Raritan Bay Bunker

[fishindick]

Last year this time the bunker were so thick you could walk from Old Bridge to Staten Island on their backs. This year they seem to be only out by Great Kills and I saw them once by Perth Amboy. Any idea why they're not fully in yet? it seems like everything else started early but the bunker are late.

[MikeD.]

Ever heard of nets? (NOT the guys lookin' for bait)

[GlennSr.]

I've heard that there are comms working at night but I don't think that is true because they have alot to loose for a few bunker. The NY fish and game don't play. I think that the rec guys are pulling alot out of a small place. Think about 20 boats a day pulling 50 or more baits a day. I don't know for sure but I think the pickings are slim for everything but blues. Bass are real hard to find,guys are happy to get 3 or 4 fish and last couple of years it was double numbers. I hope it gets better before it's over.

[customXrider]

the adult bunker are in pretty thick in the cape cod canal, which is at least 2 weeks too early. sounds like it has been an off spring for most of the mid atlantic

[procastinator]

The bunker are very thick this year already up there, they just aren't very thick in the areas everybody is used to finding them. (Great Kills) :) Once the weather settles down a bit, I believe you will see more around.

[rob]

the bunker like to hunker down until the weather settles as Procrastinator mentioned.

we've had a train of storms blow through leaving very little settled patterns.

plus, even with the mild winter, the spring has been below avg temps.

[earnurstripes]

These guys are on the money. Great Kills is not the only market in town. Bunker is to be found, you need to work a little though. Good luck!!

CPR = Catch, Photo & Release*
*Besides the picture fits better in your wallet.:)

[Reg29]

The bunker have moved out front in a big way!!!!

[TRAVELER SPORTFISHING]

I've heard that there are comms working at night but I don't think that is true because they have alot to loose for a few bunker. The NY fish and game don't play. I think that the rec guys are pulling alot out of a small place. Think about 20 boats a day pulling 50 or more baits a day. I don't know for sure but I think the pickings are slim for everything but blues. Bass are real hard to find,guys are happy to get 3 or 4 fish and last couple of years it was double numbers. I hope it gets better before it's over.

That was true last year cause I saw them twice at night.

[fishindick]

The bunker in Raritan bay last year were very thick. There were pods 200ft across all over the place. So far this year I have not seen any big pods, only a few small ones. I find it hard to believe that the immense population last year could have been completely dessimated in one year to be next to nothing now. I guess they're probably waiting for calmer weather like you guys said.