Fluking from Shark River NJ northward

[bgreene]

Nine fluke to 17" all throw backs and I nice seabass.

Saw a couple of real nice V 20's today - one with bimini and one hard top

[SkunkBoat]

I was the hard top. No keepers also.

[bgreene]

Skunk - when I got back to the dock, charter asked me if I tried the Rattlesnake area.

I didn't - did you ?

[SkunkBoat]

I went all the way to the Shrewsbury rocks for about a half hour. It was a skate fest. I saw a fleet of boats outside of the rocks. I guess that's "the rattlesnake"? Thought about it but the wind was probably not nice out there and I saw guys headed inshore towards me, don't think they'd leave a good bite.

I have not had a really decent fluke catch in a few years. My buddy swears by the "rocks" and that area east of it. Has never paid off for me. None of my old spots off Long Branch & Asbury Park have paid off in years. He likes Axel Carlson Reef too. Honestly, I catch more in Manasquan River without burning gas.

Sunday when I got back, a guy next to me had a 6 pounder he caught in the river.

[bgreene]

Right - much the same here, and I say, fishing is steadily getting worse.Sure we can catch Stripers when the schools make it easy, but otherwise, worse.

The river- you see that little aluminum boat name " flukeosaurus " or such ?
They use little tiny rods and jig all over the river and back bay.
I've seen them take nice keepers a few feet from the gas dock.

Talking with another river fisherman who claimed he almost landed a monster fluke est at 15 lbs plus, and that a 17 lb fluke was taken from the river.

Our boats are a bit big, and subject to being blown around too quickly for those spots.
That plus got to fish the tides, catching the tide changes too.

Not sure what I should fish for now - maybe run up north of the rocks for porgies soon.

About the Rattlesnake - yes, outside of the deep can at the Rocks, in approx. 70' of water.
All the fluke we caught Sunday were in shallower - one spot lots of 12 " shorts in close to the beach.

[step up here]

OK Back bay fishing with those little rod's and jig's works for me. Am sure you could survive the hassle. IMO a naked minnow work's the best. I guess am just turning into a soft core fisherman!

[bgreene]

Well, if I could get 1/2 dozen nice flatties, I'd fish that river too.....

Got a mid 70's 9.5hp Evinrude .

Figure 4 x 8 piece of marine ply, roped to four barrels, and I've got a good enough rig.

Who needs big fancy boat when you can't find a fish ?

Ok, first $ 100,000 gets my V21.

[SkunkBoat]

As I said, I fish the V20 in Manasquan river, often just yards from my dock.
Usually I'm using 6 or 10 lb Fireline and a "freshwater" rod. Just a small jig head with a pink Finesse will catch stripers, blues, weakfish, shad and fluke. I'll usually add a spearing to the hook if fluking. I like to fish the bridge pilings, just get caught in the eddy and work it. Very relaxing on a weekday after work.:beer:

[bgreene]

Skunk - when I first saw your boat approaching, thought it was Step Up.......said to my son what's Tom doing here ?

Nice looking V you have there - looks new.