Lighthouse Sportfishing Report

Strike while the iron is hot, so they say. Having just guided my wife and a friend to second and first place in a recent women’s fluke tournament, respectively, I tossed my hat into the JCAA fluke tournament this past Saturday. After making bait in the early sunrise hour we headed for the lighthouse are to fish the end of the tide. We got into a nice bite of keeper fluke but the bigger ones kept getting off. It really hurts when you lose a true doormat and there is well over $1,000 on the line, literally if you know what I’m talking about. After that, we took a break a regrouped for the afternoon cooler water incoming. With the bay holding in the low 80’s outgoing tide is not the best time to fish right now. But if that is only when you can fish, you fish. With some fresh live bait in the live well round, two started slow. But around 4 PM I felt the telltale sign of a nice fluke pouncing the live bait in about 20 feet of water. The hook set was typical of a flukezilla, you feel like you are stuck at first but once you free the fluke from being suctioned to the bottom you get some head shake then line peeled off your spool. The fish weighed 6.8 lbs and took second place in the JCAA Fluke Tournament for the Barnegat Bay port (pic attached). We also took first in one of the Calcutta  Once again live bait does it job. Those that know me or have fished with me know I am a live bait specialist. The way I look at it, artificials are called artificials for a reason they are trying to mimic the real thing. And when the real things are available why fish artificial? That’s the way I fish, plain and simple.

Monday I did two trips. The first trip with the Fields started around the inlet. Conditions were good but the bite was slow landing a couple 2-4 pound blues. After that we went sharking which was unexpectedly slow. We landed one small brown that came up our slick and took a pitched bait and got bit off. Cool stuff. Quite a few schools of bunker around the tires and a few miles in from of the inlet which was nice to see as they have been absent most of the summer after being sucked up by the bunker boats that came up from the south. I hate those boats and it kills me that there is no peer-reviewed research supporting the benefits of Omega 3 fatty acids. So we are totally messing up the food chain to make something that probably does not work but puts money in the pockets of a select few. My mind is blown on that one! Ok, off my soapbox. Monday afternoon trip was with father and son, Joe and Joseph Astraukas. We started off fluking and the bite was hot. As what has happened in prior years the bottom around the inlet is paved with fluke. Mostly shorts, but I already let you know how to catch keepers so I ’m not going there now. Joseph, 6, in attached picture catch at least a dozen shorts in about 2 hours of fishing. After fluking we hit the inlet to catch the cooler incoming water. There, Joe the father, managed a schoolie bass and some blues on BKDs giving him a Barnegat Bay Slam. I think I have had the most slams this summer thanks the healthy population of schoolie bass.

On the nature side of things: moo over Rover and let the cow-nose rays take over. The abundance of cow-nose rays over the last few years brings up a lot of questions like: why are they here; why are there so many, etc. to answer why they are here it is due to climate change and the average ocean temperature getting warmer. As the waters warm out front, look for new species to arrive taking Mother Nature’s cue that you can now survive in waters north of your historical range. I looked up cow-nose ray in Fishes of the Chesapeake Bay which was first published in 1928. This book is kind of like the Bible to Middle Atlantic States ichthyologists (people that study fish). I purchased my copy when I was in high school. Guess I was a nerd or something hehehe What the book has to say about cow-nosed rays is “This ray was not seen during the present investigations, and although previously recorded from the Chesapeake Bay it is evidently rare. So there you have it, we now have cow-nosed rays because the water is warmer.

Have some spots available if you wanna catch a Barneatg Bay Slam or just target a species give me a call.  Also offering 2 hr kayak eco-tours on Thursdays around Bonnet Island

Screaming drags

Capt. Alex

609-548-2511

 

No Limits Sportfishing – Fishing Report

Sunday 8/5 I was out on an 8hr fluke trip. The action was very slow with barely any bites or short fluke throughout portions of the day. After making several moves all over the place and having to work very hard considering we did not have a drift, we scraped together 8 nice keepers and 1 sea bass. We tried finding one more keeper to limit out but couldn’t produce. All in all it was a slow day of fishing but the keepers were all quality fish.

