By Eddy Gonzalez
PERTH AMBOY — I am back! Due to PC technical difficulties, I was not able to do my weekly reports. Sorry for that.
Now down to business. Let’s start with something I have not seen in Perth Amboy’s local waters in about six years weakfish. Yes, they are back making being caught off the piers and beaches on squid and peanut bunker. Weakfish regulations are 1 fish at 13’’ few locals brought in up to 17’’.
Spot fish have been abundant being caught on small pieces on bloodworms and sandworms. A great alternative to live worms are Fish bites or gulp sand or blood. I’ve tried them myself and they do work well though I favor the fish bites a little more.
Snapper blues and cocktail blues are still running strong chasing poppers, spearing and peanuts all along the bay fluking has slowed down quite a bit with a catch here and there the bigger fish seeking cooler waters with more oxygen in depths of 80 pulse feet.
Schoolie stripers are also being caught on sandworms at night average size is 17’’-19’’. Soon the big boys will be back for the fall run mid October through December depending on water temps until then I recommend using circle hooks for a safe release to many fish are injured using J hooks and end up dying needlessly. It’s up to us to do the right thing. Circle hooks by design hook the fish on the side of the mouth avoiding them to swallow the hook injuring themselves. Since I’m on the topic of doing the right thing. Over-catching baitfish – It’s easy to do but always keep in mind take what you need. Too many times I’ve seen people going nuts catching snagging netting bait and when the smoke clears they have all this bait they don’t know what to do with. The school of bait scared off with the fish under them gone so then what? Exactly.
September 15th is the annual youth fishing derby held at the second pier closest to the Armory, you know the one that’s been making all the papers. This is yet another great opportunity to take your kids fishing or introduce them to fishing. It’s a lot of fun great prizes and memories made. I can’t stress the importance of what a impact something like fishing means to a kid. I know it always meant something to me as you all know from my previous reports I hold very dear. The times me and my dad went fishing and the times spent by the water.
This week’s catch of the week is a hardcore fisherman if I ever saw one. His name is Jesse Menna. This young man fishes in all weather and conditions blistering heat freezing cold nice sunny days to hurricane advisories all day all night that is a true hardcore fisherman which reminds me of a little something I read a long time ago.
“In the pursuit of greatness amongst one’s peers one must be willing boldly fulfill any incessant desire to the magnitude that is so intense that no pain no fear is too great to stop the succession of this journey only death itself can put a end to the journey then and only then will you be.’’ – a hardcore fisherman. Fall fishing in Perth Amboy is the best around and very under rated monster stripers make their way through hitting the beaches feasting on clams chunk bunker eels.
The store will have its yearly tournament in November. Stay tuned
In stock sandworms, killies, fresh bunker and more before your next trip come by. See use at American Pride Bait and Tackle or call 732-486-8395.
EJesse Menna showing a weakfish he caught *photo submitted
