What a difference a day makes! Temperatures have dropped dramatically overnight and that could mean it is time to adjust your hunting tactics because you know the prey will be changing theirs. If you haven’t dug out the cold weather gear, you better get a move on. Nothing spoils a morning blitz faster than a set of frozen digits. Take it from someone who has learned his lesson the hard way. We are entering into that time of year which separates the big boys from the kiddies. Of course, there is no guarantee that this cold snap is going to stay on but it most certainly will changes conditions. For the better or worse, no one knows, but change for sure. Let’s see how our front line lookouts are assessing the situation.
The Carolyn Ann III out of Barnegat Light will be sailing on weekends only in search of sea bass and come this Sunday, blackfish when the limits go back to six. If you are in LBI and plan on going, don’t forget that Captain Bill Hammarstrom likes to stop on the way in for a little striper action, so you will want to keep that in mind when gathering your trip gear. The CAIII plans on sailing weekends through December.
John Yak at John Bushel l Jr. of Betty and Nicks (Seaside Park) says that the next three days should be prime time on Island Beach State Park. The forecast calls for a brisk north/northwest wind which traditionally means that the baits pushes to the shore and brings with it the target species. Not to say fishing has been flat but John believes this will liven it up a bit. With the cold coming on, stop by the store and check out the new Kast Gear Surf Gloves john is putting in stock. You are probably going to need them now.
Sandy at Capt’n Hippos Bait and Tackle (Toms River) informed me the the beach bite was on from Point Pleasant Beach all the way down to the Long Beach Island. Surf angler using Eels and sand eels were having the best hook up ratio but soaking fresh clams is working as well. Boaters in the area trailing bunker are having success if they can get under the bluefish which are also in hot pursuit. Capt’n Hippos is carrying all the bait you need including live eels and frozen san eels so if you are in the area, stop in and load up.
Captain David Showell of Absecon Bay Sportsmen’s Center was out with a charter fishing the Red Tower off LBI when I stopped by the shop this morning but first mate Kurt was ready with some local data. There has been some back water action by the mouth of the Mullica with striped bass. Anglers dragging eels, live spot or Sluggos have been rewarded with some nice. Elsewhere in the back, it has been mostly shorts but a 30 lb. lunker was taken in Steelmen’s by a couple of sharpies fishing fresh bunker. The bite off the beaches has been very inconsistent, with a few anglers pulling stretch lures and umbrella rigs finding fish. The majority of the action has been north of Little Egg Inlet. Kurt also informed me that he has had some good days with white perch in the Mullica holes.
Andy at Tony’s Bait and Tackle (Manahawkin) reports a strong bite going on just north of the Barnegat inlet for striped bass and nice sized bluefish. Boaters employing “snag and drop” techniques or pulling Maja bunker spoons are having a good time with fish up to 30 pounds. The back has also been showing renewed signs of life, mostly on smaller bass, by anglers teasing them with live spot. Both the Inlet and Double Creek Channel have been the hot spots.
The Gambler Deep Sea Fishing boat is reporting that they have been on jumbo blues and big striped bass for the last ten days and will continue to search them out as long as the weather and fish accommodate the hunt. Remember, they do have some offshore deep water sea bass trips scheduled for the end of December and these are limited seating trips. Reservations are definitely required to hold a seat. You can do so by calling 732- 295-7569 or checking out the FB page for additional info.
Ronnie at Fishermen’s Supply (Point Pleasant) is always one of my favorite calls when I am looking for information in the area. When I chatted with him this week, he let me know that the bite was good just a little scattered from day to day. It was just outside the inlet today with boaters using a variety of methods to boat fish. Everything from bunker spoons, snagged bunger or jigging seemed to be having its moment in the sun. Both blues and bass are some of the best class in years according to Ron. When I asked him what he would be using out there, Ron recommended any of the Jetty Ghost Line for jigging and the Maja bunker spoons for trolling. The bait is staying just outside of casting range on the beaches so you need to be ready for any incursions followed by the bass and blues. Ron recommends a twofold attack from the sand. One with live bait and another rod ready for plugging action. If you are looking for blackfish, the canal is still holding some nice white chins.
