"It's derby time!" LBI Report 05-01-08 By Bob Misak

As of last week's report, things are pretty much the same, with a ton of short bass on the sands and an occasional keeper. These bigger bass are within spittin' distance, I can feel it in the air! The L.B.I. "Simply bassin" tournament begins Saturday morning, and the shop will have a full array of fresh baits needed to locate and beach that cow your looking for. But be forewarned; our beach hawker, Ol' moonphase, is tuned like a guitar string for the derby, and he's had a lot of practice in the past weeks. So if you see a finely groomed older gentleman cruising the island at 11 p.m. sporting a can of Red Bull, you'd better bring your best game with you! The derby will run for 8 weeks this spring, giving everybody plenty of time to land that bass that puts you in the money. For twenty bucks, you can win in the top 8 spots, with 1000 bucks for 1^st place. What a bargain! Good luck to all entrants, and I hope you're one of them.

As of May 1st, no blackfish can be kept until July 16th. Just a reminder so you don't get yourself in a "situation" out there.

Weakfish have made their appearance from the suds all the way up to Berkeley Island Park in Bayville, and they are tide-runners. Most of the fish are 10 lbs. and over, although some guys from Bayville are reporting 7 to 8 pounders. Again, you have to put a bit of time in to score on those elusive giants. They like calm, quiet nights, so this would be the best way to successfully boat some, or beach some. Lead-heads with pink or rainbow finesse baits have been real productive, as well as shiny plugs or shad bodies.

Also, the bluefish are in and out and up and down the beach and bay just about every day, but you have to go cast around to locate them. Once you find them, you'll know it. Bunker chunks have been an ideal bait to toss to bring the blues to your boat-side, and shiny plastics or plugs will ensure lots of action. So things have gotten off to a great start this season, and I can see this being an awesome spring for the salt water angler. The island will be hopping for the start of the 1^st big tourney, so come on over and see Basil, Nick, or Josh and they'll do their very best to put you on the fish. It's a one stop shop, and you'll leave with everything you need. Good luck and great fishing!

By Bob Misak for Barnegat Light Bait & Tackle