Water Cleaning Up, Late Fall Fishing Improving
One of the most important indicators for the start or end of the fishing season in my eyes are temperatures. Water and air. As someone who plies his trade primarily from the sand and almost never slings bait, temperatures tell me which lures to toss and how the fish should respond. Too high or low and fish tend to get lethargic. Additionally, bait fish start to disappear to more moderate climates, which in turn lead me to abandon some sites and search for more hospitable locales. As we get ready to close out the month of November, the water temps along the coast are hovering in the mid-forties which is a signal to switch up tactics. That in no way means it’s time to put away the gear. The fish are definitely still around. Especially after this storm, the migration seems to be running a little behind schedule. But my past experience leads me to believe that it’s time to switch gears if I want to catch. Let’s see if our scouts out there in the south are in agreement with my outlook.
It’s been over a month since Sandy pounded us and in that time we haven’t been able to get in touch with the gang at Fishermens Supply Co in Point Pleasant. We have heard all the bad rumors out there about them. Building gone, looters, 20 feet of water. Urban legends all of them. I finally spoke with Jason at the shop this morning and while they did indeed get hit pretty hard, they have been up and running for weeks now. Inventory is getting back to normal and the repairs at the shop are progressing nicely. Plus, the fish are running. Jason told me that the blackfishing has been very good and the stripers are still taking plugs. Most are being caught on Diawa custom-colored SP Minnows and needlefish. With sand eels finally making a showing in the area, metal is also duping keeper stripers. Most aren’t trophy fish but there are plenty to go around. The beaches are still somewhat of an issue as to which are currently open but the waters are cleaning out and many of the head boats are operational. All in all, about what you would expect. So if you are in Point Pleasant, be sure to stop in Fisherman’s Headquarters. I’m sure they would appreciate the visit.
Finally spoke to John at The Dock Outfitters in Seaside Heights. The island is still closed to anyone but residents and even they have to be off by 3:00 each day. Island Beach will remain closed until at least the spring from all indications. The Dock got hit pretty bad and is making repairs as we speak. Look for a reopening in the spring season.
In Sea Isle City, the beaches are open, as are most of the bait and tackle Shops. I spoke with Mike Cunningham at Sea Isle Bait and Tackle and he told me the water temperatures are hovering around the mid-40s and the bite is responding appropriately. Stripers are being taken off the beaches by those using fresh clam or bunker or pulling a diving lure with a slower retrieve. Mike will be keeping the shop open six days a week into the foreseeable future with hours from 6 am. He has a full complement of bait but you might want to call ahead as the season progresses.
Tony’s Bait and Tackle in Manahawkin is open and ready for your business. When I spoke to them this week, they told me there are fish being caught at the Barnegat Inlet. Best chance for a keeper is by using live spot, but eels, clam and fresh bunker are producing as well. The beaches of LBI are open but due to storm cleanup, parking is a hit or miss, and no vehicles are allowed on the beach at all. Outside the inlet, anglers have been having success trolling bunker spoons (Tony Maja’s are the hot item) and jigging metal. The blackfish bite has been decent. Water temperatures are in the mid-40s and the fish being caught have definitely been smaller to reflect the cooler water.
Captain Rich Wilkowski of Jersey Hooker Outfitters shop and charters fame is still picking up the pieces and trying to put them back in their rightful spots. The boat is in dry dock but the shop is open and waiting for your business. The fish are biting around the Brick area, head boats are report good catches of both blackfish and striped bass. Cock Robin has been on them several days this week. Rich told me they are running some good deals at the store and for all you out there he need end of season or storm related gear repair, contact him at the store, they will be doing repairs all winter. Remember to buy small this holiday season. On most of the top end equipment, the price caps are pretty much the same as in the big box outlets. And you will be making a difference.
