Captain Al's Fishing Reports

8/27 - Greetings - Here's my fishin pal Logan, with the pool winner and soon to be dinner!! Logan and his grandfather Joe, one of my American Legion brothers, on the last trip before school!! I'm heading up to the Catskills this weekend, me with a five weight casting dry flies out of a drift boatto big hungry and very smart trout on the west branch of the Delaware!! I'll be back mid-week - catchemup

8/16 - Greetings -Here's the deal-- If you like fluke - now's the time, a few weeks left till closing! As of this past weekend the bite was great, the week end was some what slow, but, the flat fish are there !!!-- I spend some time looking every day I'm out, The past couple of weeks I've been on the jetty early, My son mates on the "Miss Barnegat Light" and "shapes up" at 0600 daily (Dad's water taxi) -- I have been catching some small to almost keeper bass and some small blues, with a number of plastics, buck-tails and plugs and with every chance I can get I'm casting the long rods! I have, by far gotten better results with the fly rods, when I can cast, then the plastics-I have even taken flounder with the fly rods, but swimming plugs are working well in some spots and situations for the bass- on the tides -- let's say I'm puttin my time in-- The inlet area has been changing , a lot of sand moving and some real good spots to look at daily - CATCHEMUP

7/31 - I just got back from a little busman's holiday up on the head waters of the East Branch, Delaware river. I stayed with Ann and Jeff www.pepactoncabins.com in Downsville NY. The cabins are great and the fishing is awesome a few steps out the back door. Lot's of Brown's & brookies and there are some big rainbows, clean air, no road or boat rage, not much if any phone service, friendly and hospitable folks, Eagles, not many bugs, great weather, tequila, good cigars, great bonfires and lots of stars. This is the area where I go to relax, wind down in any season. I fished a few spots on the Beaverkill, the water was low and warm compared to the fifty three degrees on the East Branch. I got into one hatch and got lucky, I was the only person on the stream and the trout were on the rise, two pound test and size 18 to 20 flies are very hard to thread and see. I had a great time , and Thanks to Ann and Jeff, any of you fishing types want to go -- reach out to me and I'll give the play by play.-- I fished the bay yesterday, fluke ,flounder, flatties or what ever you call them -they are eating. the numbers of fish caught are large, although the numbers of legal size fish is low. It seemed that a large body of fish were in the inlet area, I didn't want to play in traffic, I ran up the creek a bit and started catching just as good if not better, after about 30 minutes of fishing with three other boats-- then I counted twenty six boats fishing with a large number of irresponsible boaters running all out through a fleet of small boats in and around a tight turn in the channel, I had to go!! Boaters should realize that they are responsible for their wakes and actions, I also pulled a boat from the rocks in front of the lighthouse, with two people in that were in serious trouble, I towed him in and the red boat took over. other boats saw this guy in trouble but kept on flying to the ocean, one JAMOKE even started yelling and giving me the one finger salute for towing someone in -- ?? go figure!! If You want to get some fluke we have around thirty days or so to catch--- CATCHEMUP--

7/20-- Greetings - The picture is Logan, he and Grandpa Joe, one of my American Legion brothers, Underway at 0800 I got Logan's new rod ready - first drop he has this twenty four inch on it's way to the net ( sorry about the pic) $$$ first keeper-- by the end of the trip, and a bunch of released fish-- Logan made both Joe and my self the bait boys!! - We had a great day and he'll be out again-- thanks-- I have been looking in some spots for, yea-yea -yea- I'm obsessed about the weakfish -- I have been through it before, you have to talk to the old sea dogs, "they run in cycles", yes the commercial guys put a hurt on them, and I know its hard for some fishing types not have it in them to release large female fish -- in the middle of the spawn - we all are guilty to it, in some degree -- so suck it up -- they will be back-- in about ten years,- or so -- that's what I've been told!! -- I'm heading south a bit in the AM toward the bridge, and some deep spots CATCHEMUP

7/6 - Greetings -On Monday I had the 'Fisher moose" and his pal Pat -Underway early to catch a tide change, what I didn't realize, there was a major amount of holiday traffic which made things rough for us, the heat, and the vampire greenheads weren't were not any help at all, but we still managed to boat some fish. Underway at 0545 Wednesday with Rick Cox from www.philadelphiaflyfishing.com We started off with a couple of bass at the the top of the flood tide, second cast, we worked a lot of spots due to the mistakes of the weather service forcasting wid speed and direction, we had some hits on the fly but not many hook sets. It's always a pleasure to have Rick casting. On the afternoon trip yesterday "weakie" Ed and Dave (pictured) and their pal Tom, underway at 1630 we started with the flatfish, in a two hour span we had over sixty fish along with this twenty four inch, five and a half pound beauty and four others for the table. We changed gears and started to throw the plastics just before dark on the top of the flood tide, we had fish up and boiling after some bait, but no takers, back at the dock at 2030 cleaning fish- The fluke bite is pretty good on the flood tide in a couple of spots, you have to work for the bigger fish and that includes a lot of throw back fish-- CATCHEMUP

6/30 - I have been putting my clients on some mixed bag fishing the past week. Catching the tide changes and getting small bass and looking to hook a stray weakfish. The blues have been active in the early mornings and close to dark. We are catching fluke in the bay and inlet creeks, the catch to keeper ratio is ok. I was out yesterday with weakie Ed, two bass on the tide and a bag of fluke meat for the table from four keepers up to 25 inches. I feel it's getting to be a summer pattern in the bay system, with the exception of the weakfish being available, the fluke bite is good and we spend some time throwing the plastics for blues and bass---- CATCHEMUP

6/22 - The last week I put some time in to the flat fish - fishing with jigs, gulp in flavors and colors with teasers, seems to be the way - we have been working a couple of areas with a good catch to keep ratio, no giants yet! I was out till dark on Monday with the "weakie guys" Dave and Ed, so I figured I would wake the fish up with some big flies in their faces - under way at 0530 I got the last of the flood tide and the turn, four short bass and a gang of three pound blues that mangled some flies!! Fished the rocks with one blue, the ocean was like a sheet of glass, I ran north found some birds that looked interesting, small blues busting. I used the long rod all morning - All in all a productive week, I'm looking for some tide runners and bass on the tides, getting a mixed bag of bass, blues and fluke on plastic, then switching for the flat fish. CATCHEMUP

The past few trips have been real good with some good size blues on top-water plugs, Paul, Uncle Johnny, and Steve, all from cali visiting for a family function- we were plugging in 2-5 foot of water slamming some nice fish, when all of a sudden the school came up and started doing cartwheels all around the boat we had the fish for the better part of a hour, all on poppers, before we moved. We kept some for fish tacos and released a bunch. We also fished up some tasty fluke for the folks from California. Water temps should start to rise along with the humidity toward the end of the week--- CATCHEMUP

6/8 - The past couple of weeks was a little slow in the bay, I have been out and looking!! Underway today with "weakie" Ed at 0530, we made a stop in the main channel before the traffic started, no hits, I made a move to catch the tide, Ed nailed two short bass, both at twenty five inches-- we worked the area hard till the tide was too much - I made a move back into the bay where my pal Billy T. was beating up on some blues -- up on the flats anchored up in two foot of water - in a twenty plus north east wind was Billy T with poles bent-- here we go-- anchored in two foot for about an hour of casting poppers catching very hungry and nasty three to six pound blues-a lot of work - but a lot of fun-- we changed up and went looking for fluke-- all in all a good day we ended up with some blues and a couple of big fat fluke for the table. CATCHEMUP

5/25- Greetings- Underway at 0530 with Larry Elliott and my son Zack, pea soup fog for the most part of the morning, thanks to Garmin for the GPS !! We worked the fly rods crazy yesterday, Larry boated some blues in the five to seven pound class and a couple of bass, we took this one that measured at twenty nine inches for the table. Larry's first of many bass this season! All in all the fishing has been good - the blues are still around and I am looking for the yellow mouthed mammas on a daily basis, fluking is going to be good, I feel- I got two the other day wile fishing with plastics in a deep slue in the bay, one was over twenty inches, the other was also legal and both were released- so it looks like the bay system is perking up as the weather turns and warms-- CATCHEMUP

5/16- Greetings-- underway at 0530 with Larry and Dave for some action with the long rods I decided to head to the Jetty and look for the bass-- I forgot it was Sunday!! There was a steady flow of boats outbound and in a rush! I got on some birds at the tip of the south jetty, five to eight pound blues were smashing bangers on top, and some bunker patterns with leaders, and sinking lines, after an hour and a half and some sore arms, we headed inside to catch the tide , but we were a little late, I headed off to a spot to look for the stripes- first cast-- fish on!!- the bass were short but measured in the mid twenty inch range-- very nice on the fly rods- at the dock at noon. This was my first trip of the season and we did very well considering the weather and wind --over twenty big blues and six nice bass released, and all were taken on the fly---CATCHEMUP

5/13 - I drank the beer and gave the burgers to the pit bull next door---- and then the wrench shows--- The boat is in and and running good, My son and I went out to shake it down and burn up the winter fuel this morning, by the way the temp was thirty four degrees at 0600-- , we stopped for the bass but were greeted with a family or two of seals-- so it was bluefish on just about anything you would throw at them in a lot of spots--- CATCHEMUP

4/6-It looks good to go !!! The wrench is coming for burgers, beer, and to give me the OK to splash the sled!! I'll get most everything done today --- CATCHEMUP

4/30 - I fished with Billy T. on Tuesday, we had all the big alligator blues my arms could handle, the fish ranged from about three pounds to over twelve pounds and hit every thing we tossed at them - I( did manage to get a few on the long rod - I got the water pumps in, started them up, I need still do some testing on the lower units, wire up the box a little clean up and we are in-- barring no problems I should be in this coming week-- it's time - CATCHEMUP

