Busy last two days - 5 charters (Ocean and Bay)

July 18, 2026 Brett Taylor

Busy last few days:

Thursday (Triple trips) - I had return client Chas Piero of the LuLu Rod & Gun club along with 3 other members fishing a 5hr Ocean charter. We had a tougher bite with lots of shorts, some ling and Roc boxing the only keeper fluke at 20 inches.

Next, I had new clients and new fluke fisherman Dorothy and John Daily of Reading, PA out on a 3hr bay charter. The winds were cranking, but we managed to sort through over 38 fluke to find 2 nice keepers at 20 and 23 inches. Pretty good results despite winds!

Third trip of the day was supposed to be return client Burt of the Village Harbor fishing club, but with the weather alerts, we cancelled. Good thing, because we got crushed!

Friday (Double) - I had return client Alex G and his son Jack on a 5hr ocean charter. We stopped at the first wreck and found a few ling, but not much size-able fluke. We made a big move and it was game on with Jack being on fire boxing 6 keeps himself including the 7 pounder. Alex was the "ling king" - ended with over 30 short fluke, 7 keepers to 7 pounds and 16 ling.

Next, I had return client John Bowman with his wife and son fishing a 4hr bay trip. We worked a variety of spots following a clean water and temperature break. The crew released over 40 short fluke while boxing 2 solid keepers to 22 inches.

We are off Saturday and Sunday - doing some routine maintenance on both vessels, but we will be back at it next week.

~Family, Faith, and Fishing~

Book at trip (www.reelreactioncharters.com)

#Spotlock #MinnKotaNation #BassProShops #Costa #Yeti #PureFishing #Makoboats #NAVICO #Pennreels #Parkerboats #OnTheWater #RackandFin #DSLBI #StCroixRods #yozurilures #CarbonMarine #abelreels #rossreels #FloridaFishingProducts

Much tougher go today - 51 shorts

July 15, 2026 Brett Taylor

Much tougher morning - I had return client Tim M., his son Kevin Murphy, Karl, and Rob on a 4hr bay charter. We had nearly the same conditions, minus the strong winds. The boys worked incredibly hard to release over 50 short fluke, but could only muster 1 18.5 incher. We had several that were 1/16 in away - but got to get them in a few weeks. It always stinks when the guys work very hard, but keepers are just not on the feeding end.

~Family, Faith, and Fishing~

5 keepers to 21 inches - 43 short fluke released.

July 14, 2026 Brett Taylor

A tad windier than predicted, but return client Brian Bidwell and family of upstate NY worked very hard to release close to 43 short fluke and they boxed 5 keepers to 21 inches and a lone cocktail bluefish. We have been using a "new" Gulp product which has been lights out - but very hard to get.

Shout out to Pure Fishing for product development, St.Croix Rods, and Florida Fishing Products for our bay gear. Pretty solid bite considering the conditions - but the Minn Kota crushed as usual!

On the way back to the the dock - I did a few drifts with a brand new setup - ended with 7 shorts and a solid 20.25 inch keeper. Good enough for dinner tonight!!

~Family, Faith, and Fishing~

7 keepers to 25 inches - 70 short fluke released.

July 13, 2026 Brett Taylor

Another solid day - 70+ short fluke with 7 keepers to 25 inches.

First trip - I had return client Robert Boyle and Philly crew on a 4hr charter. We worked a variety of different areas - picking here and there. The guys and 7yr old Danny did a great job releasing 40 shorts while boxing 4 keepers to 25 inches on the 4hr charter.

2nd trip - I had new client Nicholas Smith of NY with his family and we worked some new areas on a "not-so-good" tide, but the crew did a great job releasing over 30+ shorts while boxing 3 solid keepers in the 20 inch range. Solid bite in the bay!!

~Family, Faith, and Fishing~

Quality time and fluke / weakfish for dinner!!

July 12, 2026 Brett Taylor

I usually attend early morning Sunday mass and hate missing, but took the few hour opportunity to fish with my Dad on his boat. We worked some of the areas I have been working and ended the morning 2hr trip with 30sh and 2 keepers to 21.5 inches.

Jake was jealous that I fished, so had to go back out later in the day and Luke jumped aboard after getting done work at Creekside Outfitters. We had terrible tide and conditions, but ended with 14 short fluke and 2 keepers to 23 inches along with a legal 14 inch weakfish. Boys pics are on my website, not FB.

Plenty for dinner - Breaded and sauteed fluke / weakfish and from the garden (zucchini, tomato, and our first-time grown garlic which has been hanging for a bunch of weeks).

