CONTACT US: 732-872-1245
2 Bay Avenue
Highlands / Sandy Hook, N.J.
07732
Highlands / Sandy Hook, N.J.
07732
 | Reports 04>>==>:>Hi Jay;
Wind wind wind if it doesn't blow a gail from the east it
blows
from the northwest it's gettin old anyway in between blows we do manage
to
put good catches together Thursday was very good with fish up to 8lbs.
Sunday was good we had a couple of guys with limit catches and most
with 5
to7 keepers. Pool winner was one of our regulars Dennis O' Brien from
Bound
Brook N.J. with a 7lb. Blackfish and a limit. The fish are still
inshore so
there is no need to fight the deep water. Elaine B II Capt. Stan Dec 5 2004
The last 3 days have been a total blitz of stripers
on Sandy Hook. The birds have been thick pretty much non stop. Try plugging from
the surf or if your boat is still in try just about anything! Hopefully they
will get a bit bigger and stick around another week or two.
Blackfish are back on as the ocean swells have
finaly set down after last weeks heave.
Fishing for Blackfish has been very good we have had some
outstanding catches the last 2 weeks and we also had some tough days following the easterly weather. Today was a struggle after yesterdays storm but it will bounce back. Sat. pool winner was Bob Klemm from Butler N.J. with a 8.5lb Blackfish todays winner was Archie Purdue from Bound Brook N. J. with a 5lb fish. Elaine B II Capt. Stan Nov 17th,
2004
Dennis O'Brian fishing aboard the Elaine B on
Monday for opening day of the 8 fish limit for Tautog aka Blackfish. This baby
weighed 12lbs! Nice job.
The beautiful November weather couldn't be better
for the bottom fishing. Green crabs are the bait of choice fishing on the
SandyHook artificial reefs. Capt. Kenny on the KKat had an 18lb striped bass
while blackfishing off of Sea Bright. It took a green crab.
Stripers are in both rivers as far up as the
Hospital. Look for birds and swirls on top. Most guys are using the rubber shads
or storm shads. Bucktails can be effective on the drop offs in the bend of the
Shrewsbury river and the Hartshorne woods area. Some big fish have been reported
and not much in the way of blues up river. Bass are still feeding heavily in
Horseshoe cave early in the mornings.
Thursday November 11th,
2004
The long awaited Tautog aka Blackfish season
opens up from the 1 fish limit to 8 on Monday! It looks like the big fish are
moving in just in time. John Matteucci lifted this 9+ lbr off of the wreck of
the Dexter on Veteran's Day. He was using green crabs.
Big Bluefish still have the turf from the
Shrewsbury Rocks up into the Bay. Reorts of massive schools in the bay has made
the striper fishing a little bit of a challenge to get away from the swarming
Blues.
Kenny on the KKat had a nice day fishing out East
near the Rockaways. He has been chumming with clams and his charters are
bringing home a few nice keepers. Capt Lou Grasiano told me that they had a
great day on Wednesday as the cold weather turned on the bite. He found bass
under the birds/blues on ava jigs. Then as the tide slacked up he went eeling
for some large 20lb + fish. He said they were long and skinny and gave a good
fight. Sam Booulmetis and his son had 3 keepers on Thurday on the Knoll fishing
live eels at slack tide.
We have not weighed in any big fish yet this fall
as the waters are still a bit on the warm side. Once the blues start to head
down the beach the larger fish bass should move in, hopefully. The season leader
for the annual $50.00 Bahrs Gift Certificate for the largest bass is still 44lbs
from the Spring.
Tha MB Cartoppers Bass Tournament was postponed
until the weekend of the 20th due to weather. Sorry for the lack of information
about this. If interested call Big Ed on the Gas Dock 732-291-9554. Entry fee is
$75.00
Tuesday Oct 20th Stripers are moving in, It seems the rougher it gets the beter the action gets of the tip or on Roamer Shoals. Watch out for those rouge ground swells! The bayside of the Hook has been hot for stipers as their are clouds of peanut bunkers moving up the river to hide. Live liners and rubber shads are working near the Highlands bridge. Get there early to get a good spot because the word seems to be out. Hi Jay: Sea Bass Fishing continues to be good Sunday and Monday were the best of the season so far, both days most anglers had their limit. On Monday everybody also had their limit of Black Fish. Now we wait until the easterly goes by. Elaine B II Capt. Stan Friday October 8,
2004
From the Canyon and the Bacardi George on the
"Sinner" had another great trip seeing lots of bluefin action and longfins along
the East Wall. The larger bkuefins up to 65lbs just at the Bacardi. Fishing with
George was Pete McCoy, Kevin Meyerhoff, Tom Meniburv, Max Berry.
