South Jersey Fishing Forecast – On the Water Magazine – 10-23-2014
Sometimes you have to take comfort in the fact that all events have a good side and a bad side. Looking at the weather patterns right now, it is hard to find the bright side of it, especially if you are an angler. But upon further reflection, you see that a Nor’east storm that could have parked directly upon us in New Jersey slid up the coast instead and that is, at least for us, a blessing. Yes our waters will be churned up for a few days but the major impact of this storm will pass far to our north and some positive may come from that as well. For one, I suspect it could cool waters in our area down a bit and also push bait from the north on their southwards migration. And as you well know, where the bait goes, so follows the target fish. In this case, I am hoping that this storm pushes some stripers and blues down the coastline. And please, keep them within the strike range. At On the Water, we try to give you a forecast as opposed to a report. We aren’t always right on the money but we try to look forwards, not behind us. My goal is to look for developing trends and put you on the fish. And we do it with some great scouts out there who work the water for a living. Let’s take a look at what the pros are seeing this week.
The Gambler Deep Sea Fishing Boat out of Point Pleasant will conclude its offshore overnight tuna runs next weekend and there still may be a few openings. These trips have been limited seating with reservations a must. Even with the rough seas, the Gambler has been taking advantage of opportunities as they present themselves. Nice yellow and long fin tuna along with the occasional swordfish. When all else fails, they have been switching the gear over to target mahi and tile to put meat in the cooler. Starting November 1st , the Gambler will focus its attention on striped bass.
If you are like me, fall represents an opportunity to put some black sea bass in the freezer for the log winter ahead. And there isn’t a better boat to help you in that quest than the Norma K III out of Point Pleasant. Captains Ken Keller and Matt Sosnowski are pros at finding the holes that these tasty treats call home. Add a few porgies and triggers along with the occasional blackfish and you have a complete day of fishing on the 87’ Norma. Lately they have been doing just that when the weather permits. The Norma K leaves port seven days a week at 7:30 am and reservations are not required.
I stopped in to visit with Captain Dave Showell and his staff at Absecon Bay Sportsmen’s Center the other day to get the skinny on local action. Dave tells me that the striper action has been good to great in the bay depending on conditions. He is still dragging big Berkeley Gulp baits and having success around Main Marsh. Live spot (yes he has them) have also attracted the attention of linesiders. Small blues still populate the bay. Best actions has been on Top water lures around some of the deep holes off the sod banks by anglers using top water plugs at sunup or sunset. Tog fishing at the local jetties and bridges remains strong. Water temperatures before the storm are still in the mid-sixties.
John Yak of The Dock Outfitters in Seaside Heights is reporting that the bite has been “slow and small” but the he also believes the best action is heading straight for us. Dusk and Dawn are the best times for consistent action, in the bay or beach. John tells us that clam has been the best bait but small swimmers line the SP Minnow are running a close second. There are bluefish when nothing else seems to be working, mostly in the 2-4 pound range. The Dock Outfitters has everything you could possibly need for a day’s fishing on or around the Island.
If you are up in Brick, Don’t forget to stop in the Jersey Hooker there and register for the 4th Annual Hooker Outfitters Fall Striped Bass Tournament. This year, Captain Rich Wilkowski has shortened the tourney to the full month of November. And 10% of the proceeds are earmarked for the Ken “Big Fish” Jelnicki Memorial Fund. The JH Team also has some open dates for striper fishing on its custom sport fisher and the shop is fully loaded with all the tackle and bait you could possibly need to be competitive in this year’s tourney.
If your homeport is Long Beach Island and you are looking to get out for some bottom fishing, I recommend the Carolyn Ann III out of Barnegat Light. With black sea bass reopened and trigger fish still in the zone, it has been some good fishing of late. Captain bill Hammarstrom reports that the only limiting factor has been the wind and weather in general. Recent pool winners have been either triggers or sea bass in the four pound range and many anglers are leaving with up to ten fish on a regular basis. The Carolyn Ann III sails daily from 18th St. in Barnegat Light.
Ed Berger, the GM over at Team Tackle Direct and also one of the chief players of the ongoing Absecon Island Surf Derby Emailed me this week to tell me that the problems for beach buggies on the AC beach has been resolved. Access has been approved through the end of the year from 5am through 10pm daily. But you must have your vehicle recertified and have a valid Derby Badge. Ed recommends you head over to the engineers office in AC and bring your proof of insurance with you. He also suggested that the Declaration Page of your insurance is the best proof.
