New Jersey Inshore Fun 2014

[MuskieBait]

I wasn't able to visit San Diego for some hot tuna and yellowtail action during this El Nino. This is as close as I can get to that action without paying for a charter to chase tuna on the Atlantic coast. Perhaps the El Nino also affected the fishing off New Jersey. Water has been warm and the August bonito fishing had been phenomenal (relatively speaking...but not on my day of fishing). I hope the hot trend continues and the Little Tunny fishing will turn on in September.

Full story here:

http://muskiebaitadventures.blogspot.ca/2014/08/2014-new-jersey-inshore-fun-day-1.html

http://muskiebaitadventures.blogspot.ca/2014/08/2014-new-jersey-inshore-fun-day-2.html

http://muskiebaitadventures.blogspot.ca/2014/08/2014-new-jersey-inshore-fun-day-3.html

I caught 7 new species on the trip, bringing my total to #410!

Brook Silverside (Labidesthes sicculus) - Species #404

Striped Searobin (Prionotus evolans) - Species #405

Atlantic Bonito (Sarda sarda) - Species #406

Banded Rudderfish (Seriola zonata) - Species #407

Northern Searobin (Prionotus carolinus) - Species #408

Altantic Chub Mackerel (Scomber colias) - Species #409

Northern Kingcroaker (Menticirrhus saxatilis) - Species #410

 

[salmotrutta]

Nice mackerel!

I was in Jersey again last week surfing the hurricane swell. Didn't get any fishing in this time. But..2 dolphins swam right underneath my paddleboard in like 4 fow..was pretty sweet!

 

[Dozer]

Searobins are wicked looking fish - nice report.

salmo thats pretty intense with the dolphins

 

[Kasim Baluch]

Unreal! Same with Salmo too.... what a feeling that must have been. Can't pay for an experience like that

 

[MuskieBait]

Mackerel was fun. For such a small fish, they pull pretty hard! I was using my 9' salmon/surf rod rated MH and up to 25lb. I've caught salmon and steelhead on this rod...but man...those mackerel would double the rod right over pulling out decent drag. I wasn't fishing light either...20lb braid backing with a 15lb mono topshot and 15lb fluoro leader. Fun stuff!

Still, the bonito was even more fun. Can't wait to do that again!

 

[Shmogley]

cool looking eye on that last one. thanks for sharing. i always like your photos

yea mackerel are crazy for their size. ive had 5 lb mackerel down in carolinas fight harder then 10lb bluefish

 

[MuskieBait]

Yeah, that Northern Kingcroaker has a pretty neat cat-eye.

I've yet to catch a big bluefish. My biggest hooked and fought so far is about 5-6lbs (suck I lost it in the end to a lobster pot), and I've caught a bunch up to 4lbs. But just for a bit of perspective, a 5lb bluefish can pull a 15lb silver Chinook Salmon a$$ backwards. I can imagine what a 5lb mackerel can do.

Those who have experienced saltwater fishing understand why I always say freshwater fishing can't even compare (kinda lame is how I describe it LOL). But, I live here and it is what's right in front of me. It's good enough to scratch the itch...but it doesn't really satisfy that addiction to the salt.

#SaltLife