Big stripers continue to rage on the bunker schools off Northern New Jersey. The bite carried through the weekend and into this week. Both surf and boat fishermen are hooking up, but if you want a real shot at a cow, you’d better get on a boat. Heavy winds and rough seas put a pause on the action on Thursday, but things should be back in action for the weekend.
Dave at the Reel Seat checked in three bass over 40 pounds over the weekend, and several more fish over 30 pounds. At times, the bass are hitting anything thrown their way, from topwaters to trolled lures to live bunker.
Trolled Mojo Rigs have been especially effective reported Akira at True World Tackle. Akira reported that the bite in New York Harbor has been excellent for both pier and boat anglers. He found fish to 25 pounds in the East River last Sunday, and said the ticket to hooking the larger, 30-pound-plus bass lately has been trolling. In addition to the Mojo Rigs, bunker spoons and umbrellas rigged with shads are catching bass.
The Skylarker had a good opening to the blackfish season this week. The biggest fish of the week, Steve reported, was a white-chinned 14.3-pounder that the angler decided to release. The best bite has been with white-legger crabs Sea bass and porgies are stacking up at deep wrecks Steve reported. Some of the sea bass have been monsters weighing in at 7 pounds.
Steve also reported that there are waves of stripers moving through the waters between Sandy Hook and Barnegat Light. The fish have been a mix of sizes, from the 30-pound-plus cows to schoolies. Steve said on his bass trip this week, he found good numbers of schoolie bass up to 18 pounds, making for a fun day on the water.
Jim at Harry’s Army Navy said the fishing on the beaches has been awesome. Peanut bunker are keeping 24- to 34-inch bass stacked in the surf, and hitting swimming plugs and swim shads. Some bluefish are being caught around Long Branch. Jim had also heard the beginning of the tog season has been excellent, with fishermen catching limits of big blackfish.
The Belmar Princess has been getting in on the bass bite earlier this week, with fish up to 40 pounds being caught. The bite got tough on Wednesday, and Thursday was a blowout, but they will be back on the water Friday morning.
Fishermen aboard Parker Pete’s Sportfishing had a great opener to the tog season, coming home with coolers of healthy blackfish.
Best Bets for the Weekend
The winds and rough seas should abate over the weekend and allow fishermen to get back on the beaches and in the surf. Hunting down the bunker and the bass by boat will be your best bet for a trophy. If you aren’t seeing fish on the surface, go on the troll as many of the biggest bass being caught this fall are falling for Mojo Rigs or Bunker Spoons. From the surf, SP Minnows, metal lips, and Tsunami Swim Shads will get it done for lures, but fresh clams or chunks of bunker have been a lock for action even when lures fail to produce.
what tackle shops are there in Belmar, New Jersey?