Striped Bass fever continues it’s elevated run for boats out of the inlets of Shark River and Manasquan with snag-n-drop action from Asbury Park to Sea Girt on 30 to 40 pounders. The rest of Southern New Jersey is impatiently waiting for schools of Bass to move down. I have been getting mixed reports of Blackfish and the census seems to have landlocked anglers faring much better as the oceanic bottom temperatures are still a tad too high for the white chins. But it should make for stellar rest of the month.
So here is this week’s rundown:
Gates Bait and Tackle in Point Pleasant Beach reported Blackfish still taking Green Crab along the Manasquan and Shark River Inlets. Early in the week Striped Bass were being slung over the sides of the inlet and trolled up by fleets of boats working close to shore. The snag-n-drop action has continued Asbury Park to Manasquan, but it is a early morning or late afternoon bite.
Fisherman’s Supply in Point Pleasant reported Striped Bass being taken from both the beach and the boats, along with nice visuals of whales and dolphins working schools of bunker. Anglers working the surf have been getting good number of Stripers on white bucktails tipped with 6 inch white grub tails. Trolling action continues from the Shrewsbury Rocks down through Lavalette for anglers dragging Mojo’s and/or Maja’s. The latest word has moved slightly south from Ortley to Seaside on the snag-n-drop on 30 to 40 pound Stripers.
MIMI VI out of Point Pleasant has been out almost everyday this past week, but unfortunately I couldn’t reach Captain Ken on the cell. The boat will be running a full day Open-Boat Blackfish on November 22nd (leaving at 7am) and a earlier trip on Thanksgiving Day from 630am to 130pm. Check the website for details.
The Gambler out of Point Pleasant has been on the Striper meat as of late with some big stripers up to 30 pounds. Anglers had to be working their lures or have their snag bait in the right place at the right time. They have been seeing both Stripers and big Bluefish, some days it’s more of one species than the other.
Norma K III out of Point Pleasant reported a pick on the Blackfish for opening day of the season. Anglers fared better by casting around the structures and working for their bites. Depending on how much they worked, clients went home with 1 to a limit of fish. The boat will be sailing everyday for Blackfish from 730 to 230pm.
Betty and Nick’s Bait & Tackle in Seaside Park reported a slow pick during the weekend, followed by a flurry of activity from Lavalette to Seaside on Stripers to 30 pounds. But it seems to be mostly a northern bite so far with a majority of Bass still blitzing from Sandy Hook to Sea Bright. On a Tog note, the Barnegat Inlet rocks have been very good for anglers dropping Green crab.
Dock Outfitters in Seaside Park reported better fishing this week as the Striped Bass have been turning on within casting range of shore. The bulk of the action has been between Ortley and Seaside Heights on poppers, swimmers, bucktails and rubber shads. Anglers just have to keep working different stretches of water to find isolated schools. John recommends fishing off the beach or boat, because you can’t find them at home on the couch.
Super Chic out of Barnegat Light has been doing alright on Striped Bass according to Capt. Ted. Some days it’s a slow pick, but early out has been the ticket. The boat has had a few trips with multiple Bass over 40 pounds and the skipper has been working a variety of water from Ortley to Barnegat Light. The boat will be out everyday this week for Striped Bass charters.
The Carolyn Ann III out of Barnegat Light reported a slow opener for Blackfish as the skipper fished shallower in the 40 to 50 foot range. A majority of the Tog are still along the inlet rocks as the bottom water temperature was 59 degrees according to Gina. The boat did have a 6 pound pool winner on opening day, but it is still a little warmer as a few Fluke in the 3 pound range were released.
Creekside Outfitters in Waretown reported Striped Bass hitting in the backbays from the areas along the sedges and bridges. Most of these fish are in the 18 to 28 inch range. There has been some bigger Stripers bagged along the beachfront from the snag-n-drop. Bass in the 20 to 40 pound range have moved just north of Island Beach State Park. The Barnegat Inlet rocks continue to be the “spot” for Blackfish.
