It is not CLOSE to over!
Under normal circumstances, even the hardest of the hardcore striper fisherman would at least be planning to have their boats wrapped and ready to be tucked in for winter by now, but there is nothing normal about what has been going on this December in New Jersey.
Nothing short of epic, a striper bite to tell your grandchildren about. 2011 is closing out as one of the best years to catch striped bass in at least the last decade. Although the water temperature the last couple nights has dipped into the high to mid 40s, my trip out front yesterday registered 54 degrees – unheard of for this time of year.
There is bait everywhere; herring, sand eels, bunker, and there is no reason for the fish to leave. Up north, the main schools of stripers are still hanging off of Long Beach Island in a stall on their southern migration. Surfcasters on LBI and Island Beach State Park were slamming stripers at sunrise this past weekend. Surfcasters in that zone are throwing sand eel imitation metals like Ava jigs, T-Hex and Deadly Dicks on fluorocarbon leaders with teasers about 18 inches above the jig.
In the boats, trolling shad rigs and Stretch 30s off of the near shore structure, drifting live baits back to shoals in the inlets, and hanging clams or bunker have all been working for those looking for a Holiday thrill. The fish are relating to structure as many of these areas are holding the largest concentration of bait, so pick your spots carefully. Of course, if the birds are in play, just run, gun, and start jigging those same sand eel imitations and hang on.
Two anglers were just leaving Giglio’s In Sea Bright when I called. They stopped in to grab some Ava 17s and 27s, and headed out to a reported blitz going down at the Hook. There were fish caught on Monmouth Beach over the last couple days as well and, believe it or not, reports of peanut bunker still in the river. I guess they did not pick up their On The Water calendar and check what date it was.
The Reel Seat in Brielle reports that the action on the beach is still strong, but a little more spread out. Pods of fish were hanging just outside the inlet and the surf in Mantoloking. Guys in the shop report that Capt. Bob on The Gambler out of Point Pleasant had all of his fares limited out by 10:30 in the morning. Not a bad December day!
Grumpy’s says the bassing is still mighty good on the beach from Lavallette down through Island Beach. Lots of surfcasters are heaving Ava’s with teasers and bringing home the bacon. Blackfishing on the northern wrecks has also been very strong.
Grumpy’s also wants to remind everyone that the Polar bear Tournament starts on January 1 at 5am and runs through the end of April. There is a $10 entry fee and all info is available at the store.
Capt. Andy at Riptide Bait & Tackle in Brigantine has been keeping busy weighing fish like the 31-pounder Bruce Parker brought to the scales. Bruce used his tag that day and had a couple of 35” to fill the freezer for the winter time as well. Karl Stock had 8 bass in the inlet the same day so the bite is definitely moving south.
Team Tackle Direct has been off the water and in their new location getting it together for the holiday rush. Have you ever seen 24,000 square feet of fishing inventory? They are now located 1/2 miles South of Exit 36 on the GSP on Tilton Road in Egg Harbor Township.
Bill at Fin-atics in Ocean City reports that bass have been popping just out of casting range on the OC beach and both inlets, Great Egg and Corsons, have been super productive the last three days. Bass and blues have been hitting bunker chunks off the shoals with many in the 20- to mid-30-pound range.
Chris at 24/7 Bait & Tackle on Ocean Heights Ave in Somers Point has been doing what his name says… staying up late at night giving anglers a place to warm up and restock. I stopped in there pretty late on Sunday evening to to prep for a last minute offshore sea bass trip. Frankly, if they were not open for us to grab the right bait, we would have been going to a gunfight with a knife. Thanks Chris!
Farther South at Off the Hook in Cape May, Chuck reports that the bite in the bay on bunker chunks is still strong. There are major bodies of fish moving through all the time and if you are willing to brave the weather, it is most certainly worth the effort.
All in all, if you stopped fishing already this year, you stopped fishing too soon. Bundle up, grab your gear, and head out now! From the beach or from the boats, it is much better to have your own story to tell than to listen to ours.
Stay Tuna-ed!
Comments or questions to Capt. Ed at FmTuna@aol.com