The big news in river was about the guys from
Highlands who landed a 40 something BLACK DRUM off of the
Oceanic Bridge Wednesday night. They were casting rubber shads into the shadows
and could see 2 of the Black Drum finning for peanut bunker on top of the
outgoing tide (the water has been crytal clear for the last few days). I am
trying to get a photo. They weighed it in at Julians. Black Drum have been an
occassional visitor to the Rocks or up in the Bay but this a a rarity for the
river. They are more common from Deleware to S.
Carolina.
Sea Bass have made a great showing
so far this Fall. for the last few weeks the Shrewsbury Rocks and drops along
the Sandy Hook Reef has provided great fishing for one of the best fighting
bottom fish. Chef Rich cooked some up for the KKat Charter today and it was
delicious, sweet white meat. Green Crabs are the optimal choice although they
will hit clams, squid or even bunker chunks.
Lucien Selecki weighed in this beauty today from
the Elaine B about 4 lbs.
Hearing some reports of larger Strpers in R.I. .
Soon they will be here. For now it is a pick of slot fish in the rip and under
the bridges.
Albacore action still persists from Breezy Point to
the Hook.
Elaine B II Capt. Stan John & George O'Connor of Atlantic Highlands, weighed in a 308
lb. Swordfish caught Sunday night. On their 24ft' boat the "Reel Fun
Too" they lived up to their vessels name. Using butterfish on a 15kg with 50lb
test on a short stick, they fought it for 5 hours. They utilized light sticks as
well. They trailer their single screw diesel boat out of the harbor and w/ sword
in tow stopped at Pete's Tackle Shop, who did not have a hanging scale. They
called Big Ed on our dock and he advised them to come by boat because our scale
is at the end of the dock, and we do not have a wagon! Running on pure
adrenaline, they re-launched off their trailer and came up the river for
the weigh-in and photos at Bahrs Landing. More Pics http://bahrs.com/swor30.html Blue Marlin..."King Of The Canyon" Saturday, Brian Orio weighs in his boats awesome catch a 580lb
Blue Marlin. The State record is over 1000lbs. One of the biggest Fish to be
weighed in to Bahrs Landing since 1987 530lb mako.
Captain Brian Orio skippered the "Baby Anna" in the Hudson
Canyon on a Friday/Saturday trip for his boss Arman Hovnanian,
Middletown. Using a rigged horse ballyhoo, they trolled him up early
Saturday morning. He hit the biggest bait the furthest out
in the set. The big blue did put on a show as Arman Sr.
fought him for over an hour and a half. After chunking 15 yellowfin
overnight, they were going to tag and release but it was wrapped in the line at
the boat.
More Blue Marlin Pics http://bahrs.com/blumar58.html.