Last week we also made it out for a clamming trip. The weather was perfect except for a little rain and everyone had fun. The group caught enough clams for steamers, chowder, and stuffed clams.

Fluke fishing has been slowly but steadily getting a little better each trip. Some trips see much more action that others but the amount of keepers being caught is going up. I still have some dates available in August as well as September. Call or text Captain Mike to get in on the action! (609)-709-7264

2018 JCAA Fluke Tournament Port LBI Results

Today August 4th was the 24th Annual Jersey Coast Anglers Association Fluke Tournament. We had 19 boats fishing “Port Long Beach Island” and 12 of them check in fluke. The common feedback from all was “a rough and sloppy morning.”

Most of the anglers reported fishing in the ocean at the local reef sites such as Barnegat Light Reef, Little Egg Reef and the Garden State N&S Reef. A few boats fished the ocean’s open sand bottom lumps. Some stayed in the bay working the more calm protected waters.

Here’s Kevin Cliver and crew with their winning fluke!

Our Port’s largest fish was caught by Kevin Cliver of Sellersville, NJ. His 27″ 8.64 pound fluke ate a live minnow near Barnegat Inlet. Kevin reported catching few fish but the one was quality. Looking back at past year’s log we found Kevin won the JCAA Port LBI in 2015 with a 6.82 pound fluke.

Final Results For The 2018 JCAA 24th JCAA Fluke Tournament – Port: LBI

Place Registered Angler’s Name Caught By Angler’s Name Weight (lbs) Length (in)
1 Cliver, Kevin Kevin Cliver 8.640 27.000
2 Phillips, Richard Richard Phillips 4.900 23.125
3 Paolella, Dean Dean Paolella 4.340 22.500
4 DePalma, Vito John McKinnon 4.130 22.375
5 Trembula, Tom Tom Trembula 3.810 21.375
6 Rust, Edward, A Brain Rust 3.810 21.250
7 Czarnik, Andrew Jason Czarnik 3.700 21.000
8 Aletta, Joseph Bob Klebossis 2.920 20.375
9 Hooven, Christopher John Hoover 2.850 20.000
10 Burns, Jack Tom Dean 2.360 19.875

Congrats to all of the angler who fished! We are all hoping for better weather next year.

Here’s Richard Phillips with a 4.9 pound fluke he caught at the Barnegat Light Reef
Here’s Ed Rust with a pair of nice fluke he caught out on the Garden State Reef.

 

Fishing Report – Reel Reaction Charters

The bay fishing has been good in terms of action with catches over 70 fish for 4hrs, but in terms of keepers we are picking at them catching 1 to 3 fish per trip.  The Ocean is getting better, as I ran one ocean trip and a few scout trips with my family to put up to 4 keepers plus some nice Sea Bass in the boat in a few hours.  Unless seasickness is an issue, I would start recommend hitting the ocean as you have better chances of catching keepers.  I’m starting to see the characteristic bites of the Northern Puffer aka “Blowfish” on our artificial baits, it may be time to start targeting them for kids.

Here’s the rundown of the past few trips:

Early in the week, I had new client Dave Samuelson and his son James from upstate NY on a 4hr Bay & Inlet Fluke charter. It’s been a tough go of late in terms of finding keepers, but Dave landed a solid 19.5in Fluke on the 1st drop. The duo had to pick through 30 more shorts, before finding another 18.5 inch Fluke. All fish were landed on the bucktails tipped with natural bait.  In the afternoon, I had new clients Marc Schessel with his son-in-law Ted Dembowski and 7 year old grandson Nash. This trip was not so much about getting keepers, but putting Nash on some fish. We jigged bucktails in a variety of areas to catch over 40 fish with 1 keeper at 19.5in. Nash learned quickly and ended up catching 15 all by himself! Great job and he’s already looking forward to next year!

