Striped bass, fluke are keeping anglers busy

Ron Nuzzolo Fish On

Ron Nuzzolo
Fish On

Despite strong winds Prowler 5 fared well on the fluke bite with 100 keepers aboard.

The 3:30 evening trip, Capt. Scott was at the helm and it was blowing 25 to 30 out of the south. They had to fish a local bluefish spot because of the rough seas and that strong south wind. Capt. Scott stayed on one spot all night with double anchors and boated 50 bluefish plus one 25-pound striped bass, which took the night’s pool to Marcos Valdeci of Mechanicsville, Va.

Miss Beach Haven had its share of sharks and skates with some keeper fluke and quite a few short fluke mixed with some nice size sea bass. Pool winner was Brian Bamrick of Surf City with a 5-pound fluke.

Get some new line on your reels, bonito and false albacore have arrived and have been wrecking spinners on light tackle as well as reports of mahi-mahi.

Bonito are quick and if you can keep up with the schools, you’re in for a fight. Don’t be surprised if you need to send your reel back to the shop for new washers or bearings. After a few encounters with a bonito or false albacore, they can put a wear on most reels.

Reports from Barnegat Light all the way north to Sandy Hook, schools have been feeding off the bunker pods along with the big bass that are still being caught along the entire Jersey Shore. Metals and surface plugs will do the trick – anything flashy seems to work and reel as fast as you can (they like the challenge).

Pells Fish & Sport of Brick reported on njsaltwaterfisherman.com that the striped bass fishing continues to be the hot fishery among early risers and/or evening/night fishermen. Live bunker or bunker chunks have been the bait of choice. Most fish are being caught in areas of rocky bottom. Mario and Klare DePalma landed striped bass to 22 pounds off Asbury Park. Rob Lewis, along with Tim and Trish Bushey, caught striped bass up to 30 pounds off Spring Lake. John Griedy Sr., John Griedy Jr. and Mark and Ben Dier tied into the striped bass up to 35 pounds two miles off Point Pleasant.

Fluking continues to produce best north of the Manasquan inlet. Frank Krupa of Lavallette boated a 5.6-pound fluke while fishing on the Misty Morn out of Morgan Creek. Brian Poppy caught a nice 5-pound fluke along with seven others on the Cheri Lynn II out of Breton Woods with Capt. Rich Snowden at the helm. Michael Daly Sr. and Michael Daly Jr. weighed in a beautiful 32-pound striped bass on the bunker off Bay Head.

Bass along the shore have been hitting everything from live bunker, bunker chunks and surface plugs. Pencil poppers have been very effective along the surf. Thirty-pound blitzes have been a common occurrence at dusk all along the shore.

The Ambrose Channel has been producing limits of keeper fluke for the Island Girl IV. Capt. Carmine was able to max out on fluke for the crew with a doubleheader 5-pound and 4-pound fluke caught by Rich Nuzzolo. Killie squid combo with a jig head rig is the secret.

Please keep your reports and recipes coming to [email protected].

Recipe of the week:

Since everyone’s freezers are stacked with striped bass fillets, our recipe of the week is a perfect and simple delight.

Get the Net: 5 out of 5 nets

Difficulty: Very Simple

Comments: Just try it.

Clean striped bass fillet, cut out the red line, cut fish into cubes. Bring water to a rolling boil and put cubes in. When it comes back to a regular boil, drain and place cubes into a big bowl. Have melted butter and lemon juice ready for dipping and enjoy!!

Chef: Chuck Harris of Monroe Township