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N.J. Tackle shop reports

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#1 ·
C. Berg The Morning Call -- September 7, 2005
North Jersey: The Tackle Box in Hazlet (732-264-7711) Local anglers are killing the weakfish right now ?many people catching 50-100 fish per outing in the back of Raritan Bay on peanut bunker, worms, artificial lures, jigs and bucktails?a few fluke and bluefish are also being taken in the bay?stripers being taken at night on live eels?false albacore starting to show up in the surf.

Brielle Region: Brielle Tackle (732-528-5720) Good fluke action continues?things are better south of the inlet all the way down to Seaside ?look for fluke about a mile off the beach in 70 feet of water?bluefish and weakfish mixed in with fluke?tons of small fluke, weakfish and bluefish in the bay?some schools of striped bass being seen along the beaches in Manasquan?offshore tuna action is good in the Hudson Canyon?yellowfins up to 90 pounds and swordfish being taken.

Little Egg Inlet: Scott's Bait & Tackle (609-296-1300) Scottie says weekend crabbing was excellent?lots of nice blowfish coming from Graveling Point area?fair share of kingfish, porgies and weakfish coming from that area too?high winds on Monday made ocean rough and forced even large party boats back to the docks.

Seaside Park: Betty & Nicks Bait & Tackle (732-793-2708) Tons of small fluke being taken from the beaches?15 throwbacks caught for every keeper?mullet run should begin in about a week, triggering arrival of striped bass?some bluefish being taken from the beaches?sea bass spotty on local wrecks.

Rehoboth Beach, Del.: Old Inlet Bait & Tackle (302-227-7974) says there is a little bit of everything around?lots of croakers, small weakfish and bluefish being caught from the beaches?striped bass being taken at night from the Indian River inlet on live eels?offshore boats have been hampered by high winds.
 
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#2 ·
Re: Tackle shop reports

Reports said:
C. Berg The Morning Call -- September 7, 2005
North Jersey: The Tackle Box in Hazlet (732-264-7711) Local anglers are killing the weakfish right now ?many people catching 50-100 fish per outing in the back of Raritan Bay on peanut bunker, worms, artificial lures, jigs and bucktails?a few fluke and bluefish are also being taken in the bay?stripers being taken at night on live eels?false albacore starting to show up in the surf.
What Phil (owns the Tacklebox) isn't telling you is that the weakies are all 6" to 12"
 
#3 ·
C. Berg Morning call
Fish Report: Sept. 22

SALTWATER
Point Pleasant: Capt. John Brackett of the Queen Mary (732-899-3766) says bluefishing was excellent Sunday, with lots of 5-8-pound fish caught around the Mud buoy on bait and jigs? fish of the day was 11-pounder.

Belmar: Hank Leonard of the Golden Eagle (732-681-6144) said bluefishing couldn't be better?both day and night trips, with lots of large fish ?offshore tuna trips producing good action.

North Jersey: The Tackle Box in Hazlet (732-264-7711) Weakfishing is awesome?live peanut bunker and sandworms work best?tons of small bluefish in the bay?stripers are being taken at night around Sandy Hook? porgies in the Reach Channel.

Brielle Region: Brielle Tackle (732-528-5720) Paramount party boat has been catching sea bass, porgies and croakers?small striped bass being taken in Manasquan River and from the surf on clams and peanut bunker?lots of snapper blues and crabs around.

Little Egg Inlet: Scott's Bait & Tackle (609-296-1300) Scottie says fishing was somewhat slow over weekend?weakfish action decent in Great Bay around the mouth of the Mullica River?smorgasbord of kingfish, blowfish, sandsharks, porgies and skates being taken by anglers chumming in the bay?offshore action is slow, high seas are uncomfortable.

Seaside Park: Betty & Nicks Bait & Tackle (732-793-2708) Mullet run is on, and bluefish (1-8 pounders) chasing them?false albacore starting to show up off the tip of the jetty?some striped bass being taken early mornings and evenings.

Rehoboth Beach, Del.: Old Inlet Bait & Tackle (302-227-7974) says big flounder have shown up in Indian River Inlet?use live and cut mullet?live eels producing striped bass at night on incoming tides?bluefish like bucktail lures?assortment of small blues, spot, kingfish and croakers in surf.

FRESHWATER
Anglers Paradise and Marine, Whitehall (610-433-2500): Lenny says anglers are trolling for stripers at Lake Nockamixon and doing fairly well?despite low water levels, fair number of smallmouth being taken from Lehigh and Delaware rivers? panfish and bass continue to bite at Leaser Lake? salmon action has been excellent on New York rivers.

Rick's Bait & Tackle, Maiden Creek (610-926-8888): Still lots of smallies being taken from the Schuylkill River ?bass and crappies hitting at Blue Marsh?bass and smallmouth best bet at Lake Ontelaunee?Susquehanna is hot for smallmouth, largemouth bass.

