Bayonne Bait and Tackle

Chris from Bayonne Bait and Tackle said some mixed sized blues ranging from cocktails to slammers moved into the waters around Bayonne and were giving anglers some good action, On the fluke fishing front most of the better fishing has been on the New York side of the bay. Speaking for fluke fishing the shop is taking part in a tackle shop fluke contest called the “Battle of the Shops Fluke Contest” which started in June 1 and run until the fluke season closes in September. Besides Bayonne B &T, Bernie’s B &T in Brooklyn; Keyport Basin Tackle; Great Kills B &T and the Reel Seat will also be participating in the contest that allows fluke caught anywhere the coast to be entered. First prize at each shop is $200 and second place is $50 plus numerous other prizes.

Our first call of the week went out to Chris over at Bayonne Bait and Tackle who said the fishing in the back bay was held back early in the week by the muddy water that poured into to the bay from the Raritan River which pushed the bunker out and slowed the striper bass fishing. By mid-week the tides flushed out the waters and bass slowly rebounded. I spoke with Terry one of the shop’s regulars and he told me the bass fishing was spotty but improving, and so far they haven’t seen any schools of bluefish like they have been hearing about from the lower part of the state. Chris told me he got reports of some weakfish being caught around Liberty State Park and the Verrazano’s Bridge as well as a few decent size fluke. Speaking of fluke he said he hopes the coming full moon will turn the fluke fishing on which has really been picky so far this spring.