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Tag: striped bass fishing

LBI Fishing Report 4/23/24 – Bluefish Arrived!

Since the last LBI Fishing Report update, we have had some new arrivals that make for a good spread of target species right now. Yesterday a couple bluefish were weighed in that were both caught off the LBI surf. We are stoked to share there are here!

Also present in the local waters of Long Beach Island; striped bass, black drum, tautog, kingfish, weakfish, blowfish and white perch. Offshore there were a couple giant bluefin caught too! Check out the latest fishing report video update from this morning to get some info on fishing, the beach, ocean weather and little more.

Bluefish & Bass Report

We weighed in two gator bluefish yesterday. Al Parente caught a 8.25# bluefish mid-island on bunker (photo shown in the video thumbnail above). Brandy Hillegass weighed in a 11.5# gator blue which was also caught mid-island on bunker. Photo below.

On the striped bass side of things we have both good bass fishing in the bay and surf as well as inlet. Anglers are targeting and catching on both lures and bait. Off the surf, the clam bite has been good. Anglers are also catching fishing bunker, worms and sand fleas. So far this season bunker has been extremely hard for us to get as out bait guys can’t find any. This might seem like a bad thing however the way I see it, this could very well help surf anglers. When the bunker is abundant most of the time striped bass moving through the area stag up on the bunker schools and feed off of the beach. With no bunker these striped bass move into the surf zone and roam the cuts and search for a mean in the wash. This is why clam and sand fleas were two hot baits last spring and it might repeat this year.

On the surf some larger class of striped bass arrived this past week – weekend. We previously heard news from further south (South Jersey, Atlantic and Cape May County) so it’s good to see them sliding up the coast. Right now it is awesome to see the bass on the beach in all size classes from shorts, slots, overs and trophies size too. Below is two photos of Gary Grippaldi’s monster he caught a couple days ago as well as another good size striped bass. Gary reported catching a bunch of other bass over the past few days fishing the surf.

Be on the look out for some swell on the beaches midweek.

Black Drum

Black drum report are still pinging but not as crazy as it once was the past two weeks. Maybe the full moon has them shifting gears and the activity will throttle up later this week??? Most years they show up in April and stick around for most of May and sometimes most of the summer.

If you are fishing for striped bass or black drum with clam and getting nibbles it is most likely blowfish or kingfish. These two notorious nibblers are here and only becoming more abundant as summer nears. Store staffer Frankie caught this blowfish on clam as well as stripers in the surf.

Tautog Fishing

Tog fishing is great both in the boat and on land. The boat anglers are catching some classy fish on the snags with crab. Below is a big tog caught by Tony Pacitti. Now’s the time to get out there. Only a few days left in the season as it closes in one week, next Tuesday April 30, 2024.

Tog Fishing Aboard LBI Charters

Anyone looking to get out blackfishing before the end of the season? Captain Greg Carr of LBI Charters is running open boat trips this Friday, Saturday & Sunday. $150PP Text 8562640318 or visit www.LBICharters.com to reserve a spot today.

For 2024 Captain Greg is running a new sled, the Kev N Ash III… a 28′ Crowley Beal Downeast battlewagon. This bottom fishing machine comfortable accommodates up to 6 anglers and eats up the sea. There’s decent weather through the weekend so it’s a good time to jump aboard and enjoy some time on the water fishing with one of the top captains in the area.

Ashley Carr caught this tog aboard LBI Charters fishing with father Capt Greg Carr on a recent trip.

Captain Greg fished Sunday and Monday for blackfish and has had some good fishing. He reports that fishing has improved as the water cleaned up and warmed up. Earlier in the season the cold bottom temps and swell were not helping.6# and Monday 12 keepers to 8#.

Reel Reaction Sportfishing – Open dates Tautog/Bass

We are cancelled this weekend, but we have the following openings for tautog or striped bass. All tautog trips are 6hrs and include white crabs/tackle/gear/etc.

12/18, 12/28 booked, 12/29, 12/30 booked, 12/31, 1/2, 1/7 booked, 1/8.

Capt. Brett Taylor ~ www.reelreactioncharters.com

Call or text: 609-290-7709

Pre-Thanksgiving – Open Boat or Charter

The bass fishing has been epic with fish to 36 inches, full limits, and plenty of releases.

We have an opening this Wednesday (11/23) afternoon for striped bass. $500 for charter or $175 a person (need 3) – all fish shared. 25 Live spot included in price. Call or text 609-290-7709

Capt. Brett Taylor

www.reelreactioncharters.com

Reel Reaction Charters – Fishing Report

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 are some pics of our recent trips.

