March 2000 Archives

March 29, 2000

Captain Pete Wagner had a party on his re-powered charter boat "The Hyper Striper" had his first party of the season. They fished the Shrewsbury for flounder on Sunday. They boated 18 legal flounder using blood worms. Doug Gary had the biggest flounder aboard which was caught in about 15 ft of water just south of the Highlands bridge. This spot is popular on windy days when the it is blowing out of the northwest. The Highlands hills near Hartshorne Woods provide some protection from the chill and white caps. This spot also has some nice holes that can be very productive when the tide is slack. the key has been for the sun warming the flats which pushes the water temperatures up a bit. Double anchoring and heavy chumming with ground chum and canned corn will improve catches big time.

The stripers are beginning to bite as well. The famous striper fisherman "Hogan" of Highlands has been chasing down reports for me but he knows that I am writing this report so I can't seem to get any specifics out of him. I don't want to give any "bull" stories but I know that if he says so, there are fish being taken but just where I guess I will have to buy him a few beers to coax the who when and where out of him. Do not worry, we have our ways! Try sand worms from any of the Sandy Hook beaches in between the tides. See Tide Charts for Sandy Hook. Also spring blackfishing will be starting very soon I read that the Big Mohawk III of Belmar caught 20 Blackfish a few miles offshore.

Tide Charts Online

Wednesday March 22, 2000

As I look out at the banks of the Shrewsbury through the Bahrs Web Cam, I can see more and more flounder fisherman working the river beaches. The fishing started to catch on and then the weather snapped into a nor'easter. I heard of the first striped bass caught in the Shrewsbury 3 days ago. I am not sure who it was but a few boats in the area floundering reported this catch. It was not a keeper. It was caugth on a flounder rig. I guess he thought he had a wopper flounder, what a surprise

Monday under the gas dock I witnessed a huge swirl with a load thrashing. I waited around to see if it was a diving duck but none showed. Having heard that splash on the end of my line many times, I can only conclude that was that it was a large striped bass! (24 inches plus) There are some reports of herring moving in, so maybe the bass was chasing one?

The best flounder fishing has been in the afternoon when the water can be warmer. Sand worms still seem to be working best according to Captain Stan on the Elaine B 2.

I have info on an upcoming fishing tackle flea marcket in Leonardo. I will post when I nail down the details later.

Jay Cosgrove
Bahrs Landing
732-872-1245

March 15th, 2000 There were a few die hards out flounder fishing over the weekend. The weather was miserable! One good report I had was from a customer who fished on a party boat in Shark River. He said that they loaded up but the rain was unrelenting. The shallow waters of Shark river allow for warmer temperatures than the Shrewsbury. The local fishing is still very spotty. If you can get way up in the far reaches you might have more luck. Flounder don't bite until the water temps get closer to 50's.

There are bass around. I heard of some action in the bay. Try some of the beaches in Leonardo. Thats what I heard.

Jason and Chris Hensle got back from last week's Cape Hatteras trip with less than expected reports. They had a great time but the seas were extremely rough. They saw no tuna, just some mahi and wahoo. ***THIS JUST IN*** I just got a real good report from Stan on the Elaine B 2 . All keepers about 40 fish he was ecstatic compared to the way it has been. He even had the first double header of the year! he said the water temp was 47 degrees and the fish were caught on the tides between Sea Bright and Highlands Bridges. Jay

February 9th 2000

Captain Stan on the Elaine B 2 has been sailing from Bahrs since last week. The flounder fishing is very spotty only 7 keeper fish caught on his boat all weekend. They were all caught on sand worms. He said the same thing happened at the beginning of last season. It took two weeks for the flatties to turn on. Maybe this warm weather will help. The bite should open up any minute.

Some more of the local Atlantic Highlands boys made the trip down to Cape Hatteras for some tuna action. I expect to have a good report from them this week. A few guys have tried drifting the bridge for bass, but no sign of any yet. Last year the striper fishing started early in April under the bridges. I have had a few unconfirmed reports of stripers up in Staten Island using clams. The water is usually warmer up in those parts.

Don't forget the Annual Clean Ocean Action/Bob Hunter Flounder Tournament April 1st . No entry fee and you could win $500.00 1st prize plus other great gifts. The weigh in this year will take place at the Clam Hut. http://www.cleanoceanaction.org/

Until next week or sooner,....remember drop no line until it's time.

Jay

Jay Cosgrove
Bahrs Landing
732-872-1245

March 1,2000

The Winter flounder Season opened Today! It was good to see the

sport fishing boats back on the water. I have reports from clammers

that the bottom is coated w/ fat flatties beginning to spawn, They are

bringing them up in there rakes. They will be hungry very soon so

get your rod and worms, this weather should be ideal. I am excited to

put some photos up on the site this weekend. The weather looks ideal.

I just got this report from a local.

"Just returned from a week long fishing trip, at the beautiful Harbor Reef
Lodge in Nosara, Costa Rica. Party of seven included, President, Jim
Sullivan, Archie Asidorian, John Solan, Jack Chambers, Ron Stagnari, Dan
Feeney, & yours truly, Ron McClelland. While the trip was not as productive
as last years trip (I believe there is something to this full moon stuff) a
great time was had by all.
A very intense four and 1/2 days of fishing were packed into this trip, with
the Black Marlin & the Liberma being chartered for this rather diverse group,
the half day was dedicated to inshore fishing. Several types of tuna, a few
Jacks and Bonita were caught one this inshore expeditation.
The offshore days were hurt by an unseasonable night rain & one day of 24knot
winds, pushing the blue water to 35 miles off shore. While several bill fish
were raised less were hooked and only four sails and one Blue Marlin was
brought to the boat. The 225# blue being caught by "gentleman Jack" Chambers
of Lakewood, NJ
While mildly disappointed, most of the party has vowed to do it again next
year. With more thought paid to the date of the full moon!
This was sent to me by Ron McClelland from Middletown. He is looking to set up a retirement travel business.
Give him a call for more info.
Ron's Sport Fishing Desk
(732) 741-3467

March 2000 Archives

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