Tight Lines

Though unfished wrecks had been expected to produce lots of sea bass, fishing was tough due to cold waters.

Capt. Ron Santee reported 46-48 degree waters that did produce some ling on his Fishermen from Atlantic Highlands.

The Golden Eagle from Belmar reported “g Reports

05/15/2026

We picked some KEEPER SEA BASS and some SHORTS on all our stops today along with some occasional LING. We also saw a few BLACKFISH come over the rail that were safely released.

The water temperature fluctuated from 47 degrees up to 53 out on the edge of the Mud Hole, but with increasing water temperatures, fishing should improve. 

We still have spots open on tomorrow’s SPECIAL AFTERNOON/EVENING SEA BASS TRIP departing at 3:30 PM and returning at 9:30 PM. This is an exciting trip where you’ll be fishing for SEA BASS into the evening.

With the first part of the NJ sea bass season now oopen, most boats are concentrating on working wrecks that haven’t been hit since last year for an almost sure thing.

e sure to check before boarding.

The Saturday forecast is for southwest winds at 5-10 knots before increasing to south at plus gusts to 25 in the afternoon.

There was an entry om Facebook today about the return of Atlantic mackerel, but I lost it before getting details. This would be a great thing if the report is accurate.

The forecast in NY/NJ Bight is for south winds at 5-10 knots with a slight chance of showers.

New Jersey starts its recreational sea bass season on May 15. and it will run to June 21 with a 12 1/2-inch minimum and 10 fish bag. The cold ocean waters which hurt early fluking should be just fine for sea bass.The frecast is for south winds at 20-25 knots.

Kil Song reports “Daniel Kim nailed 10 lb fluke using 7′ Insbore Supreme UL rod by JS USA and IRT 100 XL reel on jig on the Gypsea II out of Brooklyn, NY this morning.
Daniel Kim nailed 10 lb fluke using 7′ Insbore Supreme UL rod by JS USA and IRT 100 XL reel on jig on the Gypsea II out of Brooklyn, NY this morning.
Daniel Kim nailed 10 lb fluke using 7′ Insbore Supreme UL rod by JS USA and IRT 100 XL reel on jig on the Gypsea II out of Brooklyn, NY this morning.
Daniel Kim nailed 10 lb fluke using 7′ Insbore Supreme UL rod by JS USA and IRT 100 XL reel on jig on the Gypsea II out of Brooklyn, NY this morning.
Daniel Kim nailed 10 lb fluke using 7′ Insbore Supreme UL rod by JS USA and IRT 100 XL reel on jig on the Gypsea II out of Brooklyn, NY this morning.
Daniel Kim nailed 10 lb fluke using 7′ Insbore Supreme UL rod by JS USA and IRT 100 XL reel on jig on the Gypsea II out of Brooklyn, NY

The NY early fluke season is running from May 4 to Aug1 with a 19.5 inch minimum for 3 fish.

The forecast is for nrth winds at 10-15 knots — dropping to 5-10 in the afternoon.

Capt. Austen Perelli reports from Jamaica Bay “

Capt. Austin Perelli reports from the Jamaica Bay area that warmer waters have turned on the fluke bite there while the spring striper continues to be very good.

Monday’s forecast is for north winds at 5-10 knots.

After writing last night about how consistent the striper run had been, there was a fundemental chamge reported yesterday by Dave Lilly. From the shallows of Keyport Creek and throughout Raritan Bay there were vast numbers of porpoise such as he’d never seen before in 60 years of fishing in that area.

There were no bunkers on top. but plenty were marked and the porpoise were blowing them up. On the other hand, Dave never marked a fish in the still cold 54 degree waters throughout Raritan Bay and over to New York. Hopefully, tjat was just a one day event.

The foreccast is for south winds at 5-10 knots. Fog may be a problem in the morning.

It isn’t invariably great from start to finish, but the small boat skippers who are fishing stripers every day come through day after day. The Jamaca Bay area is also good, especially for fly fishing.

Saturday’s frecast is for south winds at 10-15 knots before increasing to 20 in the afternoon.

Cold waters have held back the very early fluke opening in northern NJ waters. That should turn around shortly, but the best bet now is to fish the tidal rivers with their warmer waters.

This is a shot of the opening day near-doormat noted yesterday.

Though fluke fishing in NY/NJ Bight was generally very slow during the May 4 opener, there were a couple of bragging-size fluke reported.

A near-doormat of 8 pounds, 11 ounces was taken on the Super Hawk. and Kevin George Rusty reported a 27.5-inch fluke off Coney Island that was almost 5 pounds.

to northwest winds which should result in warmer waters and a better bite. The Thursday forecast is for just 5-10 knots.

Fortunately, there’s a switch from southwest