It has been exactly two years since Sandy came to visit us in NJ and there are still signs of the gifts she left us with but you may not notice them unless you look hard. The people of NJ pulled together and repaired much of the damage to homes and businesses. In fact, the in some areas, it is hard to know where the storm hit. But I suspect that there are areas where we will never know the changes she brought us. Inlets and inshore holes, once favorite fishing sites, now seem to have trouble attracting and holding fish. There is little doubt in my mind that Sandy still plays a role in migratory habits of both bait fish and the species we target. This year however, we need to factor in warmer than usual ocean waters as part of the equation. Remember, this is a fishing forecast as opposed to simply reporting who caught what last week. At OTW, we are trying to be proactive, to tell you where, when and how you can put yourself in positon to catch instead of just soaking a line. I firmly believe that the best of the fall run is still in front of us. Water temperatures are still riding around the 60 degree mark. Hopefully, it falls gradually, allowing us an opportunity to land a few big ones as it sinks into prime conditions. Let’s see what signs our scouts in the field are noticing.
The key to successful bottom fishing in my opinion, is not overworking a honey hole running it out. A good Captain knows this and is able to consistently put his customers on fish. Captains Ken Keller and Matt Sosnowski of the Norma K III (Point Pleasant Beach) are two who know that rule. Since the start of black sea bass season, they have been putting their clients on fish and it looks like they have no intention of letting up. When the sea bass aren’t cooperating, they have had success finding big porgies, ling, winter flounder and the blackfish limit. If you are looking to put some meat in the cooler, this is the boat to hop on.
If you are thinking that the best way is to get at the keeper bass and are landlocked around Absecon Bay, the High Roller Pontoon boat out of Gardiners Basin In AC could be the solution to your dilemma. Captain Mike Tobasso will be sailing this weekend in search of stripers around the inlet area and invites you to join him in his quest. Depending on the weather, this may be the wrap up for the season before he puts her up on blocks until next spring so now is the time.
Starting Saturday November 1st, the Gambler (Point Pleasant Beach) is going all stripers all the time. And from the signs I am seeing, just in the nick of time. It looks like the big mass of bass are slowly filtering into the target zone and there isn’t a better party boat to go after them than the 90’ Gambler. Trips sail daily at 7:30 am and there are no reservations required. Looking forward, the Gambler will be running some Jumbo Sea Bass trips in December to point offshore. My hunch is that these trips will fill up fast so now is the time to put in a reservation.
Grumpy of Grumpy’s Bait and Tackle (Seaside Park) is still down south putting a big time hurt on Tarpon but Ray at the shop tells me that he is missing some pretty good fishing on the island right now. It is obvious that the bigger fish are heading into the area. That coincides with reports I have been getting of big pods of bunker in the area. Which also tells me that your best baits right now are fresh bunker, swimming lures like the SP Minnow by Daiwa and Needle nose plugs. Just my observation. Ray also mentioned that clam is holding up very well, even with the above normal temps.
Spoke with Lenny Hahn at Capt’n Hippos Bait and Tackle on the Toms River who told me that the area has been a little quiet lately. Warm waters in the river seem to be holding back a steady bite. There has been some nice action on white perch and that is a good sign after a really quiet season for those tasty treats. Even the snapper blues are starting to disappear. It seems to be a transition period in the river but Lenny believes that the upcoming cold snap could shake things loose.
Captain David Showell of Absecon Bay Sportsmen’s Center is reporting that the inlet is starting to heat up on a variety of baits and lures. Dave himself has been doing well on bucktails tipped with big Gulp Swim Shads. Chartreuse has been the hot color. Anglers using live spot or eels are also having successful outings. If you are going to chunk bunker, make sure it is fresh bunker as Dave believes it is far ahead in the race for keeper bass. Throwing top water plugs is still working along the sod banks but most of the fish are just under keeper length. If you are looking for something a little different, you can still get a nice keeper tog by the brigantine bridge or any of the local rock piles. If you are determined to get your boat on the Oceanside, David recommends towing a Stretch Lure in the Hotel area off Brigantine. If you are in the Absecon Area and looking for live or fresh bait and don’t swing by ABSC, then you missed the mark. David Showell is the accepted leader in the local industry.