4/25-Greetings - We had a change in plans and did not go to the other ocean! I fished with Billy T. last week, we didn't do to good outside but on the way in we had bluefish in the bay on top water plugs, these fish were of the large alligator size. This is a pic of my son Zack with one of his first Sandy Hook bass we got on Saturday aboard my Uncle's boat out of Atlantic Highlands. Zack said he had fun and learned some stuff about trolling from my Uncle, along with catching the largest fish! It always does me good to get back to my fishing roots. The rain is pushing me back a bit but it shouldn't be too long before we splash the sled. CATCHEMUP

4/5 - Greetings and happy spring!! The boat is close -- I am waiting on some parts for the lower units, water pumps and all the good stuff that goes with them- The electronics box is ready for paint, some wiring and antennas - I'm going to get on the hull today. As of today I am most likely going on a road trip with my son to Cali. With a couple of side trips that will include some fishing!! We are scrambling to get the vehicle in tip top shape, more parts to order and some grease under the fingernails!! Hopefully this trip should be about ten days, but that depends on flights back or how good the fishing is- or do I fly home VIA Bozeman Mt. where a good friend lives and guides, and I know the fishing is better than great!! CATCHEMUP

3/29 - Greetings - Capt. Mike www.americanflyfishingschools.com and I were up in Verona NY, at the Turning Point resort and casino for a boat and sportsman show, we had a lot of fun, made a bunch of friends who were interested in fishing via the fly rod. Besides giving seminars we had the casting pond up, a 70'x10' pool, and used Capt. Mike's flats boat as a casting platform, very impressive, giving some pointers to beginners and seasoned fishing fishing types, showing some techniques in casting, surprisingly a lot of the folks I spoke with do vacation at the Jersey shore, we had a great time, booked a couple trips, in spite of the long, 7 hour ride back to Barnegat towing Captain Mikes flats boat loaded with stuff in the rain--- I'll be trying to get some work done on the boat this week,---GOOD NEWS-- There has been some action in the bay with bass and blues, most of the action is in and around the warmer water, with most of the bass being local residents and on the small side. I'm going to help my pal Billy T. get his sled in tomorrow-- I might even get a line wet!!! CATCHEMUP

3/18 -I took the cover off yesterday before celebrating wearing of the green , or was it drinking beer till you turn green!! I'm about to go out and work on the sled, the electronics box should be done and installed some time this weekend, I'll get the lower units off for water pumps, and shaft seals, and general service, a good clean up and it's time to go -- CATCHEMUP

3/11---Greetings and happy spring!! The weather is starting to break, Thank you!! I have a bunch of work that has to be done- lower unit service, My friend Pete and I are going to work on my electronics box, we are re-wiring the box, lights and some new electronics, to make it look better and be a little more functional. The water temps here in the bay are still a little low, but-- some of the locals have been taking some small bass at the power plant and along the western shoreline on the sunny afternoons. So it's starting, I have been tying flies and teasers, I tried a different jig head pattern last season that worked very well, we got them on board, and I'll tie up some buck-tails, I have some samples of some some new baits to try, a new fly rod to christen. So here is the deal, get registered at www.countmyfish.noaa.gov to stay on the safe side, I have the permits for the boat, but you never know about some over zealous official types and what they might ask for. support your local fishing type business, hit the flea markets and get your gear in order-- and don't forget to change that old line that you have on that reel for the past two years!!! I FISH - I VOTE-- CATCHEMUP

2/26- This is my friend, Captain Mike King, out of Barnegat. I took this pic the other day on the way to the rally. It was an awesome sight to see, fishing types from both sides of the dock that came from Alaska to California and every coastal state in the US, to stand together for a common goal, to let the people that we vote for, know and understand that we are united, we are represented, and that we are not going to stand by any more! WE FISH - WE VOTE- So please, Join an organization that is fighting for our rights to feed our families - talk to your elected officials, the people you send to Washington, learn about CATCH SHARES and how some politically motivated people with another agenda, are trying to make the fisherman an endangered species--- Get involved!! --- Well, it's snowing again and I am going out to pile it up again CATCHEMUP

2/22 - There us still snow on the ground, as soon as it disappears I, like most of the fishing types I know, are getting a little anxious, land locked and very antsy about getting back on the water. I try to make a pass around the marina district daily, that helps, and working on the gear, as long as you are in a heated garage helps -- look at it this way, in around sixty days we WILL be fishing!! -- The fly show was excellent, from Lefty casting to some of the best tiers in the world.-- I was up at Ramsey sporting good last week at a open house, folks up north are showing a great deal of interest in fly fishing the salt, and hopefully we can get a casting clinic together! -- A bunch of local captains, both recreational and commercial,( on the same bus) and fishing types from up and down the eastern seaboard will be boarding busses to march on Washington on the 24th, our industry is in trouble and the hurt is long reaching, maybe I can help to make a difference. -- I got together this past weekend with the "weakie guys", Dave and Ed, with the wives for a great meal, cocktails and slot machines, down in Atlantic City, Both Debbie and I had a great time. Dave and Ed have fished a lot with me over the years and we have developed a good relationship, both on the boat and off, it's real good to get together socially in the down time, it sort of charges the batteries a bit--- Hopefully I can get some work done on the boat between the rain and snow. - CATCHEMUP

2/12 - Greetings- The snow has ended here for now, and they are talking more next week-- I am tired of shoveling. I figure in the past two snow storms we got close to or over forty inches of the white stuff!! So-- I have been tying teasers and flies working on some gear- I have been getting good reports from south Florida that the off shore and reef fishing bite is ok when they can get out, there have been a few cold snaps that put a hurt on things, "fly fish Larry" and Dave are heading to the Keys looking for the "Slam" and a couple of other clients are heading to Texas to play with some land locked stripers, but most of all to get some relief from the cold! The fly show was great, a learning experience! Capt. Mike www.Americanflyfishingschools.com is in shorts catching fish in the Indian river system, running out of Palm Bay, and says " come on down--- Washington, DC on the 24th You need to go and support!!-- CATCHEMUP

1/21 - The sportsman show up in Raritan was good, there was a lot of interest in fishing in Barnegat bay, Capt. Mike's casting pond was great, we had some fun casting, I even played with a very nice bamboo rod, but it was the youngsters that were casting with better accuracy then some spin guys I have Known - and other kids who just wanted to try and cast, with a little help they were casting on their own and asking Mom's and Dad's to take them fishing-- soon!!! I'm having a hard time getting some stuff downloaded-- check out www.riseformstudio.tv Mike has some video of me landing a couple of bass on Thanksgiving day Also I'll be up at the Fly show this weekend in Somerset, if you have any interest in fly fishing this venue is one not to be missed! CATCHEMUP!

1/12 - Greetings, There is ice on the bay!! I'll be trying to stay warm at the Sportsman show in Edison this weekend with Capt. Mike www.americanflyfishingschools.com and the casting tank, casting, the following week I'll be at the Fly show in Somerset, again with American fly fishing schools- ** check out the pod cast at www.riseformstudio.tv some great video of us sticking the bass on Thanksgiving. CATCHEMUP

12/31/09 --Greetings! The end of the year, a lot of big fish memories of the 09 season, some great times with folks who have fished with me in the past along with new clients and first timers getting their first taste of the lighter side! A fresh new start for the coming season, 2010 is starting on a not so positive note, with new fish regs and limits, the feds coming down on the recreational fisherman, I'm not sure that all this federal registry is the best program, and free this year at what cost will it be in the future-- or a state license? I don't think we should stand by ( Feb. 24th in Washington)- I'll roll with the punches and continue to search for quality fish on fly and light tackle without the help of taking and using natural bait- The streets are white again today and more in the forecast- Mike www.riseformstudio.tv is working on some video, Santa dropped me a new fly rod and reel that I can't wait to try out-- Think spring! Support your local shows and fishin flea markets, you never know where I might show up! Happy new year to all you fishin types, and thank you for all your support-CATCHEMUP

12/22/09 - Greetings! Better than two feet of snow, with some drifts up to four feet here in Barnegat. I was up at work running boats in New York Harbor in this stuff, I wouldn't call it fun!! I just wanted to say thanks to all for you continued support, we had a good season, a lot of quality fish were taken, and a big percentage of the larger spring breeder stock released by my clients. A bunch of personal best fish, one of my best trips was with "Weakie guys", Dave and Ed, we had over an hour of, fish on every cast, all your arms could handle, jumbo weakfish,!! Catching and releasing fish to fourteen pounds, at sunset in Oyster creek, with no green heads, it don't get much better--and a thanksgiving morning "pool winning" 33 inch bass I hooked into, on the fly rod - and on a fly I tied - Mike is working on some video and I'll be back to ramble on --- Merry Christmas- Happy holidays-- and may we all get the smell of fish on our hands in the new season---- CATCHEMUP

Greetings! I ran out on Monday with Larry Elliott, his bro, Dod, who just returned from his third tour --Welcome home- and Tom- These guys went gunning in the morning and looking for stripers in the afternoon!! I ran straight outside and I will say the jetties were not nice! We had some wind and a not a comfortable ocean, I ran north looking, there was some action for the guys trolling in the deeper water-- after about an hour of jigging and throwing big flies, I headed back inside. After a rollercoaster ride through the jetty, we worked a couple of spots and Larry scored a couple of small bass on the fly, We all had fun and a good way to finish the day. Tuesday was a tough day also, We ran south, high flying birds some bait and with the wind picking up, I headed inside where we got two shorts one on plastic and one on the fly. Yesterday was my last sail day, underway at 0700 with my son Zack, with a not so good forecast for the afternoon, we cleared the jetty and headed north I saw a small fleet of boats working some bird action I saw some birds further north and off we went, as we got close we saw fish breaking, we both hooked up with bass. I went for the fly rod , got a bunch of line out, the first strip I had a fish on, after a good fight what came up was a jumbo bluefish, Zack went to put the net to him -the line parted the rod hit the tee-top and broke into a few pieces, old school Penn international that is not replaceable -- Oh Santa!!! we jigged up a few bass and some big alligator blues, when we got back my pal Pete was waiting with the trailer and the 2009 season is in the book!! The boat is land locked and ready for Santa. I have some video coming from Mike www.riseformstudio.tv and some new stills of this season that I'll post. A quick thanks to all the folks I fished with this year, a lot of good times were had, a lot of personal best fish came to the net and a lot of big weakfish, bass and Fluke were taken and given back, to swim away. New friends were made, and old pals came to fish again, thank you for your support. I'll ramble about some of my highlights another time -- CATCHEMUP-

