The first nor’easter of the season paid us a visit over the last weekend and decided it liked our coast so much it would stay over a few extra days. As storms go, I can’t honestly say that this one was one of the more severe storms I have experienced in my years on the coast. The wind was nasty but not extreme,. At least down here in the south. I fished the beaches of Ocean City on Saturday morning and was somewhat surprised as to how clean the water was and how little beach erosion had taken place. Granted the storm (at least the winds) went on for a few more days but all in all it could have been worse. One concern I do have is that the bait in the area decided to use the storm as an opportunity to move up their southern travel plans. I noted a ton of bait in the surf, more than I have seen in the last few weeks. Peanut bunker and some small pods of mullet in plain view, unfortunately I couldn’t find any target fish in their wake. Water temperatures are slowly dropping down from their recent high 60 degree mark which may also help the situation. But on the down side, remember the bait boats were tied to the docks for the most part during the storm. You may want to call around to your favorite shop and make sure that favorite bait is available or adjust to compensate. Let’s see what the scouts along the coast can provide in the way of latest information.

Let’s start in the far south and work our way north this week. I put a call in to Hands Too Bait and Tackle in Cape May. Small stripers on clam and cut bait fish are the best action in town. There were some nice red drum off the Point prior to the storm and should be still around. Bunker is in tight supply and high demand. Boats started fishing for it again on Wednesday so the inventory should start flowing again by Friday. There are small to medium bluefish off all the beaches that are running for the usual lures. Water temperatures in Cape are hovering around the mid-sixties and a little warmer in the bay. Joe also told me that the back waters have been the most productive with weakfish, striped bass and the occasional red fish. Joe tells me with sea bass closed last week and the blow that came through; the head boats have been quiet. All that should change when sea bass reopens and he tog limit goes back up to 4 in November.

Moving up the coast to Manahawkin, I checked in with the crew at Tony’s Bait and Tackle on Bay Ave just west of the island. Always a must stop before you hit LBI, Tony’s is renowned for their live bait selection. With the storm passed and wind slowly turning around to the east and then west, the striper bite has been starting to come back. Anglers throwing cut baits landed some short stripers off the south Barnegat Jetty. Water temperatures are slowly dropping into the prime zone. There have been some medium blues in the area as well. All baits are in with the exception of fresh bunker which should be back on the menu for the weekend. Hot plugs locally have been the Daiwa SP Minnow.

To find out what is happening on the Toms River, I normally just call on Lenny Hahn of Capt’n Hippo’s Bait and Tackle. According to Lenny, the blow shut everything down in Barnegat Bay but the river still has some action. Small striped bass on cut baits and plugs along with small bluefish. I would think there are still a few weakfish in the area as well. The other option in the area, especially in the back by the Oyster could be white perch. If you can get a hold of some shedder, there may be some action there. Lenny also had a customer come in for some of his hand tied lancet rigs which he was going to use for sundials. Now I’m not familiar with the fish but I believe it is a fluke relative. Funny thing is that this is the second time in the last week someone has mentioned them to me. I’m thinking they may be referring to windowpane. If you are going to target them, Lenny suggests spearing. Also, I would check the NJ regulations as I am sure they have some type of rules pertaining to these fish.

To see what was going on in Sea Isle City, I reached out to Mike Cunningham, owner of Sea Isle Bait and Tackle. He tells me that the party boats did get out before sea bass closed and had a good day. Sea Bass, tog and get this, they had some porgy. Inside the action has been mostly in the back but it has been good action. Night anglers have been reporting multiple landings on a regular basis. Mostly school sized bass with a mix of blues. Mike tells me there are still weakfish in the back as well. Off the rocks in Townsends, anglers have had no problem getting their one fish limit of tog on green crab. Water temperatures at Townsend Inlet are around 63-65 degrees. Sea Isle has all the live and fresh baits you can think of in stock right now. Fresh mullet are hard to come by but he has frozen. Like everyone else, Mike expects an order of fresh bunker come Friday. Oh yeah, since we a talking bunker, Mike reminded me that the back is still giving up some nice blue claw crabs.

I can usually turn to Tom Wolfe at Jersey Coast Tackle in Brick but since this blow came through most boats have been tied to the dock. I spoke with Tony at the shop who told me that the fleet is getting ready to move as the winds are starting to turn to the east and reports from further north have been encouraging in regard to bass. Offshore has been silent which is a shame because there was some nice activity in both the Toms and the Hudson before the storm. Tom has been keeping himself busy during the storm rigging offshore spreaders and the like. You need to check out his new lines if that’s your passion. Jersey Coast is loaded to the gills with fresh bait and ready and waiting for you. The window should open up this weekend so get your orders in now. Update, Tom got back to me and reported that the local beaches in Brick have started to give up some stripers. Nothing huge, a 23# being the largest with a bunch in the 10-15 pound range.

