Things are pretty much following the same pattern as last week, with the boaters chasing bass around the bay, and a lot of guys are starting to have good trips clam fishing and chumming heavily. Joe Joseph had a 16 lb. bass on Wednesday, and went back out and boated 2 keeper bass on Thursday.

Also, Nick from the shop and fellow Barnegat Light Heaver Mike DiBetta fished on Friday morning and had 2 bass. Everyone's expecting the 20 lb. and better bass to move in quickly now, and I tend to agree. That's as long as we don't keep getting these cold weather rain events once a week.

The anglers that are targeting weakfish are concentrating mostly on the west side of the bay from Waretown to Berkeley Island, and they're scoring on some super nice tide runners. Berkeley striper club members Rodney Erdo and Dom Talerico have brought 14 and 15 lb. weaks to the scales respectively. I know Rodney and Dom personally, and they really put their time in on the weakfish every spring, and do quite nicely at that. And how about that weakfish world record being busted? Who wouldn't like to see a 20 lb. weak lying at their feet? Sweeeeet!

By the way, fluke season is a week away, and I know of some dudes who have been catching fluke while jigging weakfish. So that's going to creep up quick, and if you know where the fluke are, log that in your memory for the 23rd. 8 fish at 18 or over is the limit for this season.

The shop is stocked and ready for all these upcoming events, with plenty of baits in stock. The bunker will be stocked regularly, and plenty of clams are available. Basil says he doesn't have herring yet, but the guys out on the end of the south jetty are doing well on eels. With this west wind starting up today, I'd seize the opportunity to hit the sands. You can't go wrong, and it's even a little more comfortable to fish. So we'll see you at B.L.B.T, o.k? By the way, has anybody seen Robbie Vallone or Moonphase?

Good luck and great fishin'!

By Bob Misak for Barnegat Light Bait and Tackle