11/27 - The machine doesn't lie- and this bass was taken from this pod of fish. Billy T. and I on Wednesday hit them good- we found fish on top feeding on sand eels, there was some boat traffic and the sea conditions were not so good! We moved north a few miles and fished bottom readings like you see here, we released over thirty fish, kept two, the majority of these fish were between twenty five and thirty three inches and very fat fish. Thanksgiving morning burning fuel at 0630, with my son Zack, Mike www.riseformstudio.tv , and Billy T. This is the Thanksgiving crew for a lot of years-- sea conditions were not good but a big improvement from the day before, there was a group of boats just outside the jetty but I ran north to get greeted by a school of bass that could only be measured in acres, the bass were rolling on top, breaking water, swirling , then it started for us, Mike had fish on the fly rod, Zack hooked up, Billy goes for the net - he hooks up, and I end up the net guy! The biggest fish came in at thirty three inches- with the fly rod!! and on a fly that I tied - and it don't get to much better than that!!! I'll post some video soon-- I hope you all had as good a day as my crew and I did--CATCHEMUP

11/24 - I always look at Thanksgiving time to be on and into fish- The plan for the next three days is, to find fish in any given situation-- pull out the stops!! Striper on the grill for me, I'll wait till Friday and have the bird between two sheets of bread -- It looks like the jigs w/teasers and big flies out front and flies and the lighter stuff inside, the way it looks now the fly rods will rule! Hopefully we will get some video-- Me and Billy T. in the AM- Give thanks to the Fish Gods -- Have a great holiday-- CATCHEMUP

11/20- Out with Billy T. on his boat, we broke the inlet at first light, it was not a very nice ride out Barnegat Inlet - less than a half mile away from the jetty there were bass doing cartwheels in the swells, oh a ground swell well spaced but four ft easy, with a good chop, the wind blowing from the north west and west, and the current pushing in the opposite direction, not that bad-- There was bird action but for the most part we used the machines to locate and we jigged AVA's - you had to work at keeping contact with the bottom but all in all a great day -- over twenty fish, we released all but one-- got a tagged fish, and we lost one rod!! Billy and I don't get to many days to fish together, but when we do it's always is a good time no matter what the day brings!! Thanks-- It looks like the weather might hold on through the week, and we will have bass for turkey day!! CATCHEMUP

11/17- I got out today with Dave and Ed, AKA the weakie guys -burning fuel at 0630, with a stiff north-east breeze in your face, a nice chop in the bay, markers off station in the creek, very high tides- the incoming water in the bay was way off color, one look at the jetties and I knew it was not the right day for my boat!!! We fished a few spots hard with no hits- we were back at 1000. Me and the weakie guys have been fishing together for the past five years, when ever I leave the dock with these guys I know that they will give 100% and then some to catch, not to mention all the fun we have. We had some real good days this season, more with quality than quantity and one awesome sunset filled afternoon trip with catching and releasing, eight to twelve pound weakfish on the sod banks, on a slack tide, with no other boats, except a couple of guys in yaks, that got in on the action for over an hour- and no green heads!! "Good Lord willing and the creek don't rise", we will start again in the spring-- Thanks -- I'm booked through the first week of Dec. I'm sure there will be some good bassin to be had for the next few weeks and into December---CATCHEMUP

11/9--Iwas burning fuel with Larry Elliott and his brother in law Tom at 1130 to catch a twenty pound bass on the fly - we broke the jetty at noon and headed north to see what we can see-- a few miles I stopped on some bird action in about 30 foot of water, Larry hooked two fish -quick- I got a call that there was some bird action off-shore a bit-- to make a long story short-- we had bass hitting flies, jigs, and plastic on top and down to sixty feet, boated nine fish, kept one at thirty inches - no twenty but a great day for fishing and fresh bass for the table. CATCHEMUP

11/9 - Last week I sailed on Tuesday with my pal Pete and his son Nick, we were burning fuel at 0700. We worked some spots with plastics, the wind and the tide were not friendly, we came in a little early due to an unfinished "honey-do" list!! Wednesday out early with my son Zack, rain and a strong north-east wind had us on the move, we ended up with a few bass that fell to small buck-tails and the fly of choice, green/white clousers. Solo on Friday with the fly rod, I got a few small bass in some rough water. Saturday I fished a local tournament, I trolled and jigged up bluefish and small bass I had one keeper that was 30 inches, that fish was taken on a jig in 50 foot of water below a good size school of blues. The fish was not in the money, a thirty pound fish took it all!! On Sunday morning solo with the fly rod I got eight bass one keeper ,released-- The weather for the past few days has been warm, and we have a storm coming up from the Gulf which should get here mid week- that could turn the bass on for us inside a bit-I have some open dates next week, and then I am looking atpulling out and putting up for the winter the first week of December-- CATCHEMUP

11/03 - The weather has not treated us to good in the past couple of weeks, the good word is that the bass are starting to eat what we throw at them, I have had action on the plastics in the bay, but, the eat the flies we have been throwing, I got a couple in some fast water last week on a six inch bunker fly, and today they wanted green/yellow and green and white clousers. Today I received a couple of first hand reports on some nice bass (30lb) on jigs and some fish were taken on the jetties this afternoon. I out early in the AM, plan A is to work some drop off's and fast water to start with an early tide, I'll see what traffic is. CATCHEMUP

10/ 23 - Greetings! After the weather we had last weekend- It's blowing again-- I got the week in, on Tuesday I fished with Billy T. underway at 0630 we hit a couple of spots in the bay and headed outside, the weather was great- we had some fish but no keepers, Wednesday I looked out side with one jumbo blue , I ran in and started working with the fly rod and a clouser I tied-- it's challenging, casting a nine foot fly rod and keeping the boat in position, I got fish in most every spot I stopped on, no keepers but a twenty four inch bass on a fly is OK by me!! Dave and Ed AKA the weakie guys, burning fuel at 0645, Thursday - we ran north, in and and out of the west side of the bay looking, We got a couple of bass in oyster creek , we were late for the tide but we worked a bunch of spots with BKD's and buck-tails. Over a half dozen fish, no keepers, the bigger ones were at twenty five, but, a great day with a couple of guys who fish their butts off, thanks!! I ran to catch the tide with my son this morning , we worked a couple of areas before the wind took over, I lost a nice fish in some fast water on a small buck-tail- back at the dock at 11-- CATCHEMUP

10/19 - I was up state NY last week trout fishing on the upper Delaware river and the Beverkill I stay up in www.Peapactoncabins.com Annie and Jeff are the best, the cabin and grounds are well kept and it's a real treat for me to stay there. The water was low, but clear and very fishable! I got there on Tuesday afternoon, fished in back of the cabin in the rain and got one small brown in about two foot of water, Wednesday I was on the river at first light, me the eagles and a couple of deer that came out for a drink down stream of where I was. I landed a couple of small browns on nymph and wooly patterns and I got two nice brook trout on very small dry fly patterns. I was fishing Thursday morning in the snow. I lost a really big fish down stream, probably a big rainbow, and decided it was time I should head out, they got better than six inches of snow in that area of the Catskills!! The hospitality was great -the wings at the Beaver-dell were the best, so was the tequila!!! Cant wait to get back. The weather has been bad here, coastal storms and abnormal low temps, I'll be out this week to check things out, I was catching some small bass in the bay and very small weakfish out side--- break out the long johns! CATCHEMUP

10/7 - My pal Billy T. gave me a call on Monday night and kind of talked me into heading out early Tuesday to do some scouting , me, OK he didn't have to twist my arm. Underway at 0630 we made a stop on the sod banks, but the tide was flooding strong so we head over to Meters and got a few nice weakfish, finally, keepers, they seemed to be in small spots and you needed to be on the spot ,if not, no hits, sixteen to twenty inch size, as the tide was shifting the bite dropped off. I went to fuel up and we ran out side to see what was up-- The birds were going crazy and there was a small fleet of boats working the bird action, I pulled back on the throttle and stopped outside the fleet dropped the jigs with teasers down and -hello- double header weaks, with some croaker mixed in, most of the fish we got were small, handled with care and released. We stayed on these fish for more than two hours , drifting by ourselves banging up the fish. I got the long rod out along with a couple of heavy clousers and got a few on the fly rod. The water outside the jetties was calm like a lake, the bay was a sheet of glass, a real gift for this time of year. But if someone can tell me what are the net boats doing taking all these small fish, there were four gill netters and one bunker boat and a spotter plane out, maybe some of the people that are trying to stop us recreational fisherman from taking fish for our tables should see how much these guys are fooling our elected officials and thier lobbyists in Trenton and Washington!! Billy got a new camera and below is one of the first video he shot, it's not much but it gives you an Idea how good it was, he has a couple more on youtube. I just wish they were twenty pound bass -- soon enough - !! CATCHEMUP

