Opinions

[fishon42]

Where do you think the Stripers will be next weekend ? And when will the Fluke fishing be hot!! I killed the skates today, and the blue's seemed to be alot slower than last weekend. Fished Sandy Hook region.


Fish On

[hareball]

I think the blues are off the spawn now and heading back to open water. seemed they were right on track with the full moon.

[IrishAyes]

Gotta get away from the south wind for the fluking to pick up.  Cold water=lockjaw fluke.

[Capt. Ed]

Hi,

1. Stripers are already on the spawn and many waves are heading back down the Hudson. Some of the Chesapeake schools are heading north. The adult bunker are starting to show. My best bet would be Cape May followed by Raritan Bay on down to the Shrewsbury Rocks area.

2. There are plenty of fluke around in shallow water off the Long Branch/Elberon stretch. They are predominately shorts feeding on tiny crabs. The water temperature is too cold for the larger fluke to be on the feed. The JCAA Tournament is the start of the season for me but no hope of any large fluke. Although I do not like fishing the back bays, that this the place to be. Fluke fishing for me does not get serious until the end of June.

3. Blues - The Barnegat Inlet up through IBSP is tremendous. They are everywhere. They have NOT started spawning yet (late June to early August).

We will keep you posted,

Capt. Ed

[hareball]

I thought they spawned in summer but a few weeks ago I was at the ridge and nobody were landing any blues. the chatter was they were inshore spawning. I thought that was weird because I thought they were open water spawners.  dang fish stories

[fishon42]

Thank you everyone, keep the info comin, more the better. I'll be out on the water this week.


Fish On

[Capt. Ed]

Hi,

Well the chatter was wrong. Bluefish spawn (at least the best scientific evidence shows and can be confirmed by Captains who have been on the water for a while) as follows:

The Bluefish matures in its second year, when it weighs only about 2 pounds and has a fork length of about 14 inches. Spawning cycles and locations vary for the different populations of bluefish. Off North Florida, they spawn from February to May, while further north spawning takes place in late spring and summer. Spawning occurs offshore, along the continental shelf waters. A 2 ft. long, 4-year-old female Bluefish can release more than 1 million eggs.

The Bluefish fry come inshore after growing a few inches (what folks call snappers) in August and September.

Thanks,

Capt. Ed

PS - Worst case, the Mudhole is overrun with Bluefish. Anywhere in the vicinity of the Shark River Reef to the center of the Mudhole is lights hot, day and night, on jigs.

[shadyvito]

You guys are walking encyclopedias of fishology! I gotta start keeping a log or notebook.

[hareball]

thanks captain ed

[Skolmann]

New body of bass moving up the coast.  There was a nice (albeit short) bite of big stripers off the Highlands Bridge on Saturday. There is also pods of bunker to the south that appear to be moving north. Hopefully the bass/blues will follow. Those fish should spend some time in Raritan/Sandy Hook Bay.

There is a good bluefish bite in the back of the bay where the water is somewhat warmer. Blues to #15 have been taken.

Fluking should bounce back with a change in wind direction and somne warmer water. Hopefully a new body of fluke will move in as I'm afraid this first batch got hit hard since openning day.

[Capt. Ed]

Hi Skolmann,

Great info!

Thanks,

Ed

[Ruger314]

I've notice alot of guys questioning what is going on with the fishing right now.. I just sorted thru old notes.. Major problem The Tropical depression.. The bite will be back in a day or two, once the storm moves on..The bass bite will get even stronger in the next week or two. I caight some of my bigger fish last year in later June and early July.. Keep it positive and you'll score!!

[IrishAyes]

Right on Joey G,
The season is still yound.  There is a lot of good fishing laying ahead.  Put your time in and you will score. 
You can't catch em if you ain't fishin!   

[fishon42]

I heard this weekend if an iffy situation according to the weather. Lower 80's chance of showers, like every other day. Stripers going to be near sandy hook, point pleasant, IBSP ? To early for fluke right now ? Blue fish still going crazy ?? Where is everything happening, i was stuck with skates and sea robins at North Beach yesterday before the rain picked up.


Fish On

[Capt. Ed]

Hi Fishon,

I am fishing (or at least driving the boat if my hand does not feel better) for the JCAA tournament on Saturday.

This is real easy.

1. If you want fluke and do not want to work the Raritan/Sandy Hook Bays with 100s of other boats, head south off of Long Branch. Fish all the jetties in shallow water. I mean as shallow as you can get. You will have to pick through many shorts, but you will catch.

2. If you want Sea Bass, hit one of the reefs or better yet, the rocks off of Red Church (again Long Branch area - there is a theme here).

3. If you want Bluefish, everywhere from 17 Fathoms to the Mudhole to IBSP, etc.

4. If you want Stripers, they are off Elberon and near Gillikins off IBSP.

This is a pattern that has worked for years and continues to do so. Every Captain follows this type of plan (but will never talk about it).

Want fluke, find water that is warmer than the surrounding area and is holding baitfish (this time of year think little crabs).

What species do you want to target?

Please call me at 732-859-1212 starting 5:00AM or so on Saturday.

Thanks,

Capt. Ed

[fishon42]

Capt. Ed,

  Where on IBSP is the best area to fish, most LESS crowded. I was at stop #21 and #22, there is just people every where. Should i go down farther ?I am going out there this up coming saturday, and i want stripers and blue fish. Will i be in a good spot then ? Or will Sandy Hook still have them hanging around ?

Thanks


Fish On

[Capt. Ed]

Hi Fishon,

I fish the North Jetty pocket (or try to) whenever I can.

The fish have been from Gillikens to the Inlet ... no way to predict where is best. On an out going tide from the inlet, I would want to be close to the inlet.

There are much better people that can add to this topic about IBSP.

IBSP and Sandy Hook both have high potential ... the weather looks ok as well.

Good luck,

Capt. Ed