NJ Fluke catches come in bunches

Fluke catches come in bunches
Published in the Asbury Park Press 08/2/05

There must be an awesome number of fluke out there this summer when one considers the catches being put together on a daily basis.

Capt. Ed Bunting Jr., Sea Horse, Atlantic Highlands, said he goes back to the grounds day after day and comes in with good catches.

"We had another good week catching fluke in Ambrose and Sandy Hook channels," he said. "Plenty of limits every day, and lots of shorts for action."

Jay Warford of Rumson was the angler to watch on the Sea Horse the other day when he bounced a bucktail on slack water, and picked up an 11 1/2-pound pool winner and a 9-pounder for good measure.

"He is one of the premier fluke fishermen on the Sea Horse," said Bunting.

George Waked, Cranford, had an 8-pounder; Alida Wright, Toms River, had a 6-pounder; and Harry Jenkins, North Arlington, had a 6-pounder.

Bunting said sand eels and squid strips have been hot baits, but a number of big fluke have been caught on live snappers.

Capt. Steve Spinelli, Skylarker, Belmar, said he is impressed with the response to the new Berkley Gulp bait for fluke.

"I cannot believe the number of fluke caught on it," he said. "Either crab scent or herring scent, they both work."

Capt. Bob Bogan Jr., Gambler, Inlet Basin, Point Pleasant Beach, said he continues to drift the hills and rough bottom south of Manasquan Inlet, and he found a lot of action off Seaside Park.

"Seventy-five percent of the fish were throwbacks, but we had a decent amount of keepers," he said. "We found them in 50 to 55 feet of water."

Bogan said he had been catching some big fluke in 60 to 65 feet of water farther north off Lavallette and Mantoloking, but there were not enough of them to keep everyone satisfied.

Capt. Mike Bogan reported good fishing for bluefish that ranged from 5 to 10 pounds over the weekend at Monster Ledge.

Capt. Joe Bogan, Jamaica II, Brielle, said the last seven days of fluke fishing have been good overall with only a couple of slow trips due to either a drift that was too fast or too slow.

"Not many throwbacks," he said. "A nice sprinkling of 3- to 5-pounders with 6- to 8-pounders winning most pools."

Fred Morris of Bristol, Pa., led the Jamaica II's monthly pool with an 8-pound, 1-ounce fluke until the final day when Larry Quattrone of Hightstown caught a 9-pound, 5-ounce fluke.

Monthly pool winners on the Jamaica II are rewarded with one year of unlimited fishing free.

John West of Trenton had seven fluke to 5 pounds Sunday morning, and Charlie Harris, Philadelphia, had six fluke to 4 pounds and eight sea bass.

Capt. Marc Vitolo, Skipper, Belmar, had good fluke fishing over the weekend on the grounds north of Asbury Park.

Gordon Farris of Miltop, Pa., had six keeper fluke to 8 pounds; Tom Dudek, Wall, had his limit to 7 pounds, and Jeff Collins, Bradley Beach, had his limit to 6 pounds.

Tom Flanagan, Perkiomen Ville, Pa., topped his catch of fluke with one that weighed 7 1/4 pounds and another that went 6 pounds, 9 ounces.

Dave Arbeitman, co-owner of The Reel Seat, Brielle, said Capt. Jerry Melia and mate Jerry Melia Jr. had the Hard Eight out fluke fishing with a party made up of Arman DeLaughter and Jennifer Burke, Dallas; Brandon Gentry, also of Texas; Capt. Tim Burke, Puerto Rico; Mailen Kent, Birmingham, Ala.; and Jack Frick, Dover Township.

They drifted off Monmouth Beach, and caught 35 fluke up to 3 1/2 pounds.

Tom Grasso, Sea Girt, fished the rail at Manasquan Inlet, and stopped at The Reel Seat to report a catch of several keeper fluke up to 19 inches, a number of sea robins and a 6-pound star gazer.