10/3 - They water temps are still on the warm side but are falling slowly , I fished most every morning this week, trying to locate some fish in the bay- most of the time I was using the fly rod, practice makes me a better caster, and I have taken small bass in a bunch of spots, these fish were few and many casts in between, I was out yesterday to catch the tide, for three hours I got two hits and hooked up one bass about twenty inches. On a fly rod in a 15-20mph wind and trying to maneuver the boat in a position, ain't bad in my book, It's a lot of work, a lot of practice on the boat and in the ball field, but to boat a fish in salt water, on a fly, or on a fly that you tie is the best!! I'll put time into working the jetties this coming week , and I'll see what kind of bassin is going on up in New York harbor (work) this weekend - CATCHEMUP

9/28 - Greetings - Last week the weather again played a roll on the negative side, it seemed that the water temps are sinking, the wind keeps blowing out of the north and I feel the transition from summer to fall is in full swing. The are not many bluefish in the bay, and the weakfish are in question, I haven't found keeper weakfish in a few weeks, but, I try every day. The bass on the other had, are starting to show in the bay in a few spots, most bass have been falling to the flies, although I have a special tandem rig with teaser that seems to work once I locate fish. Most of the bass have been small, but they do have stripes. Weakie Dave and Ed were out last Thursday, underway at 0630 we ran south to look and ran back north to catch the tide at the sod banks, we ended up fishing the jetty and then we headed up the beach and found a couple of pods of small weakfish. I'll keep looking for the weakfish for the next couple of weaks and the concentrate on bass till the end of the season here in Jersey. I do have dates open into November- CATCHEMUP

9/22/ - It looks like I have the desk top and stuff back up and running ok!! There has been some ups and downs in the fishing scene the past few weeks, we have been treated to some weakfish action for a few days, a good blow came through, along with over two weeks of gusty cold north winds- the water temps have dropped and it looks like the fall pattern is starting - the peanut bunker and rain fish are all over, and flowing out of the lagoons and creeks. I looked for weakfish for a couple of hours this morning and got one that was fifteen inches , released - I fished the sod banks very hard with the fly rod, and released seven bass all short, on the green Clouser the biggest was twenty four inches and very fat! I hit a couple of spots were the weaks usually mass up, and found bait but no fish I ran back up in the bay and into the flats and got busted off by some real small blues - back at the dock at 1030-- CATCHEMUP

8/28 - It's been a couple of weeks, and it has been good fishing for all -- the fluke bite has been awesome !! there has been a lot of short fish but some fast and consistent action, with an average of four to six keepers a day for the table with some days netting over eighty total fish,. As of this week the weakfish have been few and very hard to find. This past few days they have begin to show in a few spots. it's a early bite under birds and breaking fish for the most part, with drifts yielding better than a dozen keeper fish, we try not to keep under 15 inches,-The fish have been ranging from spikes to four pounds, most on plastics (BKD's) but other baits work also along with some choice fly patterns. Jim D. and his sons Chris and Jimmy had a great time with non-stop flounder action on the 12th, on the 14th under way at 0800 with 7 year old Logan and Grand pop Joe, one of my American Legion brothers, also had non -stop action with the flat fish, Logan boated his fist keeper fluke his first drop, Can't get any better!! And thanks to Logan for keeping that life jacket on, in spite of the very hot weather. The week of the 17th was a big ditto looking for the weaks early and switching to fluke, and YES I had bait. with tandem rigs, gulp and spearing, that was the ticket. The first trip into the salt for Dan and his son Danny we again beat up on the fluke. Dan Jr , after his first flounder, is already planning on a striper trip. One of my first customers here in Barnegat, Pete was here from Marco Fl. He got into the flounder, bringing back " back in the day" memories of big catches of fluke in Barnegat Bay. Weakie Ed and Dave along with "rattle trap" Steve out looking real hard for weakfish and switching for fluke , with a couple of bags of filets for the table!! My Bud Ray was up from Cape Coral and got into some blues and fluke to round out the week. My son Zack and I were out on the 25th for some weaks in the bay and a good catch of fluke for supper. Today I had Hank, Kris and Sonny out for a great morning of weakfish action, the bite was strong and early, before the rains came. We had some nice weakfish, one came to the scale at four pounds, all VIA BKD,s mostly pink, but the greens worked. It's only going to get better as the water chills-- CATCHEMUP

8/13 - Underway Monday morning at 0515 with Larry Elliot and the long rods armed with some new patterns we wanted to try out. We started out with some breaking bluefish at the corner of the dike, these blues were small but nasty, feeding on silver-sides, there was plenty of action for the fly rods. We worked the jetties and and the sod banks, landed some more blues, by the time the temps reached the upper eighties we changed out and tried to get a couple of flat fish for dinner. It's always a pleasure to fish with Larry , he is a accomplished fly type and has guided in Alaska and other parts of the U.S., has fished with some of the best in the field. On Tuesday I had Ken Hollins, who has a big hand with the Berkley Striper Club, and has a part time gig at Alex's Bait and tackle in Point, and his dad Ed, who by the way is eighty six years young out at 0600. We worked a few areas in the bay looking for weakfish , then we motored up to the sod at the change., we got a mixed bag of Bass fluke and Blues till the tide started to run, then switched over to fluke, we got high numbers and five keepers with the largest at five and a half pounds that Ed got, we fished two spots that produced very well for us, we had a great time, and fresh fish for the table. Yesterday I had Jim D. and his sons Jim and Chris, we started in the bay looking and ran up inside to catch the tide. We got Bass and blues and changed over to fluke. From the first drop we all had fish on. It was real hot fishing, we moved from one area to one other and started to bang them up again . constant action with four real good keepers, with the largest weighing almost six pounds. So far the fluke bite is good for me, I feel that the are starting to mass up in areas on tides and feed before heading out to sea. I got quality fluke in every spot I stopped, I was bagging filets in the rain! The smaller weakfish on the other hand are a bit scarce, I have been getting some good tide runners up until the water temps rose two weeks ago, last year and the year before I did have fish by now but, the bulk came latter in September, I'm not talking about the spikes that invade the bay but the larger fish should arrive or show as the temps fall a bit. I look at this with a positive attitude, and anticipate the best is yet to come. CATCHEMUP

8/09 - Greetings - The past couple of weeks I have been working hard to find some weakfish, it has been hit or miss , but it seems like things might be taking a turn! I have been catching bass on the fly and a few weaks on the plastics, but for the most part they are small and hit at the change of tide. I had Rick Cox www.philadelphiaflyfishing.com out we had a mixed bag of fish with Rick hooking bass and weakfish on the fly, and he brought the snacks! For the past week I have been switching over to fluke, and jigging them with a combination of gulp and and some stuff called bait! yep I have had bait on the boat- it does happen!! the past three days I have concentrated on the fluke, and the average has been a half a dozen keepers a trip. Yesterday I fished a tourney with the proceeds going to the make a wish foundation, at South Harbor I'm not sure on the total amount of boats but there were a lot of fishing types there and over 3,000 clams were eaten, not to mention hamburgers, dogs and chicken, the big fish was weighed in at eleven pounds. A great time was had by all, and it goes to a great cause. A big thans to Tom and Monica for a successful day. All in all not a bad week, I feel the fishing is going to take a turn for the best-- hopefully the weakfish will show in numbers in the near future. I'll be out at 0500 in the AM --- CATCHEMUP

7/23 - Greetings -On Tuesday I fished a couple of spots early, I found off color water and lots of weeds in the bay, I did manage to catch the tide and got two weaks for the table! On Wednesday I got out early with the fly rods. I hit a couple of spots close to home with no luck, moved up toward the inlet to scout out a few spots I haven't fished in a wile, lots of casting. I got the tide change and managed a couple of short eighteen to twenty inch bass and one weakfish in the five pound class. These fish were taken on a fly tied by Larry Elliot called "weakfish candy", well, it catches bass also! I got my casting practice in and even got some fish!! Today I was underway at 0600 wit Ed and Alona, the tide was just about to change and the weather outlook was not promising, I ran straight to a spot in Oyster Creek, stopped gave a short lesson - first cast Ed hooked a bass, twenty two inches released, then after a couple of casts Alona hooks up with a nice weakfish that walked her around the boat and then some. The weakfish hit the scale at six pounds, a first this season and her personal best - we hit some other spots and tried some gulps for fluke, and the rain came down - we were back cleaning fish at 1045. In spite of the rain we had a great time-- I'm out early in the AM - CATCHEMUP

7/16 - Underway at 0600 on Wednesday AM with my son Zack and our cousin Jayson (first pic) on vacation from Italy, and his first weakfish, We ended up with a few weakfish taken from spots in the bay on plastic. This is a good sign to see them active in a couple of spots. Weakie Ed and Dave and Randy the chicken man out at 1630 , It was blowing a stiff breeze from the south ,I ran straight to a spot to catch the top of the flood tide. Trying to hold the boat was a chore but after some constructive instruction Randy hooked up to a beautiful seven pound weakfish, and dave hooked a five pounder. As the tide started to change we were in a wind against tide situation that we couldn't work the plastics properly, hit a couple of other spots and took it to the barn. All things considered for the time we spent with the lines in we got lucky with some personal best for Randy and a good day was had by all -- I'll be out early in the AM to see if those weakfish are stacked up - CATCHEMUP

7/14 - Burning fuel at 0515 with Bob Marsiglia and the long rods. With a stiff North east breeze we hit the north jetty and a couple of other spots , not easy casting or positioning the boat. I stopped on the dike in a small rip, Bob was making some good casts, but not only was the wind a factor , every place we worked there was weeds and more weeds. bob hooked up with this bass that was twenty-seven inches and fat, released un harmed and went right back to it. We ended up with on more short bass and a few more hits. Hats off to Bob he worked his butt off and was rewarded with his personal best -so far- Hopefully the water will warm a bit and we'll see some more weaks in the bay. I'll be out early in the AM and again in the PM CATCHEMUP