Fluke fishing is holding up well there are still Fish in the Reach Channel and down the beach in spots. During the week we had a couple of supper catches in the Reach, today we ventured down the beach and put a good catch together. We had 60 nice keepers. Everybody went home happy. Elaine B II Capt. Stan Sept 22, 2004 The little tunny and false albacore are still making the river and bay their home as they are feasting on mullet and spearing. Fluke season goes for another 3 weeks and they are still being caught in the Reach Channel on spearing. After last week's storm some interesting fish have been hanging around the areas docks including Blowfish, porgys and seahorse. The lump on the rip is holding bass on the outgoing. Most guys are using worms and finding a few keepers. Soon the bigger fish will be looking for eels. Night fishing from the Highlands Bridge is the best kept secret in town. Early morning plugging and live lining are prime time for the next 4-6 weeks. George Markow on his "Pub 199" landed a 230 BigEye on our docks last Thursday. I had some good reports from last night boats in the canyon. Good weather and good tuna fishing. Big Ed's Tuna
Rodeo 2004
1st Place-"Quarry Master"
Largest Tuna, Largest Mahi
Mike Stavola Dwayne Blessing Neal Phillips John
Lyons Jack Muller Al Grover
2nd Place - "Shark
Byte"
Pete Cherasia Capt. Rich Stallings Carl Cherasia Nick Rallo Spencer Mauser Al Hagovsky Sr. Al Hgovsky Jr. Yellowfin and Longfin Tuna trolling and chunking Hudson Canyon. 3rd Place - "Karen L"
Paul Schmalz Gus McClosky Matt McClosky Billy Pagan Rob Clark Matt McComb more pics http://bahrs.com/bigedstunrod1.html
Hello Jay After a couple of weeks of good Fluke fishing in Ambrose Channel we are now back fishing Raritan Reach channel. The fishing the last two days has been extremely good catches range from 4 to 7 keepers per angler plus a bunch of limit catches with pool fish in the 4 to 6 lb. range. Elaine B II Capt. Stan Annual Fall 40 Hour Striped Bass Tournament The Hi-Mar club conducts one of the premier striped bass tournaments in North Jersey. This year's 40 hour event will run from 8 P.M. on Friday (10/22/04) to Noon on Sunday (10/24/04) at Atlantic Highlands Municipal Harbor. To find out more information about this event, just call the tournament director, Bob Kamienski at (732) 495-9210. One of the goals of the Hi-Mar striped bass tournament is to raise funds so that the club can help various local charities. For instance, Hi-Mar supports the Monmouth/Ocean County Big Brother - Big Sister Organization by providing a mid-summer fluke trip for local youngsters aboard local charter boats. The club has also adopted Camp Happiness in Leonardo, which is a home for blind men. The club members provide a personal touch for these organizations by routinely dropping off fresh fish for the residents of the home. If you would like additional information on the Hi-Mar Striped Bass Club, feel free to contact us: info@hi-mar.com Friday Sept 9th THIS JUST IN! Just got a decent report of weakfish in the reach channel from the Capt of the "Fat Cat" not to be confused with the "K Kat". Sand worms are in September 9th 2004 Big Ed's Tuna Rodeo is officially on for this weekend. The Fishing begins Friday and is extended until Monday at 5:00 p.m. . Some of the areas best offshore boats are entered as there looks like a small window of opportunity in the weather report. The tuna should be hungry after the last weeks stormy seas. Look for some tuna photos on the scales next week. This week schools of false albacore tuna have moved into the area including off of the docks at Bahrs Landing. Giant fast moving schools have been chasing baits up under the bridge on the in coming tides. These speedos are difficult to land but if you do ... look out! The Maunter brothers from Fair Haven have been throwing flies at them and having a blast. Very light 10lb flourocarbon leader and a small hopkins should work w/ a fast spinning real. Tie the leader to a 3oz drail sinker. the type with 3 or 4 swivels connected. Cast into the busting school and reel like crazy. Fluking is still active although it seems most of the bigger fish have been caught and all that are left are the shorts. Look for larger fish in the Ocean down by the Shrewsbury Rocks. Anglers: nick pappagallo _email: nickpappagallo _bname: pegasus 2 _Date: 9/4/04 _location: sandy hook _meth: bottom _species: Fluke _Size: shorts only _Bait: squid & spearing _Depth: btwn 30 55 ft. _Water: approx 70 Some Chopper blues have been providing some fun in the bay and in the surf. Not much in the way of weakfish still as this fishery seems bleak for 2004. I drifted the Rip on Tuesday with my brother inlaw Neal and his wife Cathy from Idaho. We decided to try bucktailing the outgoing at sunset. We hooked into 1 keeper and lost a few. A couple of other boats were hooking up as well. Sept. 1, 2004 Big Ed' Tuna Rodeo Set