A quick look at the calendar tells me that it it’s October but all the windows are open in the house so that can’t be right.  As I type this, weather more suitable for summer has moved in to provide us with a brief respite from the blustery fall weather we should be experiencing this time of year and I for one am going to take advantage of it. I have calls out for rides to the sea bass grounds, and if all else fails, will go on a hunt for the redfish that I know are in the area.  Don’t get me wrong, I look forward to the cooler weather of fall and the mass migration of bass and other species that come with it but when Mother Nature throws us some bonus summer weather, I will jump on it. After nearly a week of braving those tough nor ‘east winds, it’s definitely a nice change.  Let’s see if others feel the same way.

When last I checked in with Ed at Team Tackle Direct, they were preparing for the end of flounder season and restocking so the locals could take advantage of the fall run. Ed tells me that fishing on Absecon Island and Brigantine has picked up a little with several angers reporting some nice stripers in the surf. John Perry of EHT has three keeper bass all taken in the wash at first light. John was throwing a loaded silver side rebel when he got each of these fish. The largest measured 37 inches.  Black sea bass are in season now and the deep water at both the AC and Garden State reefs have been productive when the winds lay down enough for anglers to have at them. And as I have been predicting, there have been several redfish caught in the area and there have also been some puppy drums of the black variety taken on clam in the Island of Brigantine. Ed asked me to remind you that Tackle Direct will be having it Canyon Clearance Sale next weekend at its Tilton Road store in Egg Harbor Township.

I visited with Mike Jung at Peace Token Bait and Tackle in Cape May Court House the other day and spoke to him about fishing in the area. Mike tells me that the reopening of the sea bass season has been good so far according to the local charter and head boat captains. Crabbing in the area remains steady and a number of weakfish are being caught in the back waters.  There has been some decent bluefish action on the beaches of Wildwood with fish up to 5 pounds being average. Anglers looking for their one tautog have had some luck using clams. By the way, if you are looking for custom hand-tied rigs, you need to check out the line at Peace Token. All are tied in house and for a long time have been the favorite of many bottom fishermen all over the country.

When I am on the road, I try to stop in my favorite local bait and tackle shops before I hit the water for some fishing. When I am in the vicinity of Long Beach Island, Tony’s Bait and Tackle in Manahawkin is my stop. When I spoke to the crew over there, it was still a little light but signs for the future looked good. There have been some nice blues showing up along with the occasional striper off the beaches. The blowfish bite was dying off but not completely gone. There are still some nice weakfish in the area, specifically back in the oyster creek. Crabbing remains decent. Anglers using shedder crab have been taking some nice perch in the fingers behind Mystic but the trick has been to find the schools, not always the easiest thing to do.  Sea Bass fishing, when the winds lay down, has been good on the local reefs.  Check out Tony’s website for their live bait availability. It’s definitely a time saver and one of the best out there.

I stopped in Two Chums Bait and Tackle in Sea Isle City the other day and chatted with Captain Tom Leonardis as he was busy tying striper rigs up for the upcoming season. He told me that the locals have been having a load of action in the bay right now. Weakfish and stripers have been the main action with most throwing top water lures for the linesiders and pink or white rubber at the weaks.  One group rented out one of Two Chums pontoon boats on two consecutive days and came back with a load of bass on both days. Did I mention that Two Chums has a rental fleet? They have both skiffs and pontoons to get you to those back bay spots holding the fish. There have been reports of some redfish action over to the Townsends Inlet. Anglers using crab have also had no trouble getting their limit of keeper tog in the same area, so pick up some crabs and grab one for yourself.  If you are looking for some tips on back-bay fishing or throwing some flies, stop in and shat with Captain Tom. You won’t find any better.

Lenny Hahn, owner and head chef at Capt’n Hippo’s Bait and Tackle in Toms River sounds like he has recovered from his recent illness and  is back at the shop full time. When I spoke to Lenny this week he told me the snappers were still hot and heavy in the river.  Blowfish and kings seem to be the best bet for some table fare; Lenny suggested the area by the research boat. Don’t forget a chum pot. There have been some keeper bass taken in the Beachwood area by anglers using salted clam for bait. Lenny also informed me that the local crabbing is still hanging in there with several customers coming into the shop with nice catches for their efforts.  Heads up. The hours at the shop are moving to the fall schedule.  Weekdays, 8 to 7 and on weekend the shop will open at 7 and close up at 7 on Saturday and 4 on Sunday.

