We’ve been fishing before Memorial Day Weekend and the blue fish are blitzing through Great Bay and Barnegat Bay. There are 1-3lbers and plenty of fish to go around. The water temperature in the bay is high 60’s while the ocean has been low 60’s.
Still plenty of opportunities to catch a striped bass chunking the beach before the new regulations go into effect.
Flounder has been decent so far, one guy limited out using salted mackerel and spearing combo earlier this morning.
Tim will be guiding full moon kayak tours third and the fifth of the June, give us a call (609) 296-4406 for more details.
May Great Bay Fishing Report
Decent amount of black drum have been caught in the little egg inlet a few weeks back. Some anglers reported 50lbers drifting with salted clam.
Tim trolled stretch 25’s out front hunting for striped bass with no luck. Seems like the schoolie stripers are still around in the bay.
Seabass has been terrific if you can get out. Anglers are limiting out left and right. Get it while you can before the season closes 6/19.
Fluking the bay has been consistently productive using salted mackerel and spearing.
Mark Furrhman Visits Captain Mike’s Marina
Kayaker Mark Furrhman came and visited Captain Mikes Marina, he’s been on this journey since June 2nd 2022. He paddles 30 miles a day to raise money for doctors without borders. For more info on how to support Mark or see what he’s up to check out his blog.
His last shower was in Annapolis last we heard so naturally we got him a hoagie, a beer and a warm shower. It was Mark’s first hoagie!
Last we heard from him, he was in Mantaloking heading northbound heading for the last leg of his journey.
What to Expect this Memorial Day Weekend
Memorial Day weekend typically doesn’t yield the best weather out front. However, if you can poke around the bays there are plenty of opportunities to hook up to bluefish, fluke, and the occasional schoolie bass if you’re lucky.
Fluke season starts off hot this weekend after a bit of a slow week.
The best fluke bait has been spearing and salted mackerel on bucktails. Some guys using bobbers and gulp too. You’ll need to come into the shop if you want to find out the secret colors of gulp they’ve been hitting!
Give us a call at 609-296-4406 to get geared up and get in on the spring action!
Most of Great Bay and Barnegat Bay Unmarked
Not sure why the marks haven’t been put in yet but most of Great Bay is unmarked. We hope you still have your tracks from last year!
We also got word that Double Creek in Barnegat Bay has finally been marked as of 5/8. You would have thought the opening of Fluke season would have made them open it but that hasn’t been the case.
As always be careful when navigating the channels on lower tides.
Fluke Fishing in New Jersey Begins
Gavin, Luke, and Miles with some nice fish
Fluke fishing in Great Bay has been off to a hot start.
Some of the best caught fluke have been in the bays, the ocean still needs to warm up a hair before the wrecks start producing quality doormats.
Fluke season at this point of the year is best to target the bays. Once the ocean warms up it’s go time to head out front and hit the wrecks.
How to Fish for Summer Flounder in New Jersey
To fluke fish in New Jersey you need to a rod & reel combo, a hi lo rig, a bucktail, and some bait whether it’s artificial or not is up to you.
You need enough weight to get to the bottom because if your bait isn’t tapping the bottom…you ain’t fluke fishing!
Rod: 7’6 ft medium or medium heavy rod
Reel: 3-5k reels will be able to handle most fluke
Bucktail: The more tide/wind in the water the heavier bucktail you’ll need to reach bottom. In the bay you typically need 1/2 oz, 3/4oz to touch bottom. 1oz to 2oz on the windier days. In the ocean it can be anywhere from 1oz to 6oz depending on tide and wind.
Bait: Spearing, salted clam, salted mackerel, live minnows, and gulp are all good baits. You can even mix them up on the top and bottom of the hi lo rigs.
Give us a ring if you need any help getting set up!
Finding the Right Spot to Fluke Fish
Anabelle & AJ with some nice fluke this weekend
Fluke love to attack their prey from below. These bottom feeders camouflage themselves on the bottom and spring up when they see a good meal.