Living around the corner from Absecon Bay Sportsmen’s Center has its advantages. For one, Captain Dave Showell is one of the kings of live bait on the jersey coast. And he runs back bay charters just about every available day and is not shy about giving scouting reports complete with hot spot data. Absecon inlet has been producing steadily since Sandy left according to Dave. Eel, live spot and or clam have been the best baits. On the beaches, Dave recommends the south end of Brigantine Island and also put a heads up for the north end as there are many new obstacles on the beach which resurfaced after Sandy. Tog, when you can get out to the reefs, have been doing well on green crabs. Captain Dave will be running back bay charters as long as the bite stays on. Give him a shout at the shop if you are interested.
Holiday Shopping? Team Tackle Direct in Egg Harbor Township is ready and waiting for your business. When I spoke to them this week, the hot fishing was off the beaches on Absecon Island and some tog action at the inshore reefs. Live bait in both cases was your best opportunity for keeper action.
They are still fishing in Point Pleasant according to Rich at Reel Life Bait and Tackle. It’s tough getting to the beach but the fish are there and waiting for you. The head boats are doing well on stripers but size wise, the fish are a tad smaller. That’s to be expected as the water cools and the bigger fish get a little sluggish according to Rich. The big ones are still there, just not as hungry. In the canal, believe it or not, they are still getting nice blackfish on green crabs or clam. If you are looking for sa day of tog action, most head boats in the area are operational and having success. Reel Life is open from 6 to 6 every day from now until Christmas. It’s a great place to do some Christmas shopping for the other anglers in your life.
In Ocean City, I always check in with Ed Broadstien at Fin-Atics Marine Supply for the latest fishing news. Look to the inlets, Ed informed me, where anglers are picking up fish chunking fresh bunker on the incoming tide. The tog have moved out front since the storm, taking up residence on the reefs in 80 to 90 feet of water. Green crabs are what those in the know are using for fish up to 7 pounds. The beaches, especially on the north and south ends of the island are giving up striped bass, mostly on live bait but some on metals and swimming plugs. Ed recommends slowing your retrieve down for the best results. Fin-atics is fully supplied with all the bait and gear you will need for a successful day on the water and will be running regular hours right through the holidays.
Lou is still mixing up his special striper cocktail to lure in those big striped ones. But to get his secret sauce you will need to head over and see him at Two Chums Bait and Tackle in Sea Isle City. They are back up and running with all the baits in stock and are even carrying white leg crabs for you hard core toggers out there. The bite in Sea Isle has been picky but anglers are still taking stripers off the beach and boat in the area. Crews trolling the lumps have had the best success when the winds die down enough to let them have at it. Two Chums will keep regular hours right through the holidays.
One of the hottest areas in the state of late has been the one of the best places for all of those displaced by Sandy and needing to get on the fish. Head boats and other anglers have been reporting nice double digit catches in Delaware Bay according to Matt at Jim’s Tackle in Cape May. The Cape May Rips have been on one day and off the next, but if you have good timing, they have been on fire when they are on. Fishing in the back bays has been mostly shorts according to Jim. Not unusual but a little early this year. The blackfish bite has been quiet inshore but better off Cape May in water of 100 feet. Surfcasters in Wildwood have been doing well in the north section of the island, mostly between 5th and 15th streets. Bunker is the bait of choice for successful anglers.
Best Bets for the weekend.
From what I have been seeing, the weather should be decent or at least better than it has been for quite some time. The fish are still around, that much I know. Part of the problem in doing reports this time of year, is the reduced fleet looking for them. That problem has been compounded this year as many anglers have written off the season early, making it difficult to get accurate information. If I was to head out on a mission where I must get a keeper, I would place my hopes on chunking the bays and inlets. Fresh bunker is available and seems to be the best producer of late. Clam off the beaches and eels in fast moving water should also work. If tog is your target, green crabs and deep water are the ticket. Those seem to be the only games in town. The beaches are accessible from LBI south, and the waters are clearing up. Sand eels even made an appearance of late, always a good indicator that jigging metal may produce some nice linesiders. If you are out and about, stop in and visit with your local B&T merchant and give them some business. The reality of Sandy has set in and some could use the activity. Whatever you do, stay safe out there. The waters have cooled down substantially and a little mistake could turn ugly in an instant. You only get so many days in the game, spend them wisely. See you on the incoming.