for Sept 10-12th call Big Ed at Bahrs Landing for details 732-291-9554 The canyon has been a bit quiet this season but not because of the weather. Hopefully things will pick up in the near future. Capt. Phil Sciortino Jr., Tackle Box Sportfishing, Highlands, said the Joe Giordano party of Morristown caught some short stripers and some slot fish and a lot of small blues while jigging in Raritan Bay. Joe Laws and party, Newark, had some 24- to 28-inch stripers plus fluke, blues and porgies, and the William Hanrahan party, Oceanport, jigged bass to 30 inches plus, a lot of bluefish and a few fluke, including a five-pounder. A few spottings of small weakfish have been reported but nothing to speak of yet. I am looking for a late September run this year. STRIPER SEASON IN THE HANDS OF TRENTON The Jersey Coast Anglers Association (JCAA) and the Recreational Fishing Alliance (RFA) are at odds about the best striped bass regulations for New Jersey anglers, but the two big statewide organizations agreed last week not to let their infighting hold up legislation which will end a moratorium on striper fishing in the state -- if one is imposed a few weeks from now. The JCAA's member clubs voted to support the coastal standard of two stripers at a minimum of 28 inches, but the RFA endorsed a proposal popular in South Jersey which retains the 24-inch to less than 28-inch slot bass while achieving conservation equivalency by making the second fish in a limit a minimum of 34 inches. South Jersey Assemblyman Robert Smith got the latter bill through the Assembly during June, but the Senate never considered the companion bill. Any persons close to the striped bass management scene feel that the chances of Commerce Secretary Donald L. Evans shutting down the New Jersey striped bass fishery Sept. 20 are slim. The 30-day review period of the state being declared out of compliance with the striped bass management plan may be up by that date, but there is no real political pressure to close the fishery. FLUKE At Atlantic Highlands, Capt. Ed Bunting Jr. said fluking was good last week on his Sea Horse except for a couple of days with windy conditions. There were loads of shorts tight to the beach over the weekend, but keepers were common in the dredge holes offshore of Highlands Bridge and in 50-to-60-foot depths, one to two miles off the beach. Pool winners included Alan Ambrose of Linden, 5 pounds; Nick Bottino from Lincoln Park, 4 pounds; and Mark Hrap of Garfield, 3 pounds. Capt. Art Hilliard drifted Sandy Hook Channel and offshore Saturday to put the Riverside Pub party from South Bound Brook into 33 fluke on the Eagle as Hank Heacock of Pittstown took the pool with a 5.2-pounder, edging a 4.9-pound fluke. August 11,
2004
FLUKE
For inshore action like Sam Boulmetis had on Monday
try the Bay.
Try up on the Chapel Hill Channel in the bay. Use
Killies and spearing. Fluke belly works too. If the Bay is rough, try the
Navesink west of the Oceanic Bridge in Rumson. Look for deep holes.
Good Luck!! and let me know how you do. CRABBING
Try the Oceanic Marina in Rumson or Schupps Landing
in Highlands or Cris's Landing in Red Bank.
There are no longer any near Little Silver but you
can get there from Schupps the fastest. They are located next to Bahrs Landing
and open at 6:00 a.m.
The crabs are BIG now. Good Luck!! Jay _Anglers:
Lou
DeGeorge
_email: caplad2@worldnet.att.net _bname: Little Buddy _Date: July 31 2004 _location: Ambrose channel _meth: drifting _species: Fluke _Size: 3-4 lbs _Bait: smelts _Depth: 70' _Water: 73 comm: We set out to fish the leonardo tourney today but a small craft advisory postponed it for the day . So we fished anyway to scout out some spots for nex weeks tourney . We tried the Ambrose channel and I cought 5 fluke in the 3 - 4 lb range and a 2 lb sea bass . I may need a new crew for next week because all they cought was a couple of shorts . Wish me luck for next week Captain Stan has company waiting for him at the
dock. Lucky for Stan He is always in compliance. NJDFG was in full force, so
make sure you know the laws and measure your catch!
 WEAKFISH
Have not heard of anything to speak of. The
weakfish are basically non- exist. Maybe it will be a late year. Last year was a
bust. Maybe this storm from the south will mix things up?
TUNA
If you can get out, the fishing is spotty. Although
George Sincox got out on the new "Sinner" and had an excellent trip. Two
weekends ago he caught the elbow of the Hudson and trolleed up 30 tuna with
keepers up to 75lbs. They were too tired for pics this
time.
July 23,
2004
The Fluking action is still very impressive.
Although the weekends have been a bit hectic, but the weekend boat traffic
has been quiet. Steve Kelley caught a 6 lb near doormat on the 1st drift of the
day on Saturday. Using killies and squid strip combination, he landed it off of
Monmouth Beach (The Rocks) on Capt. Bill Johnson's "Fish Hawk".
