Tough start to northern NJ fluking

The prime spot for season-opening fluking along the northern Shore is off the Coast Guard Station just inside Sandy Hook. Fluke migrating into bays and rivers pass by that area which is also protected from northeast winds,

It got off to a great start when the Sea Tiger II from Atlantic Highlands boated a 6-pounder on its first drift, and some decent catches were made on other boats. Unfortunately, that didn’t last long. Fluke pro Dave Lilly joined a huge fleet there this morning as his crew managed a couple of keepers while seeing only a few more come up on packed party boats. Lilly tried his many spots in Sandy Hook and Raritan bays without success. He was most surprised at not getting a single hit during a perfect drift in Shrewsbury River. The water temperature is still under 60 degrees, and water color is poor from the very rainy spring.

Capt. Ron Santee Jr, reported as follows on striper fishing from his Fishermen out of Atlantic Highlands:

Headed out with just a handfull of guys this morning. Got a little ugly for a while but we hung in there waiting for the change of tide.

Read bait and finally had fish on top, all four about 5 minutes!!! Caught a few and never found them again. Fished several area’s with no more luck. Will see what the AM brings tomorrow.

The forecast is for north winds at 5-10 knots before going east at 10-15 plus gusts to 20 in the afternoon.