the boys and let the girls go as they prepare for their spring spawn.”

Matt gave us heads up that all fish were caught on Daiwa BG3000 spooled with Cortland Master Braid and pared with the Daiwa Back Bay Rod. Here’s a recent post by Matt about the Daiwa BG Series reels.

Fish Head Charters

From an awesome fog session on Sunday to an unreal fire session on Wednesday… The action continues to get better.

Sunday I’ll remember for one of the most dense fog fishing session I’ve ever fished. See the report here, “Fish Head Charters In On The Fun”

Wednesday morning’s red fire sky started things off and then by 6:30 am a large burning building in the distance set the scene. [The five alarm fire broke out in a sushi restaurant and medical building located in Marine Park Brooklyn at about 6:30 am. The morning breeze didn’t help but fire fighters contained the four hour blaze.]

As far as fishing, things started off slow and scattered with slack high tide but as the current started moving things came together. The great jig bite continued just like on Sunday if not better. Big rubber shads from Tsunami, bucktails and Candy Bars got hammered. At times power drifting or slow trolling helped find schools of hungry striped bass. Some boats utilized the magic of Magictail Mojos (in the small weight range, 4-8oz) but we stuck to our preferred light tackle approach.

Some awesome top water feeds broke out and iced the cake making for a stellar day. Some good fish came on top water with the stand out producer the Doc Top Water Spook. Big wooden metal lip swimmers also raised fish. I was beyond stoked to visually feed a freshly hand tied bunker imitation to a hungry linesider. Below is a photo of two health striped bass from the trip. One I got on the fly and one Kelley got on a Doc spook. Look closely and you’ll see the fish inhaled the entire lure.

By @swagmattic (Matt Sorrentino)

The Daiwa BG is the one piece of equipment I’m confident recommending to all inshore saltwater anglers. It’s built tough and there’s a size to handle just about any species you want to catch. Best of all the series is priced right starting at $99.99.

The Daiwa BG Reel Does It All

If you’re like me, you want to fish for everything NJ has to offer; striped bass, blackfish, bluefish, fluke and sea bass. All of these game fish fall victim to my Daiwa BG Fishing Reels.

I own a couple BG Reels. Each size for different purposes. If you’re on a budget and can only pick one reel, my recommendation is to go with the 3500 size. It can handle it all. It’s small enough to match up on a 7′ M-MH rod finessing small stripers and banging fluke on bucktails. On a 7′-7’6″ H-XH it’s powerful enough to play with a larger class striper and gator bluefish. Mated with a Hanta or Tsunami Slow Pitch Jigging stick it has enough drag to winch that lunker away from it’s sticky home jigging blackfish. (more on rods below) It can even handle the fast powerful runs of red fish, snook, mahi mahi and false albacore.

Because of its versatility, the Daiwa BG is an essential tool in my arsenal. It should be in yours too.

Want to learn more about the specific internals that make up the Daiwa BG Fishing Reels? Read on below.

The Perfect Match – Rod & Reel

Your outfit isn’t complete with out finishing off with a beautiful rod to match. An epic combo is the BG3500 on a $59.99 Tsunami 7′ Classic Series Spinning Rod. You will not find another better performing quality inshore fishing outfit than this. At $179.98 (Reel: $119.99, Rod: $59.99) it offers the ultimate value too. Once the rod is set only spool up with the best, Cortland Master Braid Spectra Fishing Line. I prefer 20#. Now you are ready for battle.

If looking for the best in blank performance and components upgrade to he Tsunami Carbon Shield Rods, $109.99 are very nice as well as the G.Loomis E6X Inshore Rods $189-219.99.

Performance Upgrade – Daiwa Saltist Reel

The Daiwa BG is a great value, but if it is in the budget the Daiwa Saltist offers a performance tuned saltwater fishing reel. This series from Daiwa also has a specialty Daiwa Saltist Back Bay too.

