New York Metro &
New Jersey

July 3rd, 2003

Toto, I Don’t Think We’re Inshore Anymore

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Guest Fishwire Corespondent: Ralph Burtis

Hey there, I’m back for a repeat performance. It seems John is up to his eyeballs in something and asked me to do the report one more time. (Editors note: Don't let him fool you Ralph - he's sipping Grappa somewhere in Italy - Oh the life! Mark Cahill)

This week seems to have followed those that preceded it with some more strange goings on. Ok, up till now the weather has been wacky and in many cases so has the fishing. This past week Capt. Jim Hull witnessed a thresher shark working striped bass in the same manner that bass and blues work bait. The odd thing is it happened inshore right up near the shore, read his report to find out more.

This week a client and I witnessed a dolphin feeding on the bunker along the Jersey shore. That’s no big deal, I’ve seen that numerous times over the years. The fishing was slow, but we figured we’d hang around awhile and see if things heated up. As we drifted through a school of bunker, I heard a load rushing of air. I assumed the dolphin was close, wrong!!!! I turned around to see a 35 foot hump back whale cruising the bunker schools near us. I had seen this same whale last week and didn’t think anything of it. It continued to cruise the bunker periodically submerging and then coming back to the surface. I realized what it was doing just before it made it’s first breach out of the water through the middle of the bait school. There were bunker flying everywhere, it almost looked like a bomb had gone off beneath the school of bait. It actually looked like it was raining bunker. The whale did this for over 30 minutes, circling the bunker and then breaching. Once again, this was in near the beach in no more than 30 feet of water.

As I said last week, nature is making some adjustments weather wise and with less bunker boats on the Jersey shore this year, there’s lots more big bait for a much longer time then in past years. If the fishing keeps going the way it is, the doldrums won’t be so slow off shore. According to Capt. Gene Quigley, Bluefin are already within reach of the southern Jersey inlets and I’ve heard some reports that some great shark fishing has just gotten underway across Long Island and the Jersey shore. You know where I’ll be for the next several weeks when I’m not inshore; that’s right, offshore chasing those sharks and hard tails.

On the inshore scene, the summer program is starting to get into full swing with the best results early morning or late in the day. Southern Jersey is still fishing great, but is starting to move to summer fishing. Central Jersey reports are saying the same thing. The metro area still has loads of blues with some bass mixed in. Some blitzes were even found in a couple of places this week during the middle of the day, you just had to fight off the sea robbins that were mixed in. Moving to the north shore, the fishing remains very good and with the let up of all the rain and the addition of some sorely needed sunshine, Capt. Ken Cortlangus found himself in a full fledged worm hatch this week. The south shore of the island is also still fishing well. As far as the East End goes, it’s in full swing. Lot’s of nice sized bass and plenty of shots at educated and not so educated fish in the shallows. Lets’ get on with the reports.

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

Tight Lines!

John McMurray

New Jersey

Capt. Bryan DiLeo reports:

Capt. Bryan DiLeo/Iowa fortune
Ocean City/Atlantic City Report

This week was really a carbon copy of the past few weeks with very nice catches of Stripers as well as decent a bi-catch of some Bluefish. The Bass seemed to be once again not afraid to show them selves on the right flats at the right tide. Fish through out the week could be seen tailing as well as rolling taking advantage of the easy shrimp and bluecrab meals. As in the past the fish remained selective in what artificials they would take as well as were it was positioned. A cast a that is a foot out of range would be the difference between hooking up and not. Stripers ranged in size from 16" -32" with larger fish mixed in as for the Bluefish they still remain in the 4lb range usually traveling just ahead of the Bass.  As always all fish this week were caught either on the fly or on 6lb. light tackle with artificials and needless to say all were released in great shape.
"www.iowafortune.com"

 

The guys at Shore Catch are really having some fun now:

Ralph,

Fishing still remains very good here with tons on Big bunker and plenty of bass beneath them. When fly fishing for these guys in the schools you have to be out either very early or just a dusk -- otherwise it is a total bait deal. We are starting to do really well with top water poppers on smaller 10 to 15 LB fish out along the beaches as well.

Bluefin tuna are all over the South lumps right now in the 15 to 30 LB range and I will begin running for them this weekend.

Capt. Jim has switched over to the night weakfish and bass bite inshore and is doing well with 6 to 8 lb weakies and 6 to 15 lb bass in the backwaters. We should start to see some nice worm hatches this month.

Thats all for now!

Capt. Gene Quigley
Shore Catch Charters

Capt. Paul Eidman reports:

Ralph-
Some nice big blues are still in our area. Attached photo of Reel Therapy client Joe Hedrick had this blue pull the Boga down 12lbs..

Attached photo of Reel Therapy client A.J. Brown with a finicky blue that was feeding on some very small bait in the NY Bight and fell for a white clouser They have been right on the bunkers and there are some large bass underneath. Getting these bass to eat a fly has been a real challenge, we are not giving up on these cows just yet.

