Fresh Stone Harbor Fishing Reports

The back bays, especially at night, are giving up small to medium sized striped bass. For the adventurous type, I run bridge hopping trips that cover a lot of ground and challenge your angling skills. There are some weakfish and a few bluefish in the mix too. Tog has been solid on the reefs, and in various places in the back bays. But it closed on April 30th. So, not much opportunity there. Well, you can catch and release. The beaches are getting fishy too. Black drum and striped bass are cruising the surf waiting for your offering. Catching thwse fish in the surf is one of the most fun ways to catch these brawlers. And finally, the Delaware Bay will be lighting up very soon with big striped bass and black drum. So, there are lots of choices. Not to mention, flounder will be opening back up in a week or so. Call to get in on the action!

Decided to get out and fight the wind tonight. For whatever reason, I enjoy fishing on stormy nights. The water is rough, casting is hard, retrieves are difficult, and the fish usually bite. I enjoy the challenge. So, I went to a sod bank and battled the northeast wind. The flood tide was a bit much, making the current run even harder than the nearly full Moon already was. And of course it pulled every bit of grass off the sod banks and I to my casting lanes. Regardless, I managed to catch a nice weakie. Of course it popped off the hook as I lifted it. But, it was all good. I would've released it anyway. It would've been nice to get a photo though, it was a nice weakie. A few casts later I got another weakie that spit the hook as I reached for the leader. Just not my night it seemed. The bite died out and the grass got thicker, so I took a walk. I found a crazy Eddie that was swirling and rough. As luck would have it, a striper popped right in the middle of the maelstrom. I cast a bunch of times trying to present the bait just right. After about twenty casts I must have got the presentation correct. I got hammered by a nice striper that peeled off drag in the heavy current. We battled back and forth, both giving and taking line. I finally got it close and grabbed the leader. She measured out at 31 inches. Snapped a quick photo and released her back I to the churning water. No other takers. I took a ride and tried a new area. It seemed quiet at first, but then a school of bait erupted in the surface. I cast and something swirled on my jig. A few casts later I came tight to another striper that put up a fantastic fight. This one measured out at 27 inches and was fat. Another quick photo and release. And again, the action died. Took another ride to search another area for any willing brawlers. Found loads of bait, even had it exploding on the surface, but no willing predators. On the plus side, I got to watch a pair of otters chase each other around. Cuteness overload. But no fish. I tried one final spot, but it too was devoid of any willing takers of the scaled persuasion. So, I called it a night. And it was a good night. The windy conditions did not disappoint. Tight Lines!

Ran a fun trip in the back yesterday with Justin onboard for the ride. We poked around a favorite bridge to see if anything fun might be hanging around. As we cruised through we noticed a pigeon sitting on the cross beams of the ice breakers. Seemed to be an odd place, but, to each his own. We cast around with a variety of lures, and soaked some baits. Little fish were the catch of the day for the outgoing tide. Sea bass and pinfish were destroying our baits. Tried for tog and sheeps, but no takers. While fishing we heard some awkward splashing. Then we saw the source. The pigeon we passed earlier had fallen into the water. At Justin's insistence we rescued the flopping, sputtering pigeon. He became our mascot for the day, hanging out on the bow watching us fish. Once the tide turned and began flooding the little fish bite dropped off. We began drifting for flounder. Justing landed the first keeper of 18.5 inches. We missed or dropped quite a few other bites. We had schools of mullet swimming past us now and again. And up on the flats there were peanuts being harassed by snappers. There were quite a few big boils and splashes here and there too. It was quite the show. When the bite slowed we made a move and drifted some deeper water. The wind made things interesting. Suffice to say, the motor was used quite a bit for positioning. We made a few drifts along a sod bank getting sporadic hits. On what was supposed to be our final drift I got hammered by a 20 inch flounder. So, it wasn't our final drift. We tried another area, but the boat traffic and wind with the tide made the drift unfavorable. We made another move and worked over a normally productive area, but only got short flounder and pestered by little sea bass. While drifting along near so.e houses our pigeon feiend decided he had overstayed his welcome. He flew off to the nearby docks and never even said goodbye. Justin was crestfallen. He had hoped to take his featherwd feiend home to his beloved, as she so loves birds (kidding). So, with the wind continuing to increase, the bite dropping off, and our feathered mascot gone, we called it a day. Had a great time, as always. Given the amount of bait showing in the back waters, the Fall bite should be solid. Looking forward to it. Tight Lines!

When conditions have allowed us to hit the ocean we’ve been putting nice flounder onboard.

I have done quite a few trips over the last two weeks. Some on the sand, some on the boat. One thing that has been really consistent this year, I have been meeting, and fishing with, some really exceptional people. Great conversations, interesting stories, and just willing to learn when you try to teach them a little something about fishing I have been a teacher for thirty years, and a fishing guide for 23 years. I love both jobs. They both have their pro's and con's. But this season has shown me it is definitely time to move on from teaching, and give my fishing business my full attention. Regardless of when I need to get up, I pop up. I am raring to go. Even when it's O'dark thirty. No problem. I may be draggy afterward, but I still love it. The adventure, the beauty, the touch of danger at times, and the people you get to know for a few hours. Or, if they come back again, even longer. I really do have the best job in the world. So, on a another note. The fishing has been a bit hit and miss. The surf is a little more consistent lately. Lots of kingfish, spot, croaker, weakfish, doggies, and skate. The rods bend fairly steadily. The back bays are not so consistent, but if you downsize, there are plenty of little guys to bend the rods. And kids love it. The reefs appear to be coming back to life after the constant upwelling. There is a much more co sister bite, with more flounder der showing up, along with keepers. And the trolling action has been a blast. With luck my season will continue to be filled with great people and fun adventures. And to all who have been out with me, this year and in the past, thank you! You make this the best job ever. Tight Lines!

A couple of surf and back bay trips over the past week. I have been seriously slacking off on my posts lately. Trying to get some things done for Hook, Line, and Warriors. Business aside, the fishing has been a bit up and down. The surf has been the better option lately if you don't mind small, but tasty fish on the end of your line. Good numbers of kingfish in the surf. Toss in some spot, croakers, weakies, sand perch, sea robin, skates, and doggies, and you have a fun day out. The back bays have been seriously hit and miss with flounder lately. They seem to bite in short windows of opportunity. Then go back into lock jaw mode. I don't think the water temperature is helping much either. We have at least managed to put a few nice keepers on the Brynnie-B, and quite a few shorts. Despite the sporadic fishing, one thing remains consistent. I get some really awesome people coming out on trips with me. I love spending time with them, talking, getting to know them, and sharing stories. It really is the best part of doing this. Thank you everyone who has come out with me so far this season. You make it all worthwhile!