Monday's double charters - Ocean 6 keeps and Bay good number of shorts...

August 31, 2026 Brett Taylor

Weekend update - We were headed offshore on another charter for tilefish and mahi at the canyons, but about 23 miles into our 3am departure the skipper ran into some diesel engine/turbo charger trouble. We had to turn around and limp home, but we will be back at it once the issue is rectified.

Monday - I had return client Noel A, his son Matty, son Will (Travis) and Fin on a 5hr ocean fluke trip. Some of the anglers were first timers at ocean fluke, but they learned quick as we used some Minn Kota techniques to box 6 keepers to 6.5 pounds as well as a keeper sea bass.

Our second trip of the day was a bay charter with new clients Heather, Heather, young Ryan and Sam on 3hr bay fluke charter. This was about bending rods and not so much keeper fluke, but we did come close with a few a 1/2 to 1/4 shy. The kids also caught sea robins, sea bass, short fluke, and skate. Topped off the trip with a quick drive-by of the Viking Village scallop fleet!! Great family and kids!!

School year starts tomorrow, but we will be out after the school day on a bay charter. We have 8 more Septembers until full time guiding, but whose counting?

~Family, Faith, and Fishing~

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

Friday's charter - Lots of shorts, 6 keepers to 22 inch, and sea bass.

August 29, 2026 Brett Taylor

Thursdays trips were canceled due to winds - Friday I had out Tommy Joseph and crew and we worked a few different spots. We tried for some Bonita early but could only find 2 sparse schools. We switched over to fluke and the boys worked through a ton of shorts, boxed 6 keepers to 22 in as well as their allotted sea bass. The afternoon trip was cancelled due heavy rain and storms.

~Family, Faith, and Fishing~

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

Solid day - 2 quick charters - 10 keeper fluke to 6 pounds!!

August 24, 2026 Brett Taylor

Busy Monday - double charters 10keeps to 6 pounds.

Morning bite had new client Jack Gelman and his two sons on a quick ocean fluke trip. We mopped up keepers early for the new fisherman and boxed 8k to 6 pounds in 3hrs.

Another quick 3hr afternoon ocean trip with new client Tom Moore of Lavallette with his two boys. Tougher bite with an uncooperative wind but the boys boxed 2 keeps to 20 inch and a ton of short life.

~Family, Faith, and Fishing~

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

Lots of stops - too many shorts - grinded through to box 6 keepers...

August 20, 2026 Brett Taylor

I had return clients MarTy B, Elwood, Mark and Bob R on an ocean fluke charter. We worked way too many spots to release easily over a hundred short fluke. But the guys grinded to a well earned 6 keepers, 1 sea bass and a chicken mahi.

The afternoon trip was cancelled due to potential for inclement weather.

~Family, Faith, and Fishing~

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

Early week trips - bay lots of action - ocean better number of keepers with 7 to 5.5 pounds.

August 19, 2026 Brett Taylor

We had 4 trips the last two days with a few bay trips with one young ones from 2 1/2 years old to 4yr old and a solid ocean trip with keepers to 5.5 pounds.

Early in the week I had new client Mark Con of north Jersey with his 2 1/2 yr old little guys, cousins, father-in-law out on a 2hr quick bay trip. In the little time, the crew landed close to 25 fish while boxing a solid 19-incher. Kids did a great job on the boat for their first time.

Next, I had return client Matt W, his two kids Mason / Ellie, brother Matt, and friend Charles. We worked a variety of spots, but could only muster 50+ shorts and a lone keeper at 18.25 inches. Definitely a slower bite for this group as they usually slay.

The next day - we ran a 5hr ocean fluke charter with referred client Frank S, son and friends. We worked a variety of pieces and the boys worked through some shorts to put 7 keeper fluke in the box with 3 of them over 5 pounds along with their alotted sea bass to 18.5 inches.

The second trip of the day had new client Dennis Springer, son and two friends on a 3hr bay trip due to the predicted weather. With not so great tidal conditions, the new crew worked through over 45 shorts, but no keepers to show for the efforts in the bay.

~Family, Faith, and Fishing~

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

Saturday's ocean charter cancelled due the winds - back at it on Monday!

August 15, 2026 Brett Taylor

Saturday cancelled due to weather - went fishing with my youngest 6 yr old Jake for an hour - nailed a 4.5 pound fluke and then hit the crabbing grounds for an hour - caught a bakers dozen of nice sized blue claws to over 6 inches.

Forgot to post but: Got part of the tattoo filled in this past week @ Slingin Ink in Point Pleasant - hopefully one more 3-4hr session then complete - early Sept!

Sunday day - Rest day - back at it with doubles every day next week - weather / winds dependent!!