~Family, Faith, and Fishing~

Good trip - 60+ short fluke released and 6 keepers to 22 inches!!

July 11, 2026 Brett Taylor

6 keepers to 22 inches with 60+ released.

I had return clients Ralph Rodio, Smokes Cantore, North Eastern Bob, and Steve Randanzo on a 4hr bay charter. We worked some areas that had fish over the past week - the guys released close to 65 short fluke while boxing 6 keepers to 22 inches. Great time on the water!!!

~Family, Faith, and Fishing~

See less

Best bay bite of the year - 133 short fluke released and 12 keepers to 5.2 pounds.

July 10, 2026 Brett Taylor

Best bay bite of the season - I ran double charters on the bay.

Released 133 fluke - boxed 12 keepers to 5.2 pounds.

First, I had return client Thomas Joseph on a 5hr bay charter with his 3 buddies - we worked some old "new" areas and the guys went right to work. They released a combined 83 short fluke while boxing 8 keepers to 22 inches.

Next, I had new client Mike I, his fiance Kelsey, and his best buddy Hunter on a 4 hr bay charter. We worked a different area with slow results at first, but the bite ramped up and the crew released close to 50 fluke while boxing 4 solid keepers to 24 inches. All fish caught on Bobbie's Boats Bait and Tackle minnows and Hunter's fish (24 inch) weighed just over 5.2 pounds at the dock!!

Finished the day with a presentation at the Village Harbor Fishing Club on Tournament Fluke tactics! No rest for the weary!

~Family, Faith, and Fishing~

Getting better - 70+ short fluke released and 9 keepers boxed to 22 inches - bay!

July 10, 2026 Brett Taylor

Bay bite even better with 9 keeper fluke to 22 inches.

I had return client Bob Reim, Mark, and Paul on a 4hr bay charter and the guys went right to work picking fish at each spot. We ended with over 40 short fluke released as the guys boxed 5 keepers to 22 inches. We did work a variety of spots to put the box together.

Next, i had new client Wendy Xiao of Jersey City with her two boys (13yr / 7yr) on a 3hr charter. They got their feet wet with a few shorts in a common area, and then we went to work for the remainder of the time. The crew boxed 4 keepers to 20.5 inches while releasing close to 30 shorts.

~Family, Faith, and Fishing~

Better bite - 76 shorts and 5 keepers to 24 inches!! Rods were bent.

July 7, 2026 Brett Taylor

Over 76 fish released while 5 keepers being boxed!!

We had a double and in the morning was with new client Mike D and his son Chase from Jackson on a 4hr bay charter. We had tough conditions with strong winds and ripping tide, but the father and son teamed up to release 21 fluke and box a 20-incher.

The second trip had return client Phila. Dan and his two buddies (John, Martin) on a 4hr bay charter. The boys had much better conditions and we moved around a bunch. We found some fish and the guys released 55 shorts while boxing 4 keepers to 24 inches. We got stopped by NJ Fish & Game - super nice guys and all our keepers were 100% legal.

~Family, Faith, and Fishing~

#Spotlock #MinnKotaNation #BassProShops #Costa #Yeti #PureFishing #Makoboats #NAVICO #Pennreels #Parkerboats #OnTheWater #RackandFin #DSLBI #StCroixRods #yozurilures #CarbonMarine #abelreels #rossreels #FloridaFishingProducts

Another solid 4-hr trip - new client Eric M

July 3, 2026 Brett Taylor

Another solid morning - I had new client Evan Medway, wife Rose, and two kids (Nathaniel / Penelope) on a 4hr bay charter. We worked quite a few different areas, finding fish in each one - the crew ended with 26 short fluke, 3 keepers to 22.5 inches, along a few smooth doggies, skates, and 2 rays to keep the kids smiling. 9yr old Penelope caught the largest of the day at 22.5, beating her brother's 20 incher. Great few hours on the water.

With some time and trying to beat the heat, took my boys and parents on a quick tide trip. Jake got 2 sh, Luke had 3sh, Dad had 3sh, and Mom landed the 20-incher. I tried to fish, but busy working the deck. Fried fluke to dinner last night.

~Family, Faith, and Fishing~

#Spotlock #MinnKotaNation #BassProShops #Costa #Yeti #PureFishing #Makoboats #NAVICO #Pennreels #Parkerboats #OnTheWater #RackandFin #DSLBI #StCroixRods #yozurilures #CarbonMarine #abelreels #rossreels #FloridaFishingProducts

Solid work - better action on bay fluke!