Nockamixon Sport Shop, Quakertown (215-538-9553): Josh says shop has umbrella nets needed to catch live alewives from Nockamixon ?alewives are the hot striper bait on the lake and work 50 times better than shiners?small crankbaits that dive to 15 feet and suspending jerkbaits also taking stripers right now?walleyes like alewives ? good topwater action on Delaware River? lots of smallmouth up to 3 pounds and small striped bass being taken ?chicken livers and small spinners working on river stripers.

Backwoods Angler Guide Service, Bethlehem, (610-868-9349): Delaware River was 3.1 feet as of Monday at the Belvidere gauge?area below PPL's fly ash spill is giving up excellent numbers of smallmouth bass?two recent trips produced 55 and 70 bass respectively?overall, trips averaging around 40 fish, with some up to 20 inches?smallies are still in a full summer pattern?Case Salty Shads working near shad fry, on runs and flats with some current and near areas with good rock cover?Mizmo tubes, grubs and Senko worms also picking up a few fish?Schuylkill and Susquehanna rivers too low to boat?fishermen are finding good numbers of small-to-medium -sized bass in current.
 
#4 ·
North Jersey: The Tackle Box in Hazlet (732-264-7711) Lots of weakfish being taken in Reach Channel?some bluefish running around the bay?blues are chasing peanut bunker onto the bay shore, which is providing exciting action for surf anglers?high winds have made offshore fishing difficult in recent days.

Brielle Region: Brielle Tackle (732-528-5720) Decent fluke action right outside inlet off Manasquan within 1-2 miles of the beach?fish ranging from shorts up to 6 pounds?sand eels are the bait of choice right now?some larger fluke are being taken by sea bass fishermen on wrecks 5-6 miles offshore?weakfish, croakers and kingfish are being taken off the beaches in about 30 feet of water?porgies and blackfish are being caught in the Manasquan River?some bluefin tuna and false albacore are being taken from the Mud Hole.

Little Egg Inlet: Scott's Bait & Tackle (609-296-1300) Scottie says a combination a high winds and big ocean swells have made fishing difficult in recent days?lots of porgies, sand sharks, skates and blowfish being caught in Great Bay?weakfish are being taken at mouth of Mullica River only at high tide and during outgoing tide?stripers up to 40 pounds taken recently around Barnegat Light jetty, which is the first sign of good fall fishing.

Seaside Park: Betty & Nicks Bait & Tackle (732-793-2708) Bluefish being taken along the beaches in good numbers, while striped bass are being taken early in the morning and late in the day?lots of fluke also being taken along the beaches.
 
#5 ·
C. Berg Morning Call
SALTWATER

North Jersey: The Tackle Box in Hazlet (732-264-7711) Weakfish action is excellent in Raritan Bay, Reach Channel, Sandy Hook Bay?sandworms and peanut bunker working well?stripers being taken from surf at Sandy Hook on clams?worms and eels working well for stripers in Sandy Hook rip.

Brielle Region: Brielle Tackle (732-528-5720) Striped bass, bluefish are in inlet ?customers reported decent action Monday morning?Finesse lures working best.

Little Egg Inlet: Scott's Bait & Tackle (609-296-1300) Scottie says local anglers are gearing up for fall striper fishing?lots of eels, other striper gear sold over weekend?fluke season closed Monday?winds from weekend storm created 8-11-foot swells offshore and kept most boaters at the dock.

Seaside Park: Betty & Nicks Bait & Tackle (732-793-2708) A few bass and bluefish are being taken, but conditions are tough and water is dirty with lots of grass?croakers and mullet plentiful?lots of peanut bunker in the area, and striper action should pick up soon.

Atlantic City/Ocean City: Capt. Brian DiLeo of Iowa Fortune Guide Service (609-926-5415) Good tides last week provided anglers with good sight fishing opportunities for striped bass, bluefish in South Jersey backcountry?bite was steady, with some flurries of explosive topwater action?most stripers last week were in 18-26- inch range, but 30-inch fish are being seen more regularly?stripers feeding on pods of peanut bunker on the deeper flats.

Rehoboth Beach, Del.: Old Inlet Bait & Tackle (302-227-7974) Weekend weather was nasty, but some stripers, bluefish and kingfish were taken?fish are still in the area, and action should be good as soon as weather clears.
 
#6 ·
C. Berg morning Call
North Jersey: The Tackle Box in Hazlet (732-264-7711) Striped bass are being taken from the beaches, including a 57 1/2-pounder that was taken Monday morning from Cliffwood Beach?lots of 15-20-pound fish caught over weekend around Sandy Hook?boaters are catching stripers on clams, worms and eels around Sandy Hook rip?weakfish have disappeared?water temperature has fallen, and water is dirty because of the runoff from recent rains.

Brielle Region: Brielle Tackle (732-528-5720) Local party boat went out Sunday and had a great day of sea bass action?a few striped bass were caught from the surf in the rain on Friday?most were small?other fishing difficult because of high winds?boats can't venture too far offshore.

Little Egg Inlet: Scott's Bait & Tackle (609-296-1300) Scottie says a 36-inch striped bass was weighed at shop Monday afternoon?fish was taken from Little Egg Inlet on clams?fishing has been tough because of poor weather?tides have been extremely high, and wind and rain have made things miserable?7-9-foot swells in the ocean are keeping boats at the docks.

