NJ Fishing Report 2022

SkunkBoat · #1 05-19-2022, 07:45 AM

Launched the Grady on Tuesday. Didn't get to the gas dock til 2pm. Walking back to the boat from paying nearly got blown off the dock in the west wind.

It was opening day black sea bass so we tried anyway. The morning boats loaded up and were back. Crazy bite. Guys at Shark River Reef had big sea bass and some cod and pollack

Got to Sea Girt reef 5 miles and it was ugly tight 3 -4 whitecaps, wind howling at 30+

Did not even attempt anchoring. Found a big rockpile and a 100' barge and tried to hold over them.

Steady bites, swinging doubles but they were small. Managed 3 keepers, biggest 16". Ran in toward beach to get out of the mess. Tried the Rocks at the Red Church near Long Branch. No life. Caught a spiny dogfish and that put the nail in it. back at dock by 4 pm

Giorgio · #2 05-20-2022, 05:27 AM

I give you a lot of credit for heading out, me, I don't think so, but at least you did manage a few keepers. Nice going and be safe.

Pipe_Dream · #3 05-20-2022, 08:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SkunkBoat

Launched the Grady on Tuesday. Didn't get to the gas dock til 2pm. Walking back to the boat from paying nearly got blown off the dock in the west wind.

It was opening day black sea bass so we tried anyway. The morning boats loaded up and were back. Crazy bite. Guys at Shark River Reef had big sea bass and some cod and pollack

Got to Sea Girt reef 5 miles and it was ugly tight 3 -4 whitecaps, wind howling at 30+

Did not even attempt anchoring. Found a big rockpile and a 100' barge and tried to hold over them.

Steady bites, swinging doubles but they were small. Managed 3 keepers, biggest 16". Ran in toward beach to get out of the mess. Tried the Rocks at the Red Church near Long Branch. No life. Caught a spiny dogfish and that put the nail in it. back at dock by 4 pm

Yikes. Kudos to you and glad you got back safe.

SkunkBoat · #4 05-20-2022, 06:52 PM

Much better trip this time. Limit catches of Black Sea Bass at Shark River Reef.
Then loaded up on Ling (red hake) at the Arundo. We quit just as the fog started rolling in. 14 miles in the fog. Good thing I have radar and AIS.

Giorgio · #5 05-21-2022, 06:33 AM

Here you go again, showing off, but you do know,

WE ALL LUV SHOW OFFS!!!

Nice catch and those Ling are delicious eating.

Tough fog this morning, when I got up at 05:30, I could just about see the house across the street. Anyone heading out, be careful and be safe.

SkunkBoat · #6 06-01-2022, 05:52 PM

Shark River reef still hot for seabass. Got two more boat limits over the weekend.

I hear of big stripers from dock buddies just off Sea Girt beach on out to 60ft....EARLY AM thing.

No Bluefin tuna reports except Hudson canyon.

Giorgio · #7 06-02-2022, 06:20 AM

Finally a fishing report. I was wondering how come no one went out for a while. Sea bass, good eating and nice going. The bass are still hot, especially in Jamaica Bay, trolling Mojo's. Those Yellow eyed demons showed up, but I'm not hearing to much about them, YET.
Well Done
G

Blue_Runner · #8 06-02-2022, 07:00 AM

Nice knot heads Skunk

Blue_Runner · #9 06-02-2022, 12:20 PM

Skunk what is your preferred bait for the bsb? I realize that when they are swarming about anything will work, just curious what you like to use.

SkunkBoat · #10 06-16-2022, 08:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blue_Runner

Skunk what is your preferred bait for the bsb? I realize that when they are swarming about anything will work, just curious what you like to use.

CLAM is ALWAYS good. We use salted clam or frozen salted clam.
However, around here were have Bergalls aka Cunner which is a small wrasse fish related to Blackfish aka Tautog. They can put a hurting on a gallon of clam.

When they are a problem stealing clam they become the bait. Excellent bait. Tough and FREE. Fillet both sides, cut that in half and you have 4 great baits.

When seabass are keyed on sandeels you can jig them pretty well.

Seabass are always puking up crabs and lobsters so thats an expensive option.