Well boys and girls, it almost that time of year when we hang them up for the season. No, I’m not talking about your rods! I was thinking more along the lines of your Christmas stockings. According to the reports I am getting from our scouts out there, there is plenty of life left in the water. Yes, the species available are down to a handful but there is still action to be had. Blues, bass and tautog are the headliners, but there are some new acts waiting off in the wings. And the weather is still cooperating. It looks like we are going to ride this horse right through the end of the year. But that’s just my observation. Let’s see what those out there in the front lines have to say about it.
When I stopped in to chat with Captain Dave Showell this week to see what was happening around Absecon Island, I found out he was out fishing on a charter again. The owner of Absecon Bay Sportsmens Center is always out if there are fish around, that much I know. He did call in from the boat and we found out he had two nice 18-pound fish n the box along with another keeper. All were taken on live spot, which ABS still has in inventory. According to Kurt at the shop, the inlet has been the hot spot and an hour on either side of the tide has been the best time to catch. Fresh bunker or clam are also working. In regard to blackfish, the inshore bite has been slow but the wreck fishermen are doing much better. Kurt believes the tog are still in some of the local haunts but the water clarity of late has been an issue. He also told me he has been doing well on white perch in the Bass and Mullica rivers. Take a variety of bait was his recommendation because they have been a little finicky. Grass shrimp, worms and clam pieces are all working right now.
You can’t keep a good man down and Captain Rich Wilkowski of the Jersey Hooker Outfitters could be the poster child for that saying. Since Sandy threw both the store and the boat for a loop, he has been working non-stop to bring both back to their former greatness. Fishing in the Brick area is still going good with most of the striper action from Barnegat south. There has been some action north but as is the norm, lots of throwbacks to keepers. Herring are still in the area as well as sand eels so keep the metal handy. The blackfish bite has been the most consistent lately. Crabs and clam pieces are the best baits for action. Most of the local head boats in the area are doing real well. Jersey Hooker bait and tackle is operating on winter hours now open from 10 to 8 every day. If you have equipment damaged by Sandy that requires some TLC, give them a shot. You will not be disappointed.
It’s always the Holiday Season at team Tackle Direct in Egg Harbor Township. Just stop in the store or check out their website and you will see what I mean. When I spoke with Ed at the shop this week, they informed me the best opportunities for keeper striped bass are in the inlets or trolling the lumps. The beaches have given up some fish but many shorts. Brigantine has been the most active, the north or south points being the primary fishing grounds. The hot lure this season has Daiwa Salt Pro Minnow. Slow down your retrieve according to Ed and you will have success. Tog fishing has been good to great at the wrecks off Atlantic City. Green crabs are the bait of choice.
Just a quick update on Seaside heights from John at the Dock Outfitters. The island for the most part remains closed. This includes Island Beach State Park. No word on anticipated reopening but the recovery is well under way. There were massive amounts of damage but things are starting to look better for the spring season. Many of the Bait and Tackle shops in the area are doing on-line of fishing flea market sales to compensate for their losses. Check out you favorites and send some business to them if you can. Every little bit helps.
Sea Isle City is accessible to all looking for some beach time before the long hard winter cold sets in. But according to Mike Cunningham at Sea Isle Bait and Tackle, they are still catching from both the beach and boat. One recent angler had ten fish from the beach while fishing with clam. Granted, most were shorts, but action is action. Mike is also carrying white leg crabs for you hard core tog anglers. If there is better bait for blackfish than white leg crabs, please let me know what that would be. Fair notice, call ahead if you want some of these tog candy because they don’t hang around long at the shop. Mike told me the tog bite off the rocks around Sea Isle has been decent but the better action is taking place in 60 feet of water out front. Sea Isle Bait will be open with reduced hours from now through the end of the year. Mike recommends calling ahead to make sure of the hours as they are subject to change this time of year.
According to the gang at Tonys Bait and Tackle in Manahawkin, there is still action on Long Beach Island. Small stripers, up to thirty two inches are still being caught from the surf. Plenty of throw backs but the water temperatures are still in the 50 degree range. There have also been reports of decent sized bluefish off the beaches and boats. Local anglers in the Barnegat Light area are still seeing herring and sand eels as well as some rain fish. Clam, fresh bunker and slow trolling have been the most effective techniques. On the wrecks, anglers anchoring up for blackfish have had success using green crab. Local party boat the Carolyn Ann III has been doing well on blackfishing trips and has even managed to jig up a striper or two during some trips.
There are sign of life in Greater Egg Inlet as well as the beaches off Ocean City. That’s according to Ed at Fin-Atics Marine Supply in Ocean city. Anglers drowning clams off the beach in in both GE and Corson’s Inlets are having some success. Incoming tides seem to be the best producers. Also, anglers fishing the inshore tog grounds are doing very well in 60 feet or better water. Fin-Atics will remain open through the end of the year.
The beaches are open in Point Pleasant the anglers are catching. That’s the word I got from Rich at Reel Life Bait and Tackle in Point Pleasant. Surf fisherman, throwing most clams, are having success with most catching rats until they hook into a keeper size. The throw back ration is around five to one but there is plenty of action. The canals are still giving up the occasional blackfish but the real bounty comes on the inshore pockets, which almost all of the party boats and charters are working hard. It’s not unusual to have fares come back with their limit of blackfish with fish up to ten pounds not that uncommon. There are medium sized blues in the area as well. Reel Life will remain open through the end of the year and then some. They are running some nice holiday specials right now so stop in and give them a shot. Check out their VIP Club while you are there as well.
No report is complete this time of the year without mentioning the Delaware Bay and the Cape May Rips. According to Matt of Jim’s Bait and Tackle in Cape May, the D-bay is the best option for keeper stripers right now. The upper bay is the target of choice, especially the Punk and Horseshoe. The Rips have been on and off, no way of determining when or why they turn on according to Rich. Like the lottery, you have to have a ticket to the ride to get lucky. Unlike prior years, the fish aren’t hanging around too long once they get there. Chunking the bay has been a less risky proposition this year. On the Beaches, the north end of the Wildwoods has been the best place for action but Higbee Beach across from the ferry has also been quite productive. A heads up for the beaches in Cape May, they are pumping sand all over the place down there and it seems to shut down any bite. The tog bite has been quiet of the rocks but the head boats are having moderate success fishing the inshore structure.
Best Bets for the Weekend.
It’s getting close to that time of year when all but the hardcore are considering putting up their equipment for a winter nap. I can tell you that there are still fish to be had but you are going to need to work for them. Any of the southern beaches hold possibilities and the water up and down the coast are holding near 50 degree temperatures. Most of the fish being caught are of the smaller but there are plenty of keeper bass being caught. Clam and fresh bunker for bass, crab for tautog. Most shops are still open but running on winter hours so you may want to call ahead. While you are there, check out their Holiday Specials. Most are running some now. Buy local if you can. Most of our people in the industry have taken a big hit from Hurricane Sandy and can use the business. If I don’t get a chance before the End of the year, let me take the time to thank you for allowing me into your lives this year. I hope everyone out there has a great Holiday and an even better 2013. And remember, stay safe out there. You only get so many days in the game. Spend them all wisely. See you on the incoming.