After a two- or three-day delay, depending on when each captain decided to head out, the current portion of the 2025 sea