Wintertime, and the fishing, well it ain’t easy.
There are still fish to be caught but between the weather and closing of the sea bass and winter flounder seasons, it’s just a little more uncomfortable and with fewer options.
The small bass continue to bite in the surf on small plugs with teasers, metal and shads.
Plus, the blackfishing remains solid with the boats getting some nice tog. The only change in that fishery from last week is that the limit is now four fish.
Capt. George Bachert on the Angler out of Atlantic Highlands reported a good day of blackfishing on New Year’s Eve with a good mix of fish. High hook was four keepers including the pool winner, a 7-pound tog.
Capt. Hal Hagaman on Sea Tiger, also out of Atlantic Highlands, reported his was the only boat to sail on Wednesday and said the roll left over from Tuesday’s storm made the fishing tough with keepers hard to come by.
He sailed on New Year’s Day as well and picked away at shorts and keepers.
Giglio’s Bait and Tackle in Sea Bright has gone to its winter hours, which are pretty much confined to the weekends. But Ernie Giglio was in the shop this week making rigs and he said there are still bass in the surf and the few fishermen that are trying are getting a few.
He said the bass are small and most likely resident fish. They’ve been hitting white and gray paddletail shad baits. Ernie said the blackfishing is still holding up but participation appears to be down
Bob Matthews at Fisherman’s Den in Belmar said a few folks are still fishing and there’s plenty of small bass in the surf with the occasional keeper. Boats have reported stripers to 15 pounds.
Matthews said the winter flounder were being caught in good numbers in the Shark River right up until the season closed.
Tog are the top target now, he said, and the fishing has been pretty good.
Capt. Steve Spinelli on the Skylarker out of Belmar fished New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day and said his fares had tog up to 9 pounds. There was also a 12-pound cod in the mix.
He was also fishing last Wednesday and came across some striped bass and put seven keepers in the boat.
Capt. Ron Kish on the Capt. Cal II out of Belmar said his crew had a good day in the bad weather on Monday with a number of guys getting their limits. Wednesday’s fishing was a little slower as the rolling sea hurt the bite.
Guys with boats still in the water are getting action on bluefin nine to 11 miles out. Matthews said some of the tuna have been up to 150 pounds
For those looking for light tackle action, the Shark River and Manasquan inlets offer herring and sundials
Fisherman’s Den will be open all winter, but on a limited schedule, open weekdays from 6 to 11 a.m and weekends until 2 p.m. if the weather cooperates.
Capt. Rich Falcone on the Golden Eagle out of Belmar reported he will be starting his herring and mackerel schedule this Friday, sailing at 7:30 a.m. He’ll be sailing at the same time for them on Saturday and Sunday.
Capt. Joseph Bogan reported the high winds have kept the Jamaica II at the dock at Bogan’s Basin in Brielle, but he’s planning on sailing for ling, cod, porgies and blackfish on Saturday.
The Big Jamaica will be starting its winter schedule this weekend, sailing at 2 a.m. every Saturday for cod, ling, pollock and jumbo porgies.
Ronny Bala at Fishermen’s Supply in Point Pleasant said the beaches in Manasquan and Mantoloking have been giving up most of the stripers he’s hearing about.
There’s not too many guys trying and the number of fish caught is falling, he said, but there are still some around.
Capt. Bob Bogan on the Gambler out of Point Pleasant Beach reported that there’s still so much bait around, that he’s heading out for striped bass this weekend, using jigs and bait. The Gambler will be sailing at 7:30 a.m.
Capt. Matt Sosnowski on the Norma K III out Point Pleasant Beach reported great action on Wednesday’s trip all day long. The bite was all around the boat and the pool winner was an 8-pound tog.
Capt. Jeff Gutman on the Voyager out of Point Pleasant Beach is currently booking cod trips to Block Island and some northeast wrecks and he still has a few spots open for this Friday’s excursion.
The Voyager had some real excitement on one of its final sea bass trips of the year last week when a 300-pound mako was brought aboard after three different anglers had hooked the fish.
Jeff Nuel at Harry’s Outfitters in Robbinsville said a number of his customers continue to chase bluefin tuna and they’re having an exceptional year. He said some of his buddies are averaging two of the tuna per trip.
John Bushell at Betty and Nick’s Bait and Tackle in Seaside Park said the bass are probably still around but nobody has been fishing of late so he’s not getting any reports. He did add the duck hunters are doing well on the bay.
Andy Grossman at Riptide Bait and Tackle in Brigantine had a similar report, saying his shop has been very quiet. He does have plenty of Stock’s Pound Cake in the shop for sale, a favorite among his customers.
Fin-Atics in Ocean City has gone to its winter hours, open on Monday, Tuesday, Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Word out of the shop is that the small bass are still in the surf there as well, but again, not too many guys fishing.
Fishing Forecast for New Jersey
Bottom fishing on the party boats offers the best chance for success this weekend. While there haven’t been many reports of ling around, blackfish, porgies and some cod are being caught. Check the schedules for boats leaving out of Atlantic Highlands, Belmar and the Manasquan Inlet.