NJ Fluke opens tomorrow

The N.J. fluke season opens in the morning with the same regulations as last year.

For most areas, that means two between 17 ad 18 inches plus one 18 inches and over. In the Delaware River and its tributaries the limit is three at 17 inches, and for shore fishermen in Island Beach State Park it’s two fluke at just 16 inches.

The spring tautog season ended with April. but bottom fishermen can still target ling and cod before sea bass opens on May 17 with 10 fish at a 13-inch minimum.

The Atlantic Highlands fluke fleet will be out in force tomorrow, except for the Fishermen as Capt. Ron Santee will start striper fishing on Friday for the rest of the spring.

Bluefish are just getting started with small choppers showing in Raritan Bay while there are only a few reports of the jumbos that come through the inlets some years. Fisherman’s Headquarters sent this photo of one caught Sunday at Long Beach Island.

Raritan Bay striper fishing was tougher in all the recent windy weather, but still productive as shown in this shot before release from Eric Kerber aboard On A Mission out of Belmar.

A small craft warning is up through Tuesday afternoon, but the morning forecast is down to southwest at 10-15 knots with gusts to 20 plus showers — which should be fishable for fluke in Sandy Hook Bay.

The Mi-Jo from Point Pleasant will be running some limited cod and ling trips this month. including Wednesday and Friday. Call 732 370-8019 for info.