It looks like the conditions are finally about to change and that change will definitely be for the better. Some nice bass have been taken off the local beaches and inlets. Black sea bass also reopens this weekend, and at a bonus of 15 fish per angler. Add a nice tautog to the mix and you have the makings of some good fare to fill the freezer for the winter. The state has also started its trophy trout stocking program, so we have that going for us as well. Yes sir, things are definitely starting to look up. Despite the recent wind we have been experiencing, I am starting to receive a trickle of reports from up and down the coast of keeper bass being taken off the beaches. There was a 46.5 pound (confirmed) fish weighed in at the Absecon Island Surf Derby this week. That fish was taken on clam in some pretty snotty conditions. Additionally, there was a potential state record sheepshead weighed in at Scott’s Dock in Margate as well. The fish weighed in a 19.3 pounds which would shatter the existing state record if certified. Yes sir, there is still plenty of life out there. Let’s see if we can track some down.
My first stop was to visit with Dave Showell at Absecon Bay Sportsmen’s Center. Dave is the resident expert on bait and can usually predict when it is about to break out. He feels that we are close now with some nice fish in the back waters but wouldn’t offer a solid predication. With water temperatures still a little warm and a storm blowing in the bay, it could break loose any day now. Anglers are still whacking nice tautog under the bridge and off the T Jetty in AC. The bass Dave has been seeing are all being caught on bucktails with a rubber or big Gulp Grubs. There is also a nice hatch of small blues still patrolling the inlet and bay, which are always fun to play with. But Captain Showell is armed and waiting with live spot, eels and of course, fresh clams.
With the reopening of the black sea bass season, the Carolyn Ann III resumes sailing in search of them come Saturday. Sailing daily out of it slip on 18th street in Barnegat Light, Captain Bill Hammerstrom tells us that the trips will cost $55 per adult and bait is provided. Rod rentals are available. Sounds like a deal to me.
If you are looking for a final trip out to the deep water and a chance at some Tuna for the winter freezer, now is the time to act. The Gambler out of Point Pleasant still has some limited seating offshore trips on the schedule but you need to lock in your trip now. Go to their website, fill out a form and start putting your gear in order. It is really that simple. Visit http://gamblerfishing.net/offshoretrips.html for more information.
Since Lenny at Capt’n Hippos in Toms River decided to sleep late today, I got the chance to speak with the real boos there and Sandy is always ready with the info. Things are definitely moving forward on the Toms. Stripers are more active in the area and eels (Hippo eels) seem to be the best bait, especially in the evenings. There are still snapper blues around so be careful with your baits. White perch are also making a good stand behind the Trilco Building. Sandy recommends worms for your perching efforts. Move further inland on the river, to the brackish water and you have a shot at white or yellow perch, pickerel and or catfish. And Sandy reminded me that the DEP’s fall stocking (trout) program is well under way in the area and the local anglers are most certainly taking advantage of it. The Parking lot by the Boy Scout building on Rte. 571 has been packed and trout baits are flying of the shelf in the shop.
Captain Ken of the Norma K III in Point Pleasant reports that they have been targeting ling and cod for the last few weeks and doing quite well thank you. Come this weekend, they will add black sea bass and blackfish to their ¾ daily fishing adventures. Both Captains on the Norma K are bottom fishing pros and I can tell you that this will be a good thing going forward. If you are looking to fill up for the winter, I highly recommend the Norma K III to help you in your efforts. BTW, the Norma is still running weekend evening Blues trips through the end of October.
When I spoke with Captain Ed Berger of Team Tackle Direct the other day he was all excited about the action starting to break out around Absecon Island this week. Tog and small bluefish have been the staples for a few weeks but conditions are definably better now. As previously mentioned, a 46.5 pound striped bass was taken and entered in the Absecon Island Surf Derby, of which Ed is one of the administrators. In addition, Ed sent me a picture of a 19.25 pound Sheepshead taken by Ventnor resident Bill Catino while he was fishing for tog in the Longport section. If certified, that will replace the previous record of 17.3 pounds for the state. I had a hunch that they were still in the area and told Ed that when I stopped in Tackle Directs Canyon Sale over the weekend. I certainly didn’t think one that big was still here but it just goes to show you what can happen when you put a crab on a hook.
Rich Wilkowski of the Jersey Hooker in Brick informed me that he has some slots available for an “open boat” trip this Sunday on the Hooker. For $135 you will get a full day of sea bass fishing on a great custom Sportfisherman with a captain who knows how to find the fish. Call the shop ((732) 903-6904)to lock in a seat. And if you are in the Brick area, stop in the shop for all your tackle and bait needs. I see Rich has eels in stock again for the striper run.