Daiwa BG VS Daiwa Saltist

Let’s dive in and quick and dirty run down of their similarities and differences the the Daiwa BG and Saltist reels.

First and foremost, both reels are great for saltwater anglers in the mid level price range. The BG Series starts out at $99.99 with ten sizes (Models:1500, 2000, 2500, 3000, 3500, 4000, 4500, 5000, 6500, 8000) The Saltist is a jump up starting at $199.99 with seven sizes (Models: 2500, 3000, 4000, 4500, 5000, 6500, 8000).

The Saltist & BG Are Similar In The Way They Both Have…

• Machined aluminum body and side cover with a solid screw in machined handle. Once installed tight it surely gives angler confidence and control with zero play.
• Digigear – Oversized gearing offers increased power and durability by using larger size gears that have greater gear tooth contact surface area. More torque and cranking power!
• Air Rotor – Daiwa’s design weighs almost 15% less that ordinary rotors. It’s unique shape reduces unnecessary weight while providing maximum strength.
• Extra Big Fish Insurance – The 4500 sizes and larger (both BG & Saltist) have dual anti reverse systems and also manual bail.

Unique Features Belonging Only To The Daiwa Saltist Series…

• Magseal – Daiwa’s proprietary “new age” nano fluid magnetic oil technology which allows for a sealed bearing with nearly zero added friction for smooth performance. The Daiwa Saltist Series has Magsealed Bearings in the line roller and mainshaft, two of the most problem some areas of all spinning reels in the saltwater market. Magsealed bearings block out water and the elements expending the durability and longevity of the reel.
• Corrosion resistant bearings last 10+ times longer than standard stainless ball bearings
• Upgraded bail and line roller bearing (Magsealed)
• Waterproof Drag

The Daiwa Saltist Back Bay LT…

The Daiwa Back Bay is a specialty series which is parts of the Saltist family, known as the Saltist Bay Bay. Available in two sizes the 3000 (9.9oz) & 4000 (10.6oz) the Daiwa Saltist Back Bay is in the LT Series, Light Tough. For inshore light tackle angles looking for maximum strength yet in a light weight package, these are some of the lightest and strongest spinning reels on the saltwater market. They feature the LT’s light and rigid aluminum construction as well as Daiwa’s Magseal technology for high performance.

Recap & Closing

The Daiwa BG is a great choice for entry level anglers looking for a quality reel. A huge step above entry level reels, the BG is also a great choice for anglers who do not get out on the water that much. These no need to invest an arm and a leg for a good saltwater fishing reel.

For anglers that want to upgrade, fish hard and demand the most rugged reel to withstand the elements, the Daiwa Saltist Series is for you. Plain and simple, the Saltist Series is a performance tuned BG offering the best corrosion resistance for the best durability.

If lightweight and compact size best fits your light tackle approach go for the Daiwa Saltsit Back Bay. It’s the perfect spinning reel for a light tackle approach to the bay and backwaters!

The fishing activity and action are picking up! More anglers are getting out and more fish are caught. Striped bass, tog, white perch and now drum are good targets. Some are looking for blues but no direct reports yet. We expect see some soon and possibly a few weakfish might show too. Here’s the Fisherman’s Headquarters Fishing Report Update for Tuesday April 16.

Black Drum Fishing Great Bay

[Previously hinted at drum] Today we got a solid report from the boyz at Magictail. Dante reported, “Mateo and I got two nice black drum this morning.” He also shared, “A couple days ago I had a good evening session. I caught a half dozen small striped bass on bloodworms the first hour. Then went one for two on black drum with clam.”

Striped Bass Fishing Report

For a couple of weeks now reports continue consistently strong. Local reports of striped bass flow into the shop from customers buying fishing tackle. Anglers fishing Long Beach Island’s local waters are finding school sized striped bass throughout the bay. While the fish range in size (some as small as an adult bunker) there are keepers around.

