Patience is certainly a virtue. I know some of you had doubts as to whether or not we would get a true fall run but water temperatures dropped into the “Magic Zone” and I am starting to see some very good signs out there. From Island Beach State Park to points south, I have been receiving good reports of action, both on the beaches and on the boats. Not spectacular actions mind you but the signs are very promising. Most encouraging in the last few days is the appearance of both bait and bigger bluefish chasing the bait. I have always been of the opinion that the presence of bigger blues is a harbinger for bigger bass. And the bait that is around is not only the standard menhaden but also sea herring and in several cases, butter fish. Very, very nice. I have not heard too much about sand eels lately but I am confident that as the water cools, the reports will start showing those baits as well. I’ve received numerous reports from the field of birds working and that is also good news. Maybe it’s just me but I think things are finally starting to look up. Let’s see if what I am hearing is accurate.
It’s not only bluefish and stripers on the menu. In just over a week, the blackfish limit rises to 6 per and if you want to take advantage of it, the Mimi VI (Point Pleasant Beach) has some open boat trips added to the schedule to take advantage of it. Trips will be Dec 1st, 3rd, 4th and 5th and are limited to 22 people per trip. Cost is 65 dollars per angler. Make your reservations now to insure a seat.
According to John Yak at The Dock Outfitters in Seaside Heights, every day brings a better mix of bass and blues to the area. Recently, the area from Seaside to Lavallette has been the hot spot with big top water surface plugs and fresh bunker being the go to for local anglers. John believes this is the start. He reminded me to tell you that “snag and drop” has been the best when nice pods of bunker move into the zone. So don’t forget those snag hooks as part of your arsenal.
Noel Feliciano of One Stop Bait and Tackle (Atlantic City) tells us that there is bait in the wash and inlet, mostly sea herring and bunker, and as a result fishing is definitely improving. Night bite still reigns but anglers soaking fresh bunker are having success as well. The T-Jetty is still giving up some nice tautog on green crabs. Don’t forget to stop in the shop or the Ducktown Tavern and register for the free two day 48 Happy Hour tournament that goes off on November 21st.
Mike Jung at Peace Token Bait and Tackle (Cape May Court House) got word to us that the bite is on in Delaware Bay. The Sixty Foot Slough and the mouth of the Maurice have both had some nice action this week and the bite has been consistent. Anglers chunking are having the best hook up ratios. North Wildwood beaches are also starting to hold bait and as a result, some decent bass have been taken in the area. The area head boats have been returning with nice catches of black sea bass, the occasional tog and some bluefish. Reports indicate that 80’ of water is the best place to set up.
I caught up with Bill Heitzelman of Bill’s Surf and Tackle (Harvey Cedars) just as he was returning from the beach after a morning of surf fishing. And while his catch was limited to skates on fresh bunker, he told me he was encouraged by the local reports and different baits in the suds. As the sun came up, Bill had peanut bunker in the wash and hickory shad or herring just a little further out. The Barnegat Inlet seems to be the line of demarcation right now, with boat and beach anglers doing well just north of that mark. Boaters towing Stretch, umbrella rigs and bunker spoons have been active since Halloween. Several customers have had great days floating live spot in the inlet and wet of it. And the LBI surf Derby has doubled its entries since the weekend. All good signs. If you are looking for a break, Bill suggests grabbing a couple dozen crabs and heading over to the Lighthouse area where the togging has been great.
The reports from John Bushell Jr. of Betty and Nick’s fame (Seaside Park) keep getting better and better. The bunker are pushing the sand on Island Beach State Park and bringing with them nice bluefish and good striped bass. Drag and dropping is the favorite technique right now but whamming and surface plugs are also beaching their share. The night bite seems to be a bit stronger than daytime but both are good. Water temperatures are just a tad below the 60 degree mark which is prime for bass.
Guarding the entrance to Sea Isle City in Oceanview, sits Boulevard Bait and Tackle. Owner Cam Koshland prides himself on providing the freshest bait, best tackle and great information on the area hot spots. When I spoke with him this week, Cam told me that the Bucktail Willie, a local legend , was doing well around the inlet dragging eels and of course, throwing a bucktail. Out front, off of Sea Isle, the best options seem to be pulling umbrella rigs or Stretch Lures. Tog are still being caught off the seawall at Townsend’s Inlet. Boulevard (formerly My Wife’s Rod and Reel) carries all the baits and gear you need for a day chasing the fall run.
