We are experiencing the best season for big striped bass ever. The fish are mostly in the 30-pound class, with only a few 20-class, and quite a few 40-pounders. The action is all along Island Beach State Park to Manasquan Inlet. Probably north of there, as well, but I haven't run past there. 10 to 25 feet of water has been the best. There's an early morning, late morning, mid-day, and late afternoon bite. That's unheard of in this early season bunker fishery. The early and late bites have always been the norm, but these mid-day blitzes are amazing. All of the action I have had lately has been on live bait that we are snagging. We are livelining, snagging and dropping, and fishing fresh dead baits on the bottom with an egg sinker, and they are all working. Most days you can see and hear the bunker getting 'whooshed' across the surface by big stripers. It's a noise that will haunt you while you try to sleep.

The Hi Flier will be running open boat trips for these fish. Two trips on Friday, June 10, 5AM to 11AM, and then again 1PM to 7PM. Sunday, June 12 we will be running an 8 hour open boat, 5AM to 1PM. Monday, June 13 open boat 6 hour trip 1PM to 7PM. The 6 hour trip is $150 per person and the 8 hour trip is $200 per person. All trips limited to 3 people. All the fish are shared among the group. I will usually sail with only one, but then I'm fishing with you! Call for reservations.

Here's a clip of Bob Ferry's 25 pounder coming to gaff this past weekend:



Capt. Dave DeGennaro
Hi Flier Sportfishing
732.330.5674
www.hiflier.com