Seaside Park: Betty & Nicks Bait & Tackle (732-793-2708) John Bushell Sr., who owned the shop for 35 years, died Oct. 10 at 56 years of age?his son, John Jr., will take over?fishing action is bouncing back after recent rain and high winds ? croakers are back in full force?scattered reports of bluefish?stripers being taken from the surf on clams?high winds moved beachfront structure and shifted sand, so surf anglers will have to search out new hotspots.

Rehoboth Beach, Del.: Old Inlet Bait & Tackle (302-227-7974) says tautog and sheepshead fishing is excellent along the rocks on green crabs and sand fleas?water is extremely dirty, making striper and bluefish angling tough?water should clear by weekend, and action should improve.
 
#7 ·
C. Berg morning Call
North Jersey: The Tackle Box in Hazlet (732-264-7711) Striped bass action has been pretty good, with plenty of fish from 10-20 pounds being weighed at shop?lots of fish biting clams and eels from Sandy Hook and boats around Sandy Hook rip ? striper action in the surf should be good once the remnants of Hurricane Wilma pass through.

Brielle Region: Brielle Tackle (732-528-5720) Striped bass action is good in the area, but most fish are fairly small?most fish in the 15-25-inch range, with bluefish mixed in?bluefish are ranging from 6 inches up to 8 pounds ? best action stretches from Seagirt to Point Pleasant?clams and surface poppers are the best baits?bottom fishing on local party boats has improved recently, with good catches of porgies, sea bass and blackfish.

Little Egg Inlet: Scott's Bait & Tackle (609-296-1300) Scottie says fall fishing is in full swing?lots of striped bass are being taken in Little Egg Inlet?fishing incoming tides is a must if you want to catch fish?clams are the best bet, although anglers also are using eels and fresh bunker?ocean has been really rough and should only get worse over next few days.

Seaside Park: Betty & Nicks Bait & Tackle (732-793-2708) Fishing was good over past week, with numerous stripers taken from local beaches over the weekend?some anglers caught nothing, while others caught a dozen or more?most fish are small and are being taken on clams?locals are still waiting for bigger fish to show up?lots of bluefish still being taken ? blues are mixed in with stripers?look for pods of bait around low tide and cast shad imitations, metal lures and poppers.

Atlantic City/Ocean City: Capt. Brian DiLeo of Iowa Fortune Guide Service (609-926-5415) says calm winds and cool water made for hot fishing last week, officially marking the start of fall back country action?large schools of medium-sized striped bass were seen in the shallows all week, with some larger migrant fish mixed in?the bass are so focused on feeding that they have been readily taking well-placed flies or topwater plugs?last week was the first of pure fall sight fishing, and now that the water temperature has dropped below 60 degrees, action should continue to be hot for weeks to come.

Rehoboth Beach, Del.: Old Inlet Bait & Tackle (302-227-7974) says weather conditions couldn't be worse, and fishing is extremely tough right now?the good news is that many large stripers are still in northern New Jersey, which means season in Delaware should extend into late November or early December?there are some small stripers being taken in the inlet, along with 4-5-pound bluefish?tautog action has been good around the rocks on sand fleas and green crabs.
 
#8 ·
C. Berg morning Call
Fish Report: Nov. 1
Point Pleasant: Capt. John Brackett of the Queen Mary (732-899-3766) says Sunday's trip for bluefish and stripers produced a decent bite?all fish were caught on jigs?boat stayed within a mile of the beach throughout the trip?starting today, the boat will target stripers exclusively.

Belmar: Hank Leonard of the Golden Eagle (732-681-6144) said bluefish and striped bass are being taken along the beach north of the inlet?jigging is the most productive tactic right now?fishing was good over the weekend, with most stripers fairly small?expectations are for striper action to pick up soon, with lots of big fish moving through the area in November.

North Jersey: The Tackle Box in Hazlet (732-264-7711) Local anglers continue to catch striped bass, but action has been spotty of late?most fish are being taken from boaters using clams and live eels?bite from beaches has been slow?a 30-pounder was weighed in at shop over weekend?blackfish and sea bass are being taken on local party boats.

Brielle Region: Brielle Tackle (732-528-5720) Bottom fishing for sea bass, porgies and blackfish has been very good around local wrecks?boaters catching striped bass on jigs, clams and trolling lures near the beaches in 30 feet of water?bluefish mixed in with stripers?most fish are around 27 inches?offshore tuna bite is quiet?two recent trips produced poor results.

Little Egg Inlet: Scott's Bait & Tackle (609-296-1300) Scottie says weekend action was excellent for stripers, with fish up to 32 pounds taken?most fish were around 28 inches, with lots over 34 inches?best action was found by boaters anchored in Little Egg Inlet and fishing with clam bellies?live eels also working well?other action is slow, and most anglers are targeting the stripers.

