A Good Day off Deal NJ.

[Bzfishn]

Left Shark River Inlet at 5:00am today and headed north. A lot of boats on the water today for the fluke tourney and to chase down some of those big stripper's reported over the past few days. Lots of bunker in the water. Snagged about a dozen and then live lined them a 9/0 circle hook. Waited no more than fifteen minutes between hookups. Our catch ranged from 18lbs. to 30lbs. (43"). A few broke off in the fight. By 8:30am too many boats in the area scattering the bunker about. I went home happy. Weigh in was at Scott's Bait and Tackle located in Bradley Beach, NJ.

[Hutch]

Beautiful BZ - that from a frustrated fisherman in the western Long Island Sound. Work, one baby, and two more on the way have severly limited my time on the water this year, during a period of what some of the locals are calling the best spring run of bass in the western sound in recent memory. The few times I have gotten out have not been productive, with only one 32" fish and a few smaller ones this season.

I'm heading down your way this Friday - taking the boat from LIS down to Ocean City, NJ for vacation for a week. Friday afternoon I'm making the run as far as the Shark River Inlet, then spending the night with some friends in Belmar, then continuing the rest of the way in the morning. Couple of questions for you - how is that inlet? I've run in and out of Manasquan a few times, but never been in Shark River. Also, as I'm south from the Verrazano or Sandy Hook, if I have the time, are there any spots I should try for some bass on the way down, or just keep a good lookout for bunker as I'm cruising along. I'm going through anyway, and wouldn't mind going a bit out of my way if there might be some fish in the area.

Those fish must have made your day - heck, maybe even your whole season. Good luck next time,

Hutch

[Bzfishn]

Hutch:
IMO the bigger bass are along the coastline. Though I have been told of large bass sightings in Raritan Bay, large ones seem to be reported and consistently landed along the NJ beaches. Give me a call at the office tomorrow(06/15) 973-305-5105. If I'm not there leave me a phone # and I'll call back. Too much to write and speculate to answer your questions, prefer to discuss one on one and make sure you get the info you need. And yes, it was a good feeling. OUTSTANDING! There were a few breakoffs and runoffs I can only wonder about. I hoped to break into the 30# club. This will have to wait till another day. If weather permits, and the bass are still being reported, I'll be back at it this weekend. As of today, the fleet moved south off of Spring Lake for the bass. I'll post back towads the end of the week and update on activity and location.

In the meantine, a site you may want to check out if you don't already frequent.

http://www.vitinc.com/nn/freport/freports.html

Art