This week started to see the bunker guys slowing up just a smidgeon, but with the water temps remaining low, I don't the bass run is going be over any time soon. Ol' moonphase beached 3 bass this week off the sands of L.B.I., and I heard tell of some kingfish making a showing here and there.
The big blues continue to maraud the surf, and chunking during the day is producing some blue dogs as well as a bunch of mid size bass in the 30 to 34 inch range. They're also doing pretty well on the fluke in the surf, with some anglers catching fluke on bunker while striper fishing.
I fished the south jetty on Sunday and released 7 little flatties, as well as 2 nice fat 19 inchers. So the fluke are definitely in the bay now, but the keeper ratio is incredibly low right now, with one in at least 10 fish being a keeper. That's bound to change if we could get a couple straight days of westerly winds.
Out at both of the canyons, guys are starting to bring in some nice tuna. I also got word that some guys boated over a 300 pound mako, and the fish was less than five miles out. The fluking outside is as good as it is inside, with quite a few fish being tossed back, much to the non- delight of the head boat customers. But at least we have some nice humpback sea bass to hold us at bay until some doormats pop up.
Anyway, the bunker schools are still all over the place, and the big bass will come and go for the next week or 2, and after that fishing the beach at night with mega plugs will definitely produce a big line side or 2 to the persistent bassin' dude.
Don't forget the shop still has plenty of fresh bunker and spots for your type of fishing, as well as fresh clams and an awesome line of plugs and poppers to get you out there tossin' at night. The island is really happening this time of year, and the jetties and the beach and the bay are all holding some nice fish. So come on over to Barnegat light and hit the sands or the rocks for a try at a big bass or flatty. See you at the shop. Good luck and great fishing.

Barnegat Light Bait and Tackle
Barnegat Light, New Jersey
www.barnegatlightbaitandtackle.com
609-494-4566