Fishing Report – Reel Reaction Charters – More Fluke

We have been running charters nearly everyday and have been using our shallow water vessel to hit the extreme backwaters to find keeper Fluke to 6 pounds. 4hr trips have been averaging 4 to 10 keepers and our last 3 trips had 10, 9, and 9. So the Fluke fishing has been off the charts. The key has been finding the right water temperature for keepers to bite. This week we will start running 2 trips a day until September 6th, when school is back in session and we go back to afternoons and weekends.

We will start hitting some of these same areas for schoolie Stripers in the evening / twilight as this is when they come alive. I have to do some more scouting before we roll these trips out – these will be perfect for light-tackle / fly fishing. More on that in the future!!

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

Fishing Report – Reel Reaction Charters – early June

First, I want to thank all of my return and new clients for waiting for the state to allow us to run trips and our phone has been ringing off the hook as we have been running everyday.. The fishing has been excellent as most of our charters are picking 30 to 45 Fluke with keepers numbers ranging from 2 to 6 keepers per trip. With certain tides on the skiff, we have been adding in some Striped Bass action and filling our Striped Bass bonus tags (24-27.99 inches). The new skiff has performed amazing allowing us to hit areas that do not get pressured.

On the ocean front, the Sea Bass fishing has been excellent as reported from local captains. Our Parker Sport Cabin is back up and running as we had a slight issue which was delayed our Sea Bassing – due to the slow COVID shipping of the engine part. We will continue to run everyday (2 trips per day on weekends) and starting June 15th will begin running 2 trips per day through September. With two vessels, we can target inshore to 30 miles, backwaters to 1 foot depths, and everything in between.

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

Fishing Report – Reel Reaction Charters

It has been another good couple of weeks of fishing out of Barnegat Light. We have been doing well on Striped Bass and Tog when we can get out due to the winds/weather. This weekend looks a little tough, but hopefully it changes. There was a very good Striped Bass bite this past weekend with both of my charters limiting on their slot tags and each trip averaging 30 to 45 Striped Bass. The sizes of the Stripers have ranged from 20 to 29 inches and almost all of action has been on metal jigs or plastic shads. I have a few “Tog only” trips coming up, so we are planning to hit some of my choice snags and will be using both white and green crabs. Our facebook page always has the most recent fishing reports…

If the Striped Bass are still around, we will continue to target them as our NJ issued slot tags expire 12/31/2019. Tog fishing is also an option and we have Green crabs and White Leggars (when available) are included on all Tog trips. Our Tog setups feature G.Loomis rods, Lamiglas, and St.Croix with fantastic feel and excellent backbone for muscling the big boys out of the wrecks. 

If the temperatures stay above freezing, we are planning to run into the New Year and having the heated cabin makes a world of difference. I have the following dates available: 12/21, 12/22, 12/23, 12/26, 12/29, 12/30, 1/4/2020, 1/5/2020 – only if the temperatures stay above freezing.

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

Mother’s Day Fishing Report Update – May 13, 2018

As the days pass we get closer and closer to prime time spring striped bass fishing. Mother’s Day is a classic point of reference on the Calendar marking a time when bluefish and striped bass are here. The Central Jersey Coast’s Spring bell curve of ocean run striped bass starts with Mother’s Day, peaks around Memorial Day, then fades out by July 4th. (Fall:_Halloween/Thanksgiving\Christmas_). The local area’s best spring bass fishing is usually the last week or two of May as well as the first week or two of June. Since everything seems to be a couple weeks late, it will be interesting to see how this pans out. Soon enough, time will tell.

First Boat Bass Out Front

This weekend brought the first reports of boat trolled bass. Maybe it went down sooner but we have not received a positive first hand report until now. Mike Nini reported mid 30″ range striped bass off of southern LBI. Fishing out of Little Egg Inlet his screen was loaded while picking away at bass trolling Mojos.

Another report came in from Vin Rossi and Yonni Weidenhof. They were on the search working the waters around Holgate. Yonni reported, “We passed up some small bird plays in the bay and took a look out front. Turns out it looked like the dead sea. We worked some good looking areas casting lures in close to the surf zone. We managed a few bass.”

Here’s Vin Rossi with a health striped bass he caught at sunset.

Lots of striped bass with occasional bluefish on the surf

Small and hungry striped bass continue to cruise the suds of Long Beach Island. Numerous reports this past week which continued this weekend.