The 56’ charter boat Super Chic (Barnegat Inlet) still has a few open dates on their schedule so if you are looking for a ride, now is the time to contact Captain Ted White. Recent trips have produced everything from limits on sea bass and great tuna runs. Striped bass and blues are really going strong right now. The Super Chic is licensed for up to 20 but usually sails with around 12 passengers comfortably. So if you are looking for a charter bigger than the standard 6 pack, this should be one of your first choices.
Big Chris of Better Bait and Ice on the Toms River Tells me that the hot action for bass in the back is in the holes by the BB Buoy. In the river, there are still small blues and short bass that can be taken on plugs. He is also reporting that the influx of fresh water over the past ten days seems to have stirred the white perch. In addition, Chris told me that several patrons are still getting blowfish and to try the holes by the railroad bridge if you want a few more before the season moves south. BBI will close for the season just after Thanksgiving.
From the Gambler Deep Sea Fishing boat In Point Pleasant.
It’s that time of year! Jumbo Offshore Sea Bass Trips! By Reservation only: Fare $160.00. Dates: Sat, Dec 20th Sun, Dec 21st Fri, Dec 26th Sat, Dec 27th Sun, Dec 28th, Tue, Dec 30th, Wed, Dec 31st OFFSHORE SEA BASS TRIPS LEAVE 3AM and RETURN 6 or 7 PM SAME DAY. ALL BAIT INCLUDED CALL 732-295-7569 TO MAKE A RESERVATION. LEAVE A MESSAGE FOR LEE ANNE Rod and Reel Rental are Available on board. Tackle, Ice, Food and Drink are Available on board.
The Gambler is currently fishing daily for Striped Bass and Blues.
I spoke with Captain Rich Wilkowski of the For you fresh water anglers out there, this just in from the NJDEP:
The NJDEP Division of Fish and Wildlife will be releasing 9,500 yearling brown and rainbow trout just in time for the long Thanksgiving weekend. The trout, 8 to 10 inches in length, will be distributed into 23 lakes around the state beginning Monday, November 24.This winter stocking is in addition to the 25,000 trout released in 17 streams and 14 lakes in October. A number of those trout, including some of the 500 large rainbow broodstock, still remain for anglers. For more information, including the stocking schedule, visit http://www.njfishandwildlife.com/news/2014/wntrtrt14.htm on the Division’s website.
In Point Pleasant Beach, the shop that opens the earliest and closes the latest is always Reel Life Bait and Tackle on Bridge Ave. When I spoke with Rich at the shop this week he was very optimistic about the state of the fishery. Big blues, up to 15 pounds have returned to the area, most from Sandy Hook South to Seaside over the past few days. Bait includes bunker, rain fish, anchovies and finally, some reports of sand eels. When the bait flows in to the beaches, surf anglers are right in the middle of the fun. Inshore, anglers snagging bunker or pulling umbrella rigs and spoons are training the bait pods and doing quite well. In the canal, the blackfishing has been great. You can also find some smaller bass in the canal by dragging eels. Water temperatures in the area are perfect according to rRich with todays reading spiking at 57 degrees.
I chatted with Justin over at Fin-Atics Marine Supply (Ocean City) this morning to see if the herd has moved into that area yet. He told me that while conditions are improving, the big jolt hasn’t started yet. Anglers on the area are picking up fish but not in big numbers yet. He told me that there was a quick shot on Monday with fish in the 30 pound class being taken on the troll from Brigantine south but it slowed down when the wind picked up. There is still plenty of action in the bays with anglers attacking the bass in a variety of ways. Top water plugs at first or last light are still effective as are bucktails and dragging eels or bunker. Bluefish have gone into hiding again. Hopefully some of the bigger fish currently terrorizing beaches north will get motivated to move south as the waters start to cool. Tog fishing off the rock piles remains steady. Corson’s Inlet under the cover of night remains the most consistent spot.
Best Bets for the Weekend
The deciding factor for the previous few weekends has been the weather. Wind and rain seem to have circled the weekend on Mother Nature’s Calendar. Early weather reports are calling for a dry but possibly breezy weekend. Depending on direction of said wind, we could catch a break. Hopefully, it will blow out of the west and start to push the bait around enough to stimulate their hunger. As long it isn’t of the gale level we have been experiencing, all available options should be a go. The bass and big blues are looking like they are in a migratory mood so whether by beach or boat, there are definite possibilities there. And if you are looking for some bottom fishing, you just make get a window to go after black sea bass and tautog. Whatever you choose to partake of, have fun out there. Fishing is, by definition, meant to be fun. But stay safe. The water is chilling downward and it doesn’t take much of a mistake to cancel the fun. See you on the incoming.