Slow, slower, dead was the sentiment on the striped bass bite this past week for most of South Jersey. What a difference a week of nasty weather and winds make in terms of shutting down the bite. It seems most of the action continues to be Manasquan Inlet north with boats limiting out on “overs” and “unders” with ease, but a stark contrast once you hit the waters from Seaside southward. We need some cleaner water to move in, or at least for the bay water to settle as the local waters have chocolate-brown turbidity. On a positive note, land-based jetty fisherman are still picking at Blackfish, and I’m hearing some quality white chins being caught from the boats in deeper water up to 7 pounds. I run my charters out of Barnegat Inlet and it seems that most anglers are salivating over the reports that our northern counties are getting. Trust me, it won’t be long as waves of stripers begin to officially start arriving in waves to our waters. I don’t like ending on a negative, but I wish we could do something about the Virginia-based Bunker “mega-ships” harvesting droves of Menhaden off our coast. I heard from several shops of boaters complaining of these ships as they follow the bunker up and down the coast.
Fishing Report for Southern New Jersey
Fisherman’s Supply in Point Pleasant had good reports of Striped Bass being caught by snag-and-drop and on the Mojo troll from Manasquan Inlet to Asbury Park. Most of these fish have been high quality 40-pounders and unders in the mix. White and Chartreuse Mojos have worked equally well in 50 to 60 feet. Tog fisherman have had some good shots at 8- to 9-pounders at the 40- to 60-foot wrecks, but some days are better than others. The Point Pleasant canal is still producing Tog. The Shark River Reef was the place to be this past week with many party boats picking up 10- to 14-pound Bluefish with good consistency.
Capt. Bill’s Landing in Point Pleasant Beach reported subtle action off the beaches on short Striped Bass with white Swimshads. The Point Pleasant Canal and local rock-piles are still holding Tog for crab-jigging anglers.
Norma K III in Point Pleasant Beach had big news this week with a successful sea trial from the repaired mechanical issue. The crew advised me that the boat is back to the fishing grounds and started targeting Sea Bass and Porgies this week. The boat will be sailing everyday 730 a.m. to 230 p.m. for these species and starting on November 16th will be targeting Blackfish every day through the close of the season.
The Gambler out of Point Pleasant Beach had a Tuna trip cancelled due to poor weather in the canyons, so the crew switched to Striped Bass and did well catching fish to 20 pounds. It was a little tougher that it has been lately, but a few decent Stripers were caught on live Bunker.
The MIMI VI out of Point Pleasant had a couple of great Striped Bass trips this week with most of the bass being caught on Bunker. Some of the Stripers have weighed up to 40 pounds and the skipper has been working the schools of Bunker in the area. Capt Ken is still booking Striped Bass and Blackfish trips for the rest of November into December.
Jersey Hooker Outfitter in Brick reported good action for anglers working Mojos and Spoons in 40 to 50 foot of water north of Manasquan Inlet. Some of these fish have been in the 40- to 50-pound range. The beaches have had some Striped Bass picking up metals, plugs, and swim shads. Tog are still being caught along the Manasquan and Shark River jetties.
Grumpy’s Bait & Tackle in Seaside Park had some reports of schoolie Striped Bass being taken off the surf during the early morning and hours before dark on plugs. Alan Kunze weighed in a solid 9.5-pound, 29-inch Striper caught on a metal in the surf.
Lacey Marine in Forked River had reports of some Stripers to 50 pounds being caught from Manasquan to Lavalette on trolled chartreuse Mojos and Bunker spoons. Most boats gave it a full go, putting 8 hours on the water for 0, 1, or 2 fish. The Barnegat Inlet is holding some small Striped Bass and a few good-sized Bluefish.
Super Chic in Barnegat Light has been trying for Striped Bass, but has only come up with a few plus some unwanted dogfish. The skipper said it should get better in the coming weeks. One of their recent trips this past week had anglers catching 5- to 10-pound Bluefish north of Seaside.
Creekside Outfitters in Waretown received similar reports of quality Striped Bass being trolled north of Lavalette. The shop did have a few weigh-ins of Stripers up to 45 pounds, but overall this past week has been slow. There are smaller Bass in the bay which have been worked up with live Spot and artificials worked along the deeper cuts. Blackfish are around, but it seems that the wrecks in cleaner water are producing better this week.
Tony’s Bait & Tackle in Manahawkin reported a decent snag-n-drop bite from Manasquan Inlet to Mantaloking with Stripers up to 40 pounds being caught. The troll bite has been spread out in the same areas south towards Lavalette and most of the trolled bass have been caught on white or chartreuse Mojos.
Fisherman’s Headquarters in Ship Bottom reported a slow go due to some poor weather and water conditions. Some anglers have been able to grind out a fish or two to 35 inches, but it have been very tough. The Barnegat Inlet has produced keeper Striped Bass at night along the North and South jetties for boats drifting eels. The Causeway bridges have had some short Stripers hitting plugs and soft plastics towards the main channels.
Riptide Bait & Tackle in Brigantine received a fresh load of Bunker and the waters are finally looking fishable for the next few days. The beachfront has been relatively slow, but there has been a decent bite in the backwaters and up the Mullica River on Striped Bass. Blackfish are still being caught from the jetties off Brigantine and Atlantic City.
Fin-Atics in Ocean City reported that the fishing has been rather spotty due to the weather. The surf has had some keeper Striped Bass up to 20 pounds, but not quantities of them. The jetties and bridges have had Striped Bass taking soft plastics to 26 inches. The Tog fishing is still pretty good in the bay around the 9th street and Longport bridges. The shop is hoping for better weather this upcoming week.
Peace Token Fishing Tackle in Cape May reported some Striped Bass to 15 to 20 pounds being caught off Cape May Point, but anglers need to put in some time to get rewarded. Blackfish and Sea Bass have been hitting at the wrecks in the 85- to 110-foot depths. Green crabs and Jonah crabs have been producing equally on the Tog. There are lots of short Striped Bass in the backwaters which have been very cooperative on drifted live Spot or Eel.
Hands Too Bait & Tackle in Cape May had some reports of keeper Striped Bass off the Wildwood and Cape May beaches to 31 inches, but it’s been a rather slow go due to the recent winds and weather. There are schoolie Striped Bass hitting soft plastics around the jetties on the Cape May beach and around the CM Ferry terminal.
Southern New Jersey Fishing Forecast
The best bet for this weekend looks for most anglers to try to find a window to make it out as the weather gods are not being that cooperative. Anglers working the jetties and back-bay lagoons should have shots at schoolie Striped Bass as these areas can offer deflections from the winds. If your brave, start drifting live eels at night for more quality bay bass in the inlets and back channels, but you may have to put your time in. Although blackfish are only 1 per person, the bites have been good with fish to 7 pounds in some of the deeper wrecks. Good Luck, Be Safe, and Tight Lines!