Raritan Bay Reports?

[bulletbob]

I know its all about the rocks and hard bottom out front right now, but geez there must be something in the bay along the channels, and near shore. I have seen very few bay reports past few weeks. Is it mostly just shorts, or are the majority of the fluke already heading into the ocean?... Are small blues busting on top early in the AM anywhere in the bay?...
I want to take my little 14 footer down.. Its a stout, heavily built and supremely stable little side console Grumman with a 30 HP and a 4 HP backup, great for the bay in decent weather,but it IS only a 14 footer, and I should probably not try and go all the way around the hook, and then 5 miles downthe beach...

If fluking is that slow in the bay, have the Porgies started yet in the bay, or is that still a few weeks away??.. Any help would be appreciated. I have a bigger 17 center console boat with a 70, but this will be a solo trip down, and the small rig is SO much easier to deal with for 1 guy, plus its way better on gas.. PM's are fine if a public reply would not be appropriate.... bob

[Fishermancraig]

Sending you a private message.

[Skolmann]

Plenty of fluke in the bay.

[Togfather2530]

Fluking sucks period. I don’t mean to be negative but that’s why the party boats are traveling 20 miles to go fluke fishing. It’s not like it was 15 years ago, it’s all going to shit. Sure you can catch some fluke in the bay and if you drift over a good body of fish you can catch a couple of keepers in an hour but that is you being very lucky.If you want the truth you run 20 miles to get a hard bottom to east jabiff and you will get one and a half keepers per man fishing all day LOL. Fluke fishing is a lot of luck as we all know you have to drift over a good body of fish. New Jersey ruined the fluke fishing with the 18 inch regulations. We all need to get our heads out of the sand and wake up to the reality that we ruined this fishery. I took a handicap guy out in the bay in a wheelchair the other week and I was disgusted with what I had to offer him. It’s a disgrace

[NoLimit]

Originally Posted by Togfather2530

Fluking sucks period. I don’t mean to be negative but that’s why the party boats are traveling 20 miles to go fluke fishing. It’s not like it was 15 years ago, it’s all going to shit. Sure you can catch some fluke in the bay and if you drift over a good body of fish you can catch a couple of keepers in an hour but that is you being very lucky.If you want the truth you run 20 miles to get a hard bottom to east jabiff and you will get one and a half keepers per man fishing all day LOL. Fluke fishing is a lot of luck as we all know you have to drift over a good body of fish. New Jersey ruined the fluke fishing with the 18 inch regulations. We all need to get our heads out of the sand and wake up to the reality that we ruined this fishery. I took a handicap guy out in the bay in a wheelchair the other week and I was disgusted with what I had to offer him. It’s a disgrace

Worth repeating....and I will go a step further. Fishing for fluke is a long long tradition. So was whiting and ling in the winter. But have you noticed the other traditions that are going by the way side? The shut downs especially targeted other traditions like family restaurants, family clubs, cultural centers, and even churches. Connect the dots before it is too late. There are social forces that do not want these traditions.

[Duffman]

How did a question about bay fluke reports go to “Fluking sucks” “remember whiting and ling” and “they are taking our traditions away” ?? You guys can really suck the fun out of a room…

FWIW I’ve been fishing inside all season. Partly due to time constraints, partly due to inexperienced family being with me. Nothing big all year but some solid 21-22” fat keepers every time out. And spread out all over. BT’s produce but those Peeps I’m setting up with old school spearing/squid do just as well.

Gave the pork chops a quick shot last week on 2 local hangs but came up with zip. Last year I started with them 2-3rd weeks of august.

Giving it a go Friday and finally getting to some deep snags. Take care grumpy men….

[Togfather2530]

I hate to say it pull it Bob but you I’ve seen better days of fishing in New Jersey

[Togfather2530]

I get sick of these reports sugarcoating everything

[Jigman13]

I've been catching plenty of keepers this year in the back. Find the peanuts and you'll find the fluke. All my fish been caught on a single jig head and gulp mullet. Nothing fancy. No bucktail. No teaser. Prob 4:1 short to keeper ratio. No giants but fish to 21".