This will be my last report for the 2019 fishing season, but I will be back at it in March. I would like to thank all our shops for helping out with the most up-to-date fishing information during the season. I hope our readers enjoy the holidays, boat and sport shows, and make it on the water one last time before 2020.
“The run is not done,” seems to be the sentiment from most of the local shops as striped bass are still being landed from the beach with some up to 32 inches. Tog fishing has taken center stage with most headboats, charters, and recreational anglers doing well. If you have the opportunity, jump on a headboat and try using the jig for them. It’s a learned technique, but gives you shots at some bigger fish. I’m booked for three fishing shows this winter, so hope to see some of you at the Saltwater Fishing Expo, Atlantic City Boat Show, and Philly Fishing Show. Enjoy the holidays and have a very happy New Year!
Here is this week’s rundown:
Capt. Bill’s Landing in Point Pleasant Beach reported very good blackfishing over the past few days and most of the bites have been coming on white crab. The shop has some 15% off deals in the store through Christmas, so stop in.
Norma K III in Point Pleasant Beach reported a better pick on blackfish with the skipper finding life on each drop. Anglers had to work for the bite, but there were some nice keepers put on ice over the past few trips. The pool fish have been in the 9-pound range and they are booking spots for Monday (Dec 23rd) — all day blackfish trip.
The Gambler out of Point Pleasant Beach was tied at the dock earlier in the week, but will be searching for striped bass that they left biting. The boat has quite a few offshore sea bass trips booked for this upcoming week. The captain said there are a few slots open which they have posted on Facebook and on their website. My 11-year-old son and I will be fishing on the December 27th trip, and we are pumped.
The MIMI VI out of Point Pleasant has been hitting a lot of the deeper wrecks to put the boat on the blackfish. There are some spots available and the boat leaves at 630 a.m. and white crabs are included.
Jersey Hooker Outfitter in Brick had another week of good blackfish reports from anglers heading out on some of the party boats. White crabs have been the ticket to bigger fish. They also did hear of some pretty good schoolie striped bass action off the beaches. The shop is running its annual Holiday Gift Certificate sale through the 25th of December.
Gabriel Tackle Company in Brick reported good blackfishing with nice keepers being landed from most of the wrecks. The surf is producing a good number of striped bass in the 24-inch range on teasers, metals, and soft plastics. There has been plenty of fish from Point Pleasant south to Island Beach State Park. The shop’s Christmas sale is on through Christmas Eve and they have their Christmas giveaway.
Charlie’s Bait & Tackle in Normandy Beach said there is plenty of small striped bass action off the beaches for anglers that braved the cold. Most of the fish are in the 20-inch range with a few keepers in the mix. Metals and soft plastics have been the ticket for surfcasters. The store has a wide variety of sales on lures, apparel, rods and reels.
Grumpy’s Bait & Tackle in Seaside Park received excellent reports for anglers working the beaches with Kettle Creek shads and Tsunami shads producing the best action on 20- to 24-inch fish. There were a couple bite offs which could have been bigger Dogfish or Bluefish. The shop has some nice in-store sales along with some new gear hitting the shelves.
Creekside Outfitters in Waretown reported striped bass being landed off the Island Beach State Park and Long Beach Island beaches. Blackfish was slow, but got better as the ocean settled down this past week with some of the reef sites like the Garden State South reef producing fish to 12 pounds. The shop has a huge sale going on with “in-store” discounts and some nice gift card deals through the Christmas holiday.
Reel Reaction Charters out of Waretown and Barnegat Light has been focusing more on Tog as of late when the weather windows have cooperated. The skipper ran out solo to box a quick limit of Tog to 7 pounds prior to the weekend’s storm system. After the storm, one of the charters worked hard to put 8 quality keepers with one being 12 pounds. It was a slower bite with the water stirred up, but should get better this upcoming weekend.
Fisherman’s Headquarters in Ship Bottom reported Tog being more cooperative after the early week blow, and the bite has started to regain its steam. Fish up to 12 pounds have been landed from some of the reef sites, but anglers have been reporting better fishing out of the Little Egg area than North. Striped bass are still picking up lures off the beach from IBSP and LBI, and most are in the 20-inch range.
Brigantine to Sea Isle City had very good reports of Tog being landed from most of the reef sites and wrecks in the 60- to 90-foot range. White crabs have been the better baits for some of the bigger sized Tog. There have been some real nice ones up to 15 pounds on both the rig and tog jigs. Striped bass action has been consistent on the short fish with some of the back bays and tidal creeks supporting fish up to 18 inches. A few good reports came out of the Absecon area of good quantities of nice sized White Perch. Most of the shops from Atlantic City to Cape May are offering some type of holiday deals, so check them out.
Jim’s Bait & Tackle in Cape May reported some striped bass being caught along the 3-mile line for anglers trolling umbrella rigs. The beach has been somewhat slower with a few schoolie striped bass being caught. Tog fishing has been very good from the Wildwood and Cape May reef sites.
South Jersey Fishing Forecast
The best bet for this weekend will be to jump on a boat and hit the wrecks for Tog if you have the time and means. White crabs have been the best bait of choice for bigger Tog. The upcoming week looks perfect for fishing with milder temperatures in the low 50’s and calm seas. Beach and boaters still looking to bend a rod on striped bass should have a good shot on them. Metals, soft plastics, and teasers are the “go-to” lures to target them. Offshore sea bass is another option if you want to hit the wrecks 35 to 70 miles for huge humpbacks and a variety of headboats are running for them. Lastly, I wish all our readers a Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and New Year! Good Luck, Be Safe, and Tight Lines in 2020.
I like these report. Because i like that fishing en these places.