I have been out in NJ multiple times, with nothing much to write home about. I did win a monthly pool on a popular Brielle PB with a 5# 13oz fish I caught on Independence Day. I thought I had a snowballs chance in hell with that fish, but as it held I decided to fish the last weekend in July to "supervise operations" and volunteer to net any large specimen that may be hooked 🙂. Well it held up, and just as the last 3 horns tooted my victory a seagull took a dump on my hat (which is now lucky). Cash money and a free 365 days of fishing on said party boat was my bounty. Frankly I think that seagull was just jealous.
That was the highlight of my season so far until last weekend. I was on a different PB in Belmar and a gentleman caught a 13# 12oz fluke. Largest I had ever seen in person, and I do say, it looked like a freaking halibut!😵
I said to my buddy, I would gladly take one half that size, so I did. A nice 7# specimen thumped my bucktail. The second largest I have caught in NJ in some 4-5 years of fluking there. Guess what hat I was wearing???? 😉
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H
HH4H: even with 365 free fishing days on the J2, I can't blame ya for jumping on the BM. J2 does not supply spearing so you'll need a year's worth. . . congrats on the 2 catches, pool winning on NJ party boats is tuff, hat helps . . .
Once in a while you can get shown the light
In the strangest of places if you look at it right
In the strangest of places if you look at it right
First MateOriginal Crew286 postsSince 2018
H
I have been pretty fortunate with pools. I attribute it to constantly trying to learn and fine tune my craft. I can be stubborn like all us fishermen tend to be but there are tons of great fishermen willing to give tips and tricks if you are willing to listen. Some of those pb fishermen are on another level. It’s much tougher than on the private boats, but it’s a good challenge to learn to fish well the pb way. That being said, I will very happily fish a private boat or charter too.
MateOriginal Crew98 postsSince 2019
Another Day, another boat limit. . .
Headed out at first light to my home away from home with George and his buddy "Katona Steve" for another crack at the fluke. Had a bit of a concern that the near-New Moon would put a damper on the bite, but this was not the case.
Steve, (a very good fluke jigger), popped two beauties in the 22"-class within the first 10 minutes, and it was game on from there. 18" fish have inundated the offshore grounds to the point of ridiculousness, but we fished thru them for a full boat limit to my 6lb-class fish by EXACTLY 12:00 noon. Fastest trip finish yet this season I believe, and my boat limit hitting streak now stands at 7 games, umm, I mean trips.
Only needed the 3oz jigs in the morning, 2oz was good the rest of the trip. My custom ball-type jig heads carrying 5" Grubs in Pink Shine really putting a hurt on them today - using the little Grappler/Ballistic spinning rig. Back at it this weekend, though it looks like it might well be a bit "puffy" out there on the offshore grounds. Whatever.
Nice 4lb beauty for our fearless leader
6lb-class fattie for the "super humble" captain
Check out "Georgie's Corner." Tried my best to ignore it, which nearly killed me . . . Uggggh.
Gotta get an accurate head count - no desire for an awkward (and expensive) conversation with the Fish Cops once we get back inside
The happy crew shows their goods
Headed out at first light to my home away from home with George and his buddy "Katona Steve" for another crack at the fluke. Had a bit of a concern that the near-New Moon would put a damper on the bite, but this was not the case.
Steve, (a very good fluke jigger), popped two beauties in the 22"-class within the first 10 minutes, and it was game on from there. 18" fish have inundated the offshore grounds to the point of ridiculousness, but we fished thru them for a full boat limit to my 6lb-class fish by EXACTLY 12:00 noon. Fastest trip finish yet this season I believe, and my boat limit hitting streak now stands at 7 games, umm, I mean trips.
Only needed the 3oz jigs in the morning, 2oz was good the rest of the trip. My custom ball-type jig heads carrying 5" Grubs in Pink Shine really putting a hurt on them today - using the little Grappler/Ballistic spinning rig. Back at it this weekend, though it looks like it might well be a bit "puffy" out there on the offshore grounds. Whatever.
