It finally broke wide open in terms of a striper jig bite moving into our southernly locales with a great jig bite going on from Bayhead to Shark River. Thirty-pound bass are still being reported trolled at the 3-mile lines, but now they extend southward to Cape May. There are lots bunker around, but it’s been tough with the ocean conditions to find feeding fish on top. It should only improve the rest of the month as more of the jigging fish start to move in as the migration heads south. Most of our back-bays have had good action, especially at night. My buddy who kayaks has been regularly hooking up with 20 to 35 stripers per night with most being in the 20- to 27-inch range. He said it’s been a blast on light-tackle. Togging has been very good for anglers fishing the close-to-shore wrecks with Tog to 12 pounds being landed this past, but we may have to wait a bit to enjoy the larger tog bag limit that begins on Friday thanks to the weather
Fishing Report Southern New Jersey
Fisherman’s Supply in Point Pleasant had solid reports of Striped Bass to 44 inches being caught on sand-eel jigs from Asbury Park to Mantoloking. It seems that a huge pile of fish have moved in. Jason said, “Now is the time to get out there and catch!” There has still been bites on the troll at the 55- to 65-foot marks, while snag-n-drop has been spotty close to shore. Togging has been exceptional from 25-foot to 55-foot depths with most snags having quality keeper tog to 10 pounds. The Point Pleasant Canal, Manasquan Inlet, and surrounding bridges are holding 18- to 26-inch Striped Bass. Most of these fish are easily targeting with 1/2 to 3/4 jigheads tipped with white or pink soft plastics.
Capt. Bill’s Landing in Point Pleasant Beach reported good action off the beaches with anglers hooking into Striped Bass from 20 to 32 inches on Tsunami Swim Shads, metals, and cut Bunker. Boaters have been doing well on trolled Mojo’s and Bunker Spoons. Most of the action has been on green and white dragged at the 2- to 3-mile line.
Norma K III in Point Pleasant Beach has been having some nice days on the water as the boat has been picking up quality Sea Bass along with some serving dish-sized Porgies. There has been quite a lot of life on the bottom snags and the boat will be fishing every day for Blackfish starting November 16th.
The Gambler out of Point Pleasant Beach had spotty Striped Bass trips with some days the crew having tough bites and others all out catching on AVA jigs, crocodile spoons, and swim shads. The White Tsunami Swim Shads has been producing with consistent hookups, and the boat will be looking for jigging Striped Bass throughout the next few weeks.
The MIMI VI out of Point Pleasant has been running open Striped Bass trips and will also start targeting bottom dwelling Blackfish with the 5-fish limit opener. Capt. Ken said it’s best to call for details for the most recent scheduling information.
Jersey Hooker Outfitter in Brick reported Striped Bass caught on the troll at the mile line during the early part of the week. The approaching low-pressure system has pushed quite a few schools of sand-eel feeding Striped Bass into Bay Head, Asbury, and Shark River areas. The fish have been taking AVA’s and soft plastics readily under working birds.
Grumpy’s Bait & Tackle in Seaside Park had reports of some nice Striped Bass being trolled by shop regulars Brian Quinn and Chris Wetzel on Mojo’s outside the Barnegat Inlet. The Stripers weighed up to 16 pounds. The beachfront from Manasquan Inlet to Barnegat Inlet has seen some decent numbers of Striped Bass being caught. Depending on the tide, there has been a wide variety of sizes brought up on the sands from 20 inches to 40.
Lacey Marine in Forked River had reports Striped Bass hitting Maja bunker spoons this past week for anglers working the 3-mile line off Seaside and Lavallette. The was word of some snag-n-drop Striper action along beaches of Mantoloking early in the morning, but the bite quickly subsided. The Barnegat Inlet water is finally starting to clean up and some short Stripers are being landed on live bait and white bucktails. Tog fishing has been very good at some of the local wrecks and reef sites with anglers dropping Green and Jonah crabs down for 10-pound whitechins.
Super Chic in Barnegat Light has been tied at the dock for quite a few days due to poor weather, but the skipper managed to put a couple parties of quality Striped Bass to 25 pounds. Most of the action has been with the crew working Bunker schools to box the bass.
Creekside Outfitters in Waretown had many anglers stopping in to hang Striped Bass from the shop’s scales. The shop reported that most of the fish were caught from anglers working the 3-mile line with spoons and Mojo’s. Most of the fish that were brought in ranged from 25 to 40 pounds. Liza said that Tog fishing has also been exceptional with quite a few 7- to 8-pound fishing being caught and the shop is fully stocked with live Green Crabs.
Tony’s Bait & Tackle in Manahawkin reported early in the week that the Mantoloking area had a few snag-n-drop opportunities with Striped Bass feeding close to the surface on schooled Bunker. Besides those occurrences, it’s been mostly a troll bite. The shop did hear this past week of our northernly neighbors starting to catch them on jigs. The bridges are still holding a decent number of school-sized Striped Bass, and Tog fishing has been consistent at the inlet during the cleaner water stages.
Fisherman’s Headquarters in Ship Bottom reported 30- to 40-pound bass being trolled off Mantoloking to Seaside on Mojos and Bunker Spoons. Anglers working the inlet with live Spot, bucktails, and soft plastics have been able to eke out a keeper or two, but it’s been mostly slot Stripers. Tog fishing has been very good in the 40-foot ranges, and towards the end of the Barnegat Inlet. Back bay bass fishing has been relatively slow during the day, with better productivity during the night tides.
Riptide Bait & Tackle in Brigantine received better reports of Striped Bass being landed off Brigantine and Atlantic City with boaters trolling spoons and Magictail Mojo’s doing most of the catching. There has been some Striped Bass caught in the inlet on both the Brigantine and Atlantic City sides on worked plugs and pink/white soft plastics. The Northeasterly flow this week should push some more Stripers into the area and make for some good surf fishing.
Fin-Atics in Ocean City reported better fishing after the storm we had over the weekend as the 30 to 40-pound Striped Bass that were off Island Beach State Park have finally pushed South. The bite has been red hot this past week for anglers working 24 to 32 oz Mojos and Bunker Spoons over lumps and close to the 3-mile line. The backwater bite has been getting better also with more 28-in fish being landed during the day on live Spot and artificials. The Tog bite has been picking up at Corson’s Inlet and around the bridges, but there are more quality-cooperative fish at some of the inshore wrecks and snags.
Peace Token Fishing Tackle in Cape May reported good Sea Bass and Tog fishing at most of the inshore and Delaware Bay wrecks. The better Tog bite has been closer to shore, while keeper Sea Bass are more abundant at the deeper wrecks. Striped Bass have been caught from Sea Isle City to Cape May for anglers trolling Stretches, Mojo’s, and spoons. The beaches have been hit or miss with resident Stripers 20 to 28 inches. Bunker chunks or clam baits have been working, but you have to put in the time.
Hands Too Bait & Tackle in Cape May has a shop full of JoeBaggs Togzilla jigs from 3/4 to 4 oz as the shop is ready for the 5-fish season opener, which starts today. The bite has been very good up North on Striped Bass and some of the boaters have trailered their vessel northward to secure 40-pound Bass. Locally, it’s been spotty on Striped Bass with an occasional keeper caught off the beaches.
South Jersey Fishing Forecast
The best bet for this weekend will be target Striped Bass on Saturday as we have winds turning West-Northwest Friday evening upon the exit of the low-pressure system. The wave heights should quickly lay down and anglers should have decent shots at some our first Fall birdplays in area. Soft plastic baits, like the Tsunami Swim Shad or Sand Eel, worked on top or jigged down deep should work to put striped ones on the deck. Anglers who enjoy the monotony of trolling should work the 2- to 3-mile lines as bigger Stripers will be hanging out there. The 5-fish limit of Tog opened on Thursday, but the first fishable day will be Sunday with very light West winds predicted. Get out early and secure your favorite Tog snags to quickly boat your 5-fish limit. Anglers looking for more of a dry approach should have very good shots at Striped Bass off the beaches, especially from Manasquan Inlet to Little Egg Inlet. There are miles of beaches, so it’s best to check in with the local shops to get pointed in the right direction. Good Luck, Be Safe, and Tight Lines!
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