May 23, 2010

8:00 AM

This week we mixed it up between huge stripers to 49lbs and more back bay action. Regular Jay Simmons joined by his clients Carlton Bird and Scott Kindeness found a phenomenal all day striper bite on live bunker under some of the best weather conditions ! It was a Battle Royale through out most of the day with at least 1 big striper hooked up. At times we couldn't even get our snag bunker back to the boat as it would be inhaled on the way in. Through out the day big 30-50lbs bass could be seen within just a few feet from boat wolfing down our snagged bunker or charging through the hapless schools of bunker [way cool!!]. Once the guys got their limit I joined the party to bag my own as well. We ended the stellar day putting an exclamation mark on a already great day by landing a huge 49lb striper, the biggest striper of the year. Will this be this years Reel Fantasea Fishing Charters onboard tourney winner? Who knows, stay tuned. New comer John Magosin was joined by brother Steve and father Jack for a slower than normal back bay evening trip, the guys mixed it up between top water and plastics for blues. Up at the Inlet we saw smaller stripers free jumping on bait but found the conditions difficult to hook up. As the sun dropped to the horizon the bite picked up tempo as the blues appeared to be slightly more active swirling on our top water poppers. Regulars Sean and Sandy Castle were joined by nephew Sam in hopes to encounter some more trophy striper action, we cover 50+ miles of ocean in heavy boat traffic to only find the stripers taking the day off digesting their "big binge eatathon" from the previous days. We did find a pretty solid bite back at the inlet with big blues to end the day. For those interested I am now adding video to our Face Book page [go to Reel Fantasea Fishing Charters] of that weeks highlights. I'm not a video wiz by any means but some of the clips are pretty cool including seeing the big 49lber dumping our Penn 440 SSg two times of it's line before it's finally boated. Be sure to let me know what you think of the videos and if you have any technical advise or ideas. Become a fan of the page to also get the latest on what's happening onboard Reel Fantasea Fishing Charters. I still have a couple of dates left in June for those interested in some of the best action found any where.
Best Regards, Capt. Steve Purul Reel Fantasea Fishing Charters 609-290-1217

7:30 AM

Showers with heavy rain are forecasted today (expected arrival - 8am this morning). Flash flooding is possible. The rain from this lingering (weak upper level low) system off of the Mid-Atlantic Coast is forecasted to interact and develop with the cluster of clouds (surface trough) east of the Bahamas in the coming days. Early/Mid week the lingering low's circulation in combination with a blocking ridge of high pressure to the north will move the ocean low closer to the east coast. Luckily for us the high pressure over our region will block and keep the system to the south. We should expect to have some rain (Sunday and Early Monday), breezy conditions as well as above average surf but then rest of the week into the Holiday weekend is looking really good! The east groundswell and persistent east winds from this weather pattern will warm the water temperatures. This ocean low may be the first named storm of 2010; however, don’t be alarmed the winds will not reach hurricane status. I remember a situation similar to this only a few years ago. A low pressure (Andrea in 2007) off the Carolinas combined with a high pressure over the Northeast to set up a prolonged period of surf. Expected surf heights: Monday: 2-3'+ Tuesday: 3-5'+ Wednesday: 4-6'+ Thursday: 3-4'+. The swell will peak Wednesday in the head high range at 12 second period coming from ~130 degrees (SE). Also on Wednesday the temperature are forecasted to be in the 80's. Bring some extra lead and don’t forget the sunscreen. It's kind of far out but Memorial Day weekend is looking flawless with temp in the upper 70's with sun. Let’s kick off the summer with a bang. The weather is going to be great and so is the fishing! ~ Greg

Just got info from Stew on the Pez Machine, "49 incher trolling!" More info when we get it.


6:00 AM

Brain Leary of the Village Harbour Fishing Club and his father were out for nearly the entire day. They worked hard and struggled but by the days end they had a couple bass to show for their efforts. "It turned on late in the day! The bass were crashing on top," Brian said, "But I wasn't prepared. I only brought trolling gear. Got 'em on the chartreuse Stretch." Just before closing time last night Brian tipped our scale with a 34-lb 6oz striper. Brian mentioned that they caught a couple other bass too.

Hey Greg, It was a beautiful beach day but the fish weren't cooperating. Southern Regional's Ryan Dellane caught a 26-in bluefish (the only fish) on a herring chunk with 15 minutes to go in the competition. Final Score: Southern Regional 26pts, Barnegat 0pts, Lacey 0pts. Southern Regional will retain the trophy for the 2nd Annual Beating on the Beach. The trophy was provided by Village Harbor Fishing Club last year. I brought six kids to the competition and fished for 3 hours straight using clams, fresh bunker and the finger mullet you gave us. Not a bite. I personally would like to thank you and Fisherman's HQ for supplying/donating the bait and gear for us. ~ Brett, Barnegat High School Fishing Club Head Coach

John P. stopped in the shop yesterday and shared a couple pictures of some tiger sharks that were caught off of the beach on the south end of the island yesterday. I will try to post I picture soon!

May 22, 2010

2:00 PM

We have had a couple weigh-ins today.
From the Beach: Todd Callon of Bayville just weighed in a 38-lb 6oz striper which took the lead in the Simply Bassin' Surf Tourney and our Side-Bet too. He caught the bass at first light this morning off of the Barnegat Light surf on bunker. He also reported that he caught a 21-lber yesterday in the same area. Elsewhere on the island Greg O'Connell weighed in two nice sized bass for the Simply Bassin' Tourney; a 27-lb 8oz and a 24-lb 1oz. His 27 will put him into third place. Both of Greg's bass were caught off of the surf last night in Barnegat Light on bunker. Yesterday morning, Andrew Lapteff of Philly weighed in a 16-lb 13oz bass. He caught the fish off of the mid-island surf on bunker.

From the Boat: Mike Vanslooten was on the water this off of IBSP. He caught this 30-lb bass on a live bunker doing the "snag-n-drop". As of late there have been some very good days in the area there (IBSP) and to the north both livelining and trolling. It seemed that today was most definitely a slow day out there.

May 21, 2010

11:00 AM

Fresh Bunker and surf clams are now in stock.

5:00 AM

Today is the day that Barnegat, Lacey and Southern Regional High Schools go head to head in a three way surf fishing competition. Last year Southern squeezed out the win. We'll see what happens this year.

From Paul Haertel of the Berkley Striper Club...
As hard as it is to believe, the ASMFC has voted to allow a proposed increase for the commercial quota of striped bass to go to public hearings. It is appalling that they would do this at a time when the stocks are declining, many fish in the Chesapeake are diseased and there is still an executive order in effect from President Bush which prohibits the taking of bass in federal waters and encourages States to make them a no-sale or game fish. In part this is why it is important to join our Spring Tournament. All of the profit goes to our Fisheries Defense Fund where it is eventually donated to organizations like Stripers Forever and the Jersey Coast Anglers Association. These groups will be fighting hard against the proposed commercial increase. You may go to www.berkeleystriperclub.org for more info. on the tournament. Applications are there as well as a list of prizes that are valued at over $7000. We will have plenty of door prizes and refreshments at our awards ceremony so that alone is worth the $20. entrance fee.
~ Paul Haertel of the Berkley Striper Club.

Tom Bentlif went out drum fishing again yesterday. He landed a slob just before dark. More details when we get 'em.

Fisherman's Headquarters -
280 West 9th Street
Ship Bottom, NJ 08008-4613
Phone: 609.494.5739
Fax: 609.494.9271
Toll Free: 877.984.5400
http://www.fishermansheadquarters.com/