Next, I had our first ocean exploratory trip with return client Matt Windover and his father-in-law Steve Sims boxing a solid 6-plus pound flattie amongst over a dozen short Fluke, short Sea Bass, and Sea Robin. In the afternoon, I had Mark Centerione and two kids (Natalie & Mark) on a 4hour bay trip. It was very windy and made for challenging conditions, but the kids did great for their first ever Fluke charter and 9yr old Mark ended up putting a solid 20-inch Fluke in the box with over 15 caught for the trio.

With some actual down time on Saturday – I took Luke and my parents out to a few of my favorite wrecks to scout around – it wasn’t lights out, but we did put a few in the boat. Luke caught the 1st on the 1st drop, and we picked at short Fluke, short Sea Bass, and Ling. We boxed two keeper Fluke (21 in and 19in), 2 Sea Bass, and a Ling. It was an awesome day on the water, with a solid T-storm coming through the inlet!!

On Sunday, I had new clients Zeb DiVittorio of Texas, William Hibray, and Andy Weeks of New Jersey on a 4hr Bay/Inlet trip. We worked a variety of areas to find close to 20 shorts with 3 keepers as the crew was using bigger baits to put keepers in the box. All were jigging bucktails with natural bait.  In the afternoon, after Sunday’s morning charter I went with my wife Jen and son Luke to a few different snags. We ended up putting 4 keeper Fluke to 23.5 inches and 3 nice Sea Bass to 18 inches. Jen was happy as she caught her limit of Fluke and Sea Bass!

Monday, I had new client Lou Sigillo, his three kids (Emily, Matt, Johnny) and Emily’s boyfriend Billy Lowen of Beach Haven West. Lou wanted to learn a little about fishing the bay as they are new to fishing. We fished a few different areas and they ended releasing 71 Fluke, while boxing 3 keepers and Matt’s 1st ever Bluefish. All fish were caught on bucktails.

We have been busy to say the least, but it’s great being on the water!

We are 7 days a week (morning/afternoon). If interested in booking a charter, book our site (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

Beach Haven Fishing Report – 8/1

Beach Haven Charter Fishing Association Fishing Report

by Jim Hutchinson Sr.

 

The fishing in Beach Haven has returned to normal as clear weather and warm temperatures have become the order of the day once again. Stronger than usual winds are present, but the captains of the Beach Haven Charter Fishing Association are using their know-how to find fish.

 

The offshore bite continues to be hot. Captain Bob Gerkens fished the “Hot Tuna” in the Beach Haven Marlin and Tuna Club’s White Marlin Invitational Tournament with a crew of Andres Hernandez, Pete Nork, Erick Pollard and Matt Ruark. Early on Friday three yellowfin tuna to 52-pounds were boated and a little later four big eye tuna were on at the same time. Three of the four were boated at about 90-pounds. Having used up the boats holding capacity, the “Hot Tuna” headed back to dock at 11:00AM, even though the Tournament permitted fishing until 3:30.

 

 

Captain Jimmy Zavacky fished the “Reel Determined” in the same tournament and took a fifth place based on his tuna catch.

 

Closer to shore, the “Starfish” with Captain George at the helm, had a group of seven anglers from Pennsylvania out on a beautiful weather day. The fish were ready to bite, and over 80 fish were caught. The party returned to the dock with nine keeper black sea bass, one fluke and two Spanish mackerel in the box.

 

Captain Brett Taylor of “Reel Reaction” Sportfishing has been spending much of his time fishing the bay and inlet waters with family groups. He has been fighting strong winds but scoring with various techniques to beat the conditions. He had the Winkler family from Pittsburgh out with two young children on a bay and inlet charter. The family ended up boating over 30 Fluke with seven year old Hudson catching a pair of 19-inch fluke and a cocktail bluefish. The Sigillo family from Beach Haven West with three children were out with Captain Brett. They fished a few different areas and released some 71 Fluke while boxing 3 keepers one bluefish. All fish were caught on bucktails.