Tony’s Bait & Tackle in Manahawkin also had mixed reports of Blackfish for guys fishing the season opener with the jetty hoppers doing much better than the boats. Long Beach Island has been a slow pick on keeper Striped Bass, with the inlet areas doing much better. The snag-n-drop action has both enough south for boats to have decent shots at fish, but it has to be either early morning or late afternoon.
Riptide Bait & Tackle in Brigantine reported the surf having an occasional Bass in the 30 to 40 pound range, but most anglers have to work really hard to find “a” fish. The ocean temperatures have dropped in the middle 50’s which is very “bassy” in terms of temperature. The store is loaded with Green Crabs for anglers fishing the rocks as the Blackfishing remains red hot.
Absecon Bay Sportsman of Absecon Bay reported lots of fish from the 24 to 30 inch range being landed in the backwaters of Absecon Bay. Most of the fish have been caught on light tackle for anglers working soft plastics, bucktails, or Gulp. There are a lot of bonus tag-able fish. There looks to be some bigger Bass taken from Island Beach State Park, so boats should soon have a shot as these move down the coast. Tog fishing is still heavy off the jetties, bridges, and inshore rocks.
One Stop Bait & Tackle in Atlantic City witnesses keeper Blackfish continuing to make it into coolers for anglers fishing off the AC jetties, along with some night-time Striped Bass. Caspian and the T-jetty have been ultra hot for Blackfish to 7 pounds. Store owner Nowell said to stack your deck with Green Crabs, and you’ll be sure to pull a couple of winners.
Fin-Atics in Ocean City reported good fishing for boats pulling Mojo’s and Maja spoons on Striped Bass to 40 pounds. Anglers have been working the 3 mile line and have been rewarded with some nice fish. There continues to be a red hot Tog bite along the jetties, rockpiles, and bridges from Atlantic City to Wildwood. The shop will have it’s annual Black Friday sale, so check out their Facebook page for more information.
The southernly locales of Cape May have reported Sea Bass fishing is holding up well when the weather and sea conditions allow it. Most of the charter boats are fishing the wrecks on or out beyond the 20 fathom line and getting limits of nice fish almost every trip. There are still good numbers of Sea Bass on the Delaware reef site #11, but there are a quite more short fish to pick through. The Blackfish are still on the inlet rockpiles and the inshore wrecks, so anglers using Green crab should be able to pick through limits. Striped Bass are still not in the area code in any good numbers. Some boats have been running to Long Beach Island without a touch. There were a few fish caught on the troll off of Hereford Inlet, but not many for the amount of boats trying due to it being slow. Last year it started around the 20th of November it looks like it might be a replay this year or even later. On the surf, anglers are still catching some Redfish, mainly on soft plastic lures. Wildwood Crest and the Cape May beachfront are both giving up Redfish on 4 and 5 inch Gulp swimming mullets. There are still some small Stripers being caught on the rockpiles in Cape May and on The Point, but only an occasional one stretching to the 28 inch mark. Tog are still biting on the jetties when the water is clean and with the water being so warm, they should stick around for awhile.
South Jersey Fishing Forecast
It’s almost a repeat of last week, except anglers can now keep 6 fish. The place to be for Blackfish is either really shallow wrecks or off the jetty-lined inlets from Manasquan to Cape May. Green crab, Asian Shore crab, and Hermits are working well. If your not into the Togging scene, get up early and look for Stripers from Manasquan to Brigantine as more and more schools have moved down. This past week’s NE winds definitely got some fish moving as the beaches and backbays are starting to pick up, but boaters still have a huge advantage as most fish are being found away from land. Sea Bass is also game, but anglers will need to find a boat that’s willing to run 15 to 30 miles depending where you are. But at least there are a quite of few options, and it should only get better in the coming weeks. Be Safe, Good Luck, and Tight Lines!