‘Twas the week after Christmas and all through the shore, the fish were biting, though anglers wanted more.
Enough of that.
The fishing is still holding up as we end the year, but between the holidays and the weather, participation was down. Most of the action appears to be in the northern part of the state as bass continue to bite on the beach and blackfish could be found on reefs and rocks.
Capt. Phil Sciortino at the Tackle Box in Hazlet said the small bass are in the Sandy Hook surf, but when he says small, he means small. Some don’t exceed 12 inches. Still, there are larger fish, and if you want to go fishing, the bass are there.
He also said there are a lot of sundials being caught from the jetties and at the inlets. Cleaning the wafer-like fish is a challenge, but there is no limit on what you can keep.
Sciortino said the blackfishing is still good when the boats can get out. The December weather hasn’t really been cooperating
Capt. Hal Hagaman on the Sea Tiger II out of Atlantic Highlands made it out on Christmas Day with a small group and found mostly shorts on his first drop. After making a move, the quality of the fish improved with multiple fish up to 8 pounds.
Capt. Stan Zagleski on the Elaine B II out of Highlands had a group of his regulars out on Wednesday in some decent weather. The fishing was a bit of a grind, he said, with fish found on most spots, but there were not a lot of them. Tom Hollywood of Staten Island took home four keepers
The Elaine B II got out on Monday as well with the fishing a slow pick. Capt. Zagleski said most of the fish were keepers, but again, not enough to make him happy. The pool fish was caught by Palisades Kenny and tipped the scales at 10 pounds.
Capt. Kris Black on Fish Stix Charters out of the Shark River Inlet reported a tough day on Wednesday with the tog. The day was saved, however, on the ride home when they found striped bass and landed a dozen on jigs with about half of them keepers. The biggest was around 18 pounds.
Capt. Peter Sykes on Parker Pete’s Sportfishing out of Belmar said he’s been able to sail a few times over the last week, but the fishing has been picky at best. There’s more life on the deeper spots and there have been a few cod mixed in with the blackfish. He’s planning on fishing through January and there are spots available.
Capt. Steve Spinelli on the Skylarker has been getting out when a weather window opens and reported that the blackfishing is holding up. There haven’t been a lot of fish, but the pool winners have been nice, in the 6- to 8-pound range.
He also mentioned that he was out by the Mud Hole and spotted some bluefin tuna.
Capt. Ken Hager and his crew aboard the Taylor Jean out of the Manasquan Inlet did more than spot the tuna.
He said they were fishing close to 20 miles offshore just east of Little Italy when they pitched a popping plug into a pod of bluefin and hooked up.
Everyone on board, which included Ken’s son, Ryan, Capt. Jim Freda and his son Tommy, Capt. Jay Monteverdi and his boys, JP and Alec, and Brandon Kape, took turns fighting the fish.
After about an hour-long battle, the 120-pound bluefin came aboard. Capt. Freda said it’s been one of the best late season inshore bluefin runs he’s seen in five years with the fish around for the last month from nine to 20 miles out.
Dave Arbeitman at the Reel Seat in Brielle reported that his customers have been having luck chasing bluefin, too, using Williamson Subsurface Pros, Ron Z lures and Shimano Orcas.
He added that guys continue to catch bass in the surf and the boats out of the Manasquan Inlet are getting tog on the local reefs.
Greg Bogan at Brielle Bait and Tackle reported there are still some blackfish in the Point Pleasant Canal. It’s a bit late for them, but he said guys continue to pull fish out of there with white leggers doing a little better than green crabs.
Anglers fishing near the Manasquan Inlet are also catching stripers from 20 to 22 inches. Black plugs with teasers seem to get the most attention, but rubber shads are catching fish as well.
The Big Jamaica and Jamaica II will be running their last sea bass trips of the year this weekend. Check for availability as the boats may be sold out.
Ronny Bala at Fishermen’s Supply in Point Pleasant Beach reported there are still a lot of bass on the beach, they’re just not very big. The fish are hitting most lures, but make sure you have a teaser up front.
There’s still plenty of herring around, he said, and some bigger fish may still show up.
John Bushell at Betty and Nick’s Bait and Tackle in Seaside Park said the guys targeting bass in the surf near him are getting them good on bucktails and SP Minnows. With the lousy weather, though, there just aren’t a lot of people fishing.
Matt at Tony’s Bait and Tackle in Manahawkin said it’s been pretty quiet there. He hasn’t been getting word on much from his regulars so they are either not fishing, or there’s been little action. Either way, he’s keeping busy with rod and reel repairs.
Andy Grossman at Riptide Bait and Tackle in Brigantine said it’s beyond quiet there, with pretty much nothing going on. The bass have moved beyond the three-mile limit and anyone fishing for them is asking for trouble.
He did say there is action in the shop with specials on some inventory that he’d like to move before the newer stuff comes in.
Ed at Fin-atics in Ocean City said it’s been a bit quiet there as well with not a lot of folks fishing. Those that are giving it a go are finding small bass in the back bay and on the beaches.
He hasn’t heard of any guys trolling out front but imagines they would find some bigger fish if they gave it a shot
The sea bass fishing has been good on the deeper wrecks, he said, but the season closes on Saturday.
Fishing Forecast for New Jersey
It’s your last chance for sea bass, so if they’re on your 2016 bucket list, better hurry. At this point, most of the party boats sailing for them are probably sold out, but it’s worth checking. Blackfishing and stripers on the beach look to be the best bets for the weekend, but both fisheries are showing signs of slowing down, with keeper tog getting harder to find and the stripers getting smaller. If you’re after stripers, use a teaser. Remember, the tog limit goes to four fish on Sunday. Happy New Year.