at a loss: skunk continues

[bunkatabunka]

Honest report from today : sucked again

My streak of bad fluke fishing continues, and I can't figure out what I'm doing wrong. I've been fluking raritain bay and sandy hook area for 12 seasons now, I am not a beginner. The past 2 trips I have gotten skunked completely and previous trips I would not even consider decent by any stretch. ( I think I'm up to 3 keepers the whole summer).


Today, there were 4 of us on the boat. All using different color combos of bucktails and teasers, tipped with different types of gulp, my go to rig (john skinner rig). Tried by the navy pier, in the channels, edges of the channels, deep into the reach, flats by keansburg, went out to the swash channel and fished both in and the edges, couldnt make it further south down the beach bc of the wind picking up. Nothing followed by more nothing. Last trip was over by Coney Island, Rockaway, tin can grounds and just had some unintended porgies, no fluke.

I know its been an off season, but what gives? Can someone at least just tell me shallow or deep? PM's are more than welcome. I will be back at it early as possible tomorrow to try a morning bite instead. I am thinking deep water near some rocks somewhere...

[klark2008]

seems like this year its either really good or just flat out bad. We had 3 trips with a 3 man fluke and seabass limit and like 10 trips with not a single keeper anything. stop checking depths just follow the boat

[HighHook94]

You're not the only one struggling. Last weekend I got a couple shorts. The previous weekend I had my limit, but that was the only good day I've had this entire season. I got my limit at the rattlesnake and Shrewsbury rocks, but those were the only three fish I caught. Last weekend I fished ambrose and Scotland, got nothing at ambrose, and a couple shorts at Scotland, so went for porgies and had drop and reel fishing.

[Detour66]

I had some limits of keeper Fluke but not many. Seems like there a lot more Sea Bass around. The water in the bay seems very warm and dirty. I am having better luck in the ocean with the cleaner water. Hang in there.... you will get your mojo back!

[Gerry Zagorski]

Yes it's not been great in general . This recent cold snap and the 3 days of NE probably didn't help either.

Seems like people fishing deeper and on the ocean side are going better.

[bunkatabunka]

update: out here today, the nightmare continues. 3 shorts since 8am.

[Canyonfish]

I know skunks are not what we look for.... but these days your nightmare is my dream....... just getting out there .... having to work 6 days a week and family commitments on the 7th day ..... been out maybe 5 times all year..... you will find them soon ......

[dfish28]

I thought fluking really sucked this year as well, then I went somewhere else not normally for me... fluking does not suck they are just in other places...

[mikeytheflop]

in 2017 if you want keepers,

D
r
a
g

B
a
i
t

[hammer4reel]

Originally Posted by mikeytheflop

in 2017 if you want keepers,

D
r
a
g

B
a
i
t

We haven't had a problem limiting out . And Def aren't dragging bait