I have been hearing rumblings of redfish in the area which I have been calling for several weeks now. They are here according to Joe at Hands Too Bait and Tackle in Cape May. Anglers using chunks of mullet on a 4/0 hook are getting them off the beaches of Wildwood and Cape May Point.  If memory serves me, you can only keep a redfish between the 18- to 27-inch slot. Joe also told me that there has been some nice bluefish bite on metals and topwater plugs off the beaches. On the local party boats, it’s all sea bass all the time. Most of the reefs have been productive. There are still some weakfish in the backwater and a few off the beaches. Joe tells me that the stripers are starting to move and the best place for action is in the back waters.  Located at the foot of the Cape May Bridge, Hands Too is a must stop for fresh bait and info before you hit the waters down that way.

The summer season may have quieted down for the people in America’s First Family resort, Ocean City, but that just makes for more room on the beaches for us anglers.  When I spoke to Justin at Fin-Atics Marine Supply over there this week, he told me that there are spot and mullet in the bays and on the beaches but most of the action of late has been jetty bound.  There are some king fish in the surf but the bite hasn’t been great. Tog has been good, off the new fishing piers on the causeway. Not spectacular size but keepers. Green crabs have been the bait of choice. There are also some nice weakfish in the back. Anglers using crab or pink rubber have been having some good outings. Offshore reports have been slow because of the winds Justin told me but he has been getting lots of orders for offshore bait so that must indicate the fleet is getting to move. Reports are that most of the action remains south towards the Wilmington and Washington Canyons.  It isn’t over until the weight challenged lady sings.

I spoke to the gang at Fisherman’s Headquarters in Long Beach Island and they told me that after a few weeks of decent action, it has gone a little quiet until this week. Some reports are coming in the anglers throwing top water plugs have picked up some keeper bass. There are also smaller blues in the area. They asked that I remind you that the LBI Surf Classic start is right around the corner and that there will be a Surf Fishing Seminar at the Chamber of commerce in Ship Bottom on October 12^th.  I was also asked to pass along that the beach at Holgate is officially closed until the end of the Federal Government shutdown.  In case you weren’t aware, the beach is part of the federally funded Forsythe Preserve. Feel the pain. For more information check out the Fisherman’s Headquarters website.

I stopped in to visit with Mike Cunningham at Sea Isle Bait and Tackle. I swear, every time I return, there seems to be another new section added to the inventory.  Anyway, Mike tells me the story of the week has been the arrival of some redfish in the area. Anglers are enticing them with small pieces of cut bait or artificial lures like Pink or White Finesse Rigs. The TI Reef has been surrendering some nice sea bass on both jigs and standard top and bottom rigs. The bait of choice has been clam pieces.  In the surf, there are still spot and kingfish as well as some short and keeper weakfish. Small bluefish also can be found in the inlet, the back waters and off the surf. Top water plugs and metal are the lures receiving the most attention. The rocks in the Townsend Inlet have been active for those seeking tog.  The bass bite and associated mullet run has slowed a bit with the warmer weather but m Mike tells me there are still loads on mullet in the back so the real charge is yet to come. Crabbing is still going strong, especially on the bulkheads of the causeway.

Best Bets for the Weekend

Indian summer aside, I am thinking this weekend could step up the game in the southern part of the state. I have been hearing some rumblings about plug action from several of the beaches that I frequent.  From anglers who don’t really stop in to the shops but fish and fish hard. The mullet has been coming out in dribs and drabs but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Too much mullet can be detrimental at times. I am somewhat concerned about the lack of bigger bluefish but let’s see how that works out.  There are plenty of spot still in the area, don’t hesitate to live line one or two.  Kingfish action should get a little better as they start to move south. It has been much better from LBI north, we are due. And don’t forget that sea bass is open until the 14^th and then close until the end of the month.  And no, I did not forget the freshwater scene. The State DEP moved up its fall restocking  program by a week and with the exception of federal parks that are closed due to those crybabies in DC, they should have many trout in the water by the weekend.  That definitely sounds like a plan for those of you locked in the inner portions of the state. You can check out the latest schedule at http://www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/flstk13.htm  and determine your itinerary from there.  They moved up the stocking program by a week and it falls in perfect with the stretch of nice weather  that is on the schedule. It doesn’t get any better than that. Whatever you choose to do this weekend, please be careful out there. You only get so many days in the game, spend them wisely. See you on the incoming.