We had another wild week of winds and weather leading up to the fourth week of November, but the striped bass have continued to filter down from the North. Big bass to 50 inches have been reported from Sea Isle southward as the more northernly parts continue to have bass in the 20 to 34 inch range. With more mild temperatures forecasted, we will hopefully see an “extended” striper season. Tog fishing has been hot and cold throughout the week as ocean conditions have had bottom visibilities a little low according to local divers. Jetty anglers working inlet rocks are still producing keepers in some of the cracks and crevices. I saw an angler pull out a 19-inch tog from the middle of the jetty rocks, so be sure to drop baits in the atypical holes.
Here is this week’s rundown:
Creekside Outfitters in Waretown reported some good bass fishing for anglers trolling the 3 mile line and most of the bass were landed on a variety of trolling gear. The shop just received another shipment of gear and it has been flying off the shelves. Tog fishing was tougher this week, but boats that made the attempt did find some keepers on white crabs.
Bobbie’s Boats in Barnegat Light had some fair reports of anglers catching keeper tog off the rocks from the inlet. Striped bass fishing has slowed down in the bay, but remains hit or miss off the inlet. Anglers trolling along the 3 mile line are finding the best success.
Reel Reaction Sportfishing out of Waretown / Barnegat Light had a busy weekend amid the cancellations due to winds/sea conditions. The charters that made it out found success on trolled striped bass to 28 inches and some fish on live bait. With limited time due to targeting two species, the skipper made a few stops on some wrecks to find some keeper tog to 19 inches. During the mid-week nights, the captain had the skiff out working soft plastics to release striped bass to 26 inches.
The Super Chic out of Barnegat Light had some success on jigs and drifting live spot around the inlet. The boat has lots of bonus permits left which allows the crew to keep stripers between 24 to 27.99 inches.
Fisherman’s Headquarters on Long Beach Island reported a decent weekend of striped bass fishing for anglers that could make it out. Trolling, drifting live bait, and some plugging opportunities allowed anglers to connect with bass to 38 inches. The shop got word of the Coast Guard patrolling the 3 mile line, so be sure to stay within the federal line while targeting or possessing bass. Tog fishing was tough, but anglers sticking out the day were able to find scratchy bites. Believe it or not, a redfish was caught in the surf with a bucktail meant for stripers — crazy for this time of year!
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Absecon Bay Sportsman in Absecon just received a refill on his spot and has a bunch for sale. This bait has been magical in the backwaters as Dave described consistent action on fish up to 27 inches. Anglers working the beach are finding some success with eels at night and boaters have been having lucky deep drop jigging along the 3 mile line.
Offshore Bait & Tackle in Atlantic City had some nice bass to 36 inches caught from the boats and beaches over the past week. The better action has been from the boats working 2 to 3 miles off the beach. Tog fisherman reported decent action off of the Atlantic City jetties and boaters working the wrecks to 50 feet found action on white leggers.
Fin-Atics in Ocean City had good reports of trolled stripers being landed along the 3 mile line and some schoolie bass in the backwaters. Tog fishing was a tad slower this week with the ocean conditions, but this upcoming week looks much better.
Badfish Charters in Ocean City continued to work areas in the bay to produce striped bass to 30 inches and areas closer to the inlets are producing. There has been some nice fish caught out front as bigger fish filter down. The skipper has limited openings for the rest of November, so give him a ring.
Sea Isle Bait & Tackle in Sea Isle City had great reports of striped bass hitting white umbrella rigs and shad & tubes have been working equally. The problem has been finding wind windows to get out front as most of the good trolling has been near the 3-mile line. Tog fisherman are finding good action on keepers, but the best bites have been on the white crabs.
Avalon Hodge Podge in Avalon is loaded with 9’er umbrella rigs as these have been the hot baits of 2020. Striped bass to 44 inches have recently been caught out of Avalon with the most consistent action along the 3-mile line. Anglers working plugs before 1st light are also finding success on fish. Tog fishing has been best on white crabs and wrecks in the 45 to 60 foot range are producing.
Peace Token Fishing Tackle in Cape May Court House reported a tougher week with the windy conditions, but anglers have been able to hit local wrecks to find tog to 8 pounds. Striped bass fishing is still sporadic, but some bigger fish have begun to trickle in. Anglers working spot or eel are still finding keepers in the bay.
Jim’s Bait & Tackle in Cape May reported tough togging this past week with fish being landed in the 50- to 70-foot depths. Anglers working the jetty rocks are still finding a few keepers, but there has been definitely more small fish. Striped bass action remains fair with the backwaters producing schoolie to keeper bass. Sea Bassing remains good, but you need to run way offshore to find them.
Greenhorn Outdoors in Bridgeton had some reports of schoolie striped bass and white perch picking up bloodworms along most of the creeks. Fishing in the Delaware Bay has been slow, but better towards Cape May for striped bass.
South Jersey Fishing Forecast
The best bet for the weekend will be to find a good wreck and pick at delicious tog as the weather or sea conditions look excellent compared to the last several weeks. It seems like the switchover has occurred with better tog fishing from white crab baits as compared to green crabs. Striped bass fishing remains pretty good for most of South Jersey, but the key is to getting out early and working the trolling gear in the 40 to 70 foot depths. If you mark fish, you should be able to put a few on the deck. Most importantly, I wish all of our readership a Happy Thanksgiving and take the time to spend precious time with friends and family. Good Luck, Be Safe, and Tight Lines!