Nice 4lb beauty for our fearless leader
6lb-class fattie for the "super humble" captain
Check out "Georgie's Corner." Tried my best to ignore it, which nearly killed me . . . Uggggh.
Gotta get an accurate head count - no desire for an awkward (and expensive) conversation with the Fish Cops once we get back inside
The happy crew shows their goods
"Luck" is when preparation meets opportunity.
I prefer fishing evolution to fishing extinction.
If ya want to clean up the water, ya gotta get the pigs out of the creek.
I prefer fishing evolution to fishing extinction.
If ya want to clean up the water, ya gotta get the pigs out of the creek.
CaptainOriginal Crew2,216 postsSince 2018
@Leprechaun I love that corner. Blood, guts and Gulp!
Another day for the books. Montauk has nothing on your area. Quality fish. Steady bite. Constant action. I don't think 5 minutes went without someone Hooked up. It was another special day on the Leprechaun!
Another day for the books. Montauk has nothing on your area. Quality fish. Steady bite. Constant action. I don't think 5 minutes went without someone Hooked up. It was another special day on the Leprechaun!
George R. Scocca
george@nyangler.com
www.nyangler.com - Your Secret Spot Online !
george@nyangler.com
www.nyangler.com - Your Secret Spot Online !
CommodoreOriginal Crew5,174 postsSince 2018
Great job Capt and Crew!! That corner as my anxiety through the roof!! HAHAHA
Commodore5,031 postsSince 2020
Great job Capt and Crew!! That corner as my anxiety through the roof!! HAHAHA
George R. Scocca
george@nyangler.com
www.nyangler.com - Your Secret Spot Online !
george@nyangler.com
www.nyangler.com - Your Secret Spot Online !
CommodoreOriginal Crew5,174 postsSince 2018
Fished Wednesday and Thursday. Nothing spectacular either day. We took my boat Wednesday and my buddy's Thursday.
Bucktails and teasers with gulp, squid, peanuts and spearing. Hit Rockaway Reef Wednesday because my fishing buddy swore he got a great tip the bite was hot with big fluke there. As with most tips this one wasn't very accurate. The drift was nice along the length of the reef for most of the day. Tried to redrift spots where we had bites but it didn't appear that the fish were stacked in any one area so we picked away over the entire reef. Four NY keepers one sea bass and two big porgies. The crew headed home happy with enough fish for all. A decent amount of short action kept us hoping.
Thursday two of us headed to Scotland. A few drifts there with 1 keeper fluke, shorts and short sea bass we weren't inspired. Moved south to the dump site which was covered up with party boats anchored for sea bass and porgies I presume. Had a little thrill there. Thought I hooked the bottom but it started to move. Heavy fish and occasional head shake made me think 10lb fluke. It took drag and fought straight down. Saw the brown and white before I could identify it as a tail hooked skate. I was disappointed. We had good action there on short fluke and small sea bass but we wanted some keepers.
Headed to some old marks at Rattlesnake and it was a slow pick but we put a couple of keepers on the boat. At the end of the day I caught a big porgie while scoped out 200 feet trying to keep my 4oz bucktail near the bottom. 4 keeper fluke, 1 sea bass and a porgie. Beautiful days on the water. Tight lines.
Bucktails and teasers with gulp, squid, peanuts and spearing. Hit Rockaway Reef Wednesday because my fishing buddy swore he got a great tip the bite was hot with big fluke there. As with most tips this one wasn't very accurate. The drift was nice along the length of the reef for most of the day. Tried to redrift spots where we had bites but it didn't appear that the fish were stacked in any one area so we picked away over the entire reef. Four NY keepers one sea bass and two big porgies. The crew headed home happy with enough fish for all. A decent amount of short action kept us hoping.
Thursday two of us headed to Scotland. A few drifts there with 1 keeper fluke, shorts and short sea bass we weren't inspired. Moved south to the dump site which was covered up with party boats anchored for sea bass and porgies I presume. Had a little thrill there. Thought I hooked the bottom but it started to move. Heavy fish and occasional head shake made me think 10lb fluke. It took drag and fought straight down. Saw the brown and white before I could identify it as a tail hooked skate. I was disappointed. We had good action there on short fluke and small sea bass but we wanted some keepers.