Ben Stone, of Montrose P.A., muscled in a 9lb
DOORMAT on Sunday fishing aboard the Elaine B 2.
16 year old Jon Capes of Hackettstown, N.J went
fluking on Wednesday, also aboard the Elain B 2, his fish topped the scales at
9.3 lbs.
Although the striper fishing
slowed a bit, I have heard of a few encouragingly good reports from the
charter boats on Flynn's Knoll. Both clam bellies and bunker chunks seem to work
equally well. Try setting up just before the tide changes and start
chunking/chumming. Once the tide starts to run, get ready for
some good 10-20 lb action.
July 16, 2004
BIG FLUKE are in
Capt Stan on the Elaine B has been fishing the
Ambrose Channel with some great reports of 5-7lb fish plus a 10.2 lb fish caught
on Friday by Tony Status of Old Bridge. He was using LIVE Killies spearing.
Stripers are quiet but some are being picked in the
surf early in the a.m. on clams.
Plenty of Bluefish for fun and the grill. Small
choppers (2-4lbs) on metal providing plenty of action in the river and bay. Look
for the numerous schools of bait. Slammers being chummed down at the rocks
get there sunup or sundown.
July 5 2004Hope everyone enjoyed the great holiday weekend. Joe Pace told me that he had a 5 lb and a 3lb Fluke over the weekend. He was fishing the Highlands Reef w/ Killies & squid. Many people reported many shorts but good fun action. The deeper waterers down the beach seem to be providing the bigger fish. I had some reports of excellent bass fishing on Roamer Shoals w/ bunker chunks. Again early fishing at sun up is the best time but try the chane of the tides if you can't get out that early. Quick note: If anyone needs waste tanks or porta potty pumped call the "Royal Flush" 732-890-6142 vfh chnl 9 Monmouth County health Dept. free pump out boat. They will meet you at your dock. Happy 4th of
July!!
Some small Makos were weighed in at the Leonardo
Shark Tourney. George Sincox "Sinner" had a 105lb Mako and lost a 200 + at
the boat.
 June 30, 2004 Pete Kawolic and his bros Lou Grazioso and Matt Staten Island anglers almost swept Saturday's 21st annual Leonardo Party and Pleasure Boatman's Association Shark Tournament, which was won in a runaway by Frank Gunther Jr. with a 483-pound thresher. Blue sharks took the next two places in that "anything goes" shark contest. Bill Nestred of Staten Island had a 184-pound blue for second, and Bill Reilly from Morganville weighed a 179-pounder for third. A 147-pounder took the mako Calcutta for Brian Thompson of Staten Island on his Pave Paradise. Jeff Scott fought that late-day mako and the crew consisted of Phil Farmer plus Branchville anglers John Sorg and Anthony Caprio who dedicated the trip to his mother, Patricia, who passed away last week. Bob McBurnie reports 83 boats participated, weighing in 14 sharks and releasing over 40 more. Capt. Bud McArthur of Brick had every bit of luck going for him during the weekend's Jersey Coast Shark Anglers Tournament at Brielle. His contending mako on Splinter was well short of the one weighed in just before him late Sunday afternoon, but that 163-pounder beat out the previous leader from Saturday by a single pound. Best of all, it turned out the winner wasn't in the Calcutta so Splinter took most of the cash The Bass fishing has slowed up a bit but not
all-together bad. It seems the small bluefish have moved into the area and are
giving competition to the stripers. Bass can still be found on the Knoll using
clams and w/ live bunkers by the Shrewsbury Rocks. For the Bass the earlier the
better once the sun rises they shut down this time of year. The fish are
there just not in the numbers as the past month. The chopper (2-5lbs)blues are
all around chasing bait. The bigger fish are being chummed at the Farms and 17
Fathoms areas. Pound for Pound no other fish fights like a big hungry bluefish.
Get your kbucket of chum and flat of bunkers and head out early this weekend for
some excitement at the crack of dawn.
Flukes are providing some decent action down the
beach and by the Officer's Row in Sandy Hook Bay. the killie squid combo works
best.
The nine-day Berkeley Striper Club Spring Tournament, held earlier in the month, was topped by Ray Nebus of Parlin with a 37 1/2-pound striper in the boat division, followed by Frank Zappella at 35 1/4 pounds and Capt. Lou Grazioso of Hazlet with a 33 1/2-pounder.
