Southern New Jersey Fishing Report - December 8, 2016

We are nearing the end of the Striped Bass run as a wave of some smaller fish have made their way off the coast of central/south Jersey.  The areas of Point Pleasant southward to Long Beach Island are experiencing Striped Bass in the 22- to 27-inch range with a few bigger in the mix.  Blackfish continue to be had off the wrecks, snags, and reef sites.  Some of these true “white-chins” are approaching 12 pounds.  Unfortunately, Sea Bass continue to be far from our inshore or midshore wrecks and most boats need to run a good 60 plus miles to get into serious Sea Bass action.  I hopefully will see some of you at the Barnegat High School’s Fisherman’s Flea-market this Saturday, December 10th from 9am to 1pm.  It’s a great club and all proceeds benefit the high school students involved in the club.

So here is this week’s rundown:

Gates Bait and Tackle in Point Pleasant Beach reported Blackfish still around the rocks off the Manasquan Inlet, although anglers must work hard to find keepers.  There has been some different species around the monument with hickory shad, herring, mackerel, and sundial flounder being picked up.  The beach around the inlet has had some Striped Bass attacking white shads, poppers, and plugs along with some Bluefish.  Boats are doing a little better on the troll further south along Island Beach State Park.

Fisherman’s Supply in Point Pleasant reported boats still picking at the Stripers off Lavallette to Island Beach State Park on Shad rigs, Mojo’s, and Stretches.  Most of the bass have been in the smaller range 22 to 32 inches and there has been some bigger Bluefish in the mix.  Blackfish has been getting progressively better and it seems jigging for them with 1 ½- to 2-ounce Tog jigs tipped with white-legger or Green Crab does the trick for keepers up to 12 pounds.  Anglers fishing sticky structure for the more Northerly wrecks are doing better aka above the Axel Carlson.  The beach has had Striped Bass hitting white pencil poppers, shad bodies, and white vision sand eels from Spring Lake to Long Beach Island.  Sea Bass is excellent if your wiling to run 60 to 70 miles.

MIMI VI out of Point Pleasant has been fishing sticky bottoms for Tog and the boat has put some nice fish in the boat up to 7 pounds.  The skipper says some days are a pick as the bottom temperatures are still warm, but it is getting better.  The boat has added quite a few Open Boat Blackfish dates in their schedule and the boat leaves promptly at 7am, check the website for details.

The Gambler out of Point Pleasant has been fishing for Striped Bass every day and doing well on most trips and the boat has been as far as Barnegat Inlet.  The past week’s trip had all the anglers going home with at least 1 slot fish and some customers had fish over the 28-inch mark.  The boat still has some room on offshore Sea Bass trips, so give them a call if interested.

Norma K III out of Point Pleasant has been hitting the wrecks hard with some days better than others.  Few anglers did catch a few Blackfish, while more novice anglers had a tougher time feeling the bite.  The boat will be back at it this Friday, and the skipper believes the bite should only get better as the bottom temperature starts to cool off.

Betty and Nick’s Bait & Tackle in Seaside Park reported a pick on Stripers as they are still around.  Some days they are blowing up on bait within casting distance to the shore, as this past week saw some decent action in the Lavallette area.  You just have to be out there fishing to get your shot.  The shop has some nice specials for Christmas with good deals on gift cards for your favorite fisherman.

Dock Outfitters in Seaside Park has seen some nice Togging from areas on and around the Axel Carlson with many anglers getting limits.  The Striped Bass bite has been spotty for both beach and boat anglers, but the bite is better early morning.  There have been some quality reports of large amounts of herring and sand eels around and in the suds.  Most fish have been in the 25- to 32-inch size class.

Super Chic out of Barnegat Light said he has been still picking at Striped Bass, although most are in the slot variety 24 to 27.99 inches, while a few over 28’s have been boxed.  The skipper said there also have been some decent sized Bluefish in the mix of Bass.  The boat has a few more Striper trips planned and the tentative last trip is scheduled for this upcoming Monday.

The Carolyn Ann III out of Barnegat Light has endured some brutal weather days for blackfishing over the past week, with consistent 20 to 25 knot winds.  The last weekend for the season was tough with the weekend having a 4- to 6-foot chop with 3-second interval.  But angler Ren Noticy of Barnegat Light, NJ had three nice keepers and won the pool with a 6.5-pounder.  The crew would like to thank all their regulars, groups, and walk-ons who sailed with them this season.