 

Additional information on the Beach Haven Charter Fishing Association can be found at www.BHCFA.net

LBI Fishing Report – Update July 31

July has come to an end. Let’s look forward to August ahead! Now’s the time to enjoy summer time fishing the waters of Long Beach Island.

The bay, inlet and ocean are all productive places to fish. The main target species are fluke, bluefish and striped bass with a few others in the line up. We now have tog…

August 1st means Black Fish (Tog aka Tautog) is open. The current recreational fishing regulation is one fish a 15″ minimum size length; August 1 to November 15. We have live green crabs as well as tog rigs and jig in stock.

Fishing The Bay

Barnegat Bay fishing is in full summer mode. There’s loads of bait (small spearing and peanut bunker) and small game fish like resident striped bass and small bluefish are having a field day. These fish offer light tackle fishing fun with small lures. Most are some but we’ve seen occasional mid 20″ range to almost legal keeper sized striped bass. Also a few bluefish nearing the five pound mark popped up.

The bay is stacked with snapper blues. These little ferocious feeders are just about everywhere from the docks and bulkheads as well as the bridges. They are even along the sod banks, inlet and surf.

The traditional summer time “day on the bay” shellfish activities are strong. Clamming and crabbing are all great choices. Stop by for assistance in learning how to get out and enjoy the area’s awesome activities. Anyone looking to get out clamming but doesn’t have a boat? Give Captain Greg a call at Fish Head Charter, 609-389-9963.  $50 per person for two hour clamming trips.  $300 four hour up to four people. Quality clam rake provided. Must purchase NJ Shellfish License separately.

Crabbing seems to be at it’s best right now with lots of customers reporting solid catches of nice size blue claw crabs. Most positive reports are coming from the west side of the bay. This should not be a surprise. It’s always far better than the Island’s east side. Island side we have heard good trapping in the less frequented. Steve Taylor of Delran stopped in the shop today and reported having a lot of fun with the crabs. “It was good crabbing with some big ones!” His largest was a monster 7.25″ blue claw! Get out to your honey hole and soak some bait!

Fluke are plentiful but most catches are on the short side. Don’t give up! Work through them and adapt to find the keepers. August is the month where they look to exit the bay and stage up in the ocean.

Fishing The Inlet

David Ho (@symplexfishing) with multi species angler Leo Sheng (@extremephillyfishing) and friends had a good day on the Jetty Sunday yesterday. “We caught 40 fluke today! Some sea bass and bluefish too.”

Grey Colston was on the Jetty today fluke fishing and limited out! “The inlet has been good. I got two 20″ and one 22″ fish among a lot of shorts.” Grey was recently on the surf hunting fluke. There too he also found some keeper size fish using Gulp! softbaits.

Fishing The Surf

On the surf fluke fishing continues strong as the main stay fishery. Anglers share positive surf fishing fluke reports on a daily basis coming from just about every town on LBI. Work the suds using jigs tipped with Gulp! or a love minnow.

Steve George recently weighed in a 20.75″ 3.56 pound fluke that he caught on the mid-Island surf. Steve got it on Gulp! and mentioned he’s also catching kingfish on the baits intended for fluke.

We suggest for those looking to target kingfish… gear up with small hooks and Dyna Bait Bloodworms, BonaFide Bloodworms or Fish Bites. They are all working great and half the price and hassle of live bloods. For live blood worm lovers we are trying to keep them in stock .

Did You Get Your Shark Fill?

Discovery’s Shark Week is over but it’s still shark time here. Did you get your fill?  Get off couch and get in on the real action! It’s summertime and sharks are here in our waters. Some much larger than most want to admit. Surf shark fishing is very good in the bay, on the surf and in the inshore waters. Gear up and get out there.