7/9 - Greetings-- The weather has been good this week but the bite is slow, full moon and cold water makes for some slow fishing - I fished yesterday with Rick from www.philadelphiaflyfishing.com with the long rods, we got into some blues that were under birds off of Waretown, we fished a lot of spots in some not so nice wind and tide situations. The bottom line was Rick knows that it is a little more difficult fishing the salt, he'll be back again to challenge himself, so if you get a chance check out his site and see what the father of triplets is up to! The wind turned a bit ugly this morning, I was burning fuel at 0530 in a good breeze, I made two stops and decided that breakfast and the honey-do list was a little more important CATCHEMUP

1, June - The past few days have been great, Weakie Ed and Weakie dave had the banner "Magic Hour" trip, These fish were among four that we kept, all males- we released at least four that were of equal size. The largest fish this evening was thirty five and a half inches at a little over ten pounds, This morning I had Lloyd, Stephanie, and Dan, we ended up with the slam, 1 weakfish at eight pounds, a bunch of blues that were taken on poppers in the bay and a couple of small fluke and we were in before the storms hit. Yesterday I was out with the Brendan's Tom and his Dad John aka pop with a tide-runner at seven pounds. I have to say that there are some real nice fish to be had, but it's a short window in a popular area, all these fish were taken on BKD's -- Thanks for a great day! CATCHEMUP

6/ 25/09 - Burning fuel at 0600, go up in some skinny water looking for surfacing fish, first cast with a popper I had a nice scrappy bluefish for the crab trap, I grabbed the fly rod and tossed a clouser, stripped twice and had a blue on, a great fight with a seven weight! I blasted off to catch the tide -- I got two tide runners the heavy was over seven, all on BKD's-- As the started to flood I ran back into the bay and got a hand full of short flat fish with a buck-tail and gulp-- Took the wife out in the afternoon we had a few short fluke no keepers, ran up to Forked River for lunch at the TIKI bar - a good day -- CATCHEMUP

6/23- This male trout weighed a hair under seven pounds, and hit at the start of the flood tide, and to be honest, it sure did taste good! There were a bunch of short summer flounder taken, and a few in the six pound class, on the Gulp and BKD's, and some great top water action on the blues, it looks like the temps are on the rise and it's starting to open up a bit. I am going to run some open trips as magic hour trips, shape up at 1730, that's 5:30PM for the land lubbers, and back in at dark, that gives us a good three hours to locate fish. Choice dates are available and show me a Legion, VFW or DAV card and get 10% off - CATCHEMUP

6/17 - The weather has still been a problem for us, blowing from the east - northeast with showers and chilly temps. I did get out yesterday with junior Masercola, it was wind against the tide, I ran to a spot south and got one flounder that was short, came back and fished a few spots getting some small fluke, we tried hard with the gulp and buck-tails. Underway this morning at 0630 with Capt Steve, "Miss Arlene", throwing plastics and looking. We fished a few spots and ended up with a dozen cocktail blues for a few of our American Legion brothers, we had these fish corralled in a small area in three to seven foot of water, on top water plugs and BKD's a good test of tackle and knots. It looks like rain for the rest of the week but we are going to shape up tomorrow in the AM and see what it all looks like. CATCHEMUP

6/11 -Greetings! The weather has been a problem for the better part of the week, fog, rain and fronts moving in, I fished on Tuesday before the storms I landed a few keeper fluke and bluefish on top water plugs. Yesterday I had the "weakie guys" Dave , Ed and their pal Randy-- pea soup fog that only rolled in then rolled out then back in, all morning long, we had a good breeze that really didn't help -but we ended up with two very good keeper summer flounder that were up to twenty five inches and a dozen blues in the three to five pound class on top water plugs-- a good day- I'll be out early tomorrow in the AM CATCHEMUP

6/3 - I fished yesterday morning looking for the weaks, I didn't stray far from home and found a ton of bluefish on top, I got good results on swimming plugs -Yo Zuri and bombers in a couple colors, poppers worked also, but as usual there wasn't much etiquette from other boaters, rather than getting my blood pressure up, I ran a mile north and found my own patch of birds and fish for just about an hour! I went out last night after supper with my better half and found some small blues close to home--- CATCHEMUP

5/29 - The weather has kept me in for a few days this week, I did get out with Henry and Kris this morning, we left the dock at 0530 in pea-soup fog then heavy rain and then rain with thunder and lightning- great !! The plan was to head out and look for bunker, wind against tide in the jetties made for a not so nice ride out. The ocean had a 2 to 4 foot chop, the bunker were down, we ran up the coast looking, stopping once on some good readings but could not jig any up- we ran back south and inside to catch the tide. We switched gear and started tossing BKD,s in a couple of spots. One sort bass some small blues and a nice weakfish lost at the boat. I went out in the late afternoon with my pal Billy T. we had a great time with some small blues on poppers just out side of the marina, Back at the dock at1830. CATCHEMUP

5/20 - Greetings- Underway with "weakie" Dave at 0530 We fished a couple of spots on the west side, worked an area of flats w/ poppers, we raised a few fish , but all in all a slow day but we worked very hard. I have a bunch of stuff to do tomorrow but I'll be back at it on Thursday eve and Friday early looking for the big girls!! CATCHEMUP

5/15 - Bent hooks, broken wire leaders, lures ripped up-- Alligators I tell you big nasty racer Bluefish on poppers, it was a great way to cap the first week of the season. I got underway at 0645 and ran south to a couple spots, about two hours of casting in clean water, no hits, no birds and not to much bait. I ran back north across the bay to a shallow area that usually has bass, blues and weaks on the feed, this time of year. I made one drift with no action, I moved the boat into less than three foot of water and started, first cast the bottom exploded, from the power of the initial run and the head shake I thought it was a bass, but, a long lean blue that weighed almost nine pounds came to the net, released. I had a few more on but, bent hooks and thirty pound leader being cut thru kept them from reaching the net. I tied on some wire and ended up with a total of seven large blues released, at the fuel dock at 1100. It looks like the weather will be warming things up a bit and hopefully we will be able to locate some bass and weakfish next week CATCHEMUP

5/13 - Underway with Hank, Kris and Steve at 0530. We started out in Double creek with one big blue (BKD's) we ran to the rocks on the north side and worked hard, actually we worked real hard in a number of spots -- we ended up with one blue and two fluke yes fluke, released, but were good fat legal fish! I might go looking in the AM , weather permitting. CATCHEMUP

5/12 - Underway at 0530, I started in a small creek bed tossing plastic, first cast I was bit off, probably a blue, I stayed working that spot for almost an hour, no hits on plastic or poppers I moved to a shallow area tossing a popper I had fish swirl on the popper but no takers, and the swirls were large-- could have been bass, weaks or blues-I worked the tide change no hits not much for readings, no bait or birds, I went back to the shallow flats with the poppers, I raised one big bluefish in three foot of water, the fish was about seven pounds but skinny, that fish will gain some weight in the next couple of weeks. The water temps were in the mid fifties with good clean color. I'm out early tomorrow-- CATCHEMUP

5/11/ - The sled is in!! I'll fish early tomorrow and shake her down wile looking for the yellow mouthed Mamas, AKA weakies- I have Wednesday booked and we go from here. I'll post a report when I get back in tomorrow. CATCHEMUP

5/7/ -Greetings! It looks like Monday I'll get the sled in!! The weather has been wet for the past week, in my opinion it's going to take a few days and tides to get the fresh water cleared up. The reports that I have been very positive there are fish moving around in most of the bay system. I'll know better next week--- CATCHEMUP

5/5/09 - The rain hasn't stopped since last week, and the trusty weather service says, not much clearing until Friday or Saturday. I hope to get the boat in the slip this week, but there will be a lot of fresh water in the bay system. The reports I have been hearing have been somewhat sketchy, but it's time. There are bluefish and weakfish reports coming in daily, Hopefully this bad weather will hold the netters in port and the bulk of weakfish will be able to get into the bay to spawn. Remember if you are lucky enough to catch some big weakfish, most of them are female and could be released, I know it's a hard thing to do at times but, a picture is worth it, and in my opinion, these big females are not that good to eat.-- and it would insure our kids would be able to see some good weakfish in the future--Just MY opinion! CATCHEMUP

4/28/09 - This past Sunday I took a walk with my fly rod to an area called the dike, on the bay side of the lighthouse. I was there at sunrise and started casting, I never waded with a fly rod, it was not easy but I try hard. I had one bite me off (bluefish?) and managed one short bass. A lot of work but I got some dust off the fly rod, tried out a few flies that I tied over the winter, and learned a lot about casting wile wading in water up to my waist. Today I fished up in Sandy hook with my Uncle Al on his boat. We trolled stretch 25's and had one short bass released, a very slow day was had by a hand full of boats that got out. It's always a good day on the boat with Uncle Al, it's a chance for us to renew some of the good times fishing with family and friends and compare some strategies on fluke and weakfish. Some times you don't have to catch to have a great day on the water!!! The boat is just about ready to splash I should be in next week for shake down.----- CATCHEMUP

4/20/09 Greetings- I got as much work done as I could on Saturday, hurt hand and lack of help! The bottom is done, motors start and run well, next is some work on the electronics box and console and I am ready to put the poly-glow on the hull, service the motors and we will be looking to splash very soon. Me, Junior and Billy T sailed on Bill's boat on Sunday morning at 0630, looking to stir something up with plastic, It was cold in the low fifties with a stiff breeze, I was ok but Junior and Billy were a little cold. I was throwing buck-tails, Bill had BKD,s and a teaser, and Junior was throwing small shads, no takers on the boat -- we were back at the dock at 0900 with hot coffee-It's not going to be warm till the later part of the week so I'll see how much work I can get accomplished, I need to get the sled 100% before I splash. Catchemup

