It’s that time of year when even the hardiest of anglers start to think about rolling it back, and only the real hardcore are hitting the suds every day. It’s certainly not the weather that has people thinking about wrapping up the season. And it’s definitely not the fish, as they seem more than happy to continue their game of hide and seek with us. And with water temperatures hovering in the mid-50s up and down theJerseycoast, conditions are still at near optimum levels. So what the heck, get those holiday chores out of the way and wet a line! There is still plenty of action left in the 2011 fishing season. Don’t let it go to waste.
For the last three weeks, the staff at Grumpy’s Tackle Shop in Seaside Park has spent as much time weighing in fish as they have selling bait and tackle. Big bluefish, huge stripers and even the occasional tautog. On Sunday, they weighed in over 70 fish, proving that the annual striped bass migration is nearing its high point. By beach or by boat, metal lures have been the most productive around IslandBeachState Park. Deadly Dicks, Hopkins and Ava jigs have been the best at mimicking the tons of sand eels that have stalled just off the beaches. If bait fishing is your choice, cut bunker and clams have been holding their own with the beach anglers, while those on boats have been adding eels to the mix, especially in and around the inlets. The gang at Grumpy’s also asked me to remind you that they are a collection point for the annual Christmas Toy Drive for Children’s Hospital in Philadelphia. You can donate by dropping off a new, unwrapped toy At Grumpy’s by December 10th.
At little further down the line, anglers dropping lines inLong BeachIslandare experiencing similar banner results for their efforts. According to Greg at at Fisherman’s Headquarters in LBI, the bite from the beaches has been nothing short of phenomenal of late, especially at first light. Metal (Avas, Hopkins, Deadly Dicks) and pencil poppers have been the most productive lures for beaching a lunker. The lure selection tells me that it’s sand eels down here that the fish are chasing, so arm your arsenal accordingly. Form the boat, its pretty much the same story. From Brant Beach north to Barnegat Inlet, jigging metal in or around the birds have rewarded anglers with non stop action. I have seen reports of boaters hooking up with 50 to 60 fish in a single outing. And even when the bite slows down a little, trolling a bunker spoon, like a Tony Maja, can turn it around in a minute. This season reminds me of 1998, when it seemed like the bite would go on straight through to the spring run. That can’t really happen, can it?
There are signs that the migration is finally moving southward slowly if not surely. Don Brown and Tony Eaton at Captain Andy’s are charting the move. While the bite is nowhere near the northern action, there are still plenty of fish being taken. The beaches are still a little quiet, but Don feels that is only a temporary situation. The inlets have been the hot spots of late. Absecon and Great Egg Inlet have been producing regularly with the best results coming from those drifting eels and live-lining spot. Out front, trolling umbrella rigs or Stretch lures is the ticket to success in at least 40 feet of water. Bunker chunks and clam have been also seeing success. Don told me many of the boat anglers have been heading north for guaranteed hot action or south towards the Avalon Shoals for better options, like bug blue fish. He also informed me that with tog limits going up to 6 per angler recently, they have been seeing more sales of green crabs at the shop. All of the local rock piles have been very productive for “slippery bass” this year.
According to the guys at Jim’s Tackle inCape May, the best is yet to come. The rips ofCape Mayhave been good, but not as consistent as you would imagine for this time of year. More than a little of that has to do with the huge migration stalled up north. That’s not to say fishing has been bad, just not what those up north have been experiencing so far this year. But if the water temps hank in there, we could be fishing the Rips on New Years day this year. Now wouldn’t that be special? The wildwood beaches have been steadily picking up, which is also a real good sign. And the Delaware Bay has been chunking up some really nice fish up to 50 pounds. The 60-Foot-Slough has been one of the most fruitful area to fish if you are heading toDelaware Bay.
For those of you reading this that for some unexplainable reason have tired of striper and bluefishing, don’t give up hope.New Jersey’s fall trout stocking program has recently finished and they are already started their winter trout stocking program. This year, the state will be putting out 5,000 large trout in 23 lake locations across the state. The winter stocking program will put 14- to 18-inch rainbow trout in the lakes augmenting the 21,000 that were released as of the end of October. Thanks to the NJDEP, no longer does the cool weather of fall and winter signal the end of freshwater angling. As long as you have the urge, there are trout out there for the taking. For exact stocking levels, check the NJDEP website.
Best bets for the weekend.
No doubt that after tomorrow, many will be looking to work off some of those extra pounds that were added with a great Thanksgiving Feast. If you need some fish for the table, the best bet is to head north. The sand eels have stalled fromIslandBeachState parkthough the end ofLong BeachIsland. Skinny metals from the beach or boats have been the most productive. If you cannot make the trek northward, Have no fear. There are fish all the way along the coast; you just may need to work a little harder in the southern reaches of the state. Inlets have been producing some nice fish for those dragging eels or cut bunker. If you have some live spot, use ‘em up, they are always a good choice. The rips are heating up in the far south, so contact your local charter guy and give it a shot. Or just hit the beaches. The weather will be great this weekend, hopefully that stubborn south wind will lay down a bit and make for some prime conditions. First light is best but all tides should give you an opportunity.
It has been a fantastic fall run so far this year and there is still a month left before the official start of winter. I hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving day. Relax, indulge yourself and rest up for the holidays to come. And don’t write off the season yet, there are still multitudes of fish out there for the taking. From everyone at On The Water Magazine, we wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving.
Shoot, and here all of us NY south shore anglers are moaning
about lack of sand eels and they all seem to be off Jersey. I can’t
cast that far!!
Jeff, I feel your pain. I live just outside of AC and the fish have been, for the most part, stalled just north of us. LBI and ISland Beach have been on fire for the last three weeks and we are getting the leftovers. Hopefully, at least for us southern Jersey freaks, the tide will turn before the waters turn too cold. If not, we will always have tog (or blackfish for you New yawkers).