Chris Colasante from Surf City enjoyed his Saturday afternoon/evening (4-6pm) bait fishing the surf. “The top of the incoming high was good. Nice clean and clear water with enough white water to flushing over the sandbars.  My Lamiglas Surf Rod was working the magic getting every bite.” Chris caught four bass, “One was a guppy. The smallest I’ve ever caught.” The other three were also shorts with one being close to keeper size.

Here’s Chris with one of a few school sized striped bass.

Last night (Saturday) from 6-8pm Jason from Woodridge caught four bass, one keeper bait fishing the mid-island surf. Another customer in the shop reported a handful of striped bass plugging the south end surf.

Blues on the surf offer great fishing fun.

Store staff Kelley hit the beach after closing the shop tonight. He just shared this report, “I had a good inaugural ceremony with my new Van Staal Fishing Reel. Caught some bluefish this evening on lures right into sunset.

While not a direct report we have heard of a few classy fish recently caught. Keep an eye out and be ready for the better bite!

Black Sea Bass Opens Tuesday May 15th: 15 fish at 12.5″

Fishing Report Update – March 25, 2018

What a great weekend! So many of us have waited for the dewinterization process to begin! Turning on the water and opening seasonal homes as well as pulling the shrink wrap or boat cover, the Island was lively and the shop was buzzing. After a snowy, cold, windy winter, it was great to see all the familiar faces.

Some anglers got out and fished. A couple guys hit the surf, but no report rebound. One can only assume, no report is bad news. For the most part local fishing is still concentrated to the winter hold over locations. Soon the early season hot spots will kick into gear.

In terms of one hold over location, Oyster Creek, there’s been lots of action but with that comes lots of fishing pressure. The traffic can be tough but fun fishing is there to be had.

Striped bass and winter flounder are the two main target species. Some small blues(hold overs or new arrivals?) were recently caught and bunker have been in there too. Guys catching bass are fishing with small bucktails, jigs and soft plastics. Baits like live blood worms and clam are also getting bites for the crew posted up on the bridge. Winter flounder are also chewing live bloods there too.

One customer reported, “Caught a handful of fishing today (Saturday). Yesterday was was much better!” Another report came from Finn Krokus of Little Egg. He fished this weekend and caught both bass and winter flounder. Here’s a photo of one winter flounder.

Here’s Finn Krokus with a winter flounder that he caught on March 24th fishing Oyster Creek.

Just a heads up… For the time being we are still on winter hours (7am to 6pm). Soon we’ll extend. It all dependent on the weather, fishing and in store traffic.

Upcoming Fishing Tournaments

  —  Save The Dates   —  

The 15th Annual 2018 Berkeley Striper Club Spring Striped Bass Catch & Release Tournament starts May 24th. For More Info

The 17th Annual LBI Spring Surf Fishing Tournament starts April 21st. This year a bluefish division was added. For More Info

Sour Weather But Sweet Fishing

Tuesday was another great day of fishing. I got out early with store staffer Dan and run up the beach. We pulled into where I had them yesterday and the screen lit up. In 25-30’ of water the sounder was reading 8’ with big bass blobs on the side scan. Dan casted out and before I pulled the boat out of gear… “I got one!” Dan exclaimed. I told him, “Nice, let the bunker drop down. The blobs are deep.” “NO! I got a fish!” As the drag goes screaming! It started off with a bang and continued for us. Every single drift we had one or more fish until 9am when it slowed up.

Large striped bass love bunker for breakfast My biggest bass of the day pulled the Boga Grip to 40 pounds.

We even raised some bass on top water lures. Again the Doc Top Water Spook was the MVP! For me in the past two days, this lure has produced more than a dozen fish… most in the 30 pound class. Over the years, I was told by some sharp striped bass hunters that I had to have this lure. I’m ashamed to say I never took action.

striped bass love Doc top water spook fishing lures One of the best top water spook baits for striped bass, the Doc!

Big thanks the Stormr and Grundens for making top quality foul weather gear. Here at Fisherman’s Headquarters we are proud to be an elite dealer with both brands.  Running a center console fishing boat I depend on their  gear’s performance. I can say neither have ever let me down. This past weekend I was happy to be warm and today I was happy to be dry.

Dan with a classy striped bass on live bunker

We got a weigh in and report today from  Ken Daimond and Ray Hartmax. They were out trolling off of LBI’s mid-island beaches. They reported good fishing catching quality bass on Mann’s Stretch deep diving plugs. They had a couple fish in the thirty class; 33 & 37#.