Creekside Outfitters in Waretown has been getting reports of smaller Striped Bass in the 22- to 32-inch range still hitting white shads along Island Beach State Park.  A lot of boats have been trolling Mojo’s, Tandem Rigs, and Shads to box keeper Bass.  There was an excellent Blackfish bite for the boats that made it out on the Garden State North and Garden State South reefs with Tog up to 9 pounds.  The shop will be open to Christmas Eve and has some nice gift card specials available.

Tony’s Bait & Tackle in Manahawkin reported a slower pick off Island Beach State Park for both boats and beach fisherman.  Long Beach Island had some fish over the past week with the Beach Haven area getting an afternoon bite.  Most of the bigger fish are further South from Brigantine to Ocean City.  There has been some nice Tog taken from the Little Egg and Garden State reef sites.

Riptide Bait & Tackle in Brigantine reported that boats are still crushing nice sized Striped Bass to 38 inches with most trolling Mojo’s and Bunker Spoons from 1 to 3 miles, but beach fisherman can’t get anything within casting range.  Anglers fishing 3 to 8 miles out on piles of Striped Bass, but the shop warns it is illegal and the Coast Guard and NJ Wildlife have been out there.  The inlet is producing on some drifts around the change of tides on live eels.  The shop will be open through Christmas Eve, so stop in for some of the specials.

Absecon Bay Sportsman of Absecon Bay reported an onslaught some days for boats trolling out front with Mojo’s, while other days the fish tend to be scattered.  Barnegat Light to Ocean City has had some decent action early morning or late afternoon as it seems most of those Northerly fish have moved down.  Tog fishing inshore has mostly shorts, and anglers have to work hard to feel the bites of the keepers.  Sea Bass fishing has been good, but you must get them in the deeper waters greater than 120 feet.

One Stop Bait & Tackle in Atlantic City reported some nice Tog still coming off the rockpiles and jetty, but you must put some time in to get the bite.  Most have been on Green Crab, and there are some Striped Bass around for guys working soft plastics.  The shop will be running its Annual $1000 Striped Bass Tournament, December 17th-18th, for anglers catching a Striper in Atlantic County waters (beach, boat, kayak, jetty, jet ski, bridge, etc.).  1st place gets $500, followed by 2nd at $300, and 3rd at $200.  All you have to do to register is bring in an unwrapped toy for the Police Athletic League.  The shop will be open through Christmas and has gift certificates available.

Fin-Atics in Ocean City had good action from Ocean City to Wildwood on Striped Bass.   Boats trolling on the 3-mile line have been nailing 40-inch Striped Bass on White or Chartreuse Mojo’s.  There has been much snag-n-drop action as the fish haven’t been schooled up.  The surf has been spotty on Stripers, but better action has been to the north end of 5th Street and close to the inlet.  The Beesley’s Point and 9th Street Bridges have had Striped Bass action on soft plastics with pink and white getting most of the action.  There has been steady for Tog at the inshore wrecks and reef sites along with Spiny Dogfish.  Sea Bass have been in the wrecks over 120 feet.

Anglers fishing the Wildwood and Cape May area started to get some Striped Bass along the 3-mile line, but the bite is still mainly to the north of the area.  The bite this past week was located from Townsend’s Inlet up to Brigantine on the schools of Bunker.  Some boats reported double digit catches of fish.  Sea Bass are still biting well on the offshore wrecks on the 20-fathom line.

Tog are still being caught on most of the reef sites from Wildwood to Reef site #11, you just must work the area thoroughly.

South Jersey Fishing Forecast

The best shot at bigger sized bass this upcoming week should be from Brigantine down through Wildwood as the major schools have finally moved South and trolling would be the most effective tactic to find and hook them.  White and Chartreuse Mojo’s, Bunker-colored Stretches, or Maja spoons would be the best lures to drag.  Anglers working the suds still have good shots from Manasquan down through Long Beach Island for those schoolie class Stripers and this may be your final shots to use those bonus tags.  Tog seem to be doing good on the 50 to 80 foot wrecks and the bite should start getting better as the water temperature drops.  Lastly, check with your local tackle shops as some have some very nice deals for the holidays.  Good Luck, Be Safe, and Tight Lines!