Following is Friday's Ristori Report as submitted:
SL8-29-14-RISTORI REPORT
RISTORI REPORT
NEW YORK HARBOR TO RARITAN BAY
Fluking broke open Tuesday in Ambrose Channel as Capt. John Kolias recovered from a terrible trip on Monday to find lots of action in all the same areas. The Brandli party had 11 keepers up to 5 pounds along with many shorts on short drifts with Reel Fun from Twin Lights Marina in Highlands. Kolias said they could have easily limited if the fleet didn't move onto his drift path in 50-foot depths. Snapper blues were the most effective bait.
Striped bass fishing has backed off, but is still better than expected for August. Chunking bunkers remains the most effective means of catching the mostly teen-sized bass which are mixed with shorts.
Phil Sciortino, at The Tackle Box in Hazlet, said his best fluke reports within the bay have been coming from Raritan Reach. He notes that some croakers and porgies are being caught on rough spots, but bottom fishing hasn't been anything like last year's hot action. Snappers are sure to please from area docks.
Joe Julian, at Julian's Tackle in Atlantic Highlands, remains enthusiastic about crabbing in Navesink River, and says there are some croakers way upriver at Red Bank. Snappers are also abundant up there -- as well as in the harbor. Porgies have been scarce, except for those with passes to fish on the Navy Pier.
SANDY HOOK TO MANASQUAN INLET
Big bluefish continue to provide action in the Mud Dump area. Bait seems to be most consistent now, but jigs often work as well -- though there are some poor days and nights. Little tunny show up at times. Cocktail blues are a lot more consistent for jiggers, along with some bonito and chub mackerel. Even small dolphin mix in at times.
Bob Matthews, at Fisherman's Den in Belmar Marina, says ocean fluking was slower at the beginning of the week -- possibly due to the building swell from the far offshore hurricane. There are still plenty of fluke in Shark River, where a 6 7/8-pound fluke was boated last weekend on a live snapper. The surf was starting to come alive before the swell as clammers caught some short stripers as did Bill Massey of Wall on a fly. Mickey Sweeney of Howell caught four shorts up to 27 inches Wednesday morning on sand fleas in Spring Lake.
POINT PLEASANT TO BARNEGAT INLET
There's been a tremendous run of bigeye tuna in Hudson Canyon along with some albacore and yellowfin tuna that are also being trolled. Dolphin are being trolled at the Mud Hole pots, and there's often a mix of bonito, little tunny, Spanish mackerel and small dolphin for trolling at inshore lumps
The reefs are usually a good bet for fluke, but a customer at Castaway's Tackle in Point Pleasant said the Axel Carlsen was almost devoid of life as he and his wife only caught three fluke without even all the usual nibbling of small sea bass. The swell may have had something to do with that. Hopefully, sea bass will start hitting again when the limit goes up from three per man to 15 on Sept. 1 for a short opening to Sept. 6. Joe Melillo said there was a hot bite of blackfish in the north end of Point Pleasant Canal, along with an unusual invasion of triggerfish.
Even before the swell, weed has been a big problem in the surf along some stretches. Only a few small blues or hickory shad were being caught at times, and fluking in the surf was tough due to the abundance of snappers clipping off Gulp.
At Seaside Park, Betty & Nick's reports there were some small blues and mostly short fluke south of Area 18 in Island Beach State Park. Grass was less of a problem closer to the inlet. Grumpy's Tackle had a similar fishing report along with brown sharks being hooked in the surf at night.
Tony Arcabascio of Bayville finally had a bit of positive news on Wednesday as his first chumming attempt in Barnegat Bay produced big blowfish -- though only a dozen rather than the expected hundred or more. More impressive was the dozen 1-to-2-pound kingfish caught at the same time. He said fluking on the outside still involves getting tight to structure in order to catch keepers. Arcabascio was encouraged to see peanut bunkers and spearing finally showing up at Bayville in quantity.
SOUTH JERSEY
Jim Hutchinson Sr. reports for the Beach Haven Charter Fishing Association that local inshore reefs and wrecks are producing decent numbers of fluke and sea bass even though shorts dominate. There's more variety now with triggerfish, porgies, ling, and cod mixed in.
Matt Slobodjian, at Jim's Tackle in Cape May says fluking has been good in the Tug Boat Channel near Mary Lou Slough, at Delaware Reef Site 11, and at the Old Grounds. It's still mostly shorts at Cape May reef. Trolling at East Lump and Sea Isle Reef slowed, but the 20-and-30-fathom lines continue to produce some dolphin, wahoo and yellowfin tuna on the troll. Small blues and bonito are being trolled at South Slough and 5-Fathom Bank. Croakers are in the surf at Cape May Point along with small blues and spike weakfish. Some red drum are starting to hit lures at North Wildwood Beach. Spot are showing up in the marinas, but not in last year's huge quantities.