Seaside Park: Betty & Nicks Bait & Tackle (732-793-2708) Striped bass have been biting clams recently?artificial shad lures also starting to work better?bluefish still blitzing the beaches?bigger stripers expected to move into the area soon?reports indicate good numbers of fish north of the area, which should be heading south any time.

Atlantic City/Ocean City: Capt. Brian DiLeo of Iowa Fortune Guide Service (609-926-5415) says cold weather has plunged water temperatures into the upper 40s and low 50s?striped bass responded with increased feeding activity, and some larger fish showed up among the summer residents?topwater lures produced few strikes last week, making subsurface patterns the way to go?however, the few fish that did strike topwater offerings were considerably larger than those taken below the surface?action is lasting all day and should continue to be good around the new moon.

Rehoboth Beach, Del.: Old Inlet Bait & Tackle (302-227-7974) says 9-10 pound bluefish are biting along the beach on mullet and peanut bunker?loads of short stripers being taken in the inlet?fish are averaging about 20 inches, and locals are catching as many as they want?keepers are hard to find?tautog fishing has been good for those using green crabs and sand fleas?forecast calls for sunny weekend weather, with temperatures in the 70s.
 
#9 ·
C. Berg Morning Call November 8 2005
Point Pleasant: Capt. John Brackett of the Queen Mary (732-899-3766) says striper fishing broke wide open over the weekend?all stripers are being taken on jigs?41 stripers were taken on Saturday, and 36 on Friday?all fish running in 24-37-inch range?boat has been finding stripers south of Manasquan Inlet?anglers also catching all the big bluefish they want?blues are mixed in among stripers?huge clouds of birds have been feeding above the fish, making it easy for the boat to find the schools.

Belmar: Hank Leonard of the Golden Eagle (732-681-6144) said weekend fishing was quite good?boat is primarily fishing along the beaches north of the inlet for big bluefish and striped bass?expect more and more stripers as weather cools?many stripers being taken are shorts, but lots of keepers also reported?boat is sailing every day and on Saturday nights.

North Jersey: The Tackle Box in Hazlet (732-264-7711) Lots of nice stripers taken over the weekend from shop's charter boat?lots of 20-pound fish taken on live eels in Sandy Hook Channel?others being taken by those using clams, jigs and trolling lures?bottom fishing for sea bass and blackfish turning on at reef sites and around Shrewsbury Rocks.

Brielle Region: Brielle Tackle (732-528-5720) Sea bass and porgie action has been good on local party boats?sea bass up to 4 pounds being reported?surf action for striped bass is spotty?lots of short fish being taken, with lots of bluefish making it difficult to target stripers?average angler is catching 15 blues for every striper?that is about the norm from Sandy Hook to Island Beach.

Little Egg Inlet: Scott's Bait & Tackle (609-296-1300) Scottie says Friday and Saturday produced excellent striped bass action, but Sunday was slower?the biggest fish of the weekend was 35 pounds and 47 inches?fish was taken from Little Egg Inlet on fresh clams?one local boat reported decent catches of tautog just outside the inlet on a wreck.

Seaside Park: Betty & Nicks Bait & Tackle (732-793-2708) Bluefish action has been excellent recently, with blitzes of fish running along the beaches?a few stripers are mixed in with the blues?metal lures, live bait, cut bait and poppers all working.

Rehoboth Beach, Del.: Old Inlet Bait & Tackle (302-227-7974) says bluefish up to 11 pounds are being taken from the beaches on cut bunker and mullet?stripers up to 19 pounds also being landed from the beach?croakers still hanging around off the beach?striper bite in Indian River Inlet has been good for those using live eels and live spot?stripers up to 47 inches reported?bucktails and live eels producing lots of short stripers along the rocks at night?most fish taken around rocks are small, but an occasional 20-pounder is showing up.
 