Brendan Hastings reported yesterday, “Dead sticking live bloodworms on the bay Saturday/Sunday produced about 10 throwbacks striped bass in the 8-16″ range and one 29″ keeper size fish. Keeping the bait fresh and in the current seemed to be the key!”

A bunch of customers are making the trek north, south and west to the early season spots for the best size and quality of fishing. The bays and river (Chesapeake, Delaware, Hudson, among many others) are full of striped bass. They moved in and feed in preparation to spawn. With April’s full moon on Friday morning the striped bass should be hunkering down and ready to do their thing.

The Raritan Bay is firing on all cylinders. Things might slow up with the moon for a short period of time but should pick up right where it left off.

Fish Head Charters In On The Fun

Sunday was a great day and I was stoked to have the Fish Head in on the action. Crazy dense fog made for a very interesting day but it was all out epic fishing. I was happy to be a part of the bumper boat session trading off blasts (fog signals) with so many. Lots of fog, lots of boats, lots of bass… what else would you expect for a spring day in New Jersey.

Fish Head Charters has a temporary slip in Keyport for a couple weeks and will be running trips on good weather days. Why not take advantage of the great fishing. It’s an hour drive from LBI but well worth it!

Four hour trips, $150 per person, maximum two anglers. Sorry these are no kill trips. As these striped bass are in the Bay to spawn therefor I can not guide anglers to fish with the sole intent to kill. At this stage of the game the striped bass need all the help they can get..

Tog Fishing Report

With ocean temperatures creeping up the tog fishing improves. April is a great time to hunt blackfish.

Shop regular Jeff is always fishing hard. He has been on the Jetty regularly and Friday he caught his first keeper of the season. It was a 17″ fish that he got on green crab. Jeff said, I saw others caught too.” He’s back out fishing today.

Here’s a recent boat catch on a Magictail 2oz White Legger Gamechanger Tog Jig… 18 pound slob!

This past weekend’s weather forecast had more bark than bite as rain and wind  didn’t live up to its expected punch. Conditions were much more favorable and so off I went scouting around with the first stop having loads of smaller striped bass waiting for anything to hit the bottom.

The next few stops found much of the same with loads of cooperative mini stripers providing non stop light tackle action and fun! Schools were actually so thick you could see your jig being hit just a few feet below the surface!!

Bigger bass and blues are surely days away if not present already!!
With the weather trending warmer the 2019 fishing season progression is looking great! I still have a few spring and early summer dates available but don’t delay book today!

I have this weekday evenings [5pm -8pm] Happy Hour specials and this Satuday and Sunday [ am – pm]

Wishing everyone fair winds and calm seas,

Captain Steve Purul – Reel Fantasea Fishing Charters – 609-290-1217

Here’s a weekend fishing report update! Our first weekend with a full selection of live bait… live clams in the shell, live bloodworms and live green crabs. It’s time!

Friday was also another first for 2019… the first catch report from the Barnegat Inlet. Ron Mon from West Point PA fished the north end’s Jetty. He reported catching about a dozen school bass on white paddle tail.

As far as the LBI surf reports… nothing from the beach/surf. Soon!

I went out for a look Thursday night and had some small bass. Store staffer Kelley was fishing along side and managed one nice fish… 29″ on a Jighead with a split tail white plastic.

Swag was out tog fishing Thursday aboard the Ocean Explorer. He reported a slow day on the boat but he got two out of the three keepers of the boat.

Dan D. headed out in the rain this morning (Saturday). He reported, “Good fishing! Raritan bay last weekend was good and this weekend it’s still going down. Lots of bunker, gannets and striped bass. Big rubbers were killing it!”

Store staffer Max got out today with Swag and Captain Justin Swanson. At the time of this report they had couple mediums and a jumbo. They are having a fun day on the water.

JCAA Fluke Tournament

Save The Date… The 25th Annual JCAA Fluke Fishing Tournament is June 15, 2019