Reel Fun Sportfishing, LLC
Fishing Reports for 2026 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.

June 6, 2026

Fellow Angler, I feel compelled to share with you some important info about the spring run (or lack of) of Striped Bass that New Jersey anglers should be in the middle of right now.

First, allow me to explain a few things. During the spring months, Striped Bass will usually migrate from southern offshore and the Chesapeake River/Bay areas north along the coast. Most times they will follow the coastline swimming taking up temporary residence in Raritan Bay, Hudson/Raritan Rivers to spawn and then continue swimming north past the New England states for a summer off the coast of Maine. That's what they normally should do.

On occasion, instead of following tight along the coast, they will follow a pattern swimming offshore straight to the Block Island area and NJ never sees them for the spring run...which may have happened this year. Reports from a well know fishing magazine article I came upon online just yesterday is that Striper fishing in Narraganset Bay Rhode Island is ON FIRE. Great for them, but what the hell happened to New Jersey?

Currently, huge females are swimming in our ocean waters, while Raritan Bay is not showing any action. These big females, although fun to catch, all have to be returned to the water due to current regulations. So many charter captains are coming back to port with empty coolers.

Further reports I have heard through the grapevine are there are pockets of small Stripers in Barnegat Bay, along the Atlantic City coast and Newark Bay. Bunker (baitfish for Stripers) have also been very hard to come by lately as Striper fishermen are using eels to fish for these huge females, which I don't agree fishing for them. Every time you take one of those massive females out of the water for a photo and to weigh, you greatly increase the chances of that fish not surviving. So I'm not a big fan of targeting "trophy" Stripers.

Another factor to take into consideration is the water temperatures in the ocean has been very cold so far. A 56 degree reading "at the surface" is much colder 20-30 feet below, which could of had a effect on the migration pattern of these fish. Just a thought.

So, in closing, a few questions to ask myself. Are there still fish moving up the coast of NJ? Have the main body of fish bypassed us this spring? Where the hell are all the bunker? Tough spring fishing for 2026 so far. Sea Bass and Fluke fishing has also been slow to develop...cold water! Just my thoughts on all the above. I may be right or I may be all wrong but it's surely a few things to think about if you're a avid angler like myself. Stay tuned.

Tight Lines, Capt. John and Crew

May 30, 2026

Fellow Angler,

Regretfully, it's been awhile since I sent out a fishing report and for good reasons.

First off, I've had to postpone a few of my scheduled charters due to weather conditions. Like you see today, high winds have been a killer for fishing in NJ in general.

Second, and most important recently, I have to pace myself as to how many charters I do in a week. I've decided to limit the number of trips I do each week to 3 or 4 max. That is more than enough for both mate Rich and I to give you the best possible fishing experience.

Third, the major migration of keeper size spring Striped Bass has not yet developed in our area. So far, there was a school of Stripers that swam into the Shrewsbury/Navesink Rivers back in April, but my boat was still in dry dock being prepared for the season...so bad timing for me. Those few fish have since dispersed and the only remaining fish are oceanside BIG females that must be returned to the water. So, fishing for keeper size Stripers have been hard to come by.

Fourth, and very important, is water temperature which has been very cold this late in May. That is usually not an issue with Stripers, but the Fluke bite in our area has been off so far as we await the arrival if those fish. Bunker (baitfish for Stripers) has been scarce in Raritan/Sandy Hook Bays so far. Which is another negative for the arrival of the Bass.

My M/O for the past 24 years is to "catch fish" and not go for boat rides and take your money. That's just not me. If conditions are such that the day will be a bust, I'm going to convince you to reschedule for a better day. I've built my extensive client base upon truth..and no B/S. I treat you as I want to be treated if I was hiring a captain for a fishing trip...no B/S. I know it's called fishing and not catching, but if my expertise and experience tells me that a day is going to be bad, then I have a responsibility to you to call it the way I see it..plain an simple. If I think the fishing is going to be good...we go. Yes?...I hope you agree.

Finally, a full moon will be here tomorrow night, and I am hoping that those migrating Stripers and bunker invade our bay sometime next week.