#10 ·
Asbury Park Press on 12/23/05
BY JOHN GEISER


It seems evident now striped bass will be caught until the end of the year and possibly into January.
Brian Pasch of Betty and Nick's Bait and Tackle, Seaside Park, said participation is down to a handful of beach fishermen, but they are scoring.
"Two people were in for lunch today who had bass in the morning on clams, and they were going out again in the afternoon," Pasch said. "There are really good numbers of small fish in the surf."
Proof of the numbers was reflected in the catch George Sokolov of Wallington had Monday at Island Beach State Park ? 49 bass up to 24 inches.
Scott McGahey of Forked River fished teasers and soft plastic shads and caught a dozen bass; Gary Acker and Wally Freimanis, Bensalem, Pa., had 35 bass up to 23 inches on small shads.
Daren McGowan of Montclair fished Bombers and teasers and caught 25 stripers, and Victor Krone, Lavallette, had five bass in 45 minutes while throwing a Deadly Dick at Ortley Beach and Lavallette.
Mike Malek of The Dock Outfitters, Seaside Heights, said beach fishermen stopping there are reporting small bass caught on clams, plugs and small Storm shads.
"There are still rumblings of larger fish up toward Sandy Hook, but I have not had any fishermen come in to verify it," he said.
Malek reminded there should be wintering bass in front of the Oyster Creek power plant, and it is still legal to fish for them until Dec. 31 when the bay fishery officially closes.
Paul Haertel, a member of the Berkeley Striper Club, won The Dock Outfitters striped bass tournament. Chris LaGrossa placed second, and Mark Brancoccio was third.
Dominick Talerico won the bluefish competition and Phil LaGrossa was second. Bill Garey of Trenton was third.
Capt. Bob Bogan Jr., Gambler, Point Pleasant Beach, said he will continue to fish for stripers through the end of the week at least, but admitted Wednesday was a tough day.
"We didn't catch any bass," he said. "We did get into herring and mackerel off the beach, and we live-lined the herring for bass, but had no luck."
Bogan's brother, Mike, was able to catch some keeper bass up to 25 pounds on live bait and chrome jigs earlier in the week, but there was no response Wednesday.
"There were a lot of readings on the machine," Bob said. "It was hard to tell what they were, but some looked like bass readings."
Bogan said he will target the stripers, but, if they find none or get no response, he will give his customers a chance at the herring and mackerel.
Capt. Jimmy Elliott, skipper of the Miss Belmar Princess, Belmar, said he will target mackerel and herring whenever he is able to get out. His initial attempts over the weekend produced some mackerel and lots of herring.
 
#11 ·
SALTWATER

Brielle Region: Brielle Tackle (732-528-5720) There are still some herring and small stripers being taken in the inlet?stripers hitting plugs and live bait?giant sea bass trips on the Jamaica producing good numbers of bass and pollock?Paramount still sailing for ling and blackfish, with some catching as many as 15 ling per trip.

Little Egg Inlet: Scott's Bait & Tackle (609-296-1300) Scottie says a few charter boats are still running out of the area and catching tautog?lots of small fish being taken, but action has been pretty good?good reports of white perch being taken from Collins Cove area of Mullica River?one customer said he caught 41 keepers on Friday?fish range from 1-11/2 pounds.

Seaside Park: Betty & Nicks Bait & Tackle (732-793-2708) Local wrecks have been producing blackfish, and sea bass are being taken farther offshore?new state regulation allow anglers to keep two striped bass 28 inches or longer from 0-3 miles offshore?a few short stripers are still being caught locally, but no keepers?in mid-January, anglers were catching up to 35 fish a day?Island Beach and Seaside Park were hotspots, with rubber shad imitations accounting for most catches.
 
#12 ·
Fishing has never been better at the Jersey Shore

dmachesic@phillyburbs.com
Fishing has never been better at the Jersey Shore

?If you can't catch fish right now, there's something wrong with you,? was how Monroe Boyce put it this week.

Boyce owns Mac's Shark River Tackle in Neptune, N.J., and has the inside scoop on everything around the Shark River and Belmar area.
According to Boyce and others, fishing in that area is as hot as it can possibly get. Imagine fishermen complaining about not being able to get their bait beneath the bluefish to get to the stripers. That's hot fishing action.
Boyce says if that happens, ?they don't know what they're doing.? His point being that you have to use 6 and 8 ounce jigs to get the bait down fast. If you can get it down, legal stripers (more than 28?) are everywhere. Even from the beaches.
The recommended baits are trolling umbrella rigs and deep diving clams from the boats and clam bait from the beach. A guy I met last week while fishing in Cabela's fishing tournament told me to cut the clams in half. He said he watched whole clams thrown all day with limited results and simply cut his bait in chunks and caught fish all day long.
Flounder have also been showing up along the beach in the last few days ? a true indication of the warming waters.
?The weakfish are running so strong at the Point the other night one guy caught 30 off Higbee's Beach jetty. Some up to three to four pounds,? said Dennis McVay, a staffer Jim's Tackle in Cape May.
Reports out of the southern Jersey tip have the fishing good all over. The drums in the bay have slowed down, but at the same time the weakfish are plentiful and the flounder are coming in.
Stripers are getting caught in numbers off the beach with clams. This week Jim's weighed in a 17-lb and a 21-lb striper from Poverty Beach.
Stripers are getting caught with live spot at night in the rips. The best time to land them is sundown until just after dark. Flounder are around the Old Grounds up to six lbs. The Cape May artificial reef is producing flounder and seabass from the 4-hour boats. The 14-foot light has seen action with flounder this week.
This weekend's Cape May Shark Tournament had some boats heading offshore in preparation. Jim's weighed in two makos, one weighing in at 150 lbs and the other just under at 147 lbs. The Wilmington Canyon had one boat coming in reporting releasing 30 small bluefin tunas and several yellow up to 40 lbs.
 
#13 ·
SALTWATER

North Jersey: The Tackle Box in Hazlet (732-264-7711) A few striped bass are being taken from Union Beach and the first parking lot at Sandy Hook ? most fish running in the 20-inch range. action should break open this week thanks to warmer weather.

Brielle Region: Brielle Tackle (732-528-5720) Inshore ling fishing still decent, with most fishermen getting a dozen fish a day ? offshore sea bass bite decent, with some fish up to 8 pounds being taken. winter flounder season opens Mar. 23.