I chatted with Sandy today at Capt’n Hippos Bait and Tackle on the Toms River who told me that their customers are starting to see a little bit of an upswing in the area. More keepers are being taken in the surf, particularly around the Brant Beach area. Clam is the bait of choice right now but poopers should also work. In the waters closer to the shop, there are still small blues and striped bass but they are starting to thin out. I asked Sandy about blowfish and while people are still getting some, the bite has scattered. She suggested the triangle area by the Research Buoy at the mouth of the inlet. Sandy also mentioned that there have been some decent catches of white and yellow perch behind Planet Fitness.
Andy Tonneson at Tony’s Bait and Tackle (Manahawkin)is recommending that if you need clams or fresh bunker for fishing this weekend to call ahead as the weather has put somewhat of a crimp in the boats getting out the last few days. Or Check their bait board on the web site for an up to the minute inventory. (Tony’s Bait Board)
The High Roller and Captain Mike Tobasso have been running out of Gardiner’s Basin in AC for striped bass in the Absecon Bay Area. I would recommend calling ahead at 609-348-3474 as the trips aren’t running every day. The High roller is a 50’ pontoon boat which makes fishing the back waters a real pleasure and they have been doing well with the bass of late.
Every time I get a report from Grumpy’s Bait and Tackle in Seaside Park, they are in the middle of unloading a new order of fishing supplies. Makes you wonder if they are going for the world record for most fishing tackle in one building. I spoke to Ray at the shop who told me that the weather has put a hurting on the beach but prior to this storm; action was starting to pick up. Ray feels the water temps are playing the biggest role right now with area readings clocking in around the mid-sixties. There are nice pod of bunker in the zone but they are staying just off the beaches. Along IBSP, it has been rain fish and some sand eels in the wash. Tray recommends throwing a metal like the Jetty Ghost keeled sand eel if you are out on the sand. Or head to the back waters and try a top water plug at sunup or sunset for some bass action. The blues in the area or on the lighter side and albies have run for the deeper waters.
The unofficial mayor of Atlantic City, Noel Feliciano at One Stop Bait and Tackle reports that tog off the jetty has been the most consistent way to put some fish on the table. More bass are being caught right now but the catch on the beaches has been mostly at night and in the back, at first and last light. Noel told me they are still whacking nice bass in Lakes Bay behind Ventnor Heights on top water plugs like the small Still Water Smack-It lures. Water temperatures on the beaches is hovering mid-sixties and that needs to come down according to Noel. Bait in the area is mostly peanut bunker and rain fish with some sand eels for good measure. Noel says he has also found some corn cob bunker hovering around the T-Jetty.
Mike Jung at Peace Token Bait and Tackle in Cape May Court house reports that the local head boats that got out before the weather rolled in were doing good on black sea bass in 80-100feet of water. The beaches from Wildwood to Cape May Point have been limited to bass in the schoolie size and 2-4 pound bluefish. Tog off the jetties and sea walls in the area has been decent. There were reports of redfish off the beaches but they seem to have dried up. If you are a white perch enthusiast, head down to the Maurice River with a bag full of blood worms and have at it. You find the schools and you can fill up a cooler. The Rips and Delaware Bay are still quiet. Water temperatures in the area are in the 65 degree range.
I missed the Ocean City Fishing Club’s Annual tournament this year due to a conflict so I called over to Fin-Atics Marine Supply there to see how it turned out. John told me a 14” blue was the top hook. So that should tell you how the warm water has been affecting the bite in the area. John tells me that the rock piles are still giving up decent blackfish and there are some kingfish still roaming the surf but you need to work for your catch right now. Corson’s Inlet under the stars has been the best producer. Anglers soaking clams or throwing plugs are doing very well. The back bay is still holding bass around the sod banks and the rivers are starting to be very good for white perch. And John told me that the crabbing is still going strong. So there are options but you need to work for your meal right now. Like me, John is hoping that a drop in water temperatures and the storm north of us will shake things up a bit.
Best Bets for the Weekend
Writing a fishing forecast while a Nor’easter is in the area can be a challenge at the very best. When people are sitting home tying rigs or cleaning gear, it is very hard to get an accurate read of activity anywhere. But the crew I rely on for information on a weekly basis rarely sugar coats their reports to me and I appreciate that. Once the winds ease up, hopefully by Saturday, we should get more people out on the water and get a better assessment. Personally, I may head south and see if I can stir up some action on kingfish, redfish or tog. If the seas calm down, it may be a good weekend for taking a run at some black sea bass. Your best shot at keeper bass seems to be in the back or up the rivers. And there is always blue claw crabbing. I picked up a bushel last Friday and put up a few pounds of meat for winter treats. Come January, it should make for some nice stuffed fish meals. That being said, its going to be a weekend of hunting and pecking I fear. But the key is to have fun. Fishing is supposed to be fun and that is how you should always approach it. But stay safe out there. The water is warm but the air is cooling down and it doesn’t take much to stop the fun. See you on the incoming.