Water temperatures are falling and that is a signal to get out there if you are looking for some action before the season tails off. If you live in the northern section of the state, you are in luck as most of the reports I have been getting this week point to epic action all along both the beach and inshore waters. Stripers in the surf and anglers jigging them up from their boats. The blackfish bite seems to be getting better every day as the waters settles down. The only issue I have noticed from LBI north has been weather conditions. We have had some incredible winds of late which has put a little bit of a damper on the party. But all in all, many of the naysayers have disappeared. In fact, many I have spoken to this week are telling me that, while late, the fall run finally bloomed and conditions are as good as they have ever been. Let’s see if the rumors I have been hearing can be confirmed.
Atlantic Highlands Fishing Report
Captain Pete Wagner of the Hyper Striper Sportfishing team in Atlantic Highlands does not seem to care what he targets. If you want stripers and blues, he will put you there. How about big blackfish? Same thing, he has the hot spots all marked in the state of the arts electronics on their custom 38-foot Henriques. I have been doing these reports for some time now and one of the best things you can say about a ship and its crew is that they consistently catch fish. And that is certainly the rule with the Hyper Striper. Lately, they have had trips with customers limiting out on bass and other days were they are boating some massive blackfish. But with the season getting short, you need to contact them to book a charter. The best ones are always booked tight and these guys are hot! Check out their website or call them at 732-688-1933. Captain Pete tells me they still have a few prime dates available in December for some blackfish trips.
Belmar Fishing Report
Captain Chris Hueth of the Big Mohawk in Belmar is sailing daily in search of those big lipped blackfish. Throw in the occasional cod and black sea bass and you have yourself some great bottom fishing. The only thing that has been keeping him from finding fish lately has been if the boat stays tied to the dock because of weather. Using green crab and in some cases clam, the Mohawk has been on the fish with daily pool winners at six pounds or better on a regular basis. The Mohawk sails daily from its berth in Belmar.
If big head boats are your preference, might I recommend the Miss Belmar Princess for your fishing pleasure? With all the creature comforts of a floating mansion, you won’t find a better ride(or bigger at 120’) to get you to the action. Lately, with the bluefish playing their typical late-season game of hide and seek, the Princess has been doing quite well targeting striped bass. Typical pool winners have been in the 20-plus-pound range. She leaves port daily from Belmar at 7:30 am. I understand that after Christmas, she will be targeting mackerel.
Even with the howling winds, the Ocean Explorer and Captain Bobby Quinn out of Belmar have been putting their fares on the blackfish almost every day. Fish up to 7 pounds have not been uncommon. With crabs as their favorite baits, the Ocean Explorer is one of the better boats targeting bottom fish this time of year. . The OE plans on fishing everyday unless circumstances dictate otherwise. Check their website at www.oceanexplorerbelmar.com/fishing_report for the latest conditions.
Bradley Beach Fishing Report
In Bradley Beach, The Bait Shop is my main source of information. I spoke with Dom at the shop this week, knowing that he had some nice fish of his own over the weekend. He tells me that most of the area action has been inshore from the boats. The good news is that they are getting nice stripers on the jig, mostly AVA’s and other shiny metals. Most of the fish being cleaned are loaded with sand eels. One concern Dom has is the lack of bluefish in close. This probably coincides with the scarcity of their main target, menhaden which also seem to be staying outside the three mile limit. Dom tells me that if you are hunting out of the Shark River, the best bet for activity would be to turn south once you clear the inlet. That’s where you should find the hot bite.
Brielle Fishing Report
I always look to The Reel Seat in Brielle for the up-to the minute offshore report this time of year. Located at the entrance to Hoffman’s Marina’ they have some very good sources there. I have been hearing the blue fin are migrating for several weeks now and recently heard they had moved inside to take advantage of the thick bait pods. John at the shop tells me had a a couple of customers in recently who had success trolling ballyhoos on the west side of the Mud Hole. On the beaches, John tell me the action has been good from IBSP thru Lavallette. Seas bass fishing has been decent and as has the blackfish bite. Nothing huge mind you but some nice blackfish up to 9 pounds off the Sandy Hook Reef. The Voyager has started its offshore trip for deep water seas bass with some success. They had the big jumbos and a few decent cob and Pollack as well. Bluefish are still in the area as well.
