Based on the things I am seeing I am going to make a call right now. It is going to be one of the better fall runs in recent memory. I live in the southern part of the state but conditions of late indicate to me that the season is setting up for an epic fishing season. If the weather holds up, this could be one for the record books. I know that many of you complained that it was a disappointing mullet run this year. They somehow escaped when the scouts let down their guard for a time. But there is tons of bait in the ocean while the rivers and back waters have been on fire. I also monitor action up and down the coast and have noted that in the northern sections of the state, some of the biggest bluefish I have seen in years are starting to filter into the area. All in all, the conditions are downright ideal. But even with all the good things happening right now, you still need to find the fish. That’s where OTW comes in. Hopefully, these reports will give you the edge you need to make every trip successful. Let’s see if our contacts are seeing the same signs.
Atlantic Highlands Fishing Report
In Atlantic Highlands, one of the hottest charter boats this season has been the Jersey Key Sportfishing team and they have no intention of losing that reputation. When I spoke to Captain Mike Sisto this week he had two words for me – Game On! They were out this week fishing east of their home port on a charter and had as many as 50 bass up to 45 pounds taken on the jig. Mike tells me the bellies of the fish they kept were loaded with sand eels. They also have finally come across big schools of bunker in the area which makes snag and drag fishing a little easier. The captain also reminded me that if you are looking for a ride and can’t get a full charter together to give him a call. They occasionally run open boat trips and sometimes maintain a list of charters looking to fill a slot. The Jersey Key is a 31-foot Ocean Master with twin diesels. It must also have some special electronics that zone on big bass as these guys always seem to know where they are hiding.
Sea Bright Fishing Report
The town of Sea Bright is one of the hot spots along the coast if you are a surf angler. And if you are looking for some guys who know the area and what to use, head over to Giglio’s Bait and Tackle there and ask for Ernie or Tom. I spoke to tom this week and he told me that while the rivers are still the most productive, the beaches up at Sandy Hook are definitely showing signs of improvement. The big fish aren’t really hear yet but anglers throwing Halco Lures and sand eel teasers are achieving the most success. If you are a bait fisherman, Tom suggested clam or sand worms. The rocks all over the place are giving up the one legal blackfish to anglers tempting them with green crab or clam. Tom also told me that the boat guys are doing well on really big bluefish but not so much off the sand. There is good bait in the area and water temps are starting to drift south.
Bradley Beach Fishing Report
I spoke with Dominick at The Bait Shop in Bradley Beach today to get a feel for any activity up that way. He informed me that the best bite right now is out at the Shrewsbury Rocks. Fish up to 40 pounds have been recorded by anglers dragging tubes or fishing eels in the evening hours. The beaches have been a little slow with plenty of shorts and the occasional keepers. There is great bait in the area including bunker off the coast and sand eels all over the place. Water temperatures are still in the low sixties and Dom believes we need a few more degrees to really turn it on. Nice blue fish are starting to appear off both boat and beach which is always a good indicator. Slim profile lures (SP Minnows, Needles) are working best with fresh bunker the go to bait for you bait guys.
Belmar Fishing Report
If you think that stripers and blues are the only game in town right now, then you would be mistaken. Captain Bobby Quinn and the crew of the Ocean Explorer out of Belmar can still find a way to get you some fish off the ocean floor if that is your desire. Lately they have been targeting Porgy and the one allowable blackfish but will soon (Oct. 29th) add black sea bass to the menu. They have been using light tackle when applicable with a #4 hook in a top and bottom setup and more often than not, coming up with double headers when they find the fish. Blackfish in the 4-+5 pound range are common. With the waters still relatively warm they are even catching the occasional trigger fish. Once sea bass reopens and blackfish expand its limit, the real fun starts.
The Miss Belmar Princess is still targeting blues and plans on doing so as long as the weather allows. Fish up to 25 pounds have been recorded so far this year. The yellow eyed beasts started off slow this season playing games of hide and seek. But now that they have come out in the open, the Miss Belmar is absolutely slaying them The Miss Belmar sails daily at 7:30a.m. from its berth in Belmar. It also has evening trips each Friday and Saturday. If it’s action you are looking for, you might want to check this party boat out because they are pros at putting their customers on big blues.
Captain Chris Hueth and the crew of the Big Mohawk in Belmar are gearing up for the return of black sea bass at the end of the month. In the meantime, they are pursuing blackfish and porgy as the conditions allow. If you are looking for some bottom fishing I would call ahead. Once the black sea bass season reopens, the Mohawk will resume sailing daily at 6 each day.
