Southern New Jersey Fishing Report - November 12, 2015

Our Tautog season starts in less than a week and I hope everybody is excited because our local snags are absolutely loaded with good size white chins.  Sea Bass and Jumbo Porgies have been the mainstay if you’re willing to run a good distance for them.  Wrecks in the 100 to 140 foot range have provided most of the keeper action.  All I have to say is, “the word is definitely out!” Striped Bass fishermen have had good success on boat and beach over the past week.  A large body of quality Stripers had the boat ramps teeming with anglers waiting to hook up with 20 to 40 pounders.  Hopefully, the schools continue to make their way down, and stay well within the 3-mile line.  It should make for a great November!

Brielle Bait & Tackle reported good surf fishing in the Manasquan, Point Pleasant, and Bay Head areas.  The last few days have seen “blitzing” conditions on plugs, soft plastics, and Tsunami shads.  Big “gator” Bluefish have showed up along with medium sized Striped Bass in the 24 to 30 inch size range.  Boat anglers have been able to hook up on snagging and trolling.

Sea Bass and Porgy action has been in any wrecks in the 120 foot range.

Jason from Fisherman’s Supply said the surfcasters have been consistently hooking up with Stripers to 24 pounds and Bluefish to 16 pounds on metal lipped plugs and bucktails.  Most of the action has been in a wide area from Bay Head to Island Beach State Park.  Boats working the same areas slightly offshore have had the same success.  It seems that trolling spoons and Mo-jo rigs have provided the best chances to hook up.  Sea Bass boats have been working wrecks in the 18 to 24 mile range for quality fish.  Closer to home wrecks like the Axel Carlson, has had a lot of small fish.

The Point Pleasant boats have been into the action with the MIMI VI seeing “awesome” Sea Bassing in the deep water.  Some of Capt. Ken’s wrecks have been over-filling the coolers with huge Sea Bass and buffet-plate Porgies.  There has been some nice cod mixed in, but the highlight of the trips has been the size of the Porgies.  He added that anglers have hit their limit on multiple trips.

The Gambler has been loading up on Striped Bass and had some quality trip with bass tipping the scales to 30 pounds.  A few days saw a great snag-n-drop bite, while others have been more of a jig bite.  The boat will be sailing daily for Striped Bass, but give them a call to confirm.

The Norma K III has been doing well on Jumbo Porgies and Sea Bass.  There has been some keeper Cod mixed in, but they have slowed down a tad as of the latest trip.  Regarding the Friday and Saturday night Bluefish trips, the boat has been getting into good yellow-eyed action on fish up to 16 pounds.

Jersey Hooker Outfitters remarked that it has been all Striped Bass and Bluefish out front on Mojo’s and Maja’s, and also boats have been jigging in 40 to 50 feet.  The surf zone has seen its “fair” share of Striped Bass.  Anglers working the sands from Spring Lake to Island Beach State Park have seen the greatest success.

Betty and Nicks Bait & Tackle has seen an absolute “Bass” bonanza off Island Beach State Park, and lately the Gators have moved in with force.  The pile of bigger Stripers that were here seemed to have pushed further South on their migration with the Atlantic City to Wildwood area lighting up.  Surfcasters working Poppers or Plugs early have been getting mornings of double-digit fish.

Dock Outfitters said it was all out Bass and Blues marauding schools of bunker the last few days.  Daiwa SP Minnows and large Poppers have been outstanding for the Stripers.  Sizes have ranged anywhere from 10 to 20 pounds.  As Phil said, “Let’s hope this keeps up!”

Capt. n Hippos reported Bass and Blues from Manasquan to Long Beach Island and the surf has been providing some real good action.

The Barnegat Light fleet has been targeting Striped Bass this past week.  The Super Chic has been fishing and doing very well on Stripers up to 42 inches.  There was a good body of quality linesiders that the boat go into, and when the bite slowed in the ocean Capt. Ted worked the inlet for slot to keeper fish.

The Carolyn Ann III has been targeting Sea Bass, but has added Striped Bass into their schedule with the recent influx of fish.  Gina recommends calling the boat for details.

