New York Metro &
New Jersey

This Weekend - 80 Degrees!

Wow. Suffering from my first “fishing hangover” of the year. Pulled two full days of hardcore flyrodding. And that means little to no sleep, sunburn and sore arms (and knees if you own a boat.), putting work on the backburner and using the remaining nights of the week to play catch up. Am I getting and sympathy out there? Didn’t think so. Yes the fish are still here, and we can look forward to a fantastic weekend. I’m psyched.

In addition to my last two trips, I went on a scouting mission up the Harbor last Sunday with Captain Don Lund to check out the playing field of The Macallan CCA Manhattan Cup Catch and Release Striped Bass Tournament. Things haven’t really started there yet, but I do believe that this weekend’s weather is going to push the Harbor over the edge. For more detail, check out the New York Metro section.

The guys out east are starting to report some fish as the bait begins to show up out that way (See Capt. Jim Hull’s Report). Action remains consistent throughout the Island with some monster fish taken in the North Shore Bays, and downright awesome fishing in Jamaica Bay (See Capt. Ralph Burtis’ Report). Jersey is on fire with Bass, Blues and Weaks. This weekend is supposed to be really warm and I am predicting complete mayhem. Things should really bust open as 80 degree days push water temps to the mid 50’s. I’m talking birds on the surface, blues biting weakfish in half as your bring them in, four bass following your fly to the boat. Whoo hoo. OK, trying to calm down. Hope I didn’t jinks things. Anyway its going to get crazy (hopefully) and I’m certainly looking forward to it.

Brace yourselves all. The best is yet to come.

And don’t forget to email me your own reports. Tight lines all.

Tight Lines!

Joohn McMurray

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New York & New Jersey's Fisheries

Western Long Island

Bass continue to hold in Little Neck as flyrodders rack up impressive numbers on the warmer days. Reports of 40 plus inch fish taken on methods other than flies have been reported in Manhassett Bay. Similar catches are being reported in Hempstead and the fish seem to be spreading farther and farther out east. Northport is showing its colors as fish seem are becoming really aggressive at sunrise and daybreak. I talked to Matt Morillo of Fly-A-Salt today and he told me of his weekend scouting mission in the Northport Area. Matt let me know that he did see quite a few 30 plus inch fish rooting in the flats and it wouldn’t be long before they were loaded.

Can’t understand how you didn’t pick up a rod Matt. You’ve got more patience and willpower then me.

Eastern Long Island

The Scene out east is definitely beginning to pick up as water temps rise. Just got off the phone with Captain Jim Hull of Shelter Island Light Tackle Challenge, who told me he had a 20 fish day last Saturday. He did report that it is more or less hit or miss. Some days its great and others its one or two fish. Fish are taking poppers on floating lines at low light and dusk. He did report that the squid that populate East End waters are in in full force and that big fish should be right behind. According to Jim there are also an abundance of large bunker. Sand eels are in heavy at points farther west and he expects them to populate East End waters very soon. While the water temp remains about 49 degrees out there Jim predicts that with this weekend’s warm weather, things should “bust open.” (I Love that phrase.) Jim just had a brand new 21’ Steiger Craft delivered, powered by a 130 H/P Honda four stroke, and fully outfitted for flyfishing. Should make fishing the east end a very comfortable experience.

Captain Jim Levinson from Double Haul Charters checked in with an e-mail. Not fishing yet, but working diligently to fully outfit his new 23’ Parker with the latest electronics. He should be on the water by early next week. Looking forward to your reports Jim.

New York Metro

No other way to describe the action in the New York Bight but awsome. But don’t take my word for it. Just ask Captain Ralph Burtis from Island Charters:

Holy cow, it’s a home run. Jamaica Bay was hot this week. The effects from last week’s cold spell are gone. The water temps are up to between 50 & 53 degrees. Every trip out this week had double-digit numbers of fish up to 33”, per person (and every single one was release unharmed with a loving pat on the belly). It doesn’t get much better than this, kinda like the fall run without all the birds. Admittedly you have to know where to go, but the fish are thick as puddin. On many occasions 2 to 3 fish followed a hooked fish to the boat. I had one charter running for the net trying to pull a 36” plus fish out of the water that was chasing the one his friend was trying to land. Chartreuse and white half & halfs were the fly of choice on sinking lines to get down to the fish. One guest complained he had to stop fishing because his arm hurt and he couldn’t lift anymore fish (that’s the kind of complaints I love). If Jamaica Bay follows past history, we’ll have weakies in here next week, then it’s going to be really crazy. You gotta love it.

Until next week;

Capt. Ralph

Holy Cow indeed. Love that report Ralph, but I think I’m missing part of it. Didn’t catch exactly where you were. Oops.