The Tackle Box in Hazlet weighed both a 14-pound doormat fluke and an 8-pound weakfish for Jason Aqualano of Keansburg, who caught them off Sandy Hook last weekend when Rick Nunn of Pillsbury chunked a 40-pound striper off the Hook. A couple of 6 1/4-pound fluke were boated by Vito Grande of Hazlet at Sandy Hook Reef on Peruvian smelt, and by Elizabeth Ann Bulla from Sayreville who used squid and spearing at Buoy 1, Keyport. We have the local fireworks schedule on our
website. http://bahrs.com/4thofjulfirs.html
June 24,
2004
Another banner week for big bass fishing! I just don't think that I can
ever remember such big fish being caught for so long. These fish must be
confusing the north Jersey Coast fo Montauk Point!
Sal Cannizzaro sent me this report :
It was Saturday June 19th, fishing aboard my
30 footer "Reel Passion" off of Monmouth Beach. Beautiful day, saw schools
of Bunker, snagged some up and realized most boats were drifting live Bunker.
Originally I thought they were fluking until I saw the K-Kat haul in a big bass.
This gave me the idea to try the same; I have never live lined bunker before.
Only 15 minutes after I set up the rods, the first
Bass hit a 29 1/2 lbs., the second shortly thereafter a whopping 36lbs. I caught
two others and released them, but also must have lost ten other hook-ups.
The Jersey Coast Shark Anglers are having their annual tournament this
weekend. Look for some big sharks to hit the scales this week. There have been
exceptional reports from Cape May's Mako Tournaments, so maybe a few high flyers
will make their way up to us soon.
Dave Carraro recently caught a tagged stripper up by the Verranzanno. It
had been tagged 2 years earlier in Rhode Island and grew 4 inches. He had me
return the tag for him which gave me a chance to see my friend Pam Carlson and
the American Littoral society tagging desk out on the Hook. Here is their
website. I bought some tags, since I have not tagged in years and my old
Highlands Bridge fish stopped getting recaptured. It is very interesting and a
fun way to fish if you are not interested in the "meat".
Here is their website link. Give them a call or stop by their office (the
first builing on Officer's Row). http://www.littoralsociety.org/tag.htm
June 16,
2004
Want to wish my parents Dot
& Ray Cosgrove a Happy 42 wedding anniversary!
Just spoke to Captain Kenny on the KKat, he and Jimmy Ravelli were
fishing live bunkers down the beach just past the Shrewsbury Rocks. They were
glad that they made the trip. Kenny found, as others have in recent weeks, many
miles of bunker and big bass still gorging. They easily snagged the baits and
just let them swim on free spool. The trick is not to set the hook too
early and when you do believe that the fish has a good grasp of your bait
set the hook in a steady a strong motion and then start realing! Dont' be afraid
to let him run with it.
Jay -- Caught the attached Striper on the Grasshopper last night (6/12) on live bunker at the Shrewsbury Rocks 32 lbs. It must have been the Coors Lights! Sincerely, Pete Ricker Hey Jay, Fluke
fishing has been very good. The fluke are moving into the
river and we had a banner day there Mon. elsewhere the fish have spread out finally we now have a lot of areas to fish. We have been averaging 40 to a 100 keepers a trip. Today's pool winner was Frank Lavell from Jersey City with a 8lb Fluke. Elaine B II Capt. Stan See you
soon June 10th, 2004
BIG BASS Report
Ted Gauss, Billy Rhee, Mike Mazzaco and Max Berry found the monster pod of bunkers off
the Red Church in Long Branch on Wednesday. Big bass were crashing and rolling
everywhere. They weighed in up to 36 lbs. Pics to follow.