Point Pleasant Fishing Report
It’s always nice to speak with a new source and this week, I had the opportunity to speak with Captain Kenny of the charter boat, the Mimi IV out of Point Pleasant. The Mimi is a 62-foot custom fiberglass boat that specializes in bottom fishing but is available for everything from fishing to corporate and private outings. In the summer months, they are strictly charter but come the fall and winter, its private charters on the weekends and open boat during the week. Right now, the Mimi is targeting blackfish with a sprinkling of everything else. And based on the reports and pictures I have been seeing, doing a great job at it. You can call ahead and reserve a spot for a weekday trip, there is no cost upfront. Captain Kenny tells me he plans on running straight thru the first or second week of February. To get a full understanding of the boat and its capabilities, check out their site at mimivi.com.
When I spoke with Ron at The Fisherman’s Supply Co. in Point Pleasant this week, he told me that it was on fire to the south of them, all the way through Barnegat Inlet. And then some! By boat or from the sand, Ron recommends throwing metal as it seems to be out fishing bait soakers. The amount of sand eels along the coast is beyond description according to Ron which may explain the reason metal jigs like Hogy’s Epoxy and S &S Bucktails new Slim Fish jig which comes in a variety of hot colors. I have fished both of these lures and can assure you they catch more than angler’s wallets.
Brick Fishing Report
Captain Rich Wilkowski of the Jersey Hooker in Brick Township still has some great dates left in this year’s schedule. He is also looking for angler to fill some open boat slots in the near future. Give him a shout at 732-688-8804 or call the shop. It’s been head over heels good fishing lately on both stripers and bottom dwellers. Lock and load people, the finish line isn’t that far away.
Seaside Park Fishing Report
John Bushell of Betty and Nicks in Seaside Park has been quietly wondering if the fish would ever show up. But on Tuesday that all changed according to John. His report harkened back to the glory days with fish and bait all over IBSP and anglers having success on both blues and linesiders using a variety of different baits and lures. With all the sand eels bunched up and bluefish finally in the mix in tight, I would suggest metal as the go-to lure. AVA’s with a long green tube seem to be the angler’s choice. Action has been steady and at time frenzied for those playing the game. John believes it is going to hold up for the near future as long as the bait stays parked off the sand. Please note that with all the activity up there, it looks a lot like opening day of trout season along the beaches.
Best Bets for the Weekend
If you have been holding off, waiting for the fish to slide down to you, my advice would be to get out there this weekend. From the tip of Sandy Hook all the way through Long Beach Island, there are fish to be had. From the sand or by boat, if you put your time in, you should be able to find your quarry. If you are looking for a last shot at the big game fish, the blue fin tuna are on the move in nice numbers. They are harder to entice onto the hook this time of year but I have heard of sportsmen having success trolling. Personally, I wouldn’t mind taking a shot at some bottom fishing. Anglers dropping lead in 100-150 feet of water are being rewarded with nice blackfish, sea bass, ling, cod and porgy. Each of these can be made into a fine side or main dish for your Thanksgiving table. I diodn’t find much info on the fresh water scene this week but here is one heads up. The NJDEP will begin its winter trout stocking program on Monday the 25th. These are the biggest fish that they stock all year and include some real trophies. Most of fish stocked in this 7 year old program average around 14 to 18 inches. So as you can se, there is still a plethora of options available for those who are willing to brave the chilly weather. But whatever you do, please stay safe out there. Water temperatures are falling and on small mistake can be magnified this time of year. You only get so many days in the game, spend them wisely. Have a happy Thanksgiving and I will see you on the incoming.