A few notes on West End action as the weekend gets under way:
Fluke fishing has been decent in Ambrose Channel with the better scores being made on the on the first quarter of the ebb. Not too much action, but a fair number of keepers with some pushing six pounds. Jamaica Bay has also produced a few keepers, mostly in 25 to 40 feet of water, and in the shadows of the bridges. Local spearing have bee out-producing Pruvian baitfish in most areas. A green teaser, tied a foot above a white-bucktailed fluke bullet, has been the hot ticket on big fluke in most areas.
On the striper front, the Tin Can Grounds are producing a pick of fish, although skippers with solid GPS numbers can put together a good catch. More important than tide has been getting out at dawn or dusk. The morning bite has been over by 8:00 a.m. while the evening bite starts around 7:00 p.m. Bunker chunks have been the top bait, although some sharpies are now clam chumming at the bridges.
Bluefish are still inside Jamacia Bay, taking bunker chunks on the bottom at the North Channel and Atlantic Beach bridges. Cocktails show ealry and late, most days, at Jones and Debs inlets, but also sometimes put in an appearance at at the top of the ebb. Cast a Hopkins Shorty or a blue/white Atom popper for the cocktails. Breezy Point has offered a occassional bluefish blitz at the start of ebb tide.