Dannys, Bags, and a Whole Bunch of Fish
As usual, first, shop news…
We have added the final Lights Out Lures offering we have to the website. Some may say we saved the best for last (I know some of you needlefish fans are getting ready to pound on your keyboards…). The Lights Out Lure Danny swimmer is now available online. We have two sizes, five colors, and the options to get them with or without eyes.
With the single use plastic bag ban in effect in New Jersey, we had to make some adjustments at Grumpys. While we are still allowed to use plastic bags for bunker (fresh or frozen), everything else needs to go in a reusable bag. For that, we got you covered. We got in some reusable fabric Grumpys Tackle bags. And for the first 100 customers, we are giving you one for free. Come on in and pick one of the first 100 bags up.
Another special that is still running is our “Buy Two – Get One Chicken Scratch” special for Yo-Zuri products. Buy any two Yo-Zuri products and get a free Hyrdo Minnow LC in the Chicken Scracth color (or as Yo-Zuri calls it, Pearl Yellow). This offer is running both in the store and online, and will last as long as supplies last.
And the last special that we are running, 30% off all Fin Strike rigs. Use FINSTRIKE30 at checkout for the discount to apply. This is for the online store only.
How’s the fishing been? If you are fishing a clam on in the surf, it has been fantastic. There have been lots of striped bass caught, and a variety of sizes too. It's been an incredible spring for striped bass fishing for those using clams. We suspect there might be some fish available for those throwing lures, most likely after dark, but the clam bite has turned even some of the most ardent lure fisherman into someone willing to "throw the snot".
In other news, there are large bluefish in Barnegat Bay. A couple of our own employees have been out beating them up. Or more accurately, letting the bluefish beat up their lures. Surface plugs have worked, but when the fish get finicky, a swimming plug like an SP Minnow or Yo-Zuri picks up the slack.
The fluke fishing has also been pretty good. Its been pretty much a backwater fishery right now, and most anglers who are seeing success are being quiet about it, as the back bay spots get crowded quickly. Bucktails and Gulp! have been the best options.
Black Sea Bass in NJ has opened and our own Frankie Z went out and had “Drop and Reel” fishing for them for a couple of hours. He said they were hitting bait rigs better than jigs, but that may change as we move away from the full moon shed. If you want to try lures for these fish, try Nomad Gypsea jigs or WeFish138 Slow Pitch Slayer jigs.
Here are some notable catches since the previous report:
Sometimes you have to sacrifice some equipment to get the one. Our good customer Charlie did just that tonight. He came in picked of some Fresh Shucked Clams and was rewarded with this brute but he broke his rod in the process.
Bobby Kildosher with a 34” 12.65lb Bass he caught on his 1st CAST using Clams!
Even the pros sometimes lose the battle. If you have been following our report, George Miller is familar to you. Here, George hooked a slob this afternoon while fishing clams on the beach. Shortly after this photo the bass spit the hook. But look at that bend in his ODM rod.
Now for something different. Kyle Tolentino with 26.5” 6.30lb Fluke caught on Gulp! from shore.
Eugene had one heck of a day. He landed and released striped bass of 30 inches and 31 inches before landing (and then releasing) this 40 inch fish. All fish fell for clams fished in the IBSP surf.
Here’s @nickchristina._ with a nice bass shortly after stopping in to pick up some clams and rigs.
Ray has had a tough week, so we re giving him a break in the reports. Here is his reaction…