Summer flounder and fluke in general love to hide at the bottom of holes and near wrecks with structure.
So if you’re wandering Great Bay or Barnegat Bay and find a 10-15 ft hole with some marks, throw a bucktail down and see what happens!
Bluefish Caught in Great Bay
Bluefish came in on Saturday in droves and seemed to be all over Great Bay.
These light tackle busters are great fun but can really beat up your soft baits and plugs. Which is why we recommend anglers to cast their old plugs.
Some bluefish had nice size to them, some in the 2-4 lb range.
Upcoming Fluke Fishing Tournaments
The Fourth Annual Raging Raymond Fluke Tournament is coming up June 3rd & June 4th. All proceeds go towards Nemours Children’s Health in Deptford and Cherry Hill.
For more information, check out their Facebook page or call Alex at 609-845-7653.
Price: $100, 4 anglers per boat, cash or check made out to Raging Raymond Fluke Tournament. Prizes: 1st, 2nd, and 3rd heaviest 2 fluke. Fluke and Bluefish super calcuttas as well
Raging Raymond Fundraiser at Jersey Mike’s
Details: Jersey Mike’s in Little Egg Harbor is doing a fundraiser all day on June 2nd.
Grab a sub or two before heading over to the Captain’s Meeting 7pm on June 2nd at American Legion – Post 493. Hell maybe even load up the cooler for the weekend if you’re an angler fishing in the torunament.
Weigh ins: Festivities begin on June 4th at 1pm American Legion – Post 493, $15 for wristbands. Food & beverages included. Alcohol is not included.
American Legion is located at 420 Radio Road, Little Egg Harbor, NJ 08087
Bass River Vahalla Flounder Open Tournament
The Vahalla Fishing Open begins May 20th at Bass River.
Entry is $110 per boat with $1,500 for first, $1,000 for second and $500 for third based on a two-fish total weigh-in; there will also be calcuttas for big bag (three fish) and heaviest fluke of the tournament.
No captains meeting. Festivities will be held at Breeze’s Dock Bar & Grill at New Gretna, NJ.
April is off to a warm start and prime-time spring fishing is upon us!
The weather in New Jersey has been stellar this week. We’ve been pushing 70-80 degrees this past week. The ocean temps are beginning to rise from the low 50 fifties into the mid-fifties, when the ocean heats up so does the rest of the fishery.
Before you read the report check out our fishing profiles on our fishing reports page for detailed information on what species are actively caught throughout the year.
We’re stoked to kick off 2023!
Captain Mikes: April Updates
Captain Mikes is open for limited hours completing the last of our spring cleaning to prepare for the 2023 season.
We expect our rental boat fleet to be splashed and operational next week! We also still have a few more slips for smaller boats under 25″.
Give us a ring at 609-296-4406 if you’re looking for a place to keep your boat for the 2023 season.
Great Bay Fishing Report
In the Mullica River anglers are catching striped bass off paddle tails and trolling stretches.
For paddle tails, a 3″ NLBN is not a bad bet for the schoolie size fish. You also can’t go wrong with a chartreuse storm eye paddle tail either.
Next, for the surf anglers we have Gaveling point. We’re getting great reports of anglers catching stripers and black drum fish off blood worms.
Our local tautoug addict are thoroughly enjoying the spring weather. Captain Mike has gotten plenty of reports of anglers limiting out on tog in 90 foot of water.
April can be hit or miss for these guys wreck fishing so it’s nice to see the weather cooperate. Season is closed 4/30 and will reopen again in August.
Long Beach Island Fishing Report
Our friends at Fisherman’s Headquarters have been getting great reports of striped bass and black drum caught off the island surf. A surprise to be sure, but a welcome one.
It seems like most bites are coming off of salted clam although blood worms have been great too.