With the water temps climbing rapidly, I am starting to book July trips for back bay weakfish/blues in July. This is a great fishery, especially in a kayak.
Catch em up!
Capt. Paul Eidman
www.reeltherapy.com
Discover Central NJ's Great Outdoors!
Saltwater Fly Fishing/Light Tackle Charters
Guided Kayak Ecotours
732 922 4077

Hi Ralph
The warm weather this week triggered the seasons first worm hatches in the western sound. Tom Owens witnessed the late night event on this past weeks new moon and caught and released twelve Striped Bass with the largest going to thirty-six inches. The following night Pat Murray caught and released eight Striped Bass to thirty inches. The fish were very easily spooked in the shallow waters. With water temps rising fast fishing is moving to summer patterns, early morning and late evenings. The tides look good for next week, the weather report looks good and the fish are here. Lets kick some Bass.
Till next time,
Capt. Ken Courtlangus
"Frequent Fly-er"
516-932-0685

OK Gang, another week of Great reports, so get out there and get fishin’. And don’t forget to send your reports into John, he should be back on staff next week.
Thanks Again;
Ralph Burtis

Western Long Island

Capt. Barry Kanavy reports the white sands are cookin’, read on:

Tiptoe through the two lips

Bass lips that is, and that's exactly what Justin and Scott did yesterday. As I waltzed my flats skiff over pure white sand flats that looked like the Bahamas Justin and Scott connected with every fish within casting range. Simply said we all had a day to remember as every Striper scoffed up our flies, sent white water flying in all directions and terrorized all inhabitants of the shallow waters. How sweet it is!
Captain Barry Kanavy
516-785-7171
www.naturalanglers.com

Eastern Long Island

Hi John,

Early summer is fishing real good. Thin slivers of graphite and light lines are hardly a match for the bass that have been in for the last couple of weeks. Broken rods, smashed flies and severed lines have been the norm. The challenge in Light Tackle Challenge has been exemplified with 11 fish in a row lost. A huge Thesher shark about 250lbs was slashing bass in 6ft. of water mid week. We witnessed a wolfpack of 6 bass, 30-40lbs come up to the boat in gin clear water and devour a 16" searobin. Steve Kempe and Doug Norton had a banner day with about 40 fish to 20lbs.in and out of the boat. Bill Wheaton did a job on them with 9 fish to 28lbs. Chef Bob had 3 fish of 36, 36 and 36 1/4". Mark Tov landed a 30lb. bass on 8lb.test.

Richard Connelly casting fly had 10 fish to 20 lbs. Mr. Kenny had a great solo day with about 20 fish into the mid thirties on top. 11yr. old Brad Lightcap had 3 fish to 34" while learning the value of catch and release. Ken Hawkins and Ryan Kenny came back for a good day with top fish going 27lbs, 31lbs and 40lbs. The huge 16 yr. old 46" female took some reviving before swimming away strong. It's just the start of what should be a very productive summer. Remember to set the hook twice then pump up and reel down. Jim
(captainjimhull@aol.com) 631-749-1906

Capt. Don Kaye of Shinnecock Guiding sent in this report:

Sunny days, calm seas, clear waters, floating the 'flats' and sight fishing to cruising fish! An accurate fly presentation, a 'taking' fish and the sound of singing reels. The Bahamas? The Yucatan? Nope, right here in Shinnecock Bay! Finally getting a break in the weather, this past week produced some excellent opportunities. Angler, Bruce Jabbonsky, experienced some great East End 'Bonefish-type' stalking for Striped Bass and Bluefish. His expert flycasting resulted in a number of hookups and the capture and release of some fine fish including two beautiful Bass just shy of the 30 inch mark, his largest ever on the fly! 'Bonefishing' with Bruce on the Bay was the Best!

With a mild south breeze, mostly on an incoming tide, the Bass are taking Sandeels at the surface and leave a ring such as Trout do in the Beaverkill. The flats around Shinnecock are alive with Bass and Blues  but they must be quietly stalked as you would Trout in the Catskills or Bonefish in the Keys. The finest angling that I can remember. Hope it lasts all Summer!
Capt. Don Kaye,
Shinnecock Guiding
631-728-8175.

Capt. Brendan McCarthy of Urban Fly Guides works the East End for the summer, here’s his report:

Hey Ralph
Am replying from my phone in the car so bear with me, have had some great sun this week and am thrilled to see so many fish on the flats. Me and Paul Dixon were fishing near each other today and witnessed some of the coolest tailing bass certainly in my career. Full on digging their snouts into the bottom in the clearest water there is. We are talking dozens upon dozens of fish. Paul challenged me and my angler to catch them and am sad to say we failed miserably but will never forget the sight Jim and I witnessed. Should have seen the holes they left-literally like dem bonefish mon
Thanks to Paul pointing them out, anyway the fish are gettin smarter by the hour so if anyone wants to catch some they better get out
there soon!!!!!!!
Take care
Capt Brendan McCarthy
917 847 9576