Michael DeFrance recently sent in this message… “I’ve been in for bait, tackle and advise everyday this week. Finally got what i was after! Thanks guys for a nice big brown shark!”

Offshore Fishing

When the weather allows boats are getting out and finding fish. Mark from the Forked River Tuna Club was in the shop today to get a new top shot installed on his Avet lever drag fishing reel. While here he shared a photo of a recent catch. He caught this bluefin Monday yesterday fishing the middle ground (not inshore, not offshore).
Another nice report came from Sean our Accurate Reels rep. He fished inshore with some friends over the weekend. They got a 35 pound wahoo to eat a red and white Joe Shute Lure with a ballyhoo as well as a couple mahi. They had one other wahoo bite but it chew the leader and cut off. Sean reported, “We couldn’t find a tuna bite, but it worked out. Wahoo taste better!”

BHMTC’s 49th White Marlin Invitational

      Recap by Dave Ridley
This past week was Beach Haven Marlin Tuna Club’s 49th White Marlin Invitational Tournament, the longest running white marlin tournament in the United States. Despite poor offshore weather conditions early in the week, the 49th WMIT was a resounding success.
Here’s the 2018 Tournament Results:
12 White Marlin were released
37 Tuna were weighed in
1 blue Marlin was weighed in
4 dolphin were weighed in
The final tournament leaders in the end (based on points) were:
1st place – Melina
2nd place – Hard Four
3rd place – Jersey Nutz
4th place – Nora Angela
5th place – Reel Determined
The total Calcutta payouts were:
Jersey Nutz – $22,308
Melina – $21,622
Mary Joe – $11,520
Nora Angela – $10,246
Team Marina Max – $2,668
Many thanks to our sponsors who make this possible including Jersey Cape Yachts, United Rentals, South Jersey Yacht Sales, Marine Max, Fisherman’s Headquarters, Construction Risk Partners, Mack Boring and Parts Company, and Ocean Waves Sunglasses. We are looking forward to the 50th Anniversary tournament next July 2019.

Lighthouse Sportfishing Report & Kayak Ectour Info

I have been on the water more days than not during the last week. Fluking is fluking, when the bite is on it is hot and heavy with shorts far outnumbering keepers. For fluke, I still sticking to what mother nature has to offer and that is live bait. If I’m on summer break from school why is school is session on most of my trips? What I mean is, there is a lot of cooperative schoolie stripers to be had when you are in the right place and the right time. Been getting most of them on soft plastics like Bass Kandy Delights (BKDs). Here are two pictures from last night’s trips with Lots of blues around the inlet with sizes ranging from less than a pound to 5-6 pounds. Whether you like them or not, cow now rays are in mass.

On the nature side of things: I have officially launched my kayak eco tours (see what I did there, LOL). I am running them through the Long Beach Island Foundation of Arts and Sciences. Details can be found at this link: LBI Ecotours Having been on Barnegat Bay for around 40 years now and having some of it’s brackish water running through my veins my tours showcase the magnificent wildlife Barnegat Bay has to offer. Although I guide these tours, I let mother nature set the stage.
Launching, mid-island the 2-hour tour take you around Cedar Bonnet Island which is part of the Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge. O, speaking of Forsythe….. I have been chosen to sit on The Friends of Forsythe committee for a 2-year position. Cool beans

I have some open slots available for guided fishing trips this week and right now I am running my ecotours on Thursdays,

Screaming drags,

Capt Alex 609=548-2511

Reel Fantasea Fishing Charters – That didn’t take long. 5 Barnegat Bay Slams for 3 Anglers!! + Seabass and Tog !!

Reel Fantasea Fishing Charters has anglers dialed in scoring stripers, blues, fluke, seabass and tog! Our inshore action continues to reward Light tackle enthusiasts looking for some salty fun with light spinning tackle while employing different techniques and presentations .

I have a couple of Happy Hour Specials [ 5pm – 8pm]  still available this week for the family or anyone not looking to spend the entire day out on the water but still wants to get there [ sunsets are spectacular!!]