~Family, Faith, and Fishing~

Lots of bay action on shorts, but better keeper action in the ocean!!

August 14, 2026 Brett Taylor

Last two days have been busy on the water with doubles each day - both bay and ocean!

Later in the week - I had return client neighbor Greg on a 4hr charter with his wife and family from Colorado. We had good tide, but poor wind direction which made some of the productive areas tough. The crew worked through 30 shorts to box 2 keepers to 20 inches.

Next, I had return client Victor Eng with his two boys on a 4hr bay trip. Same story, but better winds - lots of shorts - the boys were able to box a few bluefish and a keeper fluke in the mix.

We ended the week in the ocean with Bob Reim and crew on a 5hr Ocean fluke trip. We picked a solid keeper on the 1st drift, but the wind dropped out - making fishing a grind. The boys grinded out 9 keeper fluke to 6 pounds along with their allotted sea bass, plus a lone ling. Grindy morning bite - but the boys did great!

I had new client Chris Youngman on NY with his family on a 3.5hr ocean charter in the late afternoon. With limited time, we hit a few close pieces and the six first time flukers sorted through some 30 shorts to box 3 keepers. Great job as this was their first time in the ocean fluke fishing!!

We do have some new openings for the start of the sea bass season (9/23 to 9/25), so give us a ring; We are also booking our "new" after work special for stripers (3hr weekday afternoon trip) which includes 18 live spot.

Book at trip through www.reelreactioncharters.com

~Family, Faith, and Fishing~

Busy last few days - nice fish in the ocean to 6lb and good fish to 7lb in the bay!

August 12, 2026 Brett Taylor

Last two days were busy - double and triple charters.

Early in the week - I had return client Robert Boyle on a 4hr Ocean charter we had to work a bunch of different spots as pick a keeper here or there. Nothing great in terms of numbers for the limited time - but picked 5 keepers with a few nice ones to 6 pounds.

2nd trip was with return client Mike Pikulin, his boys, and dad on a 3hr bay trip. The boys did a great job releasing over 55 short fluke with a few just shy of the 18-inch mark. They released a few croakers and lone bluefish also. Especially good on a bad tide. Good luck to Mike's oldest Stephen as he starts his freshman year at Georgia Tech's school of Engineering.

3rd charter - cancelled due to T-storm watch - with storms never materializing.

Triple charter Tuesday (all bay):

Morning trip: I had return client Tom Dillon out with his college buddy and cousin (2nd time fishing for them) on a 4hr bay charter. We worked a bunch areas and the trio released 52 short while boxing 2 keeps at 18.5 and 20 inch.

2nd trip: I had new client Tom Borowski, his wife, and son on a 3hr bay trip fishing a bad tide. We started off with some short life, and moved around along with alot of wind against tide conditions. His son John nailed a beauty at just over 7 pounds on the boga grip in fairly shallow water. They added another 19 inch while releasing close to 46 shorts along with a nice kingfish for the box.

3rd trip: I had new client Ed with his 3 boys on a 3hr bay trip. More of the same for the bay - lots of shorts but tough on keepers at we had a ripping tide and stronger than expected winds. The boys did a nice job for their first-time ever fluke fishing releasing 41 shorts.

We do have some new openings for the start of the sea bass season (9/23 to 9/25), so give us a ring. Book at trip through www.reelreactioncharters.com

~Family, Faith, and Fishing~

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

Weekly Report: 8-1 to 8-8: 4 bay charters and 2 ocean

August 8, 2026 Brett Taylor

Weekly report 8-1 to 8-8 (4 bay, 2 ocean):

The early part of the week had 2 cancellations due to the torrential rain. But the rest of the week was doubles with a few ocean trips in the mix when we could get out.

Bay wise - most 3 to 4hr charters are seeing between 45 to 75 short fluke with a pair of keepers. We were kid heavy on trips this past week - which is definitely more about bending the rod than filling the box. Although not targeted, there are some cocktail blues around as well as some spike weakfish engulfing our fluke intended lures. I did notice a good amount of blowfish bites on our bay trips this week - so 3hr bay trips are available targeting puffers- take a look at our availability.

Ocean wise - we had a pair of ocean fluke charters and have been hopping around picking keepers at each spot, but recently there has definitely been a large number of shorts to weed through. Some nice sea bass have been added to the box as well as a few ling.

Our last ocean trip had Alex G and his son Jack out for a 5hr charter and we hit a bunch of small pieces. The guys put 5 keepers in the box with the largest just below 5 pounds, sea bass, and few ling, while weeding through over 50 short fluke.

We do have some new openings for the start of the sea bass season (9/23 to 9/25), so give us a ring. Book at trip (www.reelreactioncharters.com)

~Family, Faith, and Fishing~

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

Bay trips lots of action - Ocean trips much better on keepers to close to 8 pounds!

