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NJ Saltwater Baitfish

Bunker Bunker typically start showing in NJ around mid to April and arrive en masse in May. Peanut bunker leave the bay in the fall and can lead to a bait fish bonanza along the NJ beaches. April - June, September - November
Herring Herring are a cold water fish and as such are not as important on the NJ bait scene as some as the others. Still Striped Bass LOVE Herring. November - February
Mullet Look for the Mullet to leave the bay mid-September. Typically, any Mullet run is before the Peanut Bunker leave the bay. September - October
Rainfish Rainfish or Bay Anchovies on first inspection closely resemble spearing. September - October
Sandeel Sandeels are like the candy of the Sea. When they are around it seems to light something in the local Gamefish's DNA because they tend to gorge themselves on these. Read more on how to take advantage. May - June, October - November
Spearing Spearing are the most prevalent fish in New Jersey's bay and estuarine system. Very similar in appearance to rainfish. It has a much smaller mouth than rainfish. April - November
Spot Spot migrate seasonally, entering bays and estuaries in the spring, where they remain until late summer or fall when they move off shore. Larval spot will enter the Bay as early as December and appear in nursery areas in April and May. Primary nursery areas for juvenile spot occur in low salinity areas of the bays and tidal creeks, but they can also be found associated with eel grass communities. Young spot grow rapidly over the summer months, and by fall reach an average length of five inches. As water temperatures decrease in the fall, most juveniles move to the ocean by December. October - November

Weekly Update (July 2, 2017)

Last weeks forecast missed the mark a bit as my expecation of 'West is best' as the predominant weather pattern for the week turned more southerly than expected and it killed ocean water temps.  Reports of temps in the 50's abound.  Fluke fishing suffered as a result.

Looking ahead to this week, well unfortunately it probably pays to keep your expectations in check.  No need to drone on about regulations but options for putting together a catch are severely limited at the moment.   Until the water warms again, you may as well avoid the ocean for fluke.  Sure, you may get lucky and box a couple but your best chance for any consistent action remains the bays and rivers and again focus on the outgoing tide as the incoming frigid ocean water will shut down any bite quickly.

The challenge this week for 'inside' fluke fishing will be dealing with the massive boat traffic for this holiday week.  Probably best to focus your efforts early and late day when traffic is not at it's crest.

If you do decide to give the ocean a go in pursuit of fluke, focus on structure and at least sea bass is now open again where you can keep a couple.  No great shakes there but always nice to add to a mixed-bag a couple of nice knot-heads. 

Besides fluke, the next best game in town remains shark.  Mako numbers will be dwindling with an uptick on Threshers.  You don't need to run far to try some inshore shark fishing.  Head to an area around your favorite lumps and let the chum run.

One final thing to mention this week.  We are heading into biting fly season.  Those green-heads and biting black flies are on the upswing and can make your days miserable.  You really need to be ready, especially on those days where west wind is predominate.

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