January 8, 20121 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Received: Jan 8, 2012 8:54 PM Subject: Reel Fantasea Fishing Charters

Friday's Open Boat trip had regulars Jay Simmons and Jeff Hayes joined by new comer Andy Niznik in hopes of scoring our first stripers of the 2012 fishing season. The weather could not have been nicer but the bass were no where to be found for us and so after about 1-1/2 hours of stopping on meager readings with no results and a forecasted building South West wind it was time for plan "B" (Blackfish). After coming tight on both anchors it wasn't long before the blackfish started responding to our crab offerings. New comer Andy was first putting the first keeper in the box, from there both Jeff and Jay joined in and picked away at blackfish with both shorts and keepers to 6-lbs and even loosing a few nice one's. It wasn't a hot bite but it was great bending the rods on some blackfish and having some fun in a month that we are normally ashore and winterized. The blackfish would respond in multiple hook ups and than slow to a pick and than repeat itself through out the rest of the trip before heading for the barn .

I need to prepare for seminars and articles for the AC International Boat Show, George Poveromo's National SaltWater Seminar Series, "On The Water" magazine. The must also get the "Reel Fantasea" ready to greet everyone for this season. Therefore, reluctantly I am closing up shop until March to ensure another top quality fishing season for all who board "Reel Fantasea" for a 2012 adventure.

Remember it's never too early for those looking to book prime dates for the 2012 fishing season!

What to expect month by month - Regulations can and do change.
March - backbay - striper , ocean- blackfish ,cod
April - Light tackle poppers on the flats for stripers [ a "Reel" Blast!!!] inshore - blackfish heats up.
May- backbay blues and stripers - poppers, bait. trophy bass season heats up!
June - backbay - stripers , blues, fluke, ocean - trophy stripers ! seabass .
July- backbay blues, fluke, ocean - seabass , offshore- tuna, mahi
August - backbay - mixed bag variety- critter gettin' "kids month",, offshore - tuna, mahi
Septemeber - stripers start heating back up. inshore pelagics , seabass .
October- stripers seabass , blackfish
November - fall migration - stripers , blues, blackfish
December - stripers , blues and blackfish .

With 2011 indicating Striped Bass stocks healthier than ever I can't hardly wait for 2012! Call or email and reserve your prime date ASAP! Remember to join us on Face Book. Wishing everyone fair winds and calm seas.

~ Capt. Steve Purul, Reel Fantasea Fishing Charters 609.290.1217

Received: Jan 8, 2012 8:06 AM Subject: Fishing Report

Today I went fishing out of Point Pleasant on the party boat Dauntless. I couldn't ask for a better day. The winds were light, the ocean calm, and it felt like spring out there! We fished different drops on the mud hole in 180 to 200 ft of water, which is currently full of medium sized ling. The boat was a crowded but everyone wound up with 10 to 30 ling. I brought 17 ling home. Other catches I saw were: a couple of small to medium sized out of season seabass, 1 big out of season winter flounder, 2 keeper blackfish, 2 keeper cod (including the 9lb pool winner), 5 short cod, a hake, a couple congar eels, and a bunch of dogfish. Clams were the main bait being used. Ocean surface temps were 45 to 46 degrees. For the January I can't complain... great day on the water!!!

The striped bass are still here! This Saturday I heard of a half dozen keeper bass (Up to 17lbs) and multiple shorts being caught in the surf in Lavallette and IBSP. There is also a strong striped bass fishery (up to 20-lbs+) being caught on the jetties from Sea Bright to Deal to Point Pleasant. These fish are being caught at night on Ava's with teasers and plugs with White Bombers really producing! Since I was fishing up north today, I didn't really hear any LBI reports, but if the fish are being caught up north, obviously the LBI beaches are still producing since the fish have to eventually move south at some time.

With mild January temps and no snow or cold snaps in the near future, get out there and fish... the fish don't realize it says January on our calendars!

~Jason Wilk

January 6, 20121 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Southern Regional Fishing Flea Market will be on Saturday, February 18th this year. Come out and support Southern's Fishing Club and score some great deals on fishing tackle. We will see you there.

We had a Striper weighed in this afternoon, 31" 10-lbs 4-oz. Angler caught it off of the mid-island surf using metal.

~ Fish Head Greg

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/