Tight Lines, Capt. John and Crew

April 17, 2026

Good Morning Fellow Angler,

I am very pleased to announce that as of Tuesday, the boat has been launched and we are officially ready to roll for the 2026 fishing season.

Striped Bass poured into our waters on Thursday April 2nd and they are in our rivers and bays making for really good fishing. Casting shads is currently the ticket catching these fish in most areas, as well as trolling the bays for the bigger fish. The bay water temperatures are steadily climbing into the low to mid 50's as opposed to the very chilly ocean of the mid to high 40's, so it no wonder the bass are flooding into our waters.

Due to our recently concluded offer, Reel Fun Sportfishing booked many charters as the month of May is now totally booked for Striper fishing and we are working on a few choice June dates.

Our current fare for a 6 hour, 4 angler fishing trip is $600.00 ($150.00 p/p) and for our "Open Boat" singles out there is $150.00 too. As always, our Open Boat trips are on Wednesdays and Fridays if we are not book for a full reserved charter that day. With Open Boat fishing, we pare you up with other singles for the morning and have a great time meeting other fish heads like you.

Don't forget, once Striper season slows down, we will be heading to the Fluke grounds and bottom fishing for those tasty fish. A great day for the family and the kids. July, August and September are prime Fluke months, so lets go Flukers....time to book that trip.

Tight Lines, Capt. John and Crew

April 7, 2026

Fellow Angler,

Funny...just when you think you know just about everything about Striper fishing, something comes along and humbles you very quickly.

This is what happened to me over the weekend when a massive number of Striped Bass flooded into Raritan Bay and its rivers this last Thursday.

The bay had been quiet for weeks with very cold water and no baitfish around to draw the Stripers in. So what happens in the very chilly bay waters? Schools of bunker enter into the bay and right behind them here comes a load of Stripers. Add too that we had a full moon on Wednesday April1, 2026.

Conventional wisdom states that Stripers become active and will enter the bay when water temps hit the 55 degree mark....NOT LAST THURSDAY!

This flood of fish caught me totally by surprise and a very humbling experience to say the least. So much of 24 years in the charter business. Amazing...I learn something new every year and every trip for that matter. I guess when these fish are hungry, water temps take a back seat.

Anyway, mate Rich and I are working on the boat as you read this and getting her "ship shape" for another year of Striper and Fluke fishing. The boat should be in the water by this Friday/Saturday if all goes to plan and going after these fat fish in the bay.

Traditionally, April 15th has always been my start date and it appears this year is no different. Let's go anglers and anglerettes...it's game on.

Tight Lines, Capt. John and Crew

March 20, 2026

Fellow Anglers,

As reported to me recently from my fishing sources, Raritan Bay Striper fishing, so far, has been a little slow to develop. I have heard of a few small (21") fish being caught in area rivers, but that has not been substantiated so far.

Water temps in the bay have been quite cold as the bay and river were frozen over during our very cold winter months. Stripers get active when water temps reach around 55 degrees or so as the last time I looked at the temp chart, the water in the bay was hovering at 42 degrees. But that can change quickly withing a week or so...so hang in there.

May is becoming a very busy month as people are cashing in on my reduced rate offer. If you would like to jump aboard and save few dollars, then call me at the number below. I still have a few choice tidal dates left in May as well as June.

Tight Lines, Capt. John and Crew

March 1, 2026

Fellow Anglers,

2026 promises to be a great year for fishing the New Jersey waters. With the brutal winter we just had, I'm sure the fish are ready to feed after a long winter hibernation period. In order to jump start our fishing season and get you back on the water, I am now offering a special reduced fare from March 1st. to March 30th.

Book your 4 man private charter by March 30, 2026 and get in on our great reduced rates for the spring run of Stripers or our ever popular Summer Flounder (Fluke) trips.

We will begin our 2026 fishing season around mid April for Striped Bass and then switch to Fluke around July 1st through to the end of September. Call me now at 908-421-4761 to get in on our special reduced rates for spring Striper fishing or send me a text message for a quote at captjohn@reelfunsportfishng.com.

These are our 6 hour charter with all rods/reel/rigs and bait included. (mates gratuity extra) This offer good only for bookings done by March 30, 2026.

Tight Lines, Capt. John and Crew

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