Southern New Jersey Fishing Report - November 1, 2018

We have finally hit November, and this is “Jersey Gold” month for most of New Jersey striper fisherman. As stripers continue their migration south, this month brings the best shot at finding quality and quantities of bass. This past week had a good showing of fish to 40 pounds being caught from most of northern counties, and Ocean County got its first shot with a few being reported on the troll. It should only get better as the temperatures begin to slide through the rest of the month. Sea bass are still being caught, but remember it is 13 inches now and you can keep 15 fish. Most of the good Sea-bassing this week has been in deeper water from 80 to 100 feet. The surf and bays are alive with short stripers as most shops have reported consistent action on these. If you haven’t already, now is the time to get all your fall fishing gear in order; It’s one of the best fishing months in New Jersey.

Fishing Report For Southern New Jersey

Fisherman’s Supply in Point Pleasant had very good reports of 30- to 40-pound striped bass caught on the troll, jig, and live-lined bunker. It seems the bite has been from Sandy Hook southward to Mantoloking. A good number of head-boats were hooking on these fish the past few days. Sea Bass, porgies, and blackfish have been very cooperative since the ocean settled after the past weekend. The inshore wrecks seem to have lots of shorts with fewer keepers compared to wrecks further offshore. The rock-lined jetties of the Manasquan Inlet back towards the Point Pleasant Canal are still producing blackfish in good numbers. The rest of the month should be “lights-out” fishing.

Capt. Bill’s Landing in Point Pleasant Beach had quality reports of Striped Bass being caught along the 3-mile line from the boats. Beach anglers are picking up fish to 33 inches on chunked Bunker and artificials during the early morning and evening hours. Blackfish continue to be very cooperative for anglers fishing the sides of the Point Pleasant Canal with green crab.

Norma K III in Point Pleasant Beach continues to be out of action due to engine repairs and the skipper tells me they should be operational any day.

The Gambler out of Point Pleasant Beach reported a tough go on this week’s canyon trip as the weather and fish were uncooperative. The skipper moved around quite a bit in search of Tuna and Mahi, but with no takers the crew deep dropped for some jumbo Sea Bass. The skipper is hoping the Longfin Tuna will move in by the end of this week. The boat will be sailing for Striped Bass everyday through Thanksgiving and there may be a few days where they are offshore.

The MIMI VI out of Point Pleasant had some good Striped Bass fishing with fish to 40 pounds from Manasquan Inlet to Mantoloking on jigs and bunker. The boat has some openings for Striped Bass and Blackfish in the coming weeks.

Jersey Hooker Outfitter in Brick had a good number of customers stopping in the shop to report Blackfish action in the Point Pleasant canal. Striped Bass to 40 pounds have been caught from boats working the 2- to 3-mile lines from Manasquan to Seaside.

Grumpy’s Bait & Tackle in Seaside Park said that the Striped Bass fishing is really starting to turn on. Shorts to keeper size fish (33 inches) have been caught on bucktails and swim shads working off the beaches. Some anglers have been getting bass on Bunker chunks in the evening. Most of the action has been from Seaside to Island Beach State Park. The shop has fresh Bunker and Clam arriving daily.

Lacey Marine in Forked River had reports of quality Striped Bass being taken on the troll and a few on the jig from Seaside. The bay has lots of short Striped Bass which have been pretty reliable on soft plastics such as the Fin-S, Kettle Creek, and Swim shad lures. Blackfish are still being caught from both sides of Barnegat Inlet on Green Crab. Sea Bass are being caught from the inshore wrecks, but anglers must go through quite a few to find keepers.

Super Chic in Barnegat Light has been targeting Sea Bass and Blackfish for his inshore charters and Tuna in the deep blue when the weather cooperates. Last weekend had him tied to the dock with the Nor’easter that graced us. He has been out this week working wrecks and started to target Striped Bass. Capt. Ted did let us know that he still has Fall Striped Bass dates available.

Creekside Outfitters in Waretown reported the start of some quality Striped Bass action off Seaside for boats trolling Mojo’s and Bunker Spoons. John Weidenhof with caught a nice Striped Bass to 30 pounds off Seaside this past week. Short Striped Bass and keeper Blackfish remain a viable option for anglers working the sides of Barnegat Inlet.

Tony’s Bait & Tackle in Manahawkin reported Striper action beginning to ramp up off the beaches of Seaside and Island Beach State Park. Anglers trolling Mojo’s and Spoons had some Stripers to 30 pounds this past week. Sea Bass and Blackfish remain a viable option for boaters looking to work the inshore wrecks. The Causeway bridges have quite a few short striped bass around.

Fisherman’s Headquarters in Ship Bottom reported Striped Bass to 30 inches being caught around the Barnegat Inlet areas on live spot and swim shads. Anglers looking for bigger fish had to work the 2- to 3-mile areas off Seaside and Island Beach State Park on trolled Mojos. Tog continue to keep jetty fisherman busy, especially off the south wall of Barnegat Inlet.

Riptide Bait & Tackle in Brigantine has been waiting for the Striped Bass invasion to begin as the same time last year had anglers pulling fish on Mojos. The shop does have a full line of Striper baits (clams, bloodworms, eels, and bunker) and Green Crabs for Blackfish. The Tog bite has been very good off the jetties around Atlantic City and most have been caught on jigs tipped with Green Crab.

Fin-Atics in Ocean City reported striped bass to 15 pounds being taken from the backwaters of Ocean City. Most of the keeper sized fish have been taken on live bait such as eels or Spot. Blackfish continue to be very cooperative around the bridge pilings and rock-walls, so be sure to grab some extra Green Crabs. The shop is still awaiting the Ocean Striped Bass as some of the northern shops are reported the start of the run. Keeper Sea Bass are being caught from deeper wrecks in the 80- to 100-foot range.

Peace Token Fishing Tackle in Cape May reported mostly short Striped Bass action for anglers working the suds from Wildwood to Cape May. The bigger fish haven’t arrived yet, but the colder weather has enticed the back-bay Striped Bass to bite. Blackfish and Sea Bass have been hitting jigs and baits from the deeper water wrecks to 110 feet.

Hands Too Bait & Tackle in Cape May had reports of Blackfish from the rocks off the Cape May jetties and surrounding rock-piles. Green crabs on rigs or tipped on jigheads have been good baits to try. Short Striped Bass and some keepers to 30 inches have been hitting soft plastics and live baits in the back. Areas with deeper water around structure, such as the Ocean Drive bridge, has been producing some Striped Bass in the evening. Sea Bass are still being caught in good quantities from wrecks in the 90- to 130-foot depths.

South Jersey Fishing Forecast

The best bet for this weekend would be to target blackfish from the jetties and stripers from the surf on Saturday as the winds and sea conditions will be a little gnarly. Sunday looks like a much better day in terms of winds, so most boaters should be able to get out and look for quality Striped Bass. Keep the weighted treble hooks ready as there has been a good number of bass taken around bunker schools. Anglers interested in trolling should start working the 2- to 3-mile lines with Mojos, Spoons, or Stretches. Sea bass fisherman may have to search around for wrecks that are holding keeper sea bass as it seems most of the inshore spots have shorts, especially with the increase of size to 13 inches. With the winds really dropping out Sunday night, kayak anglers will have prime conditions to work around lighted bridges for the night bite on short to keeper sized Striped Bass. Good Luck, Be Safe, and Tight Lines!