Moving south to Long Beach Island, Tony’s Bait & Tackle said there have fish been caught North and South of Barnegat Inlet.  Boats trolling Maja’s, Mojo’s, and Mann’s Stretch 25/30’s have been doing some catching on quality fish.  The Harvey Cedars area had a decent bite on snagged bunker.

Riptide Bait & Tackle said Mojo’s and Spoons have been the ticket for Stripers up to 43 pounds.  There was a few fish caught off the surf from the North end of Brigantine from guys plugging the suds.  Andy reminds that the Elk’s Classic tournament is running this week, so check the shop for details.

Jay from Absecon Bay Sportsman said they had some fish in the Margate area to the Red Tower in Surf City up to 42 pounds.  Most of the Bass have been landed from trolled spoons, mojo’s, or Stretches.  The bay has shown lots of slot Bass on soft plastics, Gulp, and live Spot.  There have been a few guys fishing the Bridges, but the bite seems to have slowed quite a bit.  Most guys are patiently awaiting the opening of the Tog season.

The Atlantic City is holding resident Bass up to 28 inches, Ling, and some keeper Tog, according to Nowell of One Stop Bait & Tackle.  Anglers able to jump aboard a boat are doing better on quality Stripers when trolling the 3 mile line on spoons, umbrella rigs, and mojo’s.  The surf has had some decent action, and there are enough fish around to get your rod bending.

Stray Cat Charters of Longport has been getting into the Sea Bass and also running some open boats for Striped Bass and Bluefish.  Capt. Mike said, “Now is the time, and the fish are here.”  The boat will be sailing for combo Blackfish and Bass once the season opens this Monday.

The team at Tackle Direct said the best bite of the past week was out of Island Beach State Park as some anglers trailered their boats to the Barnegat Light area to hit up the Bass.  But as the week moved on, so did the Bass and they are now off the beaches of Ocean City and Wildwood.  It seems that the Stripers have been hanging around the 3 mile line.

Fin-Attics reported that the start of the peak Striper season is starting in the area.  Trolled Bunker spoons and Stretch 30’s are consistently landing Bass up to 30 pounds.  Peacock Shoal has had some fish, but be careful of the 3 mile line.  The shop reported that the US Coast Guard stopped and asked to remind anglers to stay within the line, they will be patrolling.  The bay has had a decent bite on smaller fish, mostly on artificials or live Spot.  Some back-bay locations have been holding fish, 9th Street and Beesley’s Point had the most action on soft plastics.  Pink Fin-S Fish or White Zoom Super Flukes fished on a jighead or Daiwa SP Minnows have been the lures of choice.  There are some Tog around, but they are starting to become scarce.

Sea Isle Bait & Tackle has seen some Striped Bass to 30 inches from the surf.  Bunker chunks, live Eel, and artificials have been doing alright on fish.  The bay has a bunch of 18 to 24 inch fish, with an occasional keeper and provides plenty of light tackle action.  Ocean Bassin’ has been good if the fish stay within the 3-mile line and trolling seems to be the best bet at quality fish.

Jim’s Bait & Tackle reported that the Striper fishing remains about the same with the best action continuing to be on the troll.  There have been fish caught on The Wildwood Lump, Peacock Shoal, and The Cuma Lumps but the best action is still up the beach.  The shop only had a couple of reports from the Rips and have only seen one fish come from them.  The chunk bite in the Delaware Bay hasn’t really started yet.  The Sea Bass fishing on the other hand has been very good.  The best fishing has been on the wrecks in the 30-40 mile range: The dry Docks, The Deepwater Reef, the Jacob Jones, etc.  Many of the charter boats are getting limits of fish and coming home early.  The Tog are on the rockpiles and the inshore wrecks and will hopefully hang around until the limit increases.  The best action on the surf has been around the rocks on the Cape May beachfront for Bass.  Most of the fish are short but a few keepers are being taken.  The Point jetties are giving up a few fish but most of the action is early A.M.  If you get there after 8am, you have missed the bite.

Best Bet for this Weekend

Based on the size of the Porgies I’ve seen, it may be worth it to run offshore for Sea Bass and Porgies as it seems those wrecks are “loaded” with fish.  There are Striped Bass from the North to South tip of New Jersey, so whether you have a boat, sand spikes, or Korkers, it is time to get out there and fish.  Good Luck, Be Safe, and Tight Lines.