36″ Bass caught off LBI on Easter Sunday Courtesy of Fisherman’s Headquarters
Furthermore, the back bay has been quite productive. Anglers are catching striped bass, black drum, and even white perch. With warm temperatures a 3-5″ popper might be a good play to try if the paddle tail isn’t getting any love.
It’s no surprise with the recent warm temperatures the bass have been waking up.
Raritan Bay Fishing Report
The April fishing reports out of the Raritan always seem to boom each year.
It’s no surprise that striped bass are in the Raritan and they’re active.
If you can trailer your boat up north (or afford the gas bill) this weekend and don’t mind battling the potential crowd, then go!
Fluke Season Opens May 2nd
Just a reminder that Fluke season is reopening May 2nd.
Same slot rules apply from last year. 2 fish between 17″ & 18″ and one 18″+ fish are permitted.
For those of you who fished with Captain Mikes last year, you know it was a great year for fluke in Great Bay.
Give us a ring at 609-296-4406 to schedule your trip in advance today!
Fear not anglers, fishing season is almost upon us. Captain Mikes Marina is almost open full time for business!
We will be open weekends and most mornings weather permitting. We’ll be open full-time May 1st.
Fluke fishing opens up May 2nd and closes on September 27th. Anglers are allowed to keep 2 fish between 17″ & 18″ and one over 18″.
Spring Striped Bass Report
Tough to believe Striper season is almost in full swing once again for 2023.
Raritan Bay continues to be the best spot for striped bass to kick off the spring run. Reports continue to be consistent although not many cows, yet. We’d expect things to heat up through April & into May.
Old reliable, Graveling point, is holding striped bass as one of the premier early season spots in the Mystic area. The bite at our local watering hole has slowed down a the last few days but has been consistent all of March.
Stripers are pretty active in Barnegat Bay behind Long Beach Island but, they’re in the schoolie range. Still fun to bloodworm if you have the patience for it or throw a plug or two.
White Perch Fishing Report
White Perch has been consistent in the Mullica River all winter long.
Anglers are using bloodworms along the sod banks since that’s where they tend to hang out.
The White Perch bite is also in the south end of the back bays of Long Beach Island. It’s not a blitz but they’re around.
We have some exciting updates coming out in the next few weeks that will make booking your rental much easier with Captain Mikes. We can’t wait to share with you once we’re able to. Stay tuned!
We still have limited slips, boat ramp passes, and dry storage available for the 2023 season.
Give us a call 609-296-4406 to reserve your slip, ramp pass, or to learn what the fish are biting!
No we didn’t get new docks. This is from aftermath of Hurricane Sandy.
Captain Mikes has slip rentals available for the 2023 season.
Even though that stupid groundhog from Pennsylvania said 6 more weeks of winter… we’re still looking forward to spring!
Call Captain Mikes Marina at 609-709-6425 to secure your slip today!
As we enter February, we can’t help but get that Spring Fever started when perch fishing turns slowly turn to the early season bluefish/striper bite.
Before you know it we’re into flounder season in May. Then we can finally get to the good part, summer!
Even cobias can be caught during summer if you’re lucky enough!
2023 Rental Slips are Available
We reopen Captain Mikes marina on April 15th. We have a few boat slips available for new customers to reserve your spot call Captain Mikes Marina at 609-709-6425.
Get your spot reserved with us now before it’s too late and you’re stuck at home wishing you were out fluke fishing in Great Bay.
Dry storage spots are also available for trailered boats and general storage.
Get geared up for 2023 and book your slip with Captain Mikes today.
2023 Ramp Passes Available
In addition to slip rentals and our rental boats, we also offer ramp passes for anglers who trailer their boats.
Pass holders have 24/7 access to use the ramp as they like throughout the entire 2023 season.
The fishery in Great Bay had a great fluke season in 2022, we had many ramp customers limit out in the spring and even into the summer months. It’s not a bad spot to get a ramp pass for fluke season.
Especially, if you’re within striking distance from Long Beach Island or Atlantic City! You’re only a 45 minute ride down the garden state parkway!
