Sandy Hook NJ Fishing Reports and Videos-Reel Fun Sportfishing

Directions

Gift Certificates

News & Fishing Reports

Show Schedule

Policies

Places to Stay & Dining

Weather Related Sites

Sunset Cruises

The Captain's Photo Album

8 Hr Doormat Fluke Hunter

Wednesday and Friday "Open Boat" Fishing

Reel Fun Sportfishing, LLC
Fishing Reports for 2024 covering Sandy Hook, NJ
"Capt. John's Fishing Reports" gives you the latest information about our fishing charters as they occurred.
So bookmark this page and check back with us regularly.

April 15, 2024

Fellow Angler,

A few words about our beloved Stripers.....

First off, the bay water quality has improved and the temperature was 52 degrees and climbing....good news for Striped Bass anglers.

Good news is the NY waters are now open for catching Stripers which gives me a lot more area to fish. Remember, I have all the licenses (NJ and NY) so you don't have to worry about any legal fish issues.

So, if you would like to make a 4 person private charter reservation or get in on one of our Wednesday/Friday Open Boat trips, call me at 908-421-4761.

Let's go anglers and anglerette's...it's time to fish.

Tight Lines,
Capt. John and Crew

April 7, 2024

Fellow Angler,

Good morning and hope this message finds you well and anxious to fish again this year.

Just wanted to keep you abreast of the current conditions in the bay and the appearance of spring Stripers. First off, the water temperature in Raritan Bay, as of yesterday's reading, was a chilly 44 degrees...ouch, that's a bit cold for this time of year. All the rain we've had the past few weeks coupled with a howling N/NW and East winds have made the bay look line chocolate milk with a lot of floating debris to make matters tough for now. But that will all change soon once we get the weather to settle down with some light winds and sunny weather like today.

It will take a few tide cycles for all that sediment to settle and for the temps to come up to 55 degrees that the bass love to start feeding. There are fish in the bay to be caught...some resident and some newly arrived migrating fish and as the water temps climb, the more the bay will load up with fish.

The crew trip that was scheduled for yesterday I decided to postpone due to the crappy conditions, so we will try again later this week. The crew is anxious to get our there and put some Stripers in the cooler.

In the mean time, I will be giving a Striper seminar for the Village Harbor Fishing Club down in Manahawkin, NJ this coming Friday covering fishing for Striped Bass and the techniques we use. Mate Rich will be with me to lend his support and knowledge. Lots to talk about....rods, reels, lures, techniques, water, tides...many things to cover. Should be a very interesting evening which I am told will be well attended.

The spring Striper season is just now getting under way, so if you would like to make a reservation or get in on one of our Open Boat trips, now is the time to call me at 908-421-4761.

Tight Lines,
Capt. John and Crew

March 29, 2024

Fellow Angler,

Just a quick note that the boat is now in the water and ready for another fishing season in 2024. Another day in paradise as they say.

One of my fellow charter captains was out a few days ago and did quite well casting shad rigs and surface cruiser lures. Had to do a little searching, but found a nice body of fish and his fares bailed fish...both keeper and sub-legal throwbacks.

The action is there and will get better daily as the waters warm up to the mid 50's. Had a hell of a wind today so I'm not sure who made it out.

This time of year most fish being caught are in shallow waters far back in the bay. Some days good, other days not so good, but once the waters warm to around 55 degrees, it is game on.

As is customary, mate Rich and mate/son Chris and I we will be doing a crew trip very soon to get a handle on where these fish are taking up residency. We are ready to roll in Jersey waters and then on April 15th in NY waters as well.

If you would like to make a Striper reservation or get in on one of our Open Boat trips, now is the time to call at 908-421-4761.

Tight Lines,
Capt. John and Crew

March 8, 2024

Fellow Anglers,

The Fluke regulations for 2024 and 2025 were set last night at a meeting of the New Jersey Marine Fisheries Commission.

The official start date is Saturday May 4th, 2024 and will end Wednesday September 25, 2024. The bag limit PER PERSON is 3 fish at 18" or bigger.

So one of our 4 person charters, if we really fish hard, could box 12 Fluke..not a bad day at all. That's a lot of fillets for 4 anglers. For me, Fluke is the best tasting fish in our waters...hands down. I know there will be others that dispute that statement, but cooked right, Fluke is excellent table fare.

