It is the second week of August, and boy are we lucky! The usual long hot spells and windless days have not really settled on us, or we just got them out of the way in July. For many years, a couple of weeks in August are usually poor fishing. I can remember writing bulletins recommending clamming, water skiing, or day trips to Tuckers Island due to the lack of biting fish. Well, we may not have great quantities of fish, but there sure were some quality fish brought in this week. There's a ton of new fish pictures on the counter and if your internet active, be sure to check the catch page.

Let's start with the Fluke fishing. The Fluke fishing makes no sense to me. This week, Fluke were caught in the mouth of the Mullica River way back in the bay and as far offshore on the ocean as 4 miles to 5 miles, or 55 to 65 feet of water in front of Little Egg Inlet. This is good, because nobody will be able to clean them out! However, this is also bad, because it makes it tougher for you to fill the fish box too. Try fishing all the regular fishing spots in the bay, one is as good as the next. Since we spoke mostly about Fluke fishing in the bay for the past few months, I am going to ramble on about Fluke fishing on the ocean. Hands down, the best type of rig to fish on the ocean is some variation of a Top & Bottom rig. Two years ago, mylar stranded material Top & Bottom rigs worked the best for many anglers. I stress two years ago, because last fall we only had a mediocre run of Fluke on the ocean. I recommend digging those rigs out of the back of your tackle box. I suppose the mylar catches more light on the ocean bottom and possibly that is the edge that mylar gives you to catch more fish. Remember, 4 to 5 ounces of weight should be used to keep those Top & Bottom rigs fished straight up and down and close to the boat. This rig is most effective when fished in this manner. Fishing for Fluke on the ocean is difficult if you have no place to start. Many of the long time ocean anglers have log books with a list of lumps. They will leave the inlet with a destination in mind. Fluke will hang around these areas year after year. So if you're fortunate enough to join a group of fishing boats and you are catching fluke, pay attention to the loran and gps numbers where your fish are caught. A watchful eye on a depth finder will clue you into whether the fish are laying on the upside or the downside of a particular lump or rise in the ocean floor. If the fish are feeding on the upside of the lump, then it would make sense to only drift the rising area of the lump. Record the date and water depth as well as the GPS or LORAN numbers for each successful fishing trip. Write them down even if you find a lump or ridge that doesn't produce fish, it may be the "hot spot" the next trip out. One of the most easily fished lumps is one approximately 3 miles outside Little Egg Inlet, called the Atomic Lump (loran 26944 43100). Sorry, I'm still on days of loran. Its a fairly large lump and can be found with a GPS conversion. It is about 2 miles East of the Little Egg Bell Buoy. Another good drifting area has been the artificial reef site known as the Little Egg Reef site.

Bay weakfish fishing is like bay Fluke fishing, they are spread out all over. The neatest catch this week was by Paul LoGiudice with his 4 pound 12 ounce Weakfish caught in the lagoon behind his East Mohawk Drive Mystic Island home. Focus your efforts on your favorite area, or anchor the boat off Oyster Bed point in the mouth of the Mullica River, or a little further South in the mouths of the Motts or Oyster Creeks. Fish those shedders on plastic worms or your special super rig.