We have come to the time of year that I truly believe the phrase “Fish or cut bait” is most relevant. The waters are definitely on a down cycle when it comes to temperatures and it goes without saying that if you are going to have a successful fishing outing this time of year, you need to do your homework before you put a line in the cold water. Bait pods are more spread out than early in the run and may have changed over completely from the last time you hit the water. Lures that may have worked a week or two ago now may be destined for the shelf until next season. And even the way you retrieve the bait has or should be changing. Slow, slower, slowest is the call of the day. If you think you are cranking slow enough, slowing down a little more is most likely called for. Some species thrive in the colder water, as tautog seems to do. Others, like striped bass, become lethargic and could pass up all but the specific bait they are looking for. And for the angler, finding that bait before hitting the water could be almost as much of a challenge as finding the fish. But that is where the fishing forecast from OTW really help out. We do the legwork, you catch the fish.
The striped bass bite may be cooling off but there is still plenty to do On the Water. One option that comes to mind is blackfish. The Mimi VI (Point Pleasant Beach) has a whole slew of open boat trips on the schedule for December. Check out their FB page or give Captain Ken a call to save a spot. You can reach him at 732-370-8019.
Heading up to Island Beach State Park for some end of season fishing? There are several must do’s when you visit the island before you hit the sand. One of those high on the List is Grumpy’s Bait and Tackle (Seaside). Grumpy is telling us that there are still plenty of bass in the area but the average size has definitely come down to the “schoolie” size. Customers using swimming plugs and metals are having the most fun. Salted clams are the next bait of choice. There have also been some scattered reports of sand eels finally arriving. So my metal of choice would be a Jetty Ghost Sand Eel. Check ‘em out at Grumpy’s.
The Gambler Deep Sea Fishing Team is still heading out every morning in search of striped bass. As is the norm for this time of year, some days are better than others. Luck of the draw. One thing I do know is that you can’t hit the lotto unless you buy a ticket and the same goes for fishing. And fishing from a stable platform like the 90’ Gambler certainly ups your odds of finding fish and winning the race. When you are at the boat or their web site, check out the offshore jumbo sea bass trips they have on the schedule for late December. Seating is limited so you need to decide before they all fill up.
The Jersey Hooker (Brick) is still available for striped bass and blackfishing charters through the end of the year. Captain Rich Wilkowski has had some good blackfish posts since the limits went up. He also asked me to remind everyone of their winter store hours. Thursday thru Sunday, 6 to 6. They have sand worms in stock for you winter flounder freaks out there. Jersey Hooker is one of the few shops (to my knowledge) that stock them.
The Carolyn Ann III (Barnegat Light) is still sailing on Saturdays and Sundays only through the end of the year for blackfish. They have been successful when the weather cooperates. It’s a great comfortable option to get some fishing in if you are on or around Long Beach Island.
John Yak at The Dock Outfitters (Seaside Heights) tells us that regardless of your method of fishing, you will have to work harder through the end of the year to put some meat on the deck. Both Boaters and sand jockeys are finding it more challenging to land keepers. The bigger fish seem to have continued their southerly migration but John tells us there are plenty of bass still in the area, just of the smaller variety. Metal is king and fresh baits rule the realm. Dock Outfitters has both. Remember, they are on Winter Hours (6am – 6pm) now. And the Holiday Sale goes on through 12/24.
Captain Dave Showell and his staff at Absecon Bay Sportsmen’s Center (Absecon) are confirming what I have been hearing about the local fishing. There are still plenty of bass in the area but bait is thinning out and the fish that are being caught are on the downward slide when it comes to size. If you are going to troll, make sure it is a slow troll and with single targets. Finding birds could be the key to jigging success. We also hear that tog have moved out some and have re-located in deeper waters on some of the local wrecks. Looking to expand your fishing geography? Contact Captain Dave and ask him about his Guatemala Getaways. Dave has a second operation located there and can point you towards some sweet deals. Tell him I sent you.
At the furthest point south In the Garden State, Mike Jung of Peace Token Bait and Tackle (Cape May Court House) is still seeing plenty of life. Local head boats are doing well on the inshore wrecks for tog and even the occasional sea bass. The majority of the big sea bass have moved further offshore to deeper waters and you need at least 120+ for a really good shot at them. Trolling the local lumps and shoals is still productive inshore but the bay has quieted down. Some anglers have reported success drifting the Cape May Rips with live eels or Bucktails. If you are looking for that special something for the angler who seems to have everything, then you may want to check out the inventory at Peace Token. Their custom tied blackfish rigs are second to no one and they carry as much or more fishing gear than any store in Cape May County.
Bill Heitzman of Bill’s Surf and Tackle (Harvey Cedars) tells me it has been slow in the area but anglers are still catching. Most have resorted to metal and clam in their efforts and it can be a chilly wait between fish. Bill heard of a 45 pound bass caught over the weekend by Holgate, supposedly on the slow troll. He has had other anglers tell him of birds working just out of casting range on what appears to be sand eels. That is definitely encouraging. The blackfish bite has slowed a little but Bill attributes that to the “A” wrecks being worked over pretty hard of late. Might be time to look into a back-up float plan and some new wrecks. 60-901 feet of water seems to be the desired depth.
This time of year, fishing the back waters takes dedication, that’s for sure. When I spoke to Lenny Hahn of Capt’n Hippo’s (Toms River) which has been the case around his shop. Most of the action is centered off the front beaches by boat or from the sand. With water temps in the mid-forties, that is logical. There should be some perch in the area but finding takes has been the hard part. Most anglers get striper fever this time of year and tend to ignore the sure table fair. There is nothing better than some fat white perch to liven up a “Seven Fish” Christmas Eve Dinner. Capt’n Hippos will remain open through Christmas and its end of season sale will run right up until then.
I called Noel Feliciano of One Stop Bait and Tackle in Atlantic City to see if the fish he weighed in at his shop a few weeks ago held up in the Beach-N-Boat season long Tourney. For those of you who missed it, Tito Ontero of EHT weighed in a 57 pound striper taken from a pier in Absecon Inlet. Getting a fish that big out of the water is a challenge no matter where you are fishing but in the spot Tito was in, almost a miracle. Noel tells me that the best bite in the area of late has been the inshore wrecks and tog. There are still bass being taken but no guarantees. There are sand eels in the area so Noel is pushing AVA’s with a green or red long shank. Slow down your retrieve is all I can add. The water is in the 45 degree range and feeding isn’t that much of a priority for the area bass.
Best Bet for the Weekend
It is the time of year when you almost have to be Santa Claus to make a call for the best options available. So many things come into play, it can be a nightmare. Weather, wind and bait movement are only some of the factors that you must take into consideration. And all seem to change hourly. So it is important to make a plan before hitting the water. What baits are working, where you can even get said baits and fish movements all need to be put into that plan. And even with great planning, you can still find the skunk. But you increase your odds at success by planning out as much as you can. This weekend, I would hop on a head or charter boat and take a stab at blackfish. Especially if you are looking to bulk up the winter meat supply. There are bass around but they aren’t parking in one section for long. Its good to be south this time of year. But remember, fishing is supposed to be fun. Don’t get too absorbed by the catch or its quality. This time of year, your number one goal should be to be out there and having fun. And stay safe in whatever you do. The water is officially chilly. See you on the incoming.