Josh Jorgensen Fishes New Jersey
Josh Jorgensen Fishes New Jersey
- Posted by Kim, TackleDirect
- On May 17, 2016
- Comments
- 1
The weather windows have been tight this spring in southern New Jersey, with heavy rain, unseasonable cold, and a steady, kicking wind. But on Friday, May 13, the weather broke long enough for us to put TackleDirect Pro Staffer Josh Jorgensen on fish.
The Day:
The tide is dead low when we pull out. We box our flounder rigs and tie on topwater poppers for bluefish. The blues this year have been in skinny water with reports of 15-pound bay bluefish sitting in 1- to 2-foot flats. We work a mud bank until our captain’s phone rings. It’s a report of biting bluefish. Even better, the calling captain is within sight. We run over, pitch our lures and within minutes, have a triple header.
By far, the most productive lure of the day was the Tactical Anglers CrossOver Stalker. TackleDirect Sales Manager John Vaughan threw it, using a “walk the dog” retrieve to create a nice topwater motion. (He credits his style to Dan Schafer of Insomniac Guide Service.) John snags five hookups in quick succession.
Within 30 minutes, the birds stop picking and the blues stop fighting. We release three and keep six on the boat. The tide is moving, so we switch to our flounder rigs and drop in deeper waters (6- to 12-feet). There are four of us all steadily flicking our wrists to bounce our rigs off the bottom.
I snag the first flounder, but it’s small, probably 5- to 6-inches. Our captain, Carmen, and Josh hook up, pulling in nicer sized fish, but still short of the 18-inch minimum that determines keepers comes May 21. All in all, we catch and release four flounder.
It’s nearing noon at this point, the temperature has dropped, and the rain starts to move in. We run over to a productive striper spot, cast around the banks and openings for a good 30 minutes, and then call it a day.
The boat gets washed, the rods get rinsed, and the bluefish are put on ice.
What I Learned:
Josh is the host of the world’s most subscribed to, online, fishing show — BlacktipH Fishing. He is a renowned shark fisherman, but he is equally skilled when it comes to targeting other salt- and freshwater species. And after fishing with Josh, I know why.
Josh asks questions.
I’ve never fished with an angler so dedicated to understanding every facet of the fishery. In just five-hours of fishing, Josh dug in on bait fish types, their movement, and seasonality. He asked about light, moon phases, tides, water temperature and barometric pressure. He noted depth, bottom, and structure. He questioned lure size, action, color, and retrieval. There is a simple reason Josh catches fish — he does his homework. (It doesn’t hurt that he can cast a mile.)
Take note from Josh — be knowledgeable about your environment. Making informed fishing decisions will improve your hookup ratio.
For more on Josh Jorgensen:
The Tackle:
Bluefish Set-Up #1
Rod: RH Custom, Reel: Shimano Stradic CI4+ 4000, Line: PowerPro 20lb Braid, Leader: Hi-Seas 15lb Fluorocarbon, Lure: Rapala Skitter Pop
Bluefish Set-Up #2
Rod: RH Custom, Reel: Shimano Stradic FK4000, Lure: Yo-Zuri Mag Darter in Chartreuse/Glow
Bluefish Set-Up #3
Rod: G.Loomis GL2, Reel: Quantum Cabo 40, Lure: Yo-Zuri Hydro Popper in Blue Sardine
Bluefish Set-Up #4
Rod: St. Croix Mojo Surf, Reel: Quantum Cabo 40, Lure: Tactical Anglers CrossOver Stalker in Black/Gold
Flounder Set-Up #1
Rod: G.Loomis GL3, Reel: Shimano Stradic CI4+ 2500, Line: PowerPro 10lb Braid, Leader: Hi-Seas 15lb Fluorocarbon, Lure: 5/8th Jig Head with Pink Berkley Gulp Swimming Mullet tied with a teaser (pink, chartreuse closer minnow)
Flounder Set-Up #2
Rod: G.Loomis Greenwater, Reel: Shimano Stradic CI4 2500, Lure: White SPRO Bucktail Jig with Chartreuse Berkley Swimming Mullet
Flounder Set-Up #3
Rod: Shimano Clarus, Reel: PENN Battle II 3000, Lure: White Andrus Bucktail with Chartreuse Berkley Swimming Mullet
Flounder Set-Up #4
Rod: G.Loomis IMX, Reel: Shimano Stradic 1000FK, Lure: White Andrus Bucktail with Chartreuse Berkley Swimming Mullet
The Apparel
STORMR
STORMR R810MF Nano Jacket
The perfect balance of a lightweight, waterproof and breathable outer shell with the performance you have come to expect from STORMR products.
STORMR
Stormr R810MP Nano Pants- Grey
Designed for keeping you comfortable and protected in warm, hot and tropical conditions. These pants will keep you cool and comfortable.
Grundens
Grundens P762R Hooded Waterproof Shirt
Durable, comfortable, and made with knitted polyester base material laminated to a PVC polyurethane layer, this jacket is perfect for many different activities such as commercial fishing and construction.
Grundens
Grundens SUND 811N Waist Pant
Made with waterproof polyurethane and polyester fleece materials to resist dirt, oil, and other stains while staying soft, flexible and waterproof.
Grundens
Grundens Gage EFHS Eat Fish Hooded Sweatshirt
This new version of that classic message features a collage of fishing activity as the background.
TackleDirect
TackleDirect Custom High Crown Hat
This hat uses 6 panel construction with 100% stretch twill for the ultimate in ease of fit, breathability and comfort.
XTRATUF
XTRATUF 22170G Neoprene Shoe
A light, flexible material ensures easy slip on and off. Virtually impervious to moisture or chemical splashes.
SoftScience
SoftScience Men’s Fin Fishing Shoes
Mesh upper and self-draining system ensures these shoes dry quickly. SoftScience Fins hold their grip on slippery surfaces, both in the water and out.
Until the next weather window,
Kim, TackleDirect
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