Had the Capodanno charter out today for pick of Bass fishing. Reports I was getting this morning was of a great bite south (Asbury, Manasquan, Bay Head) but a slow bite here in the Sandy Hook/Raritan Bay area where I fish. Armed with fresh bunker and clams we worked my areas with bunker heads in the usually reliable east end of the reach area, only to find the bite this morning to be Bluefish.
Move around to other areas as the Bluefish dominated, but not the Striped Bass we were looking for. Was in close contacts with people working their boats, both bait and trolling, only to hear similar reports of slow fishing from 4 different sources all fishing different areas.
There's a lot of water out there and without close communication with fellow anglers it can be very difficult to score with Bass as they are always on the move. This past week (5/16-5/21) has been a tough fishing scene so far in the nothern waters of NJ.
Tight Lines,
Capt. John
