Striped Bass action has slowed down in most of northern Monmouth and Ocean counties, but Wildwood and Cape May fishermen still enjoying a serious beatdown on bass. Most of the action has still been on the troll with 24- and 32-ounce Mojos doing the trick. Up north, there’s been more isolated bites on jigs with fish to 24 inches, but boats have had to do some serious searching. The beaches of Manasquan south have had consistent action with anglers hooking short fish on small metals. The action has been slightly better around the inlets. Togging remains the best game in town with some of our reefs seeing heavy pressure from northernly boats as it seems most charters and headboats are running south.
Fishing Report For South Jersey
Fisherman’s Supply in Point Pleasant had some good reports of short Striped Bass being caught off some of the beaches. Anglers working the suds close to Manasquan and Barnegat inlets were rewarded with good amounts of schoolie Stripers. Tog fishing remains very good depending on where anglers are choosing to fish. Boats running out of Manasquan turning right are finding good numbers of keeper Tog as far south as Garden State North reef site. The key has been to get out early and secure your spots as most remaining boaters are Togging.
Capt. Bill’s Landing in Point Pleasant Beach reported a slow pick on Striped Bass from both the beaches and boats over the past week. It has been spotty as most of the schools are south. Tog fishing has been decent from the Axel, Barnegat Light reef, and Garden State North reef.
Norma K III in Point Pleasant Beach has been on the Blackfish the last few trips with good sized keepers coming over the rail to 14 pounds. There has been lots of action from the reef sites with a good mix of shorts to pick through. Fish have been hitting both green and white crabs and the boat is running every day for Blackfish from 730 a.m. to 230 p.m.
The Gambler out of Point Pleasant Beach reported some spotty Striped Bass fishing as of late with a handful of hardcore bass jiggers out over the weekend. The boat had to move and search for them, but the anglers did catch a few shorts and slots. The pool winners have been in the 30-inch range and have been in the 30 to 50 feet of water. The boat will start running its offshore Sea Bass trips in the coming weeks.
The MIMI VI out of Point Pleasant has been doing well on Blackfish with keepers to 9 pounds being landed at Capt. Ken’s choice wrecks. The skipper feels that the fishing should continue in the coming weeks. There are quite a few open boat dates available for Tog, so give them a call.
Jersey Hooker Outfitter in Brick reported some Striped Bass action from Manasquan Inlet to Barnegat Inlet for anglers working the suds. Small Ava’s fished with teasers above have been working on most of the fish as the action has been consistent. The shop does have some nice sales going on through the rest of the moth.
Grumpy’s Bait & Tackle in Seaside Park reported big tog! Boats fishing out of Point Pleasant have been nailing tog to 15 pounds. The shop had a nice weigh in by Kevin Lorenz with a solid 13 pounder measuring 28 inches. Most of the boats have reported fishing in 60 to 85 feet. Striped Bass fishing has slowed down, especially off Island Beach State Park.
Lacey Marine in Forked River reported a slower pick with some boats trolling up Striped Bass to 30 inches off Seaside about 2 miles out. Red and Black tube umbrella rigs have been the trolling lures of choice, but the boat action has dropped out dramatically. Beach action continues to be consistent off Long Beach Island on short Stripers. Harvey Cedars had a decent number of anglers catching shorts on metal over the weekend. Tog fishing continues to be very good with boats working Barnegat Light reef and Garden State North.
Super Chic in Barnegat Light was tough to get a hold of this week. The skipper has been running some Tog trips with some fish to 6 pounds, but they will be packing it soon for winter.
Creekside Outfitters in Waretown had very good reports on Tog fishing out of Barnegat and Little Egg inlets. There has been some major action with boats getting close to limits over the past week. As anglers fish further south with less pressure, the tog fishing gets better. Striped Bass has been slow for boats, but much better for beach fisherman off Long Beach Island.
Tony’s Bait & Tackle in Manahawkin reported a good beach bite occurring off Harvey Cedars through the weekend with anglers hooking up on small metals and teasers. Most of the Striped Bass have been in the 14- to 23-inch range. Although they haven’t been big, there has been decent numbers of them. Blackfish remains exceptional at the Atlantic City reef and Little Egg reef with boats securing limits to 8 pounds.
Fisherman’s Headquarters in Ship Bottom reported a pretty solid bite on short Striped Bass over the weekend. A few anglers reported good action off Harvey Cedars with lots of trucks roving the beach. Boats working the Garden State North and surrounding wrecks have been doing well on keeper Tog, but anglers have been needing to pick through the shorts.
Riptide Bait & Tackle in Brigantine reported decent Striped Bass fishing for anglers working the 3-mile line with 24-ounce Mojos. The bass have been in the 20-pound range with some bigger fish in the mix and boats have been working as far south as Ocean City to find them. Closer to home has had some small fish caught from the beaches and backwaters, but most of the action remains on the troll. Tog fishing is good, but anglers are having to sort through quite a few shorts with most ratios remaining at 10-15 to 1.
Fin-Atics in Ocean City reported good action for boats trolling off Wildwood with fish to 25 pounds being trolled up on Mojos. Most of the bites have occurred very close to the 3-mile line. Tog fishing remains very good with lots of nice fish to 10 pounds being landed, but anglers are having to work through some shorts to get the keepers biting. The backwaters have slowed up dramatically with only a few fish being caught as most anglers have traded in the rods for bows and firearms.
Peace Token Fishing Tackle in Cape May reported solid Tog fishing out of Wildwood and Cape May with boats working structure to produce limits of Blackfish. Green crab and White crab have been working equally, but the jig bite has been on fire. Anglers working 1.5 to 3oz Tog jigs are finding success on quality fish.
Hands Too Bait & Tackle in Cape May reported another good week for Striped Bass trolling and Tog fishing at the wrecks and reef sites. Bass fisherman are finding them just inside the 3-mile line pulling Bunker Spoons or Mojos, and both are producing equal results. Tog fisherman working structure in the 65- to 95-foot depths are finding excellent sized whitechins approaching 15 pounds. The bite remains and should continue throughout 2018.
South Jersey Fishing Forecast
The best bet for the weekend would be to attempt Togging from Point Pleasant to Cape May, but unfortunately Mother Nature may have different plans as the weather is not supposed to be “angler friendly”. Sunday afternoon may provide a shot as the system is expected to pull out, and seas may be doable for Blackfish or Striped Bass. Beach fisherman have good chances to work lures in the churned-up wash as Friday and Saturday may have schoolies looking to feed prior and during the weather. If you haven’t begun your holiday shopping, now is the perfect time as most local tackle shops and head-boats are offering some nice deals on merchandise and gift certificates. Good luck, be safe, and tight lines!