Closer to my home port, Absecon Bay Sportsmen’s Center is my go-to for local fishing conditions. Captain Dave Showell is not only one of the top area guys for bait and tackle but the top local guide. On Wednesday, Dave snuck out with Dave Morris and hit the lottery on almost every hole in Absecon Bay. They came home with five keeper bass up to the mid thirty inch length and released a slew of other fish. Live spot seems to be the ticket but other locals are doing well throwing top water plugs. Dave also recommends live eel and jigging some of the Gulp Products. He had success in Meadow Cut, Great Thorofare and Little Bay. Once again, if you are looking for live or fresh bait and are anywhere near Absecon Bay, You need to shoot over to Absecon Sportsmen. If they don’t have it, then it probably isn’t available.

There is nothing like a huge clearance sale to brighten up the sky on a nor’easter kind of weekend. That’s is exactly what Team Tackle Direct put out there for us local anglers last weekend and it could not have come at a better time. I hit the store after throwing some metal for a couple of hours in the teeth of the wind and I can tell you that it was well worth the side trip. While I was there, I took the time to chat with some of the personnel about the local fishing conditions. Ed tells me that the beaches on both Absecon and Brigantine came away for the storm with relatively little damage. It’s tough to say whether the cuts and slews took a hit as the rough water kept even the low tides pretty far in. Fishing has been iff on the islands but hopefully the storm pushed some out to the front. Right now, the best action is in the back waters. Anglers throwing swimming plugs like Bombers and Rebels have been having success on smallish bass. There are blues around in the 2-4 pound range and are taking almost any metal you put in front of them. There has been little activity away from the beach as the inlets have been just a tad rough. A forecasted switch to a west wind should make the front waters a little more accessible this weekend. I would definitely recommend a trip to the outflow pipe off of AC where you should be able to find some striped bass or even possible jig up some weakfish. The T Jetty in AC has been holding some nice tautog. Green crabs are the bait of choice for most with a few anglers using clam.

In Long Beach Island, Fisherman’s Headquarters is the top shop on the island when it comes to bait, tackle or information. When I spoke to the gang at the shop this week, the night bite was the best action. SP Minnows, this year’s hot lure seems to be the go-to bait. Please note that the Holgate area of the beach is still closed due to the shutdown. Hopefully that is resolved today. There have been reports of nice sand eels in the area so be sure to pack some needles and metal. Off the beach, those that can get out have been having success with bucktails. Some blues in the area but they are relatively small. Water temperatures remain in the 63 degree range. The best is yet to come.

This weekend is the Surf Tournament celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Ocean City Fishing Club. It is a sanctioned ASAC event and as of today has close to fifty 6 man team entered. I will be fishing with Team Zatara so if you are in the area, stop by and introduce yourself. For information in Ocean City, I almost always look to the gang at Fin-Atics Marine Supply. I spoke with Justin at the shop and he told me the front has been rather quiet since the storm. There has been some talk of bass in the back on poppers and swimmers. Wind is looking to turn west for a couple of days and the moon goes full on Friday so that may turn it on a bit. There has been some action in both Corson’s Inlet and Greater Egg Inlet with the night bite being top dog. Water temperatures have dropped somewhat after the storm, going to the low sixties according to Justin. Fin-Atics are also fulled stocked with all the bait you will need for this weekend’s activities. If any of the rest of you are in the tourney this weekend, best of luck.

Best Bets for the Weekend

It looks like we will get a break with the weather this weekend. Temperatures will start falling back into a regular fall pattern and the winds should be at least manageable off the beaches and in close. Reports from the northern reaches of the state indicate that the bigger fish are finally starting to move south. Whether they are around for the weekend is anyone’s guess. The best game in town is obviously striped bass and bluefish but don’t forget tog. And if you are wreck fishing, I would not be surprised it there were still sheephead and triggers in the area. Water temps are still favorable for these fish so factor that into your game plan. There are weakies and redfish in the local waters as well. And even though I didn’t mention it, the freshwater streams and lakes are back in play. The NJDEP halted its fall trout stocking plans last week but should resume this week. A quick check of their website should tell you where they have stocked. Go to http://www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/flstk13.htm for additional info. On the offshore scene, it has been a little quiet with most boats staying tied up in their slips. I did have a report from the twenty fathom line but it was not encouraging. Whatever option you choose to partake in, please stay safe out there. Waters are still rough and are cooling down. You only get so many days in the game, spend them wisely. See you on the incoming.