With sea bass closed, the Royal Miss Belmar should be resuming its schedule soon. Once striper season kicks in, it will resume its daily 6 am departure schedule. Stay tuned for more information as it is received.
If you are looking for a great ride on a great boat, I suggest the you book now with Captain Pete Sykes on his boat the Parker Pete. A 35’ Donneli with a 17’ beam, you would be hard pressed to find a better fishing platform on a six pack boat. Captain Pete tells me that they have had no issues finding the stripers and massive bluefish of late. Fish up to 20 pounds with either have been quite common. They have done best on the jig. If you want to bottom fish, the Parker Pete can do that as well. Once both sea bass and blackfish come back into play, you make the call. Pete tells me that even if you don’t have a full crew for a charter, give him a holler and he will see if he can accommodate you. Trips are definitely filling up in what looks to be a special season so call as soon as possible to guarantee a place on the roster. The Parker Pete berths in Belmar.
Seaside Park Fishing Report
If you are a hard core surf angler in the state, you know that one of the top spots is Island Beach State Park in Ocean County. And furthermore, if you plan on hitting IBSP, a must stop is Betty and Nicks Bait and Tackle on the island. I spoke with owner John Bushell this week who told me that the best bite has been in the dark. Anglers fishing eels and fresh bunker have had the best success. Most of the bass being caught aren’t huge but plenty of keepers. There are blues in the mix as well. There is plenty of bait in the area, including bunker and sand eels. Water temperatures are still in the low sixties and Jouhn thinks that is contributing to the slow bite. Some bigger fish have been taken by the boat fishermen not far off the beaches. In addition, John told me there have been some huge (up to 25 lbs.) bluefish taken on the local party boats. If you do stop in the shop, check out the new custom sand eel teasers they have there. Some of the best I have seen. Let me know how they work. It’s a sand eel year!
Robbinsville Fishing Report
Joe at Harry’s Army and Navy in Robbinsville tells me that the fresh water bite may be there but the reporting has been slow. Many of his regulars are still doing ok on the large mouth in places like Assupink and many of the other small lakes. The state is still doing its fall trout stocking program but is behind and there hasn’t been any reports of what lakes have been stocked. Joe suggested checking the NJDEP website for latest news. Many of Harry’s clients have been heading north for the steelhead run In NY with some great results. Joe tells me two hot spots up there have been the Oswego and Salmon Rivers, two perennial hot spots. If you are a fresh water angler in the Robbinsville area, then you must stop in Harry’s before any planning stages of a fresh water outing. It can only help you be successful. Ask for Joe, tell him I sent you.
Brick Fishing Report
Captain Rich Wilkowski of the Jersey Hooker in Brick tells me that his tournament is going hot and heavy and a few nice fish have been weighed in but there is plenty of room for improvement on the leader board. There is plenty of bait in the area, from sand eels to bunker to hickory shad but most of the action has been off the boats or in the evening. Rich tells me he had a charter out last week and while searching for striped bass, came across a school of huge blues (up to 22 pounds) which provided some great action. Anglers jigging metal have found big schools of spike weakfish that occasionally harbor a nice keeper in the 3-5 pound range. There have also been some small pods of mackerel reported in the area. Plenty to keep you going. The Jersey Hooker Tournament runs through the end of November so there is plenty of time to get in on the action. Contact the shop or stop in if you are in the area.
Best Bets for the Weekend
I said it at the start of this forecast and I will say it again. The 2013 fall run could be one of the best in the state since 1998. We have a huge bloom of sand eels, a striped bass favorite, from one end of the state to the other. And I can personally attest to the fact that I have never seen so many in the southern reaches of the state. Do not be fooled by a slow start. As long as the conditions settle into prime temperatures and wind, we will be fine. If blue fish fights are what you are looking for than hop on you favorite head boat and have at them. I haven’t heard or seen so many 20 pound yellow eyed beasts being caught since the late 70’s. So those are your two best options. If the weather holds, it could be prime time in the northern canyons as well. There is bait galore in the surf, including some spot and along with hickory shad. And make sure you have a teaser on any line you drop in the water. In the last few days, I have seen several fishing bordering on the fifty pound market and they both had stomachs full of sand eels. The bait is working the inlets and the fish know that so position yourself close to those areas. Whichever option you choose to partake it, please be careful out there. You only get so many days in the game, spend them wisely. See you on the incoming.