Broke the inlet at 5:15 am and the bunker were all over. We fished a few pods and went 1 for 4 with my good friend Darren Stiles boating a 30 lber. There were a decent amount boats off Shark River Inlet.
Got out of dodge city and set up for inshore seabass. Steady pick of some nice size seabass and some throwbacks.
Then went fluke fishing just south of the Rocks and threw back 10 shorts in an hour.
Went back to seabass fishing and boated a few more and released a nice blackfish. Not a great bite but it was OK. Ended up with 15 nice keepers and just as many throwbacks.
Then went back in to pick up Darren's friend Joe and a large pizza (extra cheese). One the way in to pick up Joe - with tried a few pods and Darren had a 30+ lber crash his bunker 3 times on top but would not take the bait 100%. What a sight!!
Went back out to the striper grounds and went 3 for 7 on bass of 20 lbs(Darren's friend Joe), 30 lbs and 35 lbs (myself) with the 35 lber being released.
Total bass bite was 4 for 12...with one release.
The bite got scattered with the slight SE wind later on.
GREAT inshore day, weather wise and fishing wise.
Joe T.
