Fishing Report: July 7–13 — Fluke turning the corner and a canyon tuna trip

The fluke bite finally started to turn the corner this week, with the first keeper limits of the season showing in the river — plus one member's long run to the canyon for tuna.

Tuesday, July 8 — Fred T. put together the first limit of the season in the river. No monsters, but a real step up, with good short action mixed in. He worked a 1/2 oz jig with a teaser on top, Gulp grubs — white on top, pink on the bottom hook. His read: we're still a couple weeks behind. Same day, Mike G. pulled a 21-incher out of the canal on a 1/2 oz jig tipped with a killie. Both agreed it's finally starting up.

Wednesday, July 9 — Chris J. made the long run to the SW corner of the Hudson Canyon — 94 miles from the inlet, out at midnight and back around 5 in the afternoon. Good day of tuna fishing, heaviest going 62.5 lbs. Tired but worth it.

Thursday, July 10 — A busy day on the report. John G. flew the flag for the surf crew, fluking right in front of the Wreckaway jetty — hooking doubles on a high-low rig, jig on the bottom hook with Gulp on top. Close, but no keepers. Sean W. found a nice drift and a great bite on the Sea Girt in the morning — all shorts plus one nice black sea bass — then pushed up to the rattlesnake and got into some giant clearnose skates, but no big fluke yet. And Paul S. took his two grandsons (ages 6 and 3) out in the river for their first-ever fluke each; the biggest went 17-1/2", just shy of a keeper. Proud papa held the fish for the pictures.

North winds late in the week had the fleet hopeful the ocean would clean up and turn on. Tight lines — see you on the water.