As always with Reel Fun, we will strongly encourage the use of buck tail jigs as it really does reduce the amount of foul-hooked fish that will end up dying. But, you are always welcome to drift bait if that is what you are comfortable with. It's your choice...just catch the damn fish.

Tight Lines,Capt. John and Crew

February 25, 2024

Fellow Angler,

Just wanted to alert you to 2 places that you can stock up on fishing gear for the coming season...one is the store I use for all of my gear and the other is the famous yearly Saltwater Fishing Expo.

On Sunday, March 3, 2024, Fisherman's Source at 3501 Sunset Avenue Ocean Township, New Jersey 07712 will be having their 5th annual " Stock Up" event with great savings on just about any gear you could ever imagine. The store is virtually filled to the rafters with just about every imaginable rod, reels lures, etc for Striper and Fluke fishing plus a big array of bottom fishing gear. My contact, store manager Braden, will assist you in finding what you need to make this trip a must for Sunday, March 3rd..don't miss it.

The other is the Saltwater Fishing Expo in Edison, NJ on March 15, 16 and 17 2024 at the Edison Exposition Center. This yearly event will blow you mind with the incredible amount of gear available by over 100 vendors...a must see if you are a saltwater fisherman.

I will not be there due to previous commitments, but I was a vendor there in my earlier days and it is a show you just can't afford to miss. You can literally spend the entire day gawking at all that is there. This is a great way to kick start the spring Striper season.

Tight Lines,
Capt. John and Crew

January10, 2024

Fellow Angler,

Just wanted to alert you far in advance of the upcoming saltwater flea market that's going to take place on Sunday February 4th, 2024.

Here are some of the particulars.......

The Salt Water Anglers of Bergen County will host a Flea Market on February 4, 2024 at the Hasbrouck Heights Hilton from 8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. It is the only salt water flea market in North Jersey.

There will be a fishing seminars and door prizes throughout the day, including a 50/50 raffle and a raffle on a lobster fishing trip with a value of $1,000! Admission is $5 and kids under 10 are free.

Vendors wanting a table ($35) can contact Don Lohse at (201) 832-1298

This is a flea market consisting of new and used saltwater fishing gear. The venue is big and holds many vendors selling just about anything your heart could desire with a big emphasis on saltwater fishing for Stripers, Fluke, Tog and Black Sea Bass.

The event, hosted by the Salt Water Anglers of Bergen County, is a yearly event and the ONLY one in the north Jersey area for saltwater fishing gear.

So mark your calendar today and don't miss this show with numerous vendors, a 50/50 raffle drawing, food and beverages as well as seminars on fishing for your favorite saltwater fish.

DON'T FORGET...SUNDAY FEBRUARY 4TH, 2024... 8:30 AM TILL 2:00 PM

Tight Lines,
Capt. John and Crew

January 8, 2024

Fellow Anglers,

Welcome to another year at Reel Fun Sportfishing and the reports and news web page. As always, you can come here to read about important news pertaining to Striped Bass and Fluke regulations and fishing that will be imposed on us for the 2024 fishing season.

You'll also be reading fishing reports from my charters and open boat trips throughout the year giving you factual information on how we did on any specific day.

For those who have fished with me for the past 20 years, know that I am a big proponent of fishing specific tides for various fish we target. There is a world of difference in success fishing the proper tides for spring Striped Bass and as well as fall Stripers. There are many factors that go into a picking a good day for bass with tides, water temperatures and availability of bait in our bays. Having said that, not all days are created equal.

We should be starting our 2024 campaign for spring Stripers somewhere around April 13th give or take a few days depending on the arrival of the fish in our bays.

Casting lures, bunker fishing or trolling is our M/O with the main objective of putting fish in the cooler. We have the tackle to do any or all of the 3 mentioned techniques.

Our able bodied crew are there to assist you on every charter along with our state of the art tackle and a very seaworthy 25' Parker Sport Cabin boat equipped with all the Coast Guard required safety gear.

Our trips are for a maximum of 4 anglers and cover 6 hours on the water. Weekend days are booked very early in advance so plan accordingly if you wish to fish with us this year.We also fish during the weekdays with our "Open Boat" trips for single anglers scheduled for every Wednesday and Friday. A small deposit is required to hold your day so don't wait too long and call me at 908-421-4761.

Thanks and Tight Lines and Fair Weather.

Capt. John and Crew