Little Egg Inlet: Scott's Bait & Tackle (609-296-1300) Scottie says a few striped bass up to 26 inches have been taken recently, but water temperatures are still low . this week's warmer weather should help, and shop still hasn't given away $100 gift certificate for first keeper caught from Graveling Point.

Seaside Park: Betty & Nicks Bait & Tackle (732-793-2708) A few short stripers have been taken locally on clams, but action is still fairly slow . local anglers anticipating better action this week thanks to warmer weather.

Ship Bottom: Fishermen's Headquarters (609-494-5739) says a couple small stripers are being caught from Graveling Point and local beaches. better numbers of stripers being caught below the warmwater discharge at Oyster Creek power plant : some white perch being caught at the mouth of Mill Creek.

Rehoboth Beach, Del.: Old Inlet Bait & Tackle (302-227-7974) says striped bass are in the area, but water temperatures are in the low 40s . water needs to reach the mid 40s before fish become more active : striper bite should pick up sometime in the next week if warm weather holds : early season shad and herring action should begin soon : tautog are still being found on wrecks about 15 miles offshore: tautog will come back into shore when water temperatures reach the mid-40s.
 
#14 ·
Morning call

Fish Report: May 18, 2007

Down at the shore, bluefish are blitzing the beaches in New Jersey and Delaware. Hungry blues are taking everything from bunker and mullet to poppers and metal lures. Striped bass are also hitting, though they have a preference for fresh bunker. Look for stripers along the beach at high tide and on inshore flats anytime.

Saltwater anglers are also starting to catch weakfish, which are hitting drifted bunker heads and small plastic lures. The best weakfish action is in the bays during incoming and outgoing tides.

SALTWATER

Capt. Chris Gatley of the Ardent Angler Guide Service, Milford, N.J. (267-253-5290): Raritan Bay is producing great numbers of bluefish…bring plenty of hooks as these yellow-eyed demons are sure to bite you off…on my boat, I have been using 80-100 pound fluorocarbon leader in attempts to catch striped bass…it has been working…stripers are taking whole and chunked bunker drifted on the flats…areas to target include Old Orchard and Reach Channel…some weakfish are being taken on incoming and outgoing tides…drifting a bunker head is the best bet for weakies…

Ed Kalinski of Schnecksville and friend Ron Mroz caught 15 stripers and countless blues while fishing with me earlier in the week…we were drifting with live bunker.

North Jersey: The Tackle Box in Hazlet (732-264-7711) Bluefish are all over the area and are being taken on both lures and fresh bunker…striped bass are taking bunker around Old Orchard and Romer's Shoal.

Brielle Region: Brielle Tackle (732-528-5720) Striper action is heating up, and some nicer fish up to 30 pounds are being taken…clams and jigs are working…tons of bluefish being caught in the Manasquan Inlet on Diamond Jig…some keeper-sized fluke also in the area, though season doesn't open until May 26.

Little Egg Inlet: Scott's Bait & Tackle (609-296-1300) Scottie says tons of bluefish have moved into Great Bay and are eagerly taking any bait thrown into the water by striped bass fishermen…anglers working sand bars with clams are having success on stripers…a few drum fish also being taken, although action has slowed in the past week.

Seaside Park: Betty & Nicks Bait & Tackle (732-793-2708) Bluefish and striped bass action is very good in the bay and the surf…stripers are taking clams and cut bunker along the beach, while surf anglers are having success with bluefish on poppers and mullet…best striper and bluefish action is at high tide and dawn/dusk…weakfish are being caught by boaters from the 42 marker all the way up to the Barnegat Inlet.

Ship Bottom: Fishermen's Headquarters (609-494-5739) says some good-sized stripers up to 14 pounds are being taken locally, along with plenty of bluefish…Tuesday was one of the best days of the season so far…weakfish also have shown up locally, although they are not yet being caught in large numbers.

Rehoboth Beach, Del.: Old Inlet Bait & Tackle (302-227-7974) says striped bass are being taken from the Indian River Inlet, but most fish are shorts…bluefish are taking small mullet in the surf, along with some nice drumfish, which are taking clams…a few kingfish also being caught along the beach…tautog are taking green crabs around the rocks.
 
#15 ·
The best weakfish action is in the bays during incoming and outgoing tides.
"during incoming and outgoing tides" - What do we got weathermen giving the fishing reports now ?

Bet they're also biting when it's raining and when it not and when the sun is up and at night sign10.gif
 
#16 ·
Fish Report: June 7, 2007
C. Berg morning Call
SALTWATER

"Down at the shore, striped bass action has broken wide open, and monster fish over 50 pounds are chasing large schools of bunker on the ocean front. Smaller stripers in the 20-30-pound range are being taken in the bays and from shore on live bunker, cut bunker and clams".