3 spots available for tomorrow mornings 9am – 1pm.  Call only asap!!

609-290-1217

Wishing everyone fair winds and calm seas,

Captain Steve Purul

Reel Fantasea Fishing Charters

Hi Flier Open Boat Sun-Mon Bonita/Shark/Tuna

Looks like the weather is finally going to stabilize, for a few days, anyway. Sunday and Monday, July 29 and 30, are showing very little or no storm activity. The wind is coming around to an easterly direction with mild velocity. It looks like we could get out to Barnegat Ridge tomorrow (Sunday) at least, and maybe further in search of bonita and sharks. Sharks are mostly dusky, browns, spinner, Atlanic sharpnose, and browns. Anywhere from 20 to 150 pounds. All catch and release species. If we get into the bonita, they go in the cooler as they are delicious. Any way you prepare tuna, you can prepare bonita, including sashimi. Monday is even nicer, so I am looking to get out to the mid range 50/60 mile grounds in search of tuna. Open Boat or Charter either day. Sunday’s Barnegat Ridge bonita/shark trip 6AM to 1PM, $175 person. 4 people max. Monday’s Mid-Range tuna trip. 4AM to 4PM (usually later) $350 person. 4 people max. Reservations are required. All fish are shared on both trips.

If you want to Charter the boat on Monday to fish closer like Barnegat Ridge or inshore, you can do that, as well.  When you charter the whole boat, you call the shots. Just know that you will be doing me a dis-service if I can’t get out to the bluewater once in a while!
Capt. Dave DeGennaro
Hi Flier Sportfishing
732.330.5674 cell
hiflier.com

 

Beach Haven Fishing Report – July 27th

Beach Haven Charter Fishing Association Fishing Report

by Jim Hutchinson Sr.

Although this week has been a bit of a washout with high winds and torrential rain, the boats of the Beach Haven Charter Fishing Association were catching fish well before the bad weather.

On the inshore artificial reefs the main attractions are black sea bass and summer flounder. Captain Jimmy Zavacky had the Damiano group out on the “Reel Determined” on a day featuring sunny skies and calm seas. In addition to many throwbacks, they took home fluke and sea bass fillets for fish dinners.

Captain Carl Sheppard had a crew of 14 anglers out for an afternoon of fishing last Friday. The water temperature was a warm 72-degrees and the winds were less than 10 knots. About 70 fish were caught with 10 keeper sea bass and 2 fluke being large enough to take home.

Captain Dave Kreines had the Gray family out on the “Byte Me” for some bay and inlet fishing. The inlet produced only sea robins and a short fluke. Captain Dave headed back into the bay for one of his hot spots where a keeper fluke was boated immediately followed by a good number of other fish.

Captain Ray Lopez had the Kuzcko family from Forked River out for fluke and sea bass in the bay and the ocean plus a 40-pound cow nose ray that took a bait in the bay.  The next day the McPolin group went on an inshore trolling trip and catching some skipjack and three dolphin including a 25-pound bull.

Captain John Lewis had a few good trips to the inshore reefs for fluke and sea bass. The Kaufman family landed several nice sized fluke and lots of sea robins but the highlight WAS a butterfly ray, about 4 feet wide, taking 15-minutes to get to the boat. The Whooley family from Phoenix  had a good day with 4 keeper sea bass and 3 fluke plus a steady pick of shorts and sea robins. Captain John adds that he has made believers about eating sea robin fillets. He says they can be cooked many ways and are delicious.

Captain Bob Gerkens continued his successful trips offshore last week on the “Hot Tuna” with a trip to the 30-Fathom line on a 12-hour charter. The Robertson brothers boated two yellowfin tuna to 35-pounds along with a nice “gaffer” mahi. “Gaffer” refers to the fact a gaff was necessary to boat the fish.

Additional information on the boats of the Beach Haven Charter Fishing Association can be found at www.BHCFA.net.