Mike Jung at Peace Token Bait and Tackle (Cape May Court House) tells us that the local head boats are heading to 80-100’ of water and doing decent on the black sea bass. As a bonus, they are picking at trigger fish, the occasional tog and some small bluefish. The back water is the place to look for bass action. Most are shorts but there is the occasional keeper in the mix. Top water lures or swimmers are the best bet. If you are looking for a change of pace, there have been some speckled trout caught along the stretch between the toll and free bridge at Stone Harbor. Delaware Bay and the Rips are still eerily quiet. The sea wall in North wildwood and a bucket of crabs could put some blackfish meat in your cooler. And finally, there are some northern kingfish on the beaches if you feel like spring for some bloodworms.
Captain Ed Berger of Team Tackle Direct tells me that the bite on Absecon Island is all centered west or in the back right now. The wind has been crazy fierce in Ed’s words and getting a report from the reefs has been difficult of late. He has heard that there have been some fish caught in the inlets on either side but the bite is at night by anglers floating eels. Lakes Bay behind Ventnor is still producing decent bass at first and last light. There are whispers of Specs behind the firehouse in Longport and the hole at Seaview has been giving up some decent tog. Like many of the others I have been in contact with, Ed believes the cold front could start things moving from north to south. Ed also told me that TD has some crazy good sales coming up so keep an eye out. Better yet, sign up for their email nees and they will let you know automatically.
Noel Feliciano called me not minutes after chatting with Ed to tell me that a 45 pound fish was weighed in at One Stop Bait and Tackle in Atlantic City. That goes to show you how quick conditions change, especially when a front is moving into the area. The fish was caught on fresh bunker but Noel tells me that there are herring in the surf and blues in the inlet. These are very good indicators to me. If you are in AC or the immediate area, I would recommend putting some time in. I have a hunch it is about to commence.
Bill Heitzmann of Bill’s Surf and Tackle in Harvey Cedars tells me that the action has been increasing but right now, the best opportunities are taking place north of Barnegat Inlet. Baot anglers in the area are starting to see more pods of bunker in the area. Trolling a bunker spoon or a Stretch Lure has produced some decent sized fish outside the inlet. Any Day now.
Captain Mike O’Neill of the Stray Cat (Longport) has the boat out of the water for some routine maintenance but should be back in by the end of next week when he will start running for sea bass, tautog (when it expands) and striped bass. Keep an eye here for “open boat” listings or call Mike if you are looking for a charter on a class A boat. The Cat is a 50’ custom Down-easter licensed to hold up to 23 passengers. Bigger than your average six pack but small enough to manage a group of 12 or so. And a great fishing platform with a great experienced Captain.
Ronnie at Fishermen’s Supply (Point Pleasant Beach) tells me that all hell broke loose just north of them the other day. Boaters pulling spoons, dragging and dropping bunker or chunking all had great action with bass up to 30 pounds. He told me there are acres of bait from deal up, mostly bunker. South they are seeing plenty of bait balls, mostly rain fish and sand eels (Jetty Ghost Sand eels are a must)but the big mass of fish seems to be laying behind the northern grouping. Ronnie also told me that the bunker is moving in and out of the PP Canal in the nighttime and bringing with it decent sized bass and nice bluefish. Moving offshore, he hears that those venturing out are being rewarded with big yellow and long fin tuna and that the swordfish bite has moved up to the next level. Add the crew at FS to the list of those who believe that this upcoming cold snap will send the fish on their southward trek. Lets just hope they stay within casting distance.
Best Bets for the Weekend.
As mentioned several times throughout this report, the early forecast is calling for a cold snap over the weekend. I am predicting that the change in air temps will motivate the bait to push south and bring the bass and blues along for the ride. This time of year, it is always a hit or miss proposition and you have to be there when the light turns green. With water temperatures still riding in the low sixties and a cold front coming through, the odds that it will flip the switch this weekend go up. So that is where I will be placing my bet. Looks like the weather could put a damper on any offshore adventures this weekend so we need to catch a break. Just remember, fishing is meant to be fun. Get out there and enjoy it for what it is. Whatever you do, stay safe out there. See you on the incoming.
Love your magazine, articles, and local info. Thanks