4/14/09 - So far this week the rain Easter,and honey-does have kept me from the boat. Reports are slim and we will see what some warmer weather will do for the fishing. One of my buds got bored the other morning went to the warm water throwing plastic off the bridge, his hard work paid off and got a couple of bass that were of keeper size, released, on small plastics. When the sun came up the bite stopped. Other than that I was out last week with Billy T. looking for flounder with stripes, no flounder- no stripes!! Soon it will break and on we go. CATCHEMUP

4/5/09 - I was out east yesterday with Captain Mike at a fishing show in Patchogue Long Island, New York, that is. It was a bit of a drive, considering we shaped up at 0500 to get there by 0800. We met a bunch of folks who showed interest in fly fishing and light tackle, but for the most part when I said that I was less than 30 miles to Atlantic City, a couple of folks said that the would fish in the AM and then head out to AC for more fun. We had a good time and spread the word on how good the fishing is in Barnegat Bay, and promoting www.americanflyfishingschools.com -- I have the boat cleaned up a bit, my son and I did the power wash thing, in and out, and most of the bottom. It looks like I have some prep work to do before bottom paint, hopefully I can get my son to do that work!! Today is a nice day, but the better part of next week looks cold and wet!!-A guy I know got a keeper bass the other night , in its stomach was a mackerel, which means, the fish just came into the bay system from sea, and the bluefish and weakfish are right around the corner. CATCHEMUP

3/30/09 - I was in the booth last Saturday with Capt. Mike from www.americanflyfishingschools.com at a fishing flea market in Stafford Twp. We talked with a lot of guys and gals about what we do in Barnegat bay, especially with the fly stuff. On the fishing scene things were starting to shape up. The weather was not so nice for the most part this past weekend, but there were some bass in the warm water and on the ocean front, a friend from up north a bit, says there is bait up in Raritan bay and he has nailed some bass on worms (gulp) -- I'll be doing some stuff on the boat this week, trying to get ready but I still have some problems with my hand, so I take it real slow and easy. Some of my pals that winter out in Florida are migrating back to Jersey with stories of Tarpon, bones and billfish, nice-- Well in a couple of weeks I should have things at the ready!! CATCHEMUP

3/16/09 - Greetings - I was over at the Lacy Elks last Saturday for the fishin flea market, with my son Zack and Justin AKA "junior" Lots of pick ups with rod holders on them covered the area, especially the local pubs for lunch, and the Waretown PD was on hand in force on the roads handing out welcome tickets for cell phone use, and any thing over the speed limit. On my way up there I passed by the warm water outlet, It looked like opening day of trout season!! Cooped up all winter brings out the fishing fever, it usually starts with me two weeks after I take the boat out!! Most fishing types start getting ants in their pants by the first mention of spring. I got a couple of local reports this past week of some, most likely resident bass , on the not so short side, being taken early in the cold AM and at night at the light on the stinky stuff. OK I'll think about taking the cover off the boat. I just got off the phone with fly fish Larry, with an invite to Pa. for some private water early brook trout action next week end , I'll have to run all this by the Captains wife, most of you know that system works, she will probably pack the bag , get the rods ready, and fill the truck with fuel and the thermos filled with coffee, after this long winter. Take a good look at your elected officials to see how the tend vote and play with and introduce bills that directly affect our God-given rights to fish and hunt, and especially those folks in Washington who will restrict sportsman, land use, and access to public land for revenue. CATCHEMUP

3/9/09 - I met with Steve and Sandi from www.basskandydelights.com at the flea market in Ocean City, I also talked to a few people at their booth about the BKD's and some rigging tips, booked a trip in May. I met a couple of folks that have some innovative lures that I believe will attract more fish, more to follow-- One of my pals went down to the warm water on Sunday morning, he didn't catch, but he saw a few winter flounder and bass released, this news and the mild weather Saturday and Sunday, got me motivated, but not enough to pull the cover off- but soon- I am still rehabbing my hand, and it looks like the old bones don't heal up to good or fast - I go back to the doc in two weeks, Hopefully I'll have a job!! A couple of clients were down tossing flies at the tarpoon, and the likes down the keys. They raised a few "poons" but the wind was up and the water temps were down for the most part. Barracuda, permit were had, along with a hundred plus pound lemon shark-all on the fly, and a lot of key limes to stimulate the use of tequila!! I know Larry and Dave ask themselves "why are we living here in the cold north east" If I went down there - I would stay --period!!! CATCHEMUP

30/6/09 - Greetings, it's been a wile, the web guru is making me apply myself to fix my computer problems!

I had surgery on my hand last month, things are healing well, but a lot of discomfort and numbness from the fingers. I was at the fly show in January with Capt. Mike Corblies www.americanflyfishingschools.com There were tons of fly types there, testing, talking looking and buying . I was able to watch some great fly tiers, and learn a couple of tricks. A couple of weeks ago I did a seminar on , fishing for weakfish in Barnegat Bay. I talked for an hour and the guys from the Fisherman Mag. had to throw me off the stage, so the next presenter could set up! The folks that were there, over fifty sitting down, were great, took notes and learned some new rigging, and some inshore techniques from an old salty dog! I'm looking to the upcoming season with a very positive attitude, if we get together hopefully we can stop all commercial netting and winter dredging for crab, in the bay. I think the inshore fishery will build fast, and we won't have some of the fish problems we are experiencing now.-- I'm looking at a semi covered with snow boat at my house and I am getting itchy!! I have already booked some trips for the summer and fall, I hope the price of fuel will stabilize. If any of you fishing types want to book multiple trips, call me for pricing. Support your local retailers, they need our support, service your gear and get ready, maybe I'll find some warm water!! CATCHEMUP

McAwful from www.riseformstudio.tv jumping in to give you the holiday report. The Striper fishing is the best I have ever seen for this time of the year. We left the dock at 6:30 this morning with the Capt Al, his son Zach, Billy and myself. We slammed shorts to keepers (and some really Big Bass) until we all had to go stuff our faces. Yeah the fishing was sick, and we all got in trouble for fishing longer than we were supposed to. Billy was high hook, I caught my biggest on the fly at 20lb, and Al and Zach had to deal with getting out fished on their own boat (just messing with you buddy!) They were eating sand eels, sand eels, and more sand eels. If you are going out to fish better be ready to jig or have allot of Surf Candies. This was the best Thanksgiving Trip ever, thanks guys!

11/13/-- I just got in from one of those not so nice days, weather wise!! Fishing well, outbound I looked north and I saw birds, not just bird play but acres of bird play up the beach, along with some nasty conditions!! I passed one bunch of birds working near the jetty- I was looking for my own! We stopped with so many birds working around us, you did not want to look up!!! Giant blues and bass rolling on top - the fish finders were covered!! All small flies! - Try tossing flies into breaking fish in two to four foot seas and a brisk wind smacking you in the mug, not a day for land lubbers! A great test of the knots, line, tackle, and the muscle and endurance! Thanks to Mike www.riseformstudio.tv and Joey for taking the time, for me to wrestle in a twelve pound-very strong and nasty bluefish on my fly rod!! We also got four bass on the sod banks -in the rain, on the way in- Thanks!! A great day. Tuesday I was underway at 0700 with Stuart G. and the fly rods. We worked birds from the jetty north a few miles, we had bass and blues from the wash on the beach out to thirty feet of water, Great day of fishing with the fly rods!! -- We took a moment at eleven to honor all our veterans, have a cigar and continue to bang up some fish . On the way in we stopped a couple of rips in front of the light house and Stuart was doing a awesome job with some green and white clousers and some healthy bass we released. one limit of bass and some blues for the smoker. Another great annual outing !! Thanks! Underway yesterday at 0700 with Glenn, Lou, and Marty, brothers of mine from the American Legion here in town. A beautiful day, fish and birds all over-good friends- good eats and we got fish, no keeper bass, but we had a good time with the blues that we in the ten pound class. It's been a real good week for fish memories for me so far, I've been feeling pretty good about putting my charters on fish in and out side, weather permitting. I am looking forward to the next couple of weeks of fishing, the weather isn't always in our favor, but it's time!!! I have some open dates CATCHEMUP

10-31-08 - Happy Halloween!!! Mcawful from Rise Form Studio here, to drop in a late night report for Captain Al.

We hit the bay at 7am yesterday in search of Striped Bass. On the boat was my Father In-Law Bill, Joey Gilbo, Capt AL and yours truly. We only made it as far as Old Barney before we were up to our necks in BASS! We had steady action under the birds with keeper size Bass until around noon. The average bass was in the seven pound range and super healthy. My Father In-Law was high hook with well over a dozen bass.

The wind was a huge factor for Joey, Al, and myself as we were throwing flies. We had to work hard to get a 50 ft cast in to the fish, but it was totally worth it! We took turns in the bow and scored steady all morning long. I boated a super nice bass about 34in and 13lbs on the bogagrip. He came to an olive and white Clouser minnow, yeah big friggin' surprise... Clousers always work. I will be back in a day or so to post some new video here. Episode 27 is all about fishing in Barnegat with Capt Al on the Fly rods.

I also have to add that it was great to have Bill out with us Today! This was his first trip out, and was great addition to the crew. In the meantime, take a gander at some photos from today.

