Waddaya mean…over?

p>I get a real kick out of the “hardcore” guys that go soft when the mercury drops below freezing.  It is all a matter of attitude and merino wool as far as I am concerned.  So, as long as something is biting somewhere my attitude is good, and as long as my credit card does not get refused, there is plenty to keep me warm enough to just keep on rolling.  What’s a little ice on your guides, anyway?

Sea condition for the upcoming weekend are less than ideal with a 3- to 5-foot average and short durations.  There is precipitation in the forecast and the wind should spin around from East to the NW by Sunday.  In my book, that means that my boat is out but the Man-truck is in.  Turn on the seat warmers, pop it into 4-wheel, and chew up some sand.

But where?  No problem, let’s see what the boys on the front lines think the action is going to be.

Garfield Fishing Report

Bob up at Meltzer’s Sporting Goods is all cranked up about the blackfish bite, but getting out there is another thing all together.  The bite has been real strong with plenty of limits being taken and some real quality fish.  There is no news in the store at all on a striper bite, even in rivers.  Pretty sure it is just that no one has been fishing the Hackensack or the Hudson this past week and the North Beach of the Hook is still a “no” zone.

Bound Brook Fishing Report

Little twist from the boys at Efingers.  Couple of the local Blackfish guys have been seeing schoolie stripers when they were able to sneak out front, but they were not on the target list for the day.  Repeat on the report of some significant blackfish coming over the rail.  The store hours have been extended for the holidays for you last minutes shoppers.  Give them a buzz.

Middletown Fishing Report

The Crew at Atlantic Bait and Tackle is on the job for you hard core anglers and deal hunting shoppers.  Open from 5a-5p and stocked to rock your Holiday stockings.  Not much news from the beach this week but area head boats are trying to get in on the blackfish bite.  Really good idea to call Captains ahead of time to check and see if they have enough advance bookings to guarantee they are going to run.

Hazlet Fishing Report

Phil at The Tackle Box just got back in from breaking some ice.  The few that have made it out are all singing the same song.  Blackfish yes, Stripers small, feet cold.  Phil is having a big close-out on Hobie Kayaks by the way, and will be open every day throughout the winter.  Looks like they are going to be running their Striper School one night a week too, which is fun.

Sea Bright Fishing Report

Giglio’s has some of those hardened, striper die-hard that have been wrapping up more watertight than a frog’s aft and walking the beach with light gear.  it has been worth with squirt and schoolies grabbing smaller metals and teasers or small plastics.  i know the weather has been lousy to do this, but if you catch one of those mid 40’s days with a little sun, and hour or two walking and tossing can be a blast.  Tom has put together a couple nice Holiday gift packs for shoppers.  Send your wives and girlfriends over (but not at the same time!) with their paychecks to buy you one!

Robbinsville Fishing Report

Bouncing over to Harry’s Adventure Outfitters, Tackle-box Joe and Eric are running around the floor marking everything that has the word GULP on it with a 20% off sticker.  Great chance to stock up with a great stocking stuffer that you absolutely know is going to be put to use in the spring.  News of micros and rats on the beach have gotten back to the boys and Eric personally cornered the market on undersized blackfish this week tossing back a couple dozen.

Brielle Fishing Report

The Reel Seat is getting ready to move!  Dave & Eric have found a new home nearby that will triple their space to give you more choices and more breathing room.  Don’t be confused, they are still open and offering some great deals for the holiday including 25% off select S&S Bucktails.  That makes it a great time to swing by and load up for you and your buddies.  News from the beach is that there was a short morning bite up near Bayhead.  Small lead heads with plastics and small plugs like Bomber 15As worked super, super slow in the cold water are doing the trick.  If you are going to go… go slow.

I mentioned this before but it is worth repeating.  Our charter and head boat Captains all want to run and get in on the blackfish bite that headlines the fishing news right now.  Parker Pete and the Big Mohawk out of Belmar, The Miss Belmar Princess, the Ol’ Salty II all want to run if they can put enough guys on the deck to make leaving the dock worth it.  Call ahead and let your favorite head boat Capt. know that you are planning on coming down.

Best Bet for this Weekend

I’m not going to lie to you, it’s not going to be pretty.  Going light with the tackle and working the beaches for stripers is a plan that is going to get you numbers, but not weight.  Running for blackfish on any vessel that you have not seen before and said “Hey, that’s a big boat”, might not be a hot idea, but the bite is hot.  It’s is not going to be a weekend for fair weather fisherman but the ones that pony up should  able to grind out some action.  Who wants to decorate the tree now anyway, we’ve got two whole weeks left!

Stay Tuna-ed!