Bayonne Bait and Tackle

We started our report off with a call to Chris over at Bayonne Bait and Tackle who told us there was a nice mix of fish in the back waters of Bayonne, Perth Amboy, South Amboy and other backwater areas. One problem they had this past week with the fishing was the storms that roiled the back waters a couple times. Thursday was a good example with clean water for the morning tide and off-color water of the evening tide because of an afternoon storm. Chris said there are all kinds of baitfish in the back bays waters and fluke fishing, while still heavy with shorts is giving up some nice keepers in the deeper waters. Mixed size blues ranging from snappers and cocktails to 4-pound choppers with a few weakfish mixed in are also providing some good fishing. Light tackle fishermen are into snappers, cocktails, croakers, spot and mixed size tog. He also mentioned that angler participation has dropped off in the last couple of weeks.

Chris at Bayonne Bait and Tackle told us the back bays are loaded with all types of baitfish from rainfish, mullet and spearing to crabs and killies. Unless some heavy weather comes along to destroy the water quality and push the baitfish out, September could be a wild month for anglers. Besides all the junk fish like rays, doggies and skate, there are more desirable fish including fluke croakers, spots, occasional weakfish, cocktails, snappers and even some striped bass after dark feeding on the baitfish and this could really produce some good fishing. He also mentioned that the same is true for the baitfish along the inshore waters where the fluke fishing has been producing a better number of big flatties and the schools of bluefish, bonito, albacore and Spanish mackerel have been chowing down on a nice menu of sand eels and other forage fish.