10/24 - Greetings - I fished alone on Tuesday for a couple of hours - I ended up with a couple of short bass, one at twenty two and one at twenty five One on plastic on one on the www.wildwaterflyfishing.com 7wt package I was underway at 0700 with the weakie guys Ed, Dave and Ron we stopped in a couple of spots in the bay and in oyster creek, there was a lot of traffic, nice day, we worked a couple of spots with not much cooperation from our finned friends. back at the dock a little before 1300 we got one short bass. It was a little cold when we started but it turned into a nice day to cap the weakfish season this year. I look foreword to the next month and bass in the skinny water--- CATCHEMUP

16, Oct. - I have been targeting weakfish in a couple of spots in the bay, this pic is a shot of Jake and couple of fish that made a limit today, most of the fish we got today were in the two to four pound plus class. I fished with Anthony and Neil on Tuesday out at dawn, we had a good shot at fish early, and took two limits of good size weaks up to four pounds. We hit a couple of other spots and released a few and got a great shot at some feisty blues on the way in. We have some weather moving in along with some seasonal cold air this should start a fall pattern in the back water-- CATCHEMUP

10, Oct. - Greetings, It was a pretty good week, all things considered. Cold with some sea fog on Tuesday, like riding on the clouds-I worked a couple of spots down south near the bridge the ran back to the inlet, I got a couple of big blues and one short bass. I had "Magic-sauce" Anthony out on Wednesday , burning fuel at 0645, we made a couple of short stops in the bay and Double Creek, and blasted off and out the inlet to chase some birds and acres of bait fish. We ran south and stayed on two pods of bunker and got, small weaks and blues-- like small-- six to nine inches. came back in and ended up wit a couple of keeper weakfish that were released. Thursday I had the "weakie guys", Ed , Dave and Ron I got the Chicken. 0630 in the rain, mist and a south west wind. I had some reliable info of some fish in and around the ICW it took a bit but we found a bunch to bite, I cant say the total number of weakies we released, but we had two limits of weaks and four nice , three to five pound blues, and for the most part, the weaks were all over fifteen inches with the big one going close to four. This morning I was out with my son Zack. We were fishing up the bay at 0700, we found good action with the weak fish, the first three fish in the well went over three pounds, we ended up with a limit of fish that we gave to a friend, a barter for some home made salsa! This afternoon I had Tom and Bob Derenzo out, a beautiful afternoon Bob's Birthday and wile listening to the game, Tom and Bob are from Phily, we managed four nice weakfish under "old Barney" A good day was had by all! All in all this past week we fished up some respectful catches in spite of some Weather and poor judgment on a few boaters. The weakfish that I have been finding are very spooky!! One boat, just starting up their motor can very easily spook a school of fish and scatter them. So here we are in the bay , six boats drifting in a pretty tight group, all picking fish, Here comes a twenty six foot center console, doing close to thirty, he actually altered it's course and came right through the cluster of boats, By BY weakfish!! Maybe he was in a hurry to go pull his boat!! I had a good week thanks CATCHEMUP

6, Oct. - Last week started and ended on a windy note. On Friday I sailed with Hank and Henry, underway in the dark we made a few drifts in the bay at sunrise on the west side, we found bunches of bait moving about but not much pushing them up- the wind was starting up and we blasted off to catch the tide on the sod banks, we got a couple of bumps, but it was a little testy with the wind. I got a call from a friend to tell me that there was some action on the jetty-- off we go - there was a good swell, birds working, inside and outside, along with some wind against tide thing going on made it real hard to fish and stand - I chased some bird action up the beach and got a couple of blues, I ran in to Meyers and fished up a limit of weakfish, they were biting good till two jet-skies came blasting through, and the weaks stopped!! I hit a couple of other spots and ended up with weaks and blues for the table a couple of short bass released and we all had a good time. CATCHEMUP

2, Oct.- Greetings- Out at the crack of dawn for the past three days, I have managed to locate some real nice weakfish, in the five pound class-- on the west side of the bay,EARLY, plenty of bait in the bay and most of the lagoons have a gang of bait still in, so much for the armchair fisherman who write for the local papers, they should get out and try to fish, instead of writing stories. The weakfish haven't left yet and they will mass up in a couple of spots before they make their way out of the bay and south, last year my clients were catching weakfish in numbers the first week in November, when every thing that was printed said that they were gone-- Go figure!!! Bass are starting to show on the rocks, I do have dates open-- CATCHEMUP

23, Sept. I fished with Jake and Terri on windy Tuesday, There was no discussing the weather -- we all wanted to go!! With a stiff breeze out of the North East, we got underway at 0645 and headed across the bay, it was not nice, one of them days I am glad I run a catamaran, a real sled. I ran at about 20mph, poured the fuel to the Yamahas and the boat just jumped on top of the chop, and we had a not so bad ride! We fished a few spots that we could fish. We got a couple of keeper weaks a flounder and a couple of small sea bass and blues. The wind was a steady twenty with some strong gusts, and we knew we were kicking a dead horse. This time going back the bay was white and foamy-- at the dock eating lunch, cause we couldn't out there, at 1100. The rest of the week doesn't look to good from here!- I'm just about to leave on a day trip to Cabela's-- CATCHEMUP

15, Sept - This is a pic of a nice weakfish taken by Ed Runyon last Friday, It was bitten off,--- one clean bite!!! -- And no big bluefish could have done this!! We all think it had to have been a shark!! we examined the bite marks, well it could have been a barracuda!! CATCHEMUP

13, Sept. - Weakie Dave and Ed with two of a few we got on Thursday - It wasn't easy - we worked for everything that came to the boat -- BKD's and traps was the deal--- CATCHEMUP

10,Sept.- Underway at 0615 with Hank and Steve, With the wind blowing we made one drift in the bay and blasted off to catch the tide, Hank was rewarded with one weakfish at four and a half and one bass at 22 inches. We fished in a sheltered area at the north jetty and up in Meyers Hole- we ended up with just about a dozen keepers in some not so nice conditions- I'm out early in the AM - CATCHEMUP

8, Sept.- Greetings -I ended up last week on a very positive note-- Thursday underway at 0600 with Weakie Ed, Dave and Ron I had a gut feeling about a spot in the bay -our first drift throwing BKD's and traps - we got two small but keeper size weakfish, released, this crew of fishing types release all weakfish under sixteen, then we saw some surface activity we got within casting range of boiling fish and started, we all had fish on! A fire drill was at hand, we had fish from about sixteen inches to one fish came in over five pounds, we had these fish for over a half hour by ourselves and then a couple of other boats got in on it, there was plenty of action for all! We ended up catching in a couple of other spots with a few nice blues thrown in the mix. On Friday underway at 0600 with Bill Paul his son Jason and Hector - We started in the same area and got a light pick of fish and the wind was starting to blow out of the north, We stopped in a couple of spots and ended up with a good catch of weakfish and blues. I'm glad to see that there are some schools of weakfish in the bay system and it is going to get better!! CATCHEMUP

3,Sept. - Yesterday morning I ran over to South Harbor, on the way I saw some bird activity!! As I got closer it was bluefish breaking, and birds working!! - first cast with a top water plug I had one on-- bluefish about four pounds-- I boated and released three more and went for the fly rod, quickly stripping out some line and shooting a cast out as soon as the fly hit the water I had one on, and I stuck it to the fish- a good test of equipment, knots, flies and the angler!! Thanks to www.wildwaterflyfishing.com The drags worked great and the rock solid rod did it's thing-- I'm sold!!! I would say that I released a dozen fish that were in the three to five pound range in less than four feet of water-with no other boats to screw it up--I left them eating!!! CATCHEMUP

2,Sept. - Greetings! Last week I had weakie Ed, Dave And Ron who remembered the chicken!! The weather called for one thing ,but did another, it was a little hard working the plastics, we sill got some fish and a four plus pound flat fish in double creek On Wednesday Jake and I had a mixed bag of fish, I went south in the bay and managed a few better sized weakfish, but again they were not stacked up, very scattered in some deeper water. CATCHEMUP

21, Aug. - I fished with Jake on Wednesday, Underway at 0545 with a good North East-- wind-enter plan B-- we worked looking for weakfish we got a few but they were on the small side, we try not to keep them under sixteen inches, on the way home we made a stop in Oyster Creek to try for some flounder-- well in less than an hour we had six keeper flatfish in the box, 3/4 oz buck-tails and GULP a great ending to a good day!! Today I picked up Larry Elliot at Bobbies with the long rods in hand. We ran to catch the tide change on the grassy banks the ran to the jetties. Throwing big flies, with some favorable conditions and an incoming tide, Larry fished up a bunch of five pound blues and had a bass on and ran into the rocks and broke off, after retying, a big (twenty pound plus) bass followed the fly to the boat and turned away along side the boat for both of us to see, after a few choice words and a couple more blues, We blasted off to find some weakfish, we found them stacked up in and along a small channel, they were mostly small but we boated around a dozen and released all-- everything came via the long rod and Larry's flies-- Thanks -- CATCHEMUP

19,Aug - Last week was again sort of a mixed bag of fish - on the 12th I had weakie Ed, Dave and "I forgot the chicken" Ron - we were targeting weakfish, with a lot of hard work, we ended up with some decent weakfish and blues. The rest of the week was spent finding some good sized tide runners and locating weakfish, other than spikes (10 to 14 inch) Yesterday on a late morning trip to catch the tide , I had Larry Elliot out with the long rods, we worked a couple of areas at the change and got some five to seven pound blues and a couple of smaller fish, the tide changed a so did the wind, out of the south about twenty, we were outside the jetties when we noticed a boat in distress and floundering on the south jetty, as I approached the boat we transferred a line Larry tied it up and I yanked the boat with it's two passengers to safety and handed them over to Sea tow and the Coast Guard, who were both on scene in less than ten minutes after the call went out, our good deed of the day-- I dropped Larry off and ran over to pick up Casey and Sam, who were waiting with the long rods in hand!! I explained to them that the wind was howling and it might be a little tough with the fly rods, Casey and Sam are high school juniors from up north Jersey. We ran to a spot that had a slight lee from the wind I handed Sam my 7wt www.wildwaterflyfishing.com rod that was better suited, considering the wind and depth we were fishing, one of my home grown flies on, and he went to work, he catches a small king fish, small weakfish and a blackfish, a great job for a young guy and a fly rod!! We moved to a couple of other spots to get a few more fish but the best was Casey got two fluke, 1 keeper, nineteen inch, on rattle traps!! With all things considered it was a good day -- thanks!! CATCHEMUP

