Keyport Harbor, NJ — Every day we’ll offer up a wake-up call that gives a quick review of the previous day and a preview of the current day.

We are NO longer sailing in the evening.

Life After Fluke Schedule – Beginning September 28th
The 2014 Fluke Season closes on September 27th. Beginning on the 28th our schedule will be as followed: Wednesday – Porgies Friday- Striped bass/Bluefish Saturday – Porgies Sunday – Porgies

Today’s schedule: We will be pulling out of the slip at 7:30am in pursuit of the keeper fluke.

FLUKE LIKE A CHAMPION!!!

Morning observations:

• The Duke almost went down yesterday! Fortunately for him, the angler who caught the 8 pounder was not in the pool. In addition to the 8 pound fluke, there were 2 others that were between 6 and 7 pounds.
• There are many of big baits around the craft. Whole squid, mantis shrimp, mackerel, snappers, etc.
• We will be heading out to Ambrose again. Sinker up!
• Four Flukemasters on board; Jeff Frierich, Wayne Smith, Carm Patullo, and 5 time Champion Steve Kerry.

What I’m watching: We have had a few run-ins with big fluke. I feel a beast coming! They said it: “I took 5 Former Flukemasters down last week. Today I’m looking to take down the leader!” — Pete Triolo aka The Flukemaster Slayer August Flukemaster Classic Doug Kay dodged a bullet yesterday in the form of an 8 pound fluke. The man who caught the fish was not in the pool. You have to be in it to win it! Doug is trying to be the first Flukemaster to ever have their name appear on the board from day 1 till the end. No other name was written on it this month. If his 7 lb 5 oz fish survives, it will be a historic event. The pot currently stands at $1,070.00.

See all our GoPro videos here.

We spend a good amount of time in Ambose Channel during this part of the season, and as many of you know, Ambrose is a completely different animal than the most back bay anglers are used to:

1. It is considerably deeper than the Reach Channel.
2. Surface current and bottom current always run different from each other.
3. You WILL get into a tangle! Sometimes with a guy on the other end of the boat. Don’t scream when tangled! Be patient and wait for deckhand assistance.
4. There will be ship traffic. When the horn sounds to pick up your lines, It means pick them up!
5. Sinker up! The 3 oz Spro isn’t going to cut it.
6. Bring a rod that is heavy enough to handle a heavy sinker; 8 ounces or more.
7. Bring heavy sinkers.; 8 ounces and up. If you do not have them, we sell them on the boat for .25 an ounce.
8. A sinker attached to a slider clip is not a good idea. I know a good amount of anglers like to use this technique, but it is not recommended for this type of fishing. The reason being is, and I see it all the time including many times today, someone will pull up your hook and you will have no idea that your line is actually up because the sinker is still on the bottom. You need to feel the bottom and feel the fluke when the strike.
9. Mentally prepare yourself for difficult conditions. Like I said earlier, tangles are going to happen. It’s all part of the show.

First Drift: We set up in The Super Fluke Highway and had a pretty good drift with plenty of shorts and keepers coming over the rail. We have to move for an outbound ship.

• Carm Patullo landed the first keeper and largest fish of the drift, weighing in at 6 pounds.
• David Lockheart was high hook with 2 keepers.
• We are drifting in with the current. A northwest wind is slowing us down. It may get too fast after the tide change.

Second Drift: Another good drift. The conditions are manageable, and the fluke are coming over the rail.

• Pete the Flukemaster Slayer landed back to back keepers.
• Laura Berg and John Smith both landed fish right around 6 pounds.

Third Drift: At times it is very good fishing, and they are adding up for a few anglers.

• John Smith is high hook with 4 keepers up to 6 pounds.
• Ray Zieski threw 3 keepers in his cooler on this drift.
• The conditions are beginning to fall apart as we near the top of the tide. The current on the bottom is stronger than the surface and it making for a few tangles.

Fourth Drift: It has slowed considerably since we reached the top of the tide. Hopefully once the current starts running out it will spark a bite.

Fifth Drift: It is taking forever for the outgoing current to reach us, and the fishing is taking a hit because of it. Lackluster at best since we lost the tide. This will take hold again once the outgoing water starts to run.

• The Drive for 5 has been completed as John Smith landed his 5th keeper on this one to give him his limit.

Sixth Drift: WOW!!! It’s on like Donkey Kong! The current has reached us and the change of tide bite is on!!! This is some of the best fluke fishing you will see. Unfortunately, we have to move for outbound and inbound tug and barges.

Seventh Drift: We left them biting!

Postgame: I will have the postgame up later including pictures from today and yesterday. Also, since I shored everyone a live report this week, we will be going LIVE all weekend, including a Special Edition Flukewatch on Sunday.

 

 

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