Dave Cararro and Brian Orio had similar action in the same areas last
Friday before the nasty weather. They were seriously pumped up with the
incredible monster bass crashing live baits on the surface about 1/2 mile off of
the beach. These guys are experienced fisherman and to see the excitement and
shear astonishment on there faces, as they were telling the story at the dock
and later in the bar, was really cool! Hopefully these big guys will stick
aound for the rest of the month. Fat chance so get it while you
can. Anglers:
Will
Hoffman
_email: riverbassfishing@hotmail.com _bname: Atlantis _Date: 6-6-04 _location: Navesink River _meth: Drifting _species: Fluke _Size: to 19" _Bait: killi and spearing _Depth: 10' _Water: comm: Fished the Navesink River for a couple of hours and managed 6 keepers and 4 shorts. Threw the fly rod for a little bit and managed a couple bluefish. The Hi-Mar Striper Club hosted their first Spring Bass Tournament that would benefit Jason's Dreams for Kids, which is a local charity that grants children that are terminally ill their last wishes. The Hi-Mar Club decided to benefit this organization by donating 40% of the income generated by the tournament. The Hi-Mar Club also used this opportunity to provide the local Monmouth County Food Bank with fish that were donated by participants of the tournament. Thirty five participants entered the tournament despite the grim forecast on Saturday, through out the week big fish have been coming back to the dock from the ocean as the big fish move from their southern locations north along the beach. The Kingfisher had their tournament crew on board to score first place with a 38.3 pound Striper that was caught off Long Branch while doing what they do best, live lining bunker. The ocean was not a pretty place to be, the forecast was suppose to be 10-15 out of the East, which it was early, until late morning when winds picked up to 20-25kts East. The Kingfisher Crew landed their big fish early, with three fish on in the first couple minutes the fish weighed 38, 36, and another 35 pound, what a way to start the day. As more boats showed up fish had moved north, toward the Rocks. Big fish were taken off the Rocks around mid morning where Phil Lidlow on the Dusky and Al Ristori with their Atlantic Yachts Sales Aquasport landed a set of 37+ lbs bass which would place them in second and third place respectively. The members of the Hi-Mar Club worked hard cleaning the participant's fish before donating the filets to the Monmouth County Food Bank. The club donated three large 160 quart coolers filled with iced down and individually zip-locked filets of fish to the Food Bank. This tournament was a huge success that benefited the local community and Jason's Dreams, thank you to all who participated in this event and for your generosity.
BIG BASS Report
Billy Rhee, Mike Mazzaco and Max Berry found the monster pod of bunkers off
the Red Church in Long Branch on Wednesday. Big bass were crashing and rolling
everywhere. They weighed in up to 36 lbs. Pics to follow.
Dave Cararro and Brian Orio had similar action in the same areas last
Friday before the nasty weather. They were seriously pumped up with the
incredible monster bass crashing live baits on the surface about 1/2 mile off of
the beach. These guys are experienced fisherman and to see the excitement and
shear astonishment on there faces, as they were telling the story at the dock
and later in the bar, was really cool! Hopefully these big guys will stick
aound for the rest of the month. Fat chance so get it while you
can.
>==>>:>
June 2, 2004
The fluke season has started out with some decent
catches. The killie and fluke combo works best this time of the year. They have
been mostly fishing the tip of the Hook and near the channels. Usually you can
find big flatties up the river this time of year Navesink buoy 18 and
Shrewsbury buoy 36.
He was drifting some structure a mile off of
Deal.
Some of the charter boats are having bang up days
in the bay chunking bunkers and regularly weighing in 30 lb fish this
week.
Mike Sheehan was fishing with Capt. Tom Scarrone in
the rip on Monday. They caught a 36" 20.5 lb bass on a Bahrs Landing live
bunker. They purchased 1 live bunker and caught 1 Striped Bass!
Capt Fletcher Chayes on the the "River Man" has
been fishing the Highlands bridge with bunkers. The word has it from reliable
sources that the 60 lb bass caught 2 weeks ago was really caught at the
Highlands Bridge and not the Shark River Inlet down south as reported in other
publications. I don't blame the guy for telling a white lie and not letting
everyone in on the BEST place to catch big bass.
Some big weakfish have been caught in the river.
They are loaded with eggs for the next week or two so try to release them if you
can. Take a photo and let her swim and spawn.
May19,
2004
This past weekends Monmouth Beach Cartoppers Tourney was a
great success Check out the results below. Now we are on to the next Tournament
with this weekend's Sandy Hook Shootout held here at Bahrs Landing again. Teams
from 5 states here to compete.