July 1, 2026 Brett Taylor

Back at it the last few days and bay fluke fishing has increased a tad with steadier action - but still very high short to keeper ratios.

Early in the week - double charters: I had return client Brian Murphy with his grandson (first time fluking) and family on a 3hr bay fluke trip. The guys had excellent conditions and we found a new small pile of feeding fluke. They ended with 42 short fluke with 2 keepers to 24 inches.

Return client Andrew Gordon was out for a 3hr trip with his two children James and Kate. We worked through another solid round of shorts with some extremely close to the 18-inch mark. Released 35 shorts while keeping a solid 23.5 inch fluke on the last drift.

Midweek - I had return client Luke Warwick and his son Dillon on a 5hr bay fluke charter. "Started off running across some skinny water and saw a sandbar shark chasing a ray - very cool scene to start the day!!" The father and son duo worked through 45 shorts to put 2 solid fish to 22 inches in the box. Dillon had another solid 21-22 inch fish that broke off at the boat when it chose to swim towards the engine. Great trip on the water!!

~Family, Faith, and Fishing~

Bay fluking slowly improving towards end of week - read on.

June 27, 2026 Brett Taylor

Solid first few days of charters since my teaching duties concluded!! Got articles in both On The Water and The Fisherman mags for this month.

Fishing report (lengthy):

The middle of the week had return clients Tim Murphy, Kevin Murphy and his wife Jennifer. We hit the ocean for fluke and had decent action right away with 7 shorts, 3 short sea bass and a solid 17 inch sea bass. Unfortunately the Atlantic flu struck after 2 drifts and we had to work the bay the rest of the trip. Ended with close to 20 short fluke in total.

Next, new client Glenn M and family worked very hard in the bay on a 3hr charter that was moved due to forecast, but could only muster 22 shorts with a couple approaching 18 inches.

Later in the week, I had return client Sean Schivera of Barnegat cashing in one of his gift cards. He had great conditions and we released 52 short fluke while boxing 4 keepers to 22 inches and a lone bluefish.

Afternoon trip had winds gusting to close to 25knts, but grinded through with return clients Paul P and family. The guys had close to 24 shorts boxing 2 keepers (19, 22).

Ended the week with return client Bob Dodds and crew - we changed to a bay trip the morning of due to the winds. Good decision as the fluke were on the feed again - ended the trip with 45 shorts and 5 keepers to 21 inches.

Took the boys and mom crabbing after the morning charter - 2hrs on the hand-lines and boxed 23 good sized keeps.

**Added some ink (2 sessions - 7hr in the chair), but well worth it. Shout out to owner Brody at Slinging Ink in Point Pleasant.

~Family, Faith, and Fishing~

Busy week into the weekend - fluke fishing has been tough, but nailed a fish over 10 pounds.

June 21, 2026 Brett Taylor

Busy week with trips in the beginning of the week, punchuated by two high school graduations (Luke, Work) and then a few trips back to back to end the week.

The wind and water quality has been very tough, in addition to the lack of biomass of bay fluke - makes fishing incredibly tough.

Most trips are having to work through 20 to 30 fish to find a single to a few keepers, but definitely an off year - blame it on cold winter or the commercial fishery had one of their best cycles (boxing some 603,000 pounds of fluke - with some 54,000-lbs over their limit 1/2026 to 2/28/2026) may have impacted our fishery just a tad.

The big news this week was on Friday’s trip with the family of 5 fighting through dogfish and 25+ shorts to finally box a solid 30.5 inch fluke (10.2 pounds) on their last drift.

Late week charters of return clients Bob Dodds fished through 20 shorts to box 2 keeps, followed by return client Ralph Rodio and crew working through 24 shorts to box a single keeper to 2.8 pounds that Steve R weighed for a SJ club tournament.

We are catching, but you have to work extremely hard - jigging is the key. And still holding out hope that we get some more fish pushing in and hoping the ocean bite is bonkers this season - we are well overdue.

Charter day off - 2nd Mate Jake wanted to crab!!

June 13, 2026 Brett Taylor

Barnegat bay crabbing on our charter off day. 2nd Mate Jake picked about 20 keepers with the biggest close to 6 1/4 inch point to point. All caught on Creekside bunker on hand-lines.

Short fluke, some dogfish, and a keeper in the mix! Kids did great

June 13, 2026 Brett Taylor

Towards the end of the workweek, I had George Walker, his grandkids, and their mom/dad on a 4hr bay charter. We had good conditions in terms of wind, but the water was a tad warm. The crew worked through 20+ shorts, boxed a 19-incher and released a few dogfish. The kids had a great time bending the rods.

