[619627]

While i was out on the water off Staten Island on Saturday i was able to scope out where the flounder fleet was working and actually seeing first hand how they were doing. The fleet was concentrated deep inside Raritan Bay just east of Wards Pt, fishing in 20 feet of water. A number of party boats ranging from the Atlantic Princess, Sea Pigeon and the Royal Sunshine were all working this area along with a few charter and private boats. This was the ONLY area where i saw any boats fishing for flounders in what we call the 'back' of Staten Island. I spoke to Captain Danny Lind of the Royal Sunshine in the morning who said that this area is giving up a slow pick of nice sized fish.

Ontill the temps start picking up, this area is probably your best bet to pick up some fish. Watch the tides, chum and pound, and you should be able to go home with some fine eating fish.

EC NEWELL MAN*

 

[KILSONG]

Due to the low water temperature this year, I believe flounder hasn't move out of the Navesink and Shrewberry River jet. Unlike other areas, usually the river flounder fishing is peaking around from late March to mid April. By mid April flounder start to move out to Raritan Bay and good bay flounder fishing occurs from mid April to early May in the Romal Shoal and the Cedar later on. In the river, most big flounder stay in the shallow flat where big party boats can not get in. Most pary boats fishing in the river stay near the channel. When you fish near the channel, you have to fish around the slack tide. When water temperature goes up flouder start biting during the running tide, but the slack tide is the best time, especially in the famous Quay area (just before the Highland bridge)..
When you fish in shallow flat, flounder bites better during the running tide especially outgoing when the water temperature in the river is higher than the ocean's.

 

[Miss Beryl Charters]

Raritan Flounder

EC. Thanks for the flounder report
from Raritan. Question - Do you think
those flounder are safe to eat considering that the broken sewer line was only repaired a few weeks back?
Regards

 

[619627]

fishinsurfer...thats a good question, which i do not have a answer for. I was off this area today, and due to the high gusting winds, did not see one boat fishing. Would i be leary of eating this fish? Well thats up to you. For how many years did anglers go upto Quincy and fish off Logans and other areas in the Boston Harbor before they built the sewage treatment plant?

Kilsong...great tips on when and where to fish for flounders due to the tides.

EC NEWELL MAN*

 

[KILSONG]

The flounder fishing is in full wing in the Navesink River and Shrewberry River now as the water temperature goes up above 45 degree. Upto 40 flounder per boat is reported. It looks like we have the best flounder season in 3 or 4 years. Good floundr fishing in the river means good flounder fishing in the Bay later on. I heard that one guy caught over 50 flounder in the Barnegat Bay.

 

[625284]

Boat rentals

These river flounder sound interesting.
Does anyone know of any boat rental
operations in the area where we can get to these spots. TIV

 

[614668]

Broken sewer line will only really impact shellfish. Not flounder. Although, I cannot vouch for the water quality and personally would not want to eat something caught off of the world's largest garbage dump and chemical factory, oops I mean S.I. & N.J.

 

[Gamakatsu]

fishinsurfer, you can give them to me and I'll tell you if they were good or not.

Gamakatsu

 

[KILSONG]

There are two places you can rent a boat. One is the Oceanic Marina, Rumson. The marina is located under Rumson Bridge in the middle of the Navesink River. Flounder spot is just a few minutes away. The other one is located under the Highland bridge. From here you can go up to the river or go out to the bay. Unfortunately I don't have phone numbers. If weather is good this weekend, I plan to go flounder fishing on a rental boat.

 

[Miss Beryl Charters]

RB Flounder

Hey Gama,
Sorry bud none for you,
Im saving them for my mother in-law
she loves flounder!!! LOL !

 

[625284]

Boat rentals

Thanks Kil, I intend to be out there
on Friday regardless of the weather
as long as they let us out.
Just a note I spoke to the people at
Oceanic and they say BYOW.
Bring yer own worms.
GL

 

[KILSONG]

Yes, you got to bring worm and chum.
You can buy fresh clam or mussel at the Tackle Box or the Jullian. Heavy chum is very important. I usually go to Freeport, Long Island to buy many boxes of clam belly and freeze them. Ask Pete at the Oceanic Marina for extra anchor. The double anchor is a must.
Good Luck.