11,Aug. - We didn't qualify with any weigh in fish at the Make a wish Foundation tourney, Tom, Monica and all the volunteers at South Harbor Marine did a great job and generated a good amount of dollars for a great cause! A great time was had by all, I fished on Sunday with my son Zack, spending some time on the sod banks, Zack released a nice size tide runner at the boat, we moved to a small spot and I was working the log rod for a wile and gave the rod to Zack and he hooked a rather large sea-robin, his first fish on a fly rod, it's in his blood!! We moved to the Meyers area and found some weaks stacked- we boated and released all most a dozen fifteen to eighteen inch fish, and blasted off for the house before the weather came in, and I am glad I did! Well it looks like the weakfish are starting to show and the fish that I have been getting have been good sized!( big Baits) It's only going to get better!! CATCHEMUP

7, Aug. - This week I have been looking in some out of the way areas for weakfish, I have been able to catch on a daily basis but I still haven't been able to find them stacked up in any one area- yet- what we have been able to boat has all been between two and four pounds and most all have been on the BKDs. On Wednesday We were underway at 0530 with Tom, Mike and Matt, three generations of hard working fishing types!, we worked a bunch of spots and again a mixed bag of fish, a couple of nice weakfish, and about a dozen blues on top-waters, 1 keeper flounder with a gang of not so legal throw-backs. Today with Billy T, and Junior were burning fuel at 0530- south bound- fishing some drop off's in to deeper water we again got weaks early and a few blues and short fluke. We ran back up inside to work the tide change and stayed with fluke, we boated and released close to twenty fish no legal fish. I'll be on the hunt for the flat guys for a couple of days CATCHEMUP

4,Aug.- The past couple of weeks had been mixed bag fishing, we all worked our buts off to catch-- with the most fish being fluke at close to fifteen to one keeper, I had some real good weakfish on the tide change for a few days and I have located some weaks but not stacked up, last week we found fish in from spikes to five pounds- but not in numbers, I even got one nice weakfish on the long rod- a 189.00 salt water package from www.wildwaterflyfishing.com Check Eric out he has quality gear at affordable pricing - tell him Capt. Al sent you!!!, but the way I look at it a couple of three to fives is better than throwing back a couple of dozen short fish--- The next week or so should tell the tale-- big baits- big fish!! I'll be fishing a local tourney this Sat-! proceeds go to the Make A Wish Foundation-- at South Harbor Marina thanks -- CATCHEMUP

21,July - I ended up last week on Thursday with Jake, 0530 start and nice size weakfish in the boat by 0600- we switched over to fluke with buck-tails and GULP- we did well with most of the fish in a sixteen to just under eighteen inch- we ended up with two four pound flounder for dinner- Thursday afternoon I had my wife out for some fluke - same story more throw-backs than keepers but we got a fresh fish dinner-- On Friday I had Jake with an 0530 start we blasted off to catch an early tide change and we were rewarded with a couple of tide-runner weakfish on BKD's, we changed over to fluke- buck-tails and gulp, then a sea robin got hacked up and that was the ticket!! We fished the edges or a couple creeks and we both went home with fluke and weakfish for the table-- The weaks should start turning on in some spots, but the fluke are plentiful but not a lot of keepers CATCHEMUP

16,july - Last week ended on a good note with some nice weakfish taken on BKD's and some real good action with blues and a few keeper flounder with a lot of under sized flat fish released The past couple of days I have been looking at some different areas looking to find some weakfish, I haven't found a pile of them but there are some around. Fluke are in the creeks along with a couple of areas in the bay that are holding fish, with a lot more released than legal. I am looking hard for some weakfish and I do have some open dates-- CATCHEMUP

10, July- On Tuesday I was burning fuel across the bay at 0515 to pick up, Vickie, her dad and Dan We drifted for fluke and got a bunch with no keepers , we must have boated thirty fish not counting all the sea robins, we had a good day!! On Wednesday an early pick up at Bobbies with Lloyd and his son Chris in from Colorado, We started on the rocks, but a twenty knot breeze was sure holding us back, My hat goes off to these guys -- they fished very hard in some not so nice conditions-- Good Job!! Today I was underway at 0515 wit Tom, brother Bill in from Cali. and J J - We hit a couple of spots in the bay and found cocktail blues in the flats on top water plugs, we had a ball in the shallows-- we moved to Oyster creek and started drifting for flat fish- we boated and released a dozen or so, and a bunch of fish with wings, good fishing, great weather and new friendships were made-Thanks! -CATCHEMUP

7/7-Greetings- A happy "B" day Summer Flounder for my son on a buck tail!! Good Job!! Last week ended up not bad An early start with, Tom (Pop-Pop) and Matt on Wednesday and Friday with the weakie guys, Ed and Dave. We worked very hard - fished a couple of grass banks thru the tide -- a couple of bumps were had - some blues and small fluke were released- There are some weaks in the bay system and tide runners in some spots- I know it's just the start-- I have a full week ahead all embarking at Bobbies on the Island- CATCHEMUP

1, July 08 - Under way at 1630 yesterday with Mike Shiffman And his son Matt visiting from Miami, we were bucking twenty plus winds and a spring flood tide that just kept on flooding in, hard conditions to fish and work the boat in and Mike was trying hard to toss my 9wt- The water had cooled down we ended with blues in Oyster Creek we had a good time and Matt almost went swimming after a new pair of Ray-bans!! I went out alone this morning a looked in some spots for weakfish-- I ended up with summer flounder no keepers-some blues and a short bass on BKD's- Gulp - and poppers -- Fuel and oil and I'm ready for tomorrow CATCHEMUP

6/26--I fished with Hank, Kris and his brother Peter visiting from Poland. A magic hour trip, underway at 1600 in a stiff southwest breeze - we made a couple of stops trying to deal with wind and tide- on the sod banks we got a few cocktail size blues for the smoker - we worked some other areas in the creek and blasted off for the north jetty. We worked the spot hard to get a couple more blues and a twenty two inch four plus pound fluke on a natural color BKD - at the dock at 2045-- CATCHEMUP

Kris and Peter 6/25 A flat fish meal

6/25-Underway at 0545 with Tom, Frank and Les looking for some flat fish! And again the weatherman lied, he got the direction but not the speed - We hit a number of spots out of the wind and were able to get a decent drift in a couple of spots, the larger fish came from the open bay - we ended up with twenty three flatties NO keepers- Go figure- a bunch at seventeen but not over eighteen, the hot baits were sea robin and fresh spearing combo, and a few blues for the table. The first time I used bait, yep bait in over a year, I didn't even have a cutting board on the boat!! We had a lot of fun and that's what it's all about. Thanks for a great day!! CATCHEMUP

Jake - "hooked up" 6/20/08

6/23 - I have The 25th and the 26th open --- any of you fishing types up for searching for weakfish??? Mornings or late afternoon till dark

20,June--- On the 17th I was underway at 0530 with Vincent and his two sons, Robert from Florida and Frank a Marine Sgt. just back from Iraq (welcome home)-- The weather man got his wind speed and directions a little messed up, but we kept on plugging! We hit a bunch of spots looking for weakfish and or bass and ended up plugging up a good bunch of two to five pound blues. Robert was using the long rod and got some nice blues on the clouser, a great reunion for Vincent and rewarding day for me! Thursday I had Bill Paul and Hector out looking and we ended up catching and releasing a lot of nice size breaking blues under the birds. Today I was burning fuel at 0530 with Jake, we fished the rocks through the ebb tide ran in to catch the change on the sod banks for the start of the flood. We ended up with released bass and blues, a ten pound very nasty alligator blue that tested the tackle- and a great time was had with a good friend. The fishing in the bay is on the up swing, some nice bass, lots of cocktail blues and fluke are in the bay!! The past week was a lot of fun with a mixed bag of fishing. CATCHEMUP

13, June -- Greetings--On Tuesday I was underway at 0545 with Weakie Dave, Ed and Ron, on the look for weakfish we ended up getting a few blues for the table, and tried to stay cool in the heat the temp and sun was hard on us, but a great day out fishing with friends. On Wednesday I was underway at 0545 with Jeff www.pepactoncabins.com and pal Harry. We headed out to find some bunker schools, start live-lining and possibly grab a bass or two-- we found all kinds of schools with not much feeding on the bunker, we ran back in and found and released a gang of three to five pound blues. A good day with old friends-- If you ever wanted to visit the Catskills check out The cabins. Thursday burning fuel at 0530 with Pete Prestera, again looking for the weaks-- Pete hooked a good one with a "quick release " at the boat, at the change of tide- we moved to a quiet spot and started plugging some nice cocktail blues all released a fun day I even broke in a great long rod combo from www.wildwaterflyfishing.com Today I fished with Anthony and Neil- underway at 0600 I ran to catch the tide and hopefully a tide runner and or bass, Anthony www.magic-sauce.com had a nice fish on, but it spit the hook??? We hit a couple of other spots and plugged up a lot of blues keeping a few for the table cutting fish at 1245-- All in all a productive week of fishing and a lot of fun was had by all-- Thanks--- CATCHEMUP

9, June -- I had the boat to South Harbor last week with Tom we fixed some stuff- made some prop changes and ordered some new 4-bladed props for the economy and bite-- The 4th we called for weather- and re-booked --Joe Polumbo is waiting for his Parker to get a face lift-- He needed to fish !!! Joe and pal Anthony got into some blues for the table around the rocks and a lot of fun was had--

Friday I had Mike www.riseformstudio.tv and Joey who works on the 9-11 site out for getting video and some stills!! We were looking for clean water- I was hitting the slime -- we fished in and out of the rocks and got some great footage of some eight pound nastiness in schools of bunker and on fly rods -- in some not so nice sea conditions--found clear water on the grass banks and released some respectable bass !! all in all a great week -fished with old friends and made some new fishing type friends-- I'm anxious to fish this week-- Things seem to be in a transition time--- CATCHEMUP