In Manahawkin, the gateway to Long Beach Island, one of my favorite stops is always Tony’s Bait and Tackle on Bay Ave. Long one of the best shops in the area for tackle and fresh bait, they also work the local waters and are one of the best barometers of fishing conditions along the coast. This week the crew at the shop is reporting that the best strategy for lunker bass is trolling bunker spoons or Stretch 30’s north of Barnegat Inlet. A few 30+ class bass have been taken in just that manner which indicates it will only get better as the winds and waves ebb and water temps start to come down. If you are land locked, any of the local beaches are giving up blues and the occasional bass. The rocks along the inlets are holding some nice blackfish but also a lot of shorts. In the back, crabbing is starting to ease off but there are still blowfish, blues and weakies in the channels. Most are on the small size but if you put in the time you should be rewarded. Check out Tony’s bait board on their web site before you hit the water. It will tell you exactly what they have in stock.
Are your rods and reels ready for the fall run? If not and you are in the Seaside Park area, head over to The Dock Outfitters at the foot of the causeway and tell John Yak that OTW sent you. Their service department is top notch and there is still time to get a tune up on your gear while we wait for the big herd to show up. Right now, its blues in the area on poppers and fresh mullet. The occasional striped bass is showing up in Island Beach State Park. While you are at the shop, don’t forget to check out the sales they are running there. I hear there are some good deals on rods.
If you specialize in bottom fishing, the last few weeks have been tough sailing. But come Saturday, things will change when black sea bass reopens in coastal waters. I spoke with Captain Vic Hartley of the famed Captain Robbins in Ocean City and he is chomping at the bit to hit the wrecks. The Robbins will be sailing from Bay Ave daily in search of sea bass, tog and ling. And remember, this is the boat which once held the world record for Tautog. The Captain Robbins leaves port every day at 8am.
According to Mike Jung (Peace Token Bait and Tackle), winds and weather at Cape May have somewhat stunted the reports coming into the shop but those that are reporting are good. The best shot at a keeper bass remains in the bay and ICW. Delaware bay is still quiet but there are some indications that will change. Some bluefish have shown up at the mouth of the bay. There have also been scattered reports of redfish on the beachfront from Hereford’s Inlet to Cape May Point. Anglers using fresh mullet and or swimming plugs are having the best success rate. There are also small blues in the mix. If you need rigs, lead or anything else for the upcoming open of black sea bass, you need to head over to Peace Token. His hand-tied rigs for sea bass and tog are second to none. And I mean that.
I spoke with Jason at Fisherman’s Supply in Point Pleasant this morning and he told me that he is noticing a definite acceleration in the local action. There are big schools of hickory shad in the area as well as a lot of spike weakfish and that seems to be pushing the fishing up to the next level. Anglers in the rivers and inlets are using rubber like DOA’s, to attract the bass. On the beaches, its metal and poppers that are getting the most attention. Boat fishermen are dragging bunker spoons and starting to see a pay day for their efforts. More than a few 30+ fish have been put on the deck. Mind you, it’s not fast and furious yet but Jason believes the water temps still need to fall back from the current mid-sixty level we are now seeing. Inshore, Jason tells me some anglers have been doing well with makos at the Mudhole and in the Hudson and Fish Tails Canyons, its long fin and yellow fin tuna along with the occasional swordfish. Reports have been somewhat spotty as only the really big boats have been on the chase with the offshore storms and big winds. Jason assured me that should change in the next few days. We shall see.
John at Fin-Atics Marine Supply in Ocean City tells me that the area looks like it is finally getting ready to give it up. Both the north and south inlets are starting to attract bass, a lot of shorts but a fair amount of keeper fish in the mix. The primary attractant has been either fresh clam or bunker and plugs. There are still plenty of medium bluefish in the area. And finally, John tells me that there have been some nice northern kingfish in the surf. Anglers using bloodworms have been getting kings up to fifteen inches this week. That is something I will need to look at a little deeper. My smoker has been begging for a workout. John also informed me that most of the rocks in the area are giving up some nice blackfish. Green crabs and a rod with a backbone are all you will need to put one in the cooler.
Best Bets for the Weekend
It looks like we are going to get one more shot at moderate weather before the next front move in. The main bodies of fish aren’t here yet but it looks like there are enough to keep you busy if you put in the time. Personally, I may take a run at kingfish before the water chill out. There might not be too many more opportunities this season. The good news is that black sea bass opens up again this weekend and contrary to the summer season, you are allowed to keep 15 fish. I am definitely looking to hop on a ride to see if I can find some of those tasty morsels. And don’t forget that the state has started its fall trout stocking program which means that many of your local fresh water spots have some added life in them. You can find the full listing at http://www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/flstk14.htm. There is plenty to do out there so don’t abandon ship yet. But remember, fishing is supposed to be fun, don’t take it too seriously. And whatever you choose to do, please stay safe out there. See you on the incoming.