The Mimi IV and Captain Kenny are pleased to announce some open boat blackfish trips in the upcoming weeks. The First one is on November 19th and there are additional trips scheduled for the 25th and 27th. These are limited seating trips so act now to save a spot. You can check out their FB page or call 732-370-8019 for additional info. The Mimi also has some open dates on their charter schedule if you are looking for a ride that will accommodate more than a standard 6 pack crew.
For me, Delaware Bay is a great place for fall fishing if you are looking to put some meat in the freezer. So I called down to Cape May and spoke with Nick at Hand’s Too Bait and Tackle at the foot of the bridge to see what the deal is. Nick told me that there have been several 60 pound fish taken out of the bay recently, both by anglers chunking bunker. He also told me that while the bite wasn’t red hot the fish being caught were quality fish and more than enough to go around. The Cape May Rips has been day to day and the fish there aren’t trophy sized. As is the case this time of year, eels rule the rips. On the Wildwood beaches, there has been some action but most are short fish. Anglers are using fresh bunker are doing the best. I also asked Nick about the local head boats and he told me that they are doing well on black sea bass and should do even better when the tautog season expands this Sunday. The good thing is that contrary to some other areas, the dogfish haven’t invaded yet. I just may jump on the Porgy next week and test that theory out.
Captain Ed Berger who steers the ship over at Team Tackle Direct and is also a rabid angler in the Absecon Island area tells me that it has been tough going lately in the area. But if you head north, conditions are almost in the “prime zone”. Ed says it is hard to figure out as there are great schools of bunker just off the beaches but the bite has been slow. He believes that this cold snap pushing through could start the bass and hopefully blues on their migration to southern waters. While I had him on the line, I asked if Tackle Direct had any sales on the horizon and he told me they were busy changing the pricing on tons of great fishing gear for their annual Black Friday sale. Definitely something you want to add to your calendar.
The Stray Cat (Longport) and Captain Mike O’Neil are back in the water after a brief respite and geared up for the expansion of tog season. I spoke with Mike today and he has some prime spots locked in on the computer and is raring to go. The Stray Cat is a custom 50’ down-easter which is one of the best rides in the area. Mike told me he has a charter scheduled for Sunday but will be running open boat trips for stripers or tog the remainder of the season. Reservations aren’t required but the Captain usually limits trips to 12 or so anglers which makes for a great day on a boat with a cockpit big enough to play volleyball on. I would still recommend calling ahead to make sure that the Cat isn’t chartered for a private trip.
Last week, the area off Harvey Cedars in LBI was absolutely on fire for a couple of days. Thursday and Friday was lights out catching. I confirmed this with Bill Heitzleman of Bill’s Surf and Tackle there who told me that as fast as it turned on, it shut down for a few days and is slowly picking up speed again. Bill told me that the area from the inlet south has been the prime area but there are good pods of bunker all over the place. Blues up to 12 pounds and some trophy bass are in the mix. Chunking has been the preference of the top anglers and it has been paying off. The beaches in the area are slower than the boat bite. Anglers are soaking clams and throwing metal with some success. Bill told me there is no rhyme or reason, its simply a matter of putting the time in on the sand. The rocks are still giving up some nice blackfish and that is an option the looks even better come Sunday when the limit expands to six. Stop in and introduce yourself to Bill and tell him I sent you.
Best Bets for the Weekend
Looks like we are going to get a little taste of winter this weekend and we probably won’t know what that means for fishing until it settles in. Weather forecasts are calling for a north/northwest wind and that could move the bait closer to the shoreline. Will the bass start filtering south? That is anyone’s guess but the optimist in me says it is going to help. Beach or boat, things are going to change and if you want success, you will need to adapt on the fly. Remember to slow down your retrieve no matter which option you go with. Fish tend to get a little lethargic with a weather pattern shift and you need to make that a consideration. On the plus side, blackfish limits expand by five come Sunday and that is a good thing. No matter what you choose to do, make sure you are dressed for it. And stay safe out there. Accidents happen but they are magnified when the water and air temperatures drop. See you on the incoming.
Nothing to add. Been running boats south for the past week. Enjoy your report and would like to be a part. In Delaware when I last heard the most active Marina had seen 5 fish, but all over 30, and all in the Cape May rips where you guys also fish. I hate to say it but for the Xth number of times in my life, I think that we have killed most of the fish. Virginia and Maryland, they cast right into the spawners in the spring. Delaware kills them up the river all fall winter and spring. Kinda sucks. Well take care and good fishing!!!