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

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~

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

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

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

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~

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

Fluke fishing tough, but still grinding!

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~

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

1.5hr Sunset cruise - a great group of youth pastors from PA.

I had a great group of youth pastors from Pennsylvania on a 1.5hr sunset cruise - despite the winds they had a great time, and even saw some dolphins in the inlet.

~Family, Faith, and Fishing~

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

Fishing Report (mid-May)

We’ve been extremely late on the reports - but here is the run down as it’s been a struggle this season.  We started running charters for April tautog, but the weather was not conducive and when we could get out - the action was slow on keepers.

May fluke opened and we have been struggling in Barnegat bay as winter put it’s full grips on our area with the water being very cold.  Some of our spots which historically have higher temperatures were barely hitting 60F.

Season opener - we boxed a nice 21-inch along with a dozen shorts.  Next, few trips we struggled to put keepers in the box but had a few trips with 27 shorts and a few close ones.

We did add a 29-inch striped bass, although have only been targeting bass for a short amount of time.

5hr Sea bass opener - we worked extremely hard and covered 25+ miles.   The charter released short sea bass, a bunch of OoS Tautog, and boxed 3 keepers along with 10 ling.  Not great by any standards - the water has been so cold - fish are not in the chewing mood even with good parts.

Better bite finally - We had 5 keepers in total over two trips along with 35+ shorts, finally the fish were biting with the biggest at 22 inches.

As the water temperatures begin to normalize, hopefully the bite gets better for our area.

Feb/March 2026 - Updates

Busy couple of weeks - Bass Pro Shops (Atlantic City, NJ), Atlantic City boat show seminar, and then major prep for the season (fast approaching). We will be out there early March (weather dependent) targeting Striped bass, Winter flounder followed by Stripers and Tautog in April.

Skiff is completely ready - new deck plates added, trolling motor sonar re-tooled, and a few other minor improvements.

Parker sporting new 250HP Yamaha - added coaming pads to save everyone's knees, upgraded electronics, and a few additional improvements.

We have also been focusing on major tackle improvements for 2026 for our charters.

Currently, we are almost booked out for the 2026 season as we have 96 trips on the books. Looking forward to warmer weather - but did run both vessels yesterday in the 50F temps - now have to deal with uber amounts of snow!! Boo-hoo!

~Family, Faith, and Fishing~

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

2026 updates

First, wish all of my prospective and new clients a healthy and happy New Year. It’s been a bumpy road for me - but finally on the mend health-wise (appendicitis not fun).

2026 - our rates are the same as 2025 - no increases, although we did simplify things.

Both vessels are fully, profesionally maintained and on their long winter’s nap, though I will be hitting the clam grounds on the warmer days with the skiff for baits and some cherry stones. Nothing like clamming in full wetsuit in winter!

We will be speaking at the 2026 Atlantic Boat Show (Feb/Mar) on trolling motor techniques and also at the Village Harbor Fishing Club for their July club meeting on targeting Inlet & Ocean Fluke along with tournament tactics!

We will start in March for our C&R striper fishing along with some Winter Flounder options for anglers that have cabin fever! Followed by tautog in April, and Sea bass and Fluke in May!!!!

That's A Wrap for the 2025 Season - 2026 Awaits....

We are pulling the vessel this week and are done for the 2025 season. We thank all who sailed with us this season and wish everyone a happy holidays and healthy New Year. We have 77 trips on the books for next year (2026), so if you haven't called - please PM or text me to get on our schedule. Several months are almost completely booked out.

I had all intentions in staying in, but I had to cancel the rest of our tautog trips in 2026 due to a short hospital stay. All is good, just no lifting or boating for a month. A huge thank you to family and close friends/clients who reached out. See you at the shows and on the water in 2026!!!

Here's our sun shirt logo for our sun-shirts for 2026 - they will press transparent on the shirts.