Point Pleasant: Capt. John Brackett of the Queen Mary (732-899-3766) says bluefishing has been solid every day, but striped bass action varies … many anglers are catching 40 or more bluefish per trip … all blues and stripers are being taken on jigs … biggest striper of past week was a 41-pounder … last Thursday, Laurie McShane of Allentown caught four keeper bass and won the pool with a 32-pounder … Fritz Radcliffe of Allentown also caught five stripers … hot lure for stripers has been the Krocodile.

Capt. Chris Gatley of the Ardent Angler Guide Service, Milford, N.J. (267-253-5290): Raritan Bay still producing good numbers of striped bass … chunking fresh bunker as well as live lining are the main tactics … ocean front is hit or miss of late, with bunker schools and the bass under them … those fishing the ocean front may want to try bunker spoon trolling outfits … bunker can be found from Perth Amboy through Great Kills Harbor as well as the Highlands … fluke fishing kicked off this week.

North Jersey: The Tackle Box in Hazlet (732-264-7711) Striped bass fishing still really good in the area … stripers up to 41 pounds weighed at shop in past week … most striper fishermen are limiting out around Romer's Shoal and Sandy Hook … some big bunker schools have been cruising through the surf, and shore anglers are having decent striper success too … clams, live bunker and bunker chunks all working for stripers … bluefish are plentiful throughout the area and can be caught on both cut bait and metal lures … fluke action is decent around Sandy Hook and the Coast Guard station.

Brielle Region: Brielle Tackle (732-528-5720) Striped bass are being taken along local beaches with regularity … shop weighed 33-pound and 39-pound stripers caught Saturday morning with bunker at Bayhead … plenty of 2-6-pound bluefish to be found from Bayhead all the way to Seaside … small fluke are being caught from the Manasquan River … dogfish are all over.

Little Egg Inlet: Scott's Bait & Tackle (609-296-1300) Scottie says Great Bay fluke fishing has been good … fish up to 6 pounds being taken on squid, minnows, spearing and Berkley Gulp shrimp … big striped bass showed up on the ocean front Sunday, chasing large schools of bunker … shop has weighed fish up to 46 pounds in the past week, and another shop reported a 53-pounder … big stripers can be found anywhere you find schools of bunker … area in front of Long Beach Island has been the hotspot as of late.

Seaside Park: Betty & Nicks Bait & Tackle (732-793-2708) Tons of big bluefish continue to blitz local beaches … blues up to 12 pounds are being caught at Island Beach … striped bass action is also good … most fish are being taken by boaters, but some nice bass are still being taken in the surf … on Thursday morning, the shop weighed in 32-pound and 23-pound stripers both caught by the same customer using pencil poppers from the beach … shop says, ''There's a lot of fish around right now. You just have to go out there and look for birds working.''

Ship Bottom: Fishermen's Headquarters (609-494-5739) says striped bass action is still decent in the surf … most bass are being caught with clams in the surf … Island Beach has been the hotspot during past week … boaters are trolling plugs and using bucktail jigs and live bunker to catch them … more than a dozen fish up to 30 pounds weighed in the past week … some customers are coming in with three or four 30-pounders … along with the striped bass are plenty of small bluefish … size of blues has dropped from 10 pounds last week to 2-5 pounds this week … blues are hitting plugs, clams and frozen bunker and mackerel … fluke being caught around the fish factory in Great Bay and around Double Creek and Oyster Creek.

Rehoboth Beach, Del.: Old Inlet Bait & Tackle (302-227-7974) says short striped bass being caught in the Indian River Inlet at night … bluefish also biting in the inlet … weakfish now being caught in the inlet, with fish up to 13 pounds reported … surf fishermen are catching kingfish, sharks, bluefish and a few stripers.
 
#17 ·
Fish Report: June 15, 2007

SALTWATER

Point Pleasant: Capt. John Brackett of the Queen Mary (732-899-3766) says recent trips have been producing a mix of bluefish and striped bass…a 27-pound, 9-ounce striper was caught on Sunday's trip, and a 30-pounder, 11-ounce striper was caught Monday…action has been steady along the beach and in the Mud Hole.

Capt. Chris Gatley of the Ardent Angler Guide Service, Milford, N.J. (267-253-5290): Raritan Bay water temps have moved into the high 60s and low 70s, forcing most striped bass to exit the bay…live bunker have been taking lots of trophy stripers along the oceanfront of Sandy Hook and shorelines communities such like Sea Bright and Deal…boaters looking for bass should focus their efforts south of the Hook… bluefish and weakfish are still plentiful in the bay…target shoals and flats in 10-15 of water with live bunker…fluke fishing very good in the bay…10-inch strips of bluefish fillet works great for fluke bait… Lehigh Valley residents Greg Prestosh, Chris Kurtz and Tim Aungst fished with Gatley recently and enjoyed a great day of chunking and live lining stripers up to 30 pounds.

North Jersey: The Tackle Box in Hazlet (732-264-7711) Striped bass up to 40 pounds were caught Wednesday around Shrewsbury Rocks and the Highlands Bridge …fluke action has been good around the TC buoy in front of the ammo pier…keeper fluke also being taken by the Coast Guard station at Sandy Hook …Raritan Bay full of bluefish.

