Striped Bass, Bluefish and Ducks? Yeah, Ducks.
We have a few new products in the online store. We have added a unique new lure from Madd Mantis they are calling the Duck. It’s 4.5 inches long and weighs 1.4 ounces unrigged. It looks like a popper and can probably be used that way, but where it really shines is on a slow steady retrieve. The angled face of the lure brings it to the surface and it swims along similar to how a metal lip swimmer would. As with all Madd Mantis products, these lures come unrigged so you can rig them as you see fit.
While we were at it, we also added their Oh Poppa popper to the site. If you throw poppers for tuna, or want to start, this is the plug to have. It also works on big striped bass, monster bluefish, and many other species.
This upcoming Sunday May 23rd is the Governor’s Surf Fishing tournament out on Island Beach State Park. Registration starts at 5:00 am at Bathing Pavilion One in the park. Fishing runs from 6:30 am to 1:00 pm. For those fishing the tournament, we are going to extend our hours. On Saturday night, the day prior to the tournament, we are going to extend our hours beyond our normal closing time of 8:00 pm. How much longer we stay open depends on how much traffic we are getting through the front door, and, to be honest, Ray’s mood. (He’s been grouchy since, well, read below at the bottom of the report and you will see). If you are coming late on Saturday, call the shop and to make sure we are still open. On Sunday, we are going to be open an hour earlier at 3:30 am. We are planning to have plenty of fresh bunker and fresh shucked clams for the event, plus all the tackle you might need.
The other big thing happening this weekend is the opening of fluke season in New Jersey. We have been hearing about people getting some very nice fluke as bycatch while fishing for striped bass both in the surf and the back bays. We are fully stocked with all the stuff you will need to catch fluke, including fluke rigs, fluke jigs, fluke teasers, and Berkley Gulp! (a substance fluke cannot resist…).
As for other fishing reports, the striped bass are still in the surf and still mostly grazing on bait. Clams and bunker fished early in the morning or as the sun goes down are your best bet. Lures are working too, mostly SP minnows, Yo-Zuri Mag Darters, and rubber shads (which, contrary to what you may have heard elsewhere, work all #@$%ing year.)
There are still small bass in the back bay, which are hitting rubber shads (Tsunami Pro Holographic Swim Shads and Storm Wildeye Swim Shads in the small sizes are your best bet). There are also big bluefish in the back bay again. We had a report today from someone who may or may not work here, and who I won’t name, who broke his rod lifting a big bluefish over a bulkhead. When Blackcloud Bob found out about it, he sadly shook his head and said “unprofessional rookie mistake.” He was clearly disappointed in Connor. (Whoops…😊)
So, circling back to Ducks from earlier, and why Ray is cranky. After a successful day Turkey Racing the other day Ray thought he would change it up and go Duck Racing. It didn’t go as planned…
He should stick to throwing pumpkinwatermelonmotoroil senkos at green fish in his secret spot (which may or may not have leaked in The Fisherman Magazine fishing report.)