We just can't figure it out. Where did the fluke go? The catching inside the bays has been tapering off, so it's fair to expect that the fluke are moving out. So, logically, it's time to fish the inshore lumps. Well, lots of anglers did that, not much more then the occasional throwback side fluke. Let's hit the reefs. A few guys found double digit keeper fish on the Garden State South reef on Friday and went back there on Saturday and only found TWO? Little Egg reef turns up five yesterday for one boat with the largest flatty being eight pounds only to have 100 boats fishing the LE Reef today finding it hard pressed to get a bite. No word this afternoon on how the AC reef fishing anglers made out.
Great Bay evening shark fishing is still pretty good. Between the cow nose rays, the sand sharks and the occasional Brown shark, it's pretty entertaining. Figure the best time to fish is just a few hours after sundown. Usually, by 11:00pm, the activity tapers off for the evening. Bunker chum is helpful and a 9/0 hook on a wire leader baited up with a hunk or strip of mackerel will usually do the trick. I wouldn't expect the shark fishing to last much into September.
No reports back on how the kingfish anglers made out in the Clam Stakes today. I was hoping we would have some kind of bay fishing to lean on for the next couple of months.
I did hear of another spot caught by the anglers fishing for the kingies. Just maybe we can get a shot at gathering up some bait for the Fall bass run.
Looking to entertain the kids? I got a good tip from John about tons of tiny blowfish at the end of Green Street in Tuckerton. John recommends tiny hooks and some clam chum to get them going. There are several nice things about fishing Green Street is that there are bathrooms, some swings to entertain between the setting up and catching and you can stay clean, since your fishing off of the bulkhead rather then the marsh banks.
Sea Ya

Scott's Bait & Tackle
Mystic Island, New Jersey
www.scottsbt.com