Brielle Region: Brielle Tackle (732-528-5720) Fluke action is good in the Manasquan River… fluke also biting from Bayhead to Spring Lake, bottom fishing for sea bass has picked up in the past week…stripers and bluefish are still being taken.

Little Egg Inlet: Scott's Bait & Tackle (609-296-1300) Scottie says the only thing happening right now is fluke fishing in Great Bay…most fish are shorts, and it takes all day to get 2-3 keepers.

Seaside Park: Betty & Nicks Bait & Tackle (732-793-2708) Striped bass action has slowed down locally…high winds shut things down Wednesday and Thursday …big bluefish up to 11 pounds are still being taken on fresh bunker…fluke and weakfish are eating spearing and fresh bluefish strips in the back of the bay.

Atlantic City/Ocean City: Capt. Brian DiLeo of Iowa Fortune Guide Service (609-926-5415) says warmer weather has put striped bass fishing into its typical summertime pattern…best action is dawn, dusk and at night…last week's tides produced excellent early-morning sight fishing opportunities for bass laid up in the shallows…majority of fish taken in the past week ranged from 18-26 inches and hit topwater lures and flies…some large weakfish have also been spotted around the bass…bluefish in the 2-5-pound range are plentiful and will eat just about lure put in front of them.

Ship Bottom: Fishermen's Headquarters (609-494-5739) says bluefishing has been very good locally…striped bass continue to be taken from the surf…flounder fishing continues to be decent in the bay…water temperatures on the ocean have really warmed up in the past couple days, and that could means summertime fish such as kingfish and croakers should show up any day now.

Rehoboth Beach, Del.: Old Inlet Bait & Tackle (302-227-7974) says striped bass continue to be caught in the Indian River Inlet on bucktail jigs and Storm shads… bluefish up to 5 pounds being taken from beach and in the inlet…tautog fishing is decent around the rocks.

cberg@mcall.com

610-778-2252
 
#18 ·
SALTWATER
September 29 2007
C Berg Moring call

Point Pleasant: Capt. John Brackett of the Queen Mary (732-899-3766) says fishing has been excellent the past week, with plenty of 6-14-pound bluefish along with some nice striped bass and bonito…boat has been jigging along the beach, anywhere from 200 feet to 1 mile off shore…there is a tremendous amount of baitfish in the area, so expect excellent action to continue.


Capt. Chris Gatley of the Ardent Angler Guide Service, Milford, N.J. (267-253-5290): Raritan Bay and Sandy Hook areas enjoying a great run of big bluefish, false albacore and a few bonito…best action is around Sandy Hook and points south, but there is plenty of good bluefishing in the bay…if you find schools of peanut bunker, blues will be there…albies are taking super small baits such as 3/4-ounce crippled herrings, Clouser minnows and small epoxy flies… albie and bonito action is excellent right now off Breezy Point…some say it is the best in years.

North Jersey: The Tackle Box in Hazlet (732-264-7711) Bluefish are plentiful in the bay and along the oceanfront…bay is full of small snapper blues, and while fish up to 12 pounds are being taken in the surf…striped bass have started moving into the area, but most fish being caught in recent days are shorts…clams and worms working during the day, while night bite for stripers is best for those using live eels.

Brielle Region: Brielle Tackle (732-528-5720) Sea bass action has been good around local wrecks, while porgies are biting in local canals…decent numbers of bonito and false albacore have been seen chasing baitfish along the beaches…plenty of 1-3-pound bluefish being caught in the inlet…striped bass action slow, because water is still too warm… offshore tuna action good.

Little Egg Inlet: Scott's Bait & Tackle (609-296-1300) Scottie says fishing is quite slow locally…a few porgies in the bay, and a few weakfish on the Tuckerton side of the bay around the brick pile…best action is during outgoing tide…sea bass plentiful on local reed sites, but catching a keeper is tough… croaker fishing OK around the red tower in about 25 feet of water…use clams for croakers.

Seaside Park: Betty & Nicks Bait & Tackle (732-793-2708) Things are pretty quiet in the area, as local anglers are still waiting for water temperatures to drop so striped bass move in…lots of bluefish around, and they are chasing large schools of mullet…weakfish action is decent in the bay.

Ship Bottom: Fishermen's Headquarters (609-494-5739) says bluefish up to 14 pounds have been around all week, with scattered reports of blues blitzing the beach…mullet and bunker best baits…a few croakers also being caught in the area…striped bass are being caught north of the area, but local water temperatures are still hovering around 70 or 71 degrees, which is a bit too warm for good striper fishing.

Rehoboth Beach, Del.: Old Inlet Bait & Tackle (302-227-7974) says annual surf fishing tournament will be held this weekend, and shop is expecting more than 500 anglers to hit the beach…plenty of bluefish in the area, but size can range from 6 to 20 inches depending on the day…striped bass action hit or miss in Indian River Inlet…a few small stripers have been caught from the beach recently…best striper action in the inlet is at night, but there is just so many baitfish in the area it's hard to get the fish to pay attention to your lure.
 
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