Anglers:
Ron
McClelland _email: RSFD1@aol.com _bname: Triple J-Be _Date: May 14, 2004 _location: Stillwagon Bank _meth: Jigging and Botton fishing _species: Cod _Size: 50-60 Cod & Haddock up to 50# _Bait: Jigs, Clams, & Squid _Depth: 125' to 275' _Water: Cold comm: Took busman's holiday went up on 5 man charter organized by Brother Pete McClelland. Along with John Dolan, Dennis Markowitz, & Frank Norcross. Caught our limit of Cod, with many good size Haddock thrown in the mix. High hook, yours truly. Largest fish a 50# caught by John Dolan. Haven't seen a fish like that in many, many year! May 5,
2004
The largest Striper of the season was caught on
Saturday.
Jim Rotftfuss
Carl Peterson
Rich Renner
on board the "Reel Dream's II"
35lbs near the Driscole Bridge
trolling stretch 25 lures.
This fish moves into the lead for our heaviest Striper of the season award. the
winner at the end of 2004 season will win a $50.00 gift card to Bahrs
Landing.
May 12,
2004
Lot's to report on the Sriper Front. If you can get
out and fish this week! Some of the best and biggest Striper fishing has
exploded upon the bay and ocean. It may not hold up for very long so
get yours now! On Monday there were 50 boats at 11:00 a.m. and the #'s are
growing. On Saturday John Matteucci was using fresh clams near
Keansburg Beach he had them up to 25lbs.
Fluke Season is now open. The Elaine B had a good
start on Saturday w/ manyb Keepers up to 4lbs. They are using Squid and Spearing
near the Bug Light.
The Tackle Box Charters had Tom Fornicola and Jason
Eitelberg both from Long Branch, out on Monday. They had a 32 lb and 25 lb
chunking bunkers w/ Capt. Nick.
I got this report in from my email friend in Rumson.:
Anglers:
Will
Hoffman _email: riverbassfishing@hotmail.com _bname: Atlantis _Date: 5-6-04 _location: Navesink River _meth: _species: Striped Bass _Size: up to 29" _Bait: clams _Depth: _Water: 60 comm: The wind was blowing fairly good so went the Oceanic Bridge and got 10 bluefish on flies and jigs. After the tide changed headed to a bass spot. Within 5 minutes hooked a fish and ended up getting a total of 20 before it got dark. The Charter boats seem to be having a good season
with the bass so far. The full moon has been providing great action. I got a
good report from Capt Brian again this week.:
Jay-
I had the Michael Lipari charter out last night. We fished difficult conditions due to no real current but managed to catch 16 bass it was a mix of slots and keepers with two fish in the 20 lb. class. All the fish were caught on clams except one on a bunker chunk. We fish the north side of the bay from 6-9 pm. ThanksCaptain Brian Rice www.jerseydevilcharters.com 732-996-6372. Next week's Robbie Rotchford Memorial MBCTFA Bass
Tourney is looking good. Captains meeting Friday the 14th at Bahrs
Dockside.
Stop wishin go fishin!
Jay April 28th,
2004
Stripers are in the rivers and starting to bite
even though the water temp is still just above 50 degrees. I spotted some nice
bass on the Rumson Bridge over the weekend. I also saw some decent size bluefish
on the Sea Bright Bridge. Look for the big bunker to arrive soon.
Capt. Brian Rice has started up his Jersey Devil
Charters for the season. He his hunting stripers in the bay on clams and fresh
bunkers.
This has been one of the better winter flounder
seasons that I can remember in years. It seems that they are moving offshore but
are still biting. most of the party boats have been fishing off the beach
anchored up off of Sandy Hook. They are chumming w/ clams & fresh mussels
and using worms on the hooks.
Capt Stan is switching from flounders
anyway.
He Reports:
Hi Jay,Flounder fishing has been very good along the beach Sat. we had
a
young lady with 30 keeper Flounder to 2.5 lbs. Sun. we did a special Blackfish trip, Archie Purdue, Dennis O'Brien, Wayne Pinder all from South Bound Brook had their limit Frank Lavelle Jersey City had his limit and a 5lb. pool winner. With that we will switch to Blackfish. May 8th we will switch to Fluke. Elaine B II My email friend reports again: _Anglers:
Ray
K _email: rayk@optonline.net _bname: - _Date: 4/25/04 _location: Keyport Flats _meth: Ancored, bottom _species: Striped Bass _Size: 19 to 27" _Bait: clams _Depth: 15 _Water: comm: Got 8 bass off Union Beach. One flounder at the flats, no bass | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