July 31, 2026 Brett Taylor

Another busy week - spent most of the week in the bay due to bay bookings and the wind. Our afternoon ocean bookings were cancelled or turned into bay trips. Bay fishing has been loaded with action but tougher on keepers which could be due to water clarity and the full moon phase. We had return clients for all of the trips and averaged 50 to 70 fish per 4hr trip with 1 to 2 keepers.

Our ocean trip towards the end of the week was lights out with a mix of return clients - Raffie, Marty, Elwood, Bruce and Robert B on a 5hr ocean fluke trip. We made a run and picked through some shorts to box 13 keepers to 7lb 12oz. Elwood had 3k with the biggest, Raffie 2k, Marty 2k, Robert B 4k, Bruce space, and myself 2k. The boys added a few sea bass and a few dozen ling.

Ocean is definitely the way to go for keepers as long as your not prone to the Atlantic flu or can battle through it!

We are performing some routine maintenance on our vessels and family obligations over the weekend, but will be back at it after the weekend.

~Family, Faith, and Fishing~

Book at trip (www.reelreactioncharters.com)

Busy few days - lots of fish - best trip had 6 keepers in 4hr!

July 25, 2026 Brett Taylor

A busy few days:

We had double trips the other day and worked 4hr bay charters at the client's discretion. Action was busy and steady, but keepers were few and far between. Bay ratios were very high with 60 to 70 fluke released per 4hr with only a lone keeper in the mix. The morning young gun crew of return client Jesse Sipe sorted through some 70 short fluke to box a 19-inch keeper. The afternoon Mike Michael Geddis trip had the same numbers with 65+ shorts and 1 keeper to 19.5. We lost a solid keeper about 5 ft from the boat.

Next, I had return client Ralph Rodio, Steve, Bob D, and minus Smokes as he bailed at 4am. The trip was originally set as an ocean fluke charter, but with the strong N/NE winds we changed to a bay trip. The boys faired much better with tons of action as they released close to 100 shorts and boxed 6 solid keepers to 20 inches. Raffie was wearing the best shirt of the year! Great day on the water!!

~Family, Faith, and Fishing~

Book at trip (www.reelreactioncharters.com)

Double trips - Ocean fluke to 23.5 inches and solid bay action to 21 inches.

July 24, 2026 Brett Taylor

Double charters - First, I had return clients Bob Dodds, Boston Bob, Cesar, Gary and Mike on a 5hr Ocean charter. We were met with some heavy seas and had to choose plan B as the targeted spot was not doable. We stayed closer and the boys worked their tails off to box 6 keeper fluke to 23.5 inches while releasing close to 35 shorts. Great morning with a great group despite rough seas.

Next, I had return client Pete Iacoviello, his two boys, and aunt/uncle on a 4hr bay charter. We had to move around quite a bit to find the water conditions. But we finally matched it up, and the crew went to working releasing over 40 shorts and boxing 3 keepers to 21 inches along with 2 cocktail bluefish.

~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

Winds to 25+ knots, but the kids still released a bunch of fluke - thanks to Minn Kota

July 22, 2026 Brett Taylor

We took a day off Monday due to some personal obligations, but battled through the ridiculous winds the next day as we had return client Chris Viggiano of LI with 7 other members of his family (4 adults and 4 kids). This is their annual two boat charter in which we had Capt. Tom Duralek help us out again. Fishing was downright tough with gusts to 25/30 in the bay, but the crews battled through it to release over 35 fish per boat boxing a few keepers combined (unfortunately no pics from Capt. TD) along with a solid 16.5 inch weakfish! Tough day, but the little guys had fun and a huge thanks to Bobbie's Boats Bait and Tackle. Great for bait and fuel!

I cancelled the afternoon charter due to the predicted storms, but worked a new area with a few Minn Kota spot lock and casting for about an hour. Released 20 shorts myself while boxing a solid 20 and 22 inch this week's dinners!

Upper Right arm ink outline complete - 3 more weeks than the detail added. Owner Brody is the best - Slingin' Ink - Point Pleasant, NJ.

Back out doubles next few days - ocean and bay!

~Family, Faith, and Fishing~

Book at trip (www.reelreactioncharters.com)

Back on the water and on the fish! 35+ short fluke - 3 keepers to 20 inches

July 19, 2026 Brett Taylor

Back on the water - I had return client the "Kuna" boys out on a 4hr bay charter. We had some good wind and less than optimal tide, but the guys did a great job working bucktails on fluke. The released close to 35 short fluke while boxing 3 keepers to 20 inch. Solid morning on the bay and better yet - they beat the first fish / keeper jinx!

~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

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)

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~

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