Gambler Fishing

Capt. Bob on the Gambler reported that quality sea bass continue to fill coolers, with the bite showing signs of improvement as the season progresses. One of the biggest factors driving the action has been the abundance of small sand eels throughout the area, giving sea bass plenty of natural forage to key in on. As a result, jigs have been especially productive, particularly when paired with a sand eel teaser. Anglers working artificials have enjoyed some excellent rod-bending action, while traditional bait rigs have also been producing plenty of fish. Whether fishing jigs or bait, anglers are finding success and heading back to the dock with solid catches of quality sea bass.

Capt. Bob on the Gambler reported a challenging but rewarding trip to the tilefish grounds on Thursday, returning to the dock late that night after grinding through less-than-ideal offshore conditions. Dense fog, periods of rain, and strong currents made fishing difficult at times, but the crew and anglers were still able to put together a solid catch of golden tilefish. The bite produced quality fish throughout the trip, with most golden tiles ranging from around 10 pounds to nearly 50 pounds. Despite the challenging conditions, anglers enjoyed steady action and boxed an impressive catch of hard-fighting, deepwater fish. Leading the way was John D., who earned high-hook honors with six keeper tilefish weighing up to 20-pounds. The crew also made a stop on a promising blueline tilefish piece and committed roughly a 40-minute drift to the area. While the location showed potential, no blueline tilefish made it over the rail on this trip. Even so, the quality golden tilefish action made for a productive offshore outing.