Ralph’s right. Fishing in Jamacia Bay has been nothing short of fantastic. I saw Ralph underway yesterday and we were both into fish. They seem to be holding in one spacific spot. Its located right by the !@#$%^&. Just kidding Ralph. Didn’t cause a heart attack did I? Ralph’s a great Captain and we fish the same areas. If you haven’t noticed I like to break his chops a little bit. Anyway, I couldn’t have said it any better than Ralph. I fished on Tuesday and it was really blowing hard, but we got the !@#$ beaten out of us. Hooked a few schoolies, but that was it. Wednesday, however was a different story. Lots of fish around taking white and chartreuse deceivers on sinking lines. I felt like we should have been catching more, by the look of my fish-finder. At some points it would black out. A great time to be in Jamica Bay guys and gals. Get out there!

Captain Joe Mattioli also checked in with a report of some great flyrodding in Raritan Bay:

This week’s warmer weather is what we need in order to get the fishing started I had bass to 30in using chart/white clousers . The fish were in deep water 300-400 grain lines are needed , I also caught my first bluefish of the season . This week should be A good one. I will be offering evening trips 5pm - 9pm, I have dates available for day and night trips.

Bluefish! Cool! I agree with Joe this week is going to get things fired up.

I made a run up the Harbor with Captain Don Lundt last Sunday to check out the Harbor. The water was still pretty cool, 49 degrees to be exact. Never the less I hooked up with a fat 30” fish at the west Verranzano Stanton. Took him on a chartreuse bucktail right on the bottom. Had to head in because of the wind. Forecast for the tournament looks good. This weekend should get things going.

New Jersey

New Jersey is really happening right now just listen to these reports from David Stingo:

I'm writing to tell you that I did well Saturday morning by Oyster Creek in Barnaget bay. I heard reports during the week of big weakfish so I did the hour and a half haul to the creek. We made it there around day break, to find small blues and large weakfish taking half and half's. Colors were white/white, chart/white, and of course pink/white on intermediate lines. The fish were mid water and it seemed they were in schools running the tide getting multiple hook-ups followed by a dry spell. I talked with some local guides and picked up a few pointers and picked up around 6 nice weakies to 6lbs. All in all it was a great weekend, and the first trip on my Boston Whaler proved rewarding.

I know it's out of your range but last night on the flood tide they blitzed blues in the 3-4lb range at pebble beach. jigs, flies and bait took them also under them we found weakfish they were about the same size as the fish oyster creek (3-5lbs) one guy picked up a 32" 9lb weak on a clam. The night before I was told they blitzed bass on clams in the evening.

Itching for some of those weaks and blues to! Gonna have to get down there.

Captain Paul Eidman of Reel Therapy checked in with a report. Seems he’s joined forces with another great Captain: Bob Kelly. I know Bob personally. Certainly a man of the water and a great fly fisherman. Congratulations on your Captain’s test Bob and congratulations Paul for enlisting a great fisherman:

I have been in Disney with my daughter so fishing hasn't been happening for me personally since my last report. I do however have my ear to the water and have heard good things. Apparently while I was basking in the sun with Carly and Mickey, The Bluefish and really nice 6lb plus weakfish have moved into our area to join the stripers. This weeks sunny, warmer weather will have a positive effect on all of these fish, especially the larger stripers gorging themselves on the herring and bunker that are prevalent in our waters at the moment. Get out there and fish the rivers but don't forget about the bay and Sandy Hook as there are few times during the season when the really serious bass come in to eat our offerings. You cant go wrong with deceivers, but do try to move around a lot until you find the fish. Congrats go out to New Capt. Bob Kelly for passing the challenging Coast Guard exam! Capt. Bob is a new member of the Reel Therapy guide staff and brings with him many years of on the water, and "Reel Time" fly fishing experience and familiarity with our local waters. He is looking forward to putting you onto the fish of your dreams!

Catch em up!

Capt. Paul

New Reel-Timer Captain Bryan DeLeo sent me another report of great flyfishing:

The past week started out red hot with great catches of Striped Bass ranging in the 24-30'' size. Along with the bass the first big bluefish and weakfish started to show up in the back country in the 4 to 6 pound range. All species were willing to take flies with all white and olive and white clousers. Another fly that has had great results has been blue and white tarpon bunnies. Seems that out going tide has been the call focusing on the deeper holes and structure(ie bridges) just off and adjacent to the flats.

Things cooled off a bit mid week due to the heavy winds flip-flopping from NE to SE every hour on the hour which makes casting a bit challenging not to mention finding a sheltered area difficult as well. The forecast calls for the winds subside by the week end and air temps in the mid eighties, the fishing is looking good.

Certainly is Bryan and welcome to Reel Time.

That’s all for this week. GET OUT THERE AND FISH! Remember practice catch and release and e-mail me your reports: johnmonica@prodigy.net.