Tuna numbers coming up short along the Jersey coast

reefs the catches of black sea bass and flounder have been pretty hood, although I don’t know why the bite on the Old Grounds seems off this summer. I suggest trying the artificial reefs off Jersey. These reefs also are harboring fair numbers of croakers, tailor blues and weakfish.

Along the beaches the activity is primarily on kingfish during the day and sharks once the sun goes down. I’m not speaking of Great Whites or predators like that. Most are sand sharks, fun to catch in the surf but hardly a predator.

In the back the amount of bait is incredible. Peanut bunker are in huge schools and all of that is making for easy pickings for the flounder, weakies, stripers, taug and sheepshead. There have been a couple of doormat flounder taken in the past couple of weeks behind Strathmere. Some of these are nearing the 10-pound mark.

I always have been a fan of livelining, mainly because that method has produced some impressive fish for me. With all the snapper blues in the back why not get a couple of Sabiki rigs and hook a few of the little blues. Then place one of your hook and let it drift with your boat. If there is a big fish, flounder or otherwise, around it will find that hapless bait fish and you will have a nice battle.

Just a word of warning if you have never used a Sabiki. Personally, I hate them. They consist of a string of tiny hooks but because those hooks are so small they easily can penetrate an unsuspecting finger. Ask me how I know!

Striper action is not bad for this time of the year but most of the activity is at night That liveline technique should produce some action for you.

Finally, we cannot forget the crabbing. I don’t know if it as hot as a few weeks ago but if you get some and make garlic crabs give me a call. ACROSS THE BAY » Down in the Lewes, Rehoboth and Ocean City areas there has been an abundance of big flounder. I am talking fish around 10-pounds. I didn’t hear what bait the most successful anglers have been using but a visit to your favorite tackle shop should get you what you need to know. And, while you are trying for the flounder you also stand a fair shot at some really big sheepshead. The largest I could find so far was almost 9-pounds.

On the Pier anglers have been finding a really mixed bag of flounder, spot, croakers and blues. Most seem to be relying on bloodworms to attract the fish. As I noted in the Jersey section, the Old Grounds catch seems to be off but that may be because the sea conditions have limited the days and number of boats giving that popular spot a shot.

While most of what this column is about salt water fishing, I understand that some of the fresh water area have been producing some really nice sized pickerel. So, if you are in the Delaware area and the weather blows out your trip, perhaps a visit to a pond or lake will make your day.