Tough conditions with slime and wind, but still grinding for a few bites!!

June 10, 2026 Brett Taylor

We ran the last two days - first up was return client Guy Critelli and his family on a 4hr bay charter. We worked extremely hard and the guys caught 17 shorts with 1 keeper. Very tough fishing.

Next, I had return client Bob Dodds, Gary, and Phil Simon. I was was fornunate that Bob and Gary attend the same church as me and both guys were blessed with some "good luck" despite the steady 20 mph winds! We ended with 25 shorts and 3 keepers to 21 inches. Bob D added a snagged Stradic / G Loomis combo to the box. The hammer added another 21-inch to the numbers.

Hopefully, we get an influx of some more fluke into the backwaters as the biomass is the lowest I have ever seen.

Current "HAMMER" Fluke Series are selling for: $115 each; These are 40+ inch rods and deadly on fluke with light jigs.

~Family, Faith, and Fishing~

#Spotlock #MinnKotaNation #BassProShops #Costa #Yeti #PureFishing #Makoboats #NAVICO #Pennreels #Parkerboats #OnTheWater #RackandFin #DSLBI #StCroixRods #yozurilures #CarbonMarine #abelreels #rossreels #FloridaFishingProducts

4hr bay fluke trips averaging 30-40 shorts and 3 keepers

June 6, 2026 Brett Taylor

I had return client Pat Thomas and his buddy Bill along with their wives. We worked a few areas, some old and some new. Ended the 4hr charter with 27 shorts and 3 keepers to 19 inch. Nice afternoon on the water!!

Next, I had return clients Raffie Rodio, Stevie R, and William "Bugsy" Dalton on a 4hr bay fluke charter. The guys worked extremely hard and we boxed 3 keepers to 4.2lbs, and released 43 shorts with a few being just off the 18-inch mark. The boys worked their asses off on some new, off the beaten path spots. Our homegrown "hammer fluke series" rods are racking up the keeper totals - so that's great to see!!!

This year is not like any year as it seems we are lacking major fluke biomass in Barnegat bay. But can't complain, just have to grind through it.

~Family, Faith, and Fishing~

Wind and some slime - tough, but still managing some keeps!!

June 2, 2026 Brett Taylor

I had return client Marty Burns and his buddies working the back for summer flounder. We had wind and lots of slime, covered way too much ground. 13 shorts and only 1 keeper. Had a few close ones, but super tough afternoon.

A few days later I had new client Matt Deiner and his buddy from Pittsburgh out on a 4hr bay fluke trip. We started at some usual spots, but it was dead. We made a big move with no one around and found some fish. Ended the day with 23sh and 3 keepers to 19.25 inches with no boats around.

This year has been tough, so we have been reluctant to move to producing spots when there are eyes around. Love finding some fish at new spots.

A little late, but over the weekend I was on ESPN's Rack and Fin Radio for a 10 min segment, here's the link.
973espn.com/podcast/popup/?id=686543d7afe6560db0cd4e7c&item=0&theme=light&playertype=player

~Family, Faith, and Fishing~

#Spotlock #MinnKotaNation #BassProShops #Costa #Yeti #PureFishing #Makoboats #NAVICO #Pennreels #Parkerboats #OnTheWater #RackandFin #DSLBI #StCroixRods #yozurilures #CarbonMarine #abelreels #rossreels #FloridaFishingProducts

Better fluke fishing - 6 keeps to 22.5 inch

May 26, 2026 Brett Taylor

Better fluking with 6 keeps to 22.5 inches in 4hrs. I had return client George "Cookieman" Walker and his crew on a 4hr bay charter. The boys worked very hard for a limited number of fish catching close to 20 shorts while boxing 6 keepers to 22.5 inches. Better on the quality side with most of the fish 20+ inches. Tried the usual spots and then made a big move - found some feeding flatties!!

~Family, Faith, and Fishing~

Fluke fishing tough, but still grinding!

May 22, 2026 Brett Taylor

We spent the last two days in the heavy winds and rain working some new areas for fluke.

The first trip I had return client Bob Dodds and crew working extremely hard for 4 hours to release 19 shorts and box a 20 inch fluke. Very tough fishing as of late - just not as many fish around as usual.

Next, I had return client Lou S and his buddy Murph on a 4hr bay trip and we made a longer run to get out of the wind out of our normal area. Again, the guys worked extremely hard and released 20 shorts while boxing 3 solid keepers. Lou S caught his personal best a solid 25.5 in specimen that weighed just over 6 pounds.

~Family, Faith, and Fishing~