Northern New Jersey Fishing Report 12-20-12

Still Plenty To Catch – Tuna & Tilefish to Stripers & Blackfish

Tis the Season to be jolly! And one of the big reasons is that the water temperatures are still holding up and the fish continue to cooperate with anglers willing to brave the elements to give them a new home for the Holidays. If you are still looking to wet a line, the conditions are still favorable. It may be tough to find a ride next week but if you can, opportunities abound for striper, blue, perch and blackfish. There have also been significant sightings (and catches) of bluefin tuna in various canyons. Tilefish also looks festive on a holiday platter, if you get my drift and care to venture deep to find them. So it may be winding down, but it’s certainly not over. Not unless you want it to be.

If it is at all possible to be out on the water, you can bet that Captain Chris Hueth and the crew of the New Big Mohawk will be there. Especially when the fishing is good. Especially when the blackfish are biting. And lately, we have had all of those conditions out of Belmar. Every morning when I turn on my computer, I expect to see the latest haul from Captain Chris and rarely am I disappointed with the show. Blackfish, caught on clam, are the norm right now. More than a few passengers have taken their limits lately with fish up to ten pounds not unusual. This has been the hot party boat for some time now and in my opinion, should be nominated for charter special of the year. That’s how good they have been. And if you are looking for a special gift for the angler in your life, check out the Big Mohawk Web site for some trip gift certificates.

Winter Hours are upon the gang at The Reel Seat in Brielle, but they are still open. The big news there when I spoke to Eric at the shop this week was the bluefin bite that was on in the Hudson until Monday when the wind blew up. There were also reports of longfin tuna being jigged in the same area. The crew is also all excited about the reopening of sea bass come January. Initial reports are real promising and it would seem that many of the local head boats that ordinarily go after these deep water beauties are getting ready to attack them in a full frontal assault. Reel Seat owner was out on a deep water trip recently and came home with a nice 30-pound pollock. Inshore, the blackfish are still biting and there are still stripers in the surf at Manasquan according to Eric. They are still carrying green crab and salted clams if you are looking for an area bait shop, but come January, will only have Friday thru Sunday hours.

Captain Steve Spinelli of the Skylarker certainly hasn’t coiled up the lines for the season. They are still running for blackfish out of Belmar and having success when the weather cooperates, fishing the inshore reefs from Sandy Hook Down to Sea Girt on most days with customers getting fish up to 8 pounds. The Skylarker is also running to the Mud Hole for ling, pollock and the occasional cod. Ling has been the best producer of late in waters from 150 feet plus. The dogfish can be a nuisance at times according to Captain Spinelli, but that is to be expected in waters that are still relatively warm for this time of year. You take the good with the bad. The Skylarker will continue fishing into the New Year but hasn’t yet made a decision on whether they will be running offshore for sea bass when the season opens. My advice would be to call ahead. If they aren’t running, Captain Steve will point you in the right direction for a quality ride.

If you are looking for some less stressful fishing and are on a no-salt diet, then hit the fresh water at Lake Carnegie according to resident New Jersey freshwater fishing expert Tom P. of the Sportsmen Center in Robbinsville. Big crappies can be had there on either chartreuse rubber on jig heads or Gary Yamamoto Ika of the three-inch variety. For bass, head over to Rosedale and take live shiners with you. Pickerel are the main target In Farrington with anglers using live shiners as bait having the most productive days. The Sportsmen’s Center is having some nice year-end sales right now if you are looking for some non-water-involved fishing activity. Ask for Tom, tell him I sent you, and take along some ear muffs. Just a warning, he loves to talk fishing. Or hunting. Or just about anything.

Max at Pride Fishing Tackle in Red Bank shot me a message that the bass are still hitting hard off the beaches in the area. Mostly small and shorts, but there are still keepers to be had. Bait of choice is clam. He has also been hitting the blackfish hard and heavy aboard the Fisher Price II. Mix in some striped bass fishing as well and it’s easy to see there is plenty of action left in this year. If you stop by the shop be sure to give Max a “job well done” for his efforts in Hurricane Sandy relief. He recently held a big fundraiser that raised a ton of money for folks out there who can really use the help. Great Job Max!

The beaches are still open and producing in Long Branch according to owner Jack Montiero of Surf Side Bait and Tackle. The storm hit them pretty hard and the clean-up is still ongoing, but they are open and ready to serve your angling needs. Winter rules are in effect so you may want to call ahead if you need anything. Clams are to bait of the day and the fish are cooperating. As is par for the course, the bigger stripers have left the area for the most part but there are plenty of edible fish still being caught daily. Swimming plugs are you best bet for a keeper sans bait but remember to slow your retrieve down substantially. Water temperatures in the areas are hovering in the high forties.

I only had a brief opening to speak with Chris at Harry’s Outdoor Center this week but the news I got from him was all encouraging. The bass are still being caught at the Shrewsbury Rocks and Sandy Hook according to his clientele in Robbinsville who are hitting the salt water. Chris also told me the blackfish bite in the northern reaches of the state was hanging in there. Most of the party boats were reporting strong activity on the inshore structure. Green crabs were working but white leggers almost guaranteed a good day on the water. That’s all I managed to squeeze out of him as they have been swamped by customers taking advantage of their end of year and Christmas specials at the store. I will make up for it next time I speak to him.

Fishing Forecast

It’s tough this time of year to get accurate or widespread reports about the local fishing. Many of our regular contributors are busy with holiday traffic or putting the shops to bed for a brief winters rest. But the waters are still relatively warm for this time of year and there are plenty of fish to be caught on both the fresh and salt water scene. So if you have your holiday chores out of the way, there are still options available. And if you have some people on your gift list and they happen to be anglers then I have a suggestion whereby you can combine both activities. Head out for some fun on the water but before you go, hit your local Bait and Tackle or charter boat and pick up a couple of gift certificates. After the year we have been through, you deserve some bonus time on the water and the folks who serve you all year long can end the year on an up note. What a better way to spread some holiday cheer. Whatever you choose to do this weekend, have a safe and merry holiday. You only get so many days in the game, don’t waste even one of them. See you on the incoming.