Northern New Jersey Fishing Report
Stripers are still here but you have to be in a boat to get them. Huge schools of stripers can be found off the beaches, mainly from the Shark River Inlet on south. The bass are a few hundred yards to a couple of miles from shore.
Usually, when it comes to striped bass, we spend most of the time talking about where to find them and how to catch them. This week, however, the discussion was about what is to become of them. The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) is considering new regulations for 2025 to help rebuild the stock by 2029. Among the management options are a shorter season, a new slot size, no-harvest closures —meaning a catch-and-release fishery — as well as no-targeting closures, — meaning no fishing for stripers at all during designated periods.
Obviously, any of the above will have a significant impact on anglers, bait and tackle shops, party and charter boats and all other related businesses. The ASMFC will be meeting next Monday to decide on the fate of New Jersey’s striper fishing. Hopefully, the commission will make a choice that protects striped bass and all those who depend on it. We’ll find out Monday.
Mark Fuduli at Tackle World in Rochelle Park said stripers are everywhere off the beaches, mostly to the south. It’s mainly a boat bite but he did report stripers in the Sandy Hook surf over the weekend. Blackfishing, he said, has been good for some and not so good for others. The better fishing was north of the Manasquan Inlet. The bluefin bite remains very good in inshore waters. Fuduli said there are a lot of good deals throughout the shop as they are making room for next year’s inventory.
Capt. Phil Sciortino at the Tackle Box in Hazlet said the boats are still catching stripers but it has gone pretty quiet for surfcasters. The bulk of the bass are from Shark River on south. He said the shop is all ready for the holidays with specially tailored gift baskets for fluke, blackfish and striper anglers.
Joe Julian Jr. at Julian’s Bait and Tackle in Atlantic Highlands said there were bass on the beach on Sandy Hook over the weekend, but it is mostly the party boats getting the stripers. He said the better blackfish reports were coming from the boats fishing out of Belmar. Julian said the shop is all set for the holidays with good deals available through the end of December.
Mike Pinto at Giglio’s Bait and Tackle in Sea Bright said the area beaches have been quiet for days with very few anglers even trying. Nothing has come close to the beach since the last cold snap.
Mike Gleason at TAK Waterman in Long Branch said it’s been quiet there as well with birds working off the beaches but nothing coming in close. Boats fishing to the south are finding plenty of stripers, he said, and there are still loads of bluefin around, both giants and recreational fish. Gleason said the shop will be introducing new clothing items, including a special sweatshirt design, and offering discounts and sales for the holidays.
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Bass fishing has been the same in Asbury Park through Bradley Beach with birds working off the beaches but nothing in the surf.
Johnny O. at Fisherman’s Den in Belmar said the few boats out of the marina still targeting stripers are doing well. The local beaches, however, are not producing many bass. The shop also reported good blackfishing on the local reefs.
Capt. Rich Falcone on the Golden Eagle out of Belmar is one of the boats still fishing for stripers and he reported epic striped bass action from Sunday through Tuesday. He reported fish on top and stacked under the boat all three days. Everyone got a keeper bass along with a bonus tag fish. The weather kept him at the dock on Wednesday and Thursday but he’ll be sailing again on Friday at 6:30 a.m. for stripers.
Capt. Steve Spinelli on the Skylarker out of Belmar reported good blackfishing over the weekend and at the start of the week. He’s been fishing in 60 feet of water with both green and white legger crabs and getting tog up to 6 pounds. He said there are still loads of stripers around and his most recent bass trip had the boat limit early. They’re still hitting diamond jigs and shads, but the dogfish have been chewing up the shads so he said stick with the jigs.
Dean Visone at the Reel Seat in Brielle said fishing has slowed down somewhat but bluefin fishing is still good from 8 to 13 miles out. The Manasquan Ridge has been productive. Blackfishing has been steady as well on the rocks, reefs and wrecks and at the inlets and in the Point Pleasant Canal. Offshore sea bass fishing has also been very good, he added. Visone said the Reel Seat has bushels of white leggers available. Just call ahead to place an order.
Brian Flanagan at Captain Bill’s Landing in Point Pleasant Beach said the party boats out of the Manasquan Inlet continue to catch stripers with plenty of fish around. He also had good reports on bluefin with recreational-size fish mixed in with giants at the Manasquan Ridge and south of Little Italy.
Capt. Danny Gregory of the Norma K III out of Point Pleasant Beach said the blackfishing was very good on Monday’s marathon trip with close to 50 keepers coming over the rail. He was using both green and white legger crabs and fishing in 30- to 60-feet of water. Capt. Gregory said there are still plenty of stripers offshore but his customers want to fish for tog so he’ll be targeting them until Jan. 1. Check the Norma K III website for the sailing schedule.
Kyle Tangen at Fishermen’s Supply in Point Pleasant Beach said the boats are catching bass right outside the Manasquan Inlet and some of the stripers are big, up to 30 pounds. Tangen said schools of stripers stretch all the way down to Island Beach State Park. Blackfishing, he added, has been very good. Friends of his have been getting their limits in deeper water with fish up to 8 pounds. He, too, reported excellent bluefin action at the Manasquan Ridge. Offshore sea bass fishing is also getting high marks. Jigs have been working well, he said.
Capt. Jay Richardella of Side Job Charters out of the Manasquan Inlet said he’s been crushing the bluefin for the last several weeks and he plans on doing it for several more. He’s got openings and can be reached through his website.
Frank Giacalone at Gabriel Tackle in Brick reported that there are still plenty of stripers off the local beaches. The local wrecks and reefs are producing blackfish with the Axel Carlson a hot spot. The Manasquan River is also producing stripers on eels.
Pete Kupper at Charlie’s Bait and Tackle in Normandy Beach said he heard the boats are doing well with bass but nothing has been happening on the beaches for days. Part of the problem, he believes, is that nobody is fishing.
Ray Kerico at Grumpy’s Bait and Tackle in Seaside Park said it’s quiet there as well. He doesn’t believe the beach bite for bass is over, but there aren’t many people giving it a try. He does expect another shot of fish to show. In the meantime, the shop has been getting ready for its annual Grumpy Santa event this Saturday and Sunday for 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The weekend is a fund raiser for St. Jude Children’s Hospital. There will be raffles to win great fishing prizes, a chance to visit with Grumpy Santa and support a very worthwhile cause.
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Best Bets for the Weekend
Striped bass are still here and in big numbers. You’ll have to be in a boat for a good shot at them as it looks like the fish are heading south. Reports put the bass out of the Shark River Inlet down to Island Beach State Park.
Colder water has the blackfish biting on the local wrecks and reefs. Better reports are coming from spots to the north of the Manasquan Inlet.
Bluefin fishing remains very good for those suitably equipped. The weather looks favorable through the weekend.