Note: Ramp pass holders have yearly seasonal ramp passes (with key to gates) available.
Call Captain Mikes Marina at 609-709-6425 and Tim will answer any questions or inquires relating to your slip rental.
At Captain Mikes we had excellent weather to report through the Fourth of July weekend.
Seth Katz caught a 27′ Cobia on Mike Yager’s boat off the stink house. Seth was bouncing a jig with a white mullet gulp (without a teaser). A surprise but a welcome one for sure!
Although it wasn’t a keeper, that’s a bucket list fish for many New Jersey anglers!
Shorter Fluke in The Bay
Many anglers came back with coolers full of fluke in the 17″ range. However, many shorts in the 15-16 inch slot are being thrown back.
It appears the larger doormat fluke are heading out to the ocean to the wrecks. However, a spearfish diver reported the bottom of the ocean floor is about mid 40s. He reported many of the fluke are sluggish on the bottom.
Bad for an angler but great for a spearfisherman.
Best bet: If you’re fishing out of Great Bay head to Garden State North or Garden State South for doormats.
Weakfish Bycatch and Bluefish
Many of the anglers fishing for fluke in the bay are catching weakfish bycatch.
Most of these anglers are bouncing bucktails with gulp on the bottom targeting fluke but the weakfish can’t get enough of it. Bluefish have been consistently in the area too, while striped bass are rare and should be targeted later this fall.
The weakfish are mostly shorts but some keepers have been in the mix.
Moving into July
July is typically an excellent month for offshore, ocean fluke fishing, and wreck fishing in general.
If you’re going offshore for pelagic species it seems the mid-shore grounds are starting to heat up too! Many charter captains are returning home catching yellowfin tunas on top water and jigs.
While this weekend looks dicey with high winds and the potential for scattered storms in the forecast.
With warmer water finally coming in who knows what you’ll catch. We’re sure Seth didn’t expect that cobia on the line when he went out earlier this week!
Call (609)-296-4406 to book your rental and let’s go fishing!
😊. Happy April. It’s almost time for our opening date of April 15th (weekends only). We still have a few boat slips & dry storage spots available. Message us for availability and pricing 🎣 … See MoreSee Less
The fall striped bass run is underway with catches coming in from several beach locales, though Ocean County seems to be going off more at the start. There have been fish released over 40 inches but a…
Call George today for all your Spring boating needsSpring fishing is right around the corner. Don’t wait until the last second to get your boat ready for the season. Call or text to schedule your spring service. We offer everything from engine work and bottom painting, to full boat detailing and trolling motor installs. … See MoreSee Less
Captain Mikes Marina (Backbay Marina LLC) . Best in all of N.J. Family owned and they love their customers. Top Notch boat rentals for fishing or crabing and they also have kayaks for your pleasure. Very knowledgeable of the back bay waters and even has a chart to show the newcomer how to navigate the back bay areas. They fully cater to the needs of the customer. They also hired a awesome boat mechanic who has worked on my boat over the past few years. Great work, great guy and he's a awesome fit to an already top notch Marina. You get it all at Captain Mikes. If you haven't been there you need to give them a try. Can't go wrong. Tight linz everyone
Having been in the Bait and Tackle Business for many years. This is one of the best in New Jersey. It’s located in a prime location for multiple locations from Back Bay to the Little Egg Inlet.
Oh yeah the Owner Tim is a Little Egg Legend. A little tough to pry Secrets out that Head.
But it’s in there 😉😆👍
Getting close….. 🐟. Spring fishing is in the air ! We will be getting things ready over the weekends beginning April 13th and should be here daily beginning May 1. If anyone is interested in grabbing a slip or dry storage spot, give us a call. … See MoreSee Less
Spring is right around the corner …. as soon as these storms finish up.
Flounder season begins May 4. We still have some boat slips and dry storage spots available. Call Tim 609-709-6425 to see what we have left. George is also in full swing doing boat maintenance and repairs so get your boat done now in time for opening day 🐟 … See MoreSee Less
On January 19, 2024, Conservation Police Officers Allen Sutton and Jack Sikora observed two individuals ice fishing while patrolling at Lake Hopatcong. CPOs observed both individuals catch a large quantity of panfish. Upon inspection, the two were found to be in possession of a total of 141 Yellow Perch. The two individuals received court mandatory summonses for being in possession of 91 Yellow Perch over their legal creel limit.
If you witness hunting, fishing, trapping or Wildlife Management Area violations, please call the 24-hour DEP hotline at 877-WARN-DEP (877-927-6337).
Flounder rigs still legal up there ? I'd always throw a rig in if I struck out on a striper. Secret bait ???
Linguica…. Swear to god
That’s a good one.
Ken
I'm hearing 3 @ 17" for the Jersey side of Delaware Bay also?
I wish
That's fine with me!
Thanks
🐠 🎣 🛥 🌊
Thank you, Jim.The best news i've had in a while Joe b
I think it was probably the best of the bad choices available. Now we can all get ready for spring, bring on May. It was nice to see how many people participated and joined the meeting online last night. If you're not happy with the results I suggest you join the meetings and speak up.
Be sure to call George and get your appt scheduled !!Spring fishing is right around the corner. Don’t wait until the last second to get your boat ready for the season. Call or text to schedule your spring service. We offer everything from engine work and bottom painting, to full boat detailing and trolling motor installs. … See MoreSee Less
As we enter February, can’t help but get that Spring Fever going when perch fishing turns to the bluefish/striper bite and then into flounder season in May and so it begins …. 🎣
Get your spot reserved with us now! We reopen the marina on April 15th.
We have a few boat slips open along with some dry storage spots available. First come, first served. **We also have yearly seasonal ramp passes (with key to gate for non operating hours) available.
New year, new presentation on the good old days. The Tuckerton Historical Society will offer its first presentation of the year Saturday, Jan. 13 from 2…
Fluke season kicked off today 5/2 and will run through 9/27.
The 2022 fluke season opened with a bang at Captain Mikes this Monday. Gino, Justin, Jalen, Derek and Alainna racked up 11 fish in total (shown above).
Other rental and slip customers reported limiting out on flounder, mainly fishing in the back bay. One angler was targeting fluke and ended up catching a 30lb bass in 3 foot of water!
It’s safe to say the season opener for fluke was not only productive but eventful too.
In case you missed it, for the first time in New Jersey fluke fishing history a slot limit was added. Here’s what else changed since last season:
Two fish slot between 17-17.99 inches
One fish 18 inches or greater
Season opens Monday May 2nd
Season closes Tuesday September 27th
Many anglers were up in arms over the recent changes in regulations. While it’s impossible to appeal to every angler, the change in regulations seem to favor the back bay angler opposed to ocean based anglers.
Apparently these changes won’t be a problem for those fishing the Great Bay. The weather forecast is providing plenty of windows in the next ten days.
Give us a call at (609) 296-4406 to book your rental boat and let’s go fishing!
The last few days have been windy but the fishing has picked up steadily. The Blow fish were in the clam stakes along with King Fish and small Blues. We are still catching flounder in the bay mostly throwbacks but we had a 4.5 lb weight in from 126. Ocean fishing has been non existent due to the high seas but Garden state south reef had Limited catches at the tail end of last week. Crabbing has been good for the people wandering out on the marsh and small creeks. Looking forward to a great labor day weekend.
Well the weather has finally cooled off and the Flounder fishing is starting to heat up. We had a 5 lb and 6 lb Flounder caught in front of the the Fish factory yesterday. In the middle of the bay and in the inter coastal water way the blue fish averaging around 2 lbs have been active. If your in the mood to crab be prepared to put some time in to fill the basket. The cow nose rays are still around anywhere from 60-80 pounds so hold on they will take you for the ride of your life.