Headed to some old marks at Rattlesnake and it was a slow pick but we put a couple of keepers on the boat. At the end of the day I caught a big porgie while scoped out 200 feet trying to keep my 4oz bucktail near the bottom. 4 keeper fluke, 1 sea bass and a porgie. Beautiful days on the water. Tight lines.
Deckhand48 postsSince 2022
Sailed today, with the very early morning forecast pretty far off, 2-4' my a$$, at least not when you're heading directly into them for 9 miles. More like 3-5' swells, with an occasional combo larger one mixed in - very close together and right on the nose. Had the Chef and Kevin aboard - stopped twice to see if it appeared fishable enough for a continued run to the deep grounds - the swells were impressive, but there was no real breeze to speak of, so we kept going.
Good thing too - turned out to be a very nice day, with the swell diminishing to almost nothing by lunchtime. The fish were aggressive from our first drop and we finished off a full boat limit to 5.5 lbs by 11:00 - a season speed record! Ken was a fish-catching machine today, banging away at the keepers all morning. I think he had more than Kevin and I combined. All good! Stayed on the grounds for another hour or so, with maybe 5 more keepers hitting the deck - all returned in good shape. And the full boat-limit hitting streak now stands at 8 consecutive trips!
The fish wanted white early and later a mix of salmon and nuclear chicken. What they DID NOT want was the "Sardine" color that I gave a mighty try today. Won't be buying any more of that shade. Of course next season that will be the hot ticket - just the way it goes.
Kevin with a sweet 5.5lb fattie, taken on his new Skinner spin-jigging rod. A very nice piece, by the way.
The mandatory Leprechaun cooler shot
Good thing too - turned out to be a very nice day, with the swell diminishing to almost nothing by lunchtime. The fish were aggressive from our first drop and we finished off a full boat limit to 5.5 lbs by 11:00 - a season speed record! Ken was a fish-catching machine today, banging away at the keepers all morning. I think he had more than Kevin and I combined. All good! Stayed on the grounds for another hour or so, with maybe 5 more keepers hitting the deck - all returned in good shape. And the full boat-limit hitting streak now stands at 8 consecutive trips!
The fish wanted white early and later a mix of salmon and nuclear chicken. What they DID NOT want was the "Sardine" color that I gave a mighty try today. Won't be buying any more of that shade. Of course next season that will be the hot ticket - just the way it goes.
Kevin with a sweet 5.5lb fattie, taken on his new Skinner spin-jigging rod. A very nice piece, by the way.
The mandatory Leprechaun cooler shot
"Luck" is when preparation meets opportunity.
I prefer fishing evolution to fishing extinction.
If ya want to clean up the water, ya gotta get the pigs out of the creek.
I prefer fishing evolution to fishing extinction.
If ya want to clean up the water, ya gotta get the pigs out of the creek.
CaptainOriginal Crew2,216 postsSince 2018
@captmike28 Nice job guys! And Kevin, it’s good to see Pete fishing with a guy that’s dressed for the occasion ?.
George R. Scocca
george@nyangler.com
www.nyangler.com - Your Secret Spot Online !
george@nyangler.com
www.nyangler.com - Your Secret Spot Online !
CommodoreOriginal Crew5,174 postsSince 2018
George - Huh? @captmike28 is in Fla with the missus. I’d bet the farm he’s wishin’ he was fishin’, right about now!
"Luck" is when preparation meets opportunity.
I prefer fishing evolution to fishing extinction.
If ya want to clean up the water, ya gotta get the pigs out of the creek.
I prefer fishing evolution to fishing extinction.
If ya want to clean up the water, ya gotta get the pigs out of the creek.
CaptainOriginal Crew2,216 postsSince 2018
Sailed today. with the very early morning forecast pretty far off, 2-4' my a$$, at least not when you're heading directly into them for 9 miles. More like 3-5' swells, with an occasional combo larger one mixed in - very close together and right on the nose. Had the Chef and Kevin aboard - stopped twice to see if it appeared fishable enough for a continued run to the deep grounds - the swells were impressive, but there was no real breeze to speak of, so we kept going.
Good thing too - turned out to be a very nice day, with the swell diminishing to almost nothing by lunchtime. The fish were aggressive from our first drop and we finished off a full boat limit to 5.5 lbs by 11:00 - a season speed record! Ken was a fish-catching machine today, banging away at the keepers all morning. I think he had more than Kevin and I combined. All good! Stayed on the grounds for another hour or so, with maybe 5 more keepers hitting the deck - all returned in good shape. And the full boat-limit hitting streak now stands at 8 consecutive trips!
The fish wanted white early and later a mix of salmon and nuclear chicken. What they DID NOT want was the "Sardine" color that I gave a mighty try today. Won't be buying any more of that shade. Of course next season that will be the hot ticket - just the way it goes.
Kevin with a sweet 5.5lb fattie, on his new Skinner spin-jigging rod. A very nice piece, by the way.
View attachment 53087
The mandatory Leprechaun cooler shot
View attachment 53088
AdmiralOriginal Crew20,417 postsSince 2019
And the fruits of our labor today......................
Fluke Meunière over fresh tagliatelle pasta. Broccoli with avocado oil, garlic and white wine. My daughter is still home as she goes back for her graduate studies next week. I wanted rice................you know how this goes, LOL. 😀
Fluke Meunière over fresh tagliatelle pasta. Broccoli with avocado oil, garlic and white wine. My daughter is still home as she goes back for her graduate studies next week. I wanted rice................you know how this goes, LOL. 😀
AdmiralOriginal Crew20,417 postsSince 2019
Tommy and I today. Half day trip in NY harbor 6-1. 30 sand sharks 2 sea bass 1 oyster toadfish 10 fluke. 2 keepers. 20.25 and 25. Got the big one at the whistle. Got my coast guard safety inspection while I was there.
Deckhand48 postsSince 2022
@Captain Rock Nice job and a great pic.
George R. Scocca
george@nyangler.com
www.nyangler.com - Your Secret Spot Online !
george@nyangler.com
www.nyangler.com - Your Secret Spot Online !
CommodoreOriginal Crew5,174 postsSince 2018
Was supposed to go Saturday, but the forecasted E breeze turned me off, especially knowing today's forecast was for light SW breezes. Completely missed on this, the breeze was not light, more like a steady 12-15 with a nasty chop - especially right around the change.
Anyway, got to my bouncy offshore home nice and early with George and Kevin, meandered off to one of my pet drifts - and we put two quick ones in the box, in addition to a bunch of really healthy shorties returned. From then on and for a good long while, it was straight short-city - nothin' much for the box.
The 17-18.25” fish drove us cray-cray all morning, and it was looking bleak on the keeper front, up until 12:00 - two hours after the change, when the better fish bit well. We quickly worked our way to a full boat limit to 6lbs7oz (for Kevin), plus it had to be at least 80 shorts. A solid bite for two hours - drop down, jig a couple of times and bingo, fish on. Couldn't ask for more action than we had between 12:00 and 2:00. Meantime, my boat limit record remains intact, now up to 9 consecutive trips.
A ton of freight-train, grab and run-type hits today, with what had to be quite a few sure-keepers coming unbuttoned half-way to the boat. No idea how long this fishing will last - probably until the first big storm moves them further offshore and out of our reach.
Kevin's good one, taken on his Shimano Grappler Type LJ 160-gram stick, a slick piece with a fabulous bend under pressure
Da Boyz did their job today
Fish fry anyone?
Anyway, got to my bouncy offshore home nice and early with George and Kevin, meandered off to one of my pet drifts - and we put two quick ones in the box, in addition to a bunch of really healthy shorties returned. From then on and for a good long while, it was straight short-city - nothin' much for the box.
The 17-18.25” fish drove us cray-cray all morning, and it was looking bleak on the keeper front, up until 12:00 - two hours after the change, when the better fish bit well. We quickly worked our way to a full boat limit to 6lbs7oz (for Kevin), plus it had to be at least 80 shorts. A solid bite for two hours - drop down, jig a couple of times and bingo, fish on. Couldn't ask for more action than we had between 12:00 and 2:00. Meantime, my boat limit record remains intact, now up to 9 consecutive trips.
A ton of freight-train, grab and run-type hits today, with what had to be quite a few sure-keepers coming unbuttoned half-way to the boat. No idea how long this fishing will last - probably until the first big storm moves them further offshore and out of our reach.
Kevin's good one, taken on his Shimano Grappler Type LJ 160-gram stick, a slick piece with a fabulous bend under pressure
Da Boyz did their job today
Fish fry anyone?
"Luck" is when preparation meets opportunity.
I prefer fishing evolution to fishing extinction.
If ya want to clean up the water, ya gotta get the pigs out of the creek.
I prefer fishing evolution to fishing extinction.
If ya want to clean up the water, ya gotta get the pigs out of the creek.
CaptainOriginal Crew2,216 postsSince 2018
Was supposed to go Saturday, but the forecasted E breeze turned me off, especially knowing today's forecast was for light SW breezes. Completely missed on this, the breeze was not light, more like a steady 12-15 with a nasty chop - especially right around the change.
Anyway, got to my bouncy offshore home nice and early with George and Kevin, meandered off to one of my pet drifts - and we put two quick ones in the box, in addition to a bunch of really healthy shorties returned. From then on for a good long while, it was straight short-city - nothin' for the box.
The 17-18.5" fish drove us cray-cray all morning, and it was looking bleak on the keeper front, up until 12:00 - two hours after the change, when the better fish bit well. We quickly worked our way to a full boat limit to 6lbs7oz (for Kevin), plus it had to be at least 80 shorts. A solid bite for two hours - drop down, jig a couple of times and bingo, fish on. Couldn't ask for more action than we had between 12:00 and 2:00. Meantime, my full boat limit record remains intact, now up to 9 consecutive trips.
A ton of freight-train, grab and run-type hits today, with what had to be quite a few sure-keepers coming unbuttoned half-way to the boat. No idea how long this fishing will last - probably until the first big storm moves them further offshore and out of our reach.
Kevin's good one, taken on his Shimano Grappler Type LJ 160-gram stick, a slick piece with a fabulous bend under pressure
View attachment 53440
Da Boyz did their job today
View attachment 53441
Fish fry anyone?
View attachment 53442
Commodore5,031 postsSince 2020
Was supposed to go Saturday, but the forecasted E breeze turned me off, especially knowing today's forecast was for light SW breezes. Completely missed on this, the breeze was not light, more like a steady 12-15 with a nasty chop - especially right around the change.
Anyway, got to my bouncy offshore home nice and early with George and Kevin, meandered off to one of my pet drifts - and we put two quick ones in the box, in addition to a bunch of really healthy shorties returned. From then on for a good long while, it was straight short-city - nothin' for the box.
The 17-18.5" fish drove us cray-cray all morning, and it was looking bleak on the keeper front, up until 12:00 - two hours after the change, when the better fish bit well. We quickly worked our way to a full boat limit to 6lbs7oz (for Kevin), plus it had to be at least 80 shorts. A solid bite for two hours - drop down, jig a couple of times and bingo, fish on. Couldn't ask for more action than we had between 12:00 and 2:00. Meantime, my full boat limit record remains intact, now up to 9 consecutive trips.
A ton of freight-train, grab and run-type hits today, with what had to be quite a few sure-keepers coming unbuttoned half-way to the boat. No idea how long this fishing will last - probably until the first big storm moves them further offshore and out of our reach.
Kevin's good one, taken on his Shimano Grappler Type LJ 160-gram stick, a slick piece with a fabulous bend under pressure
View attachment 53440
Da Boyz did their job today
View attachment 53441
Fish fry anyone?
View attachment 53442
Just as he told it. That bite turned on and it was savage.
AdmiralOriginal Crew20,417 postsSince 2019
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