May 11, 2026 - 10:32:57
At Gabriel Tackle in Brick Frank reported the sands are hot anywhere from Inlet to Inlet and all points in between as bass and a few drum were clammed up especially in the IBSP area and in any deepwater cuts and sloughs. Flukesters bankcasting and bucktailing the Manasquan River found some shorty flatfish but a few keepers were also culled out of the waters. Outgoing tides are working better to get the fluke feeding more aggressively.
May 11, 2026 - 10:32:48
Frank at Gabriel Tackle said fluke fishing continues to produce solid action, with encouraging reports coming from the north end of the canal and the Manasquan River. Bucktails tipped with Gulp jerk shads, along with live killies, have been accounting for the best catches. Anglers are also finding it worthwhile to work the inlet and nearby beaches as the bite continues to build. Surf fishermen are reporting striped bass, black drum, and bluefish from Island Beach State Park up to the inlet, with clams, bunker, and a variety of artificials all drawing strikes. Back inside, striped bass action remains strong throughout Barnegat Bay, the Manasquan River, and the canal, where eels, glide baits, and paddle tails are all fooling quality fish.
May 04, 2026 - 10:28:52
At Gabriel Tackle in Brick, Frank noted the surf bite continues to roll on strong in the local surf as both clams and bunker baits are a good bet to score. Pick any time or tide they seem to be biting. Look for opening week of fluke to be good at the inlet area. Frank is also looking for reports of the first confirmed bluefish and is offering a cash bounty; check the shop for details.
May 04, 2026 - 10:28:44
Frank at Gabriel Tackle said the question everyone’s still asking is, “where are the bluefish?” So far, it’s been all talk and no confirmation—just scattered rumors with nothing concrete. If you’ve found them, he wants to see the proof. With blackfish now officially closed until August, the focus has shifted squarely to striped bass—and fortunately, the bite remains strong. Anglers are hooking up on eels, bloodworms, glide baits, and paddle tails throughout Barnegat Bay, the Manasquan River, and the canal, with fish actively feeding across a range of tides. The surf bite is also gaining traction, with clams and bunker producing, so it’s a great time to hit the beach. Looking ahead, fluke season opens Monday, and the shop is fully stocked and ready to get anglers geared up for opening day.
