It seems we got another push of Striped Bass along our coast, especially central New Jersey with Striped Bass to 30 inches being mixed in with the shorter fish. I was out on charters over the weekend and it was nice to see lots of headboats from Barnegat Light and Point Pleasant putting patrons on Striped Bass. The bird and bass action was incredible, with almost drop and reel fishing at times. Tog fishing remained very good over the weekend and the last few days as anglers working 55 to 90 feet are catching quality keepers to 12 pounds. I would like to give the anglers that release some of those bigger Tog, especially females, a “hat’s off” as Tog have slow growth and reproductive rates. It’s nice to see some of the videos on social media with anglers releasing double-digit weighing Tog – a picture lasts forever!!
Fishing Report For Southern New Jersey
Capt. Bill’s Landing in Point Pleasant Beach reported solid Blackfish action for anglers after this week’s blow. Most of the fish have been caught in water ranging from 55 to 85 feet and it seems that you have to move around quite a bit to put a catch together. There are still Striped Bass around with a good number of anglers reporting bass off of the Seaside and Island Beach State Park beaches.
Norma K III in Point Pleasant Beach reported a nice day yesterday with anglers bringing Tog over 9 pounds over the rail. Most of the fish have been caught on White Leggars and Green Crabs with both jigs and rigs doing their share. The boat will be sailing every Tuesday through Sunday for Blackfish from 730am to 230pm. It’s best to check with the boat and make your reservation.
The Gambler out of Point Pleasant Beach had a good weekend for Striped Bass with lots of slot fish from Lavallette to Barnegat Inlet. Ava jigs and rubber swim shads have been the best baits for anglers. The boat postponed their offshore Sea Bass trips this past week due to the winds, and will target inshore Striped Bass as the jig bite has been fantastic. Some of the offshore Sea Bass trips still have room according to the skipper, so call and reserve a date.
The MIMI VI out of Point Pleasant has been getting a few nice blackfish in their most recent trips as Capt. Kenny has been fishing some of his deeper snags to put some nice catches together. Some of the big boys have been in the 10 pound range and the boat will continue to offer open boat trips for Tog during the week.
Jersey Hooker Outfitter in Brick received some nice reports of a decent bite on Striped Bass from Mantoloking beach area south to Harvey Cedars on Long Beach Island. Most of the fish have been in the 20 to 25 inch class with some bigger ones mixed in (up to 35 inches). Ava jigs and Tsunami Swimshads have been the best lures. Blackfishing remains tough on numbers, but good on keepers with white leggars seem to be the best baits. The shop owner does make runs to get White Leggars, but it is best to call the shop to reserve.
Gabriel Tackle Company in Brick reported Blackfishing remains good with plenty of nice size keepers landed from most of the head boats. The surf is producing plenty of stripers for this time of year as the temperatures have not been too cold and the sand-eels are keeping the bass around. Sand eel-like teasers and metals were getting the job done along with swim shads as there are plenty of peanut bunker around. The afternoon through dusk bite has been best from Point Pleasant south to Long Beach Island.
Charlie’s Bait & Tackle in Normandy Beach reported more of the same in terms of Striped Bass with good bites occurring off the beach and from the boats up to 2 miles out. Metals and rubber shads have been the way to go in terms of Striped Bass. Blackfishing remains solid at most of the wrecks, but anglers have to pick through them.
Grumpy’s Bait & Tackle in Seaside Park received a quality message from surf fisherman, Shell Caris, and he said, “Snow Ball Stripers! 25 fish today up to about 24-inches and multiple doubleheaders. It was great action on the outgoing tide.” More reports came in the past few days and there have been some nicer fish to 30 inches landed from Seaside Park.
Creekside Outfitters in Waretown reported Striped Bass off Island Beach State Park for anglers who ventured out in the snow. Striped Bass were picking up “sand-eel like” lures and they ranged from 19 to 30 inches. Blackfish are hitting at the wrecks from 45 to 65 feet with some of the headboats from Manasquan Inlet hitting the Barnegat Light reef. White Leggars and Green Crabs have been the hottest baits as of late.
Reel Reaction Charters out of Waretown and Barnegat Light continued its onslaught on Striped Bass this past week with the crew putting clients on over 35 and 45 fish each day. Keepers ranged from 25 inch slot (bonus tags) to 29.5 inches and all were caught on Tsunami white swim-shads or Ava jigs tipped with the skipper’s custom plastic teasers. The boat will continue to run through the New Year as long as the temperatures do not drop into the frigid zone for multiple days.
Fisherman’s Headquarters in Ship Bottom reported good amounts of slot fish action along the beaches and up to 2 miles out from Seaside to Little Egg Inlet. Most of the Stripers have been in the 20 to 26 inch size class with a few in the 35 inch range. Tog fishing has been pretty good for anglers working the Magic Tail tog jig tipped with Green or White crab. The only issue has been the winds/weather, so hopefully we get some calmer seas in the near future.
Brigantine to Sea Isle City had more “short” action on Striped Bass with only a few fish being reported in the bigger, keepable sized range. It was Spiny Dogfish fest for anglers jigging Striped Bass as it seems there has been a ton of these mixed in for anglers. The backbays have cooled, but anglers are still getting some schoolies in the muddy areas on the warmer incoming tides. Kayakers targeting White Perch this past week reported slower action, but really good on Stripers in the 14 to 20 inch range from some parts of the Mullica River. Tog fishing has been exceptional for most of the boats and the reef sites or wrecks in the 60 to 70 foot range are producing very good numbers.
Jim’s Bait & Tackle in Cape May reported a slower week in terms of Striped Bass fishing with a lot more short fish in the 20 to 25 inch range showing up. The problem has been the Spiny Dogfish which are beating the Striped Bass to the lures due to the sheer numbers of them. Umbrella rigs or shads trolled in the 1 to 3 mile lines has been producing better. Tog fishing has been fantastic in the 60 to 80 foot ranges on jigs or rigs. Green crabs are producing better, but the shop feels it should turn to white leggars in the next week or two.
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South Jersey Fishing Forecast
The best bet for this weekend will to see if you can make it outside with the wind windows if you own a boat as the forecast does not look on our side. Some of the headboats will still be running due to their size and most are either targeting Blackfish/Tog or Striped Bass. Surf fisherman will have their best bet at catching Striped Bass off of Island Beach State Park, so have the metals ready. It seems most anglers have been catching at least a dozen or more Striped Bass, especially during the afternoon tides. If you’re open to offshore Sea Bass, now is the time to book a trip for the last two weeks of December as spots are filling up and the fishery is fantastic. Good Luck, Be Safe, and Tight Lines!