No keeper yet

[Cuz]

Took my sixth "ride" on a AH 1/2 day PB. Fishing was horrible. Too much wind and a strong out-going tide killed the drift. I was fortunate to catch three shorts. There were some real sharpies fishing around me today. Good fishermen and gentlemen. Hardly any fish caught by them also. Now I'm up to ten shorts for the whole season party boat fishing, so far.
Tomorrow I'm invited on a private boat out of BI. We're going to hit some real rough stuff all the way north working our way south again. Maybe my luck will change. Plan on losing lots of tackle. The name of the game on rocks and wrecks. Don't mind for some keepers for a change.

[Blackfish Doug]

Don't feel bad I did not even get a short this year. But on the other hand I did not even try to fish for Fluke once this year either. This may be the first year I may not even try. I came very close to making this week my first trip. Boy am I glad I did not go this week is probably one of the best trips I did in NJ. I really feel bad that the fishing for Fluke has been not so good. Very bad fishing conditions from the reports that I'm reading. I hope it changes around soon for you guys.

[tautog]

I had a nice keeper and a bunch of shorts while catching ling, sea bass and flounder for my cooler.

[Blackfish Doug]

I had a nice keeper and a bunch of shorts while catching ling, sea bass and flounder for my cooler.

You forgot about the Lobster that day as well.

[tautog]

I need to fish another lobster drop this week.

[MrAC1980]

Sorry to tell you, its been dead out of BI too... I haven't fished by me for a couple of weeks, not even worth the boat ride. They were schooled up pretty good by the bathing beach, but the draggers put an end to that. Yes it was the draggers, there is a full write up about it on another forum site. Hopefully your luck changes things!

[NoLimit]

This will be he worst fluke season ever if things dont happen in the next week or so.

Usually, the last week of July/first week of August has lots of action in SH and RB channels.

[mikeytheflop]

I was almost skunked (1 keeper at the end) on an AH 1/2 day boat this year, but the rest of my fluke fishing trips (about 7) have been pretty dang good. Fishing has been almost as good as last year was for me; as an example, I went Sunday 8-2 on my friends boat and the two of us and his son killed it, 12 keepers to 5 pounds, with many fish just short.

Did we have to take a long ride, yes. Did we spend 7 hours on the water, yes. Do we have our finger on the pulse of wind/tide/current/moon phase and have a captain that 'always finds the fish'? YES!

Its a game of conditions, where expanding your possibilities is the best way to land a great catch.

Some advice I'd like to share that may help:

1) There are many articles on this site that can help anglers educate themselves - read and learn them;

2) Go fishing more often, and speak with the regulars, mates and the captain. I promise they will be helpful. I may have one cruddy story about one lousy captain in 30 years of fishing NJ; all the others are helpful in this regard;

3) Master the basics;

4) Have a fishing plan before you go; have a backup plan too;

5) Most good fisherman won't just shout out advice, but if you ask, most are happy to take you under their wing and show you a thing or two. Play copycat!;

6) GULP GULP GULP!;

7) The right rod for the right kind of fishing!


I'm sure people can add much more advice here, but these few have taken my very far on my fishing-life journey.


Tight lines!


Sunday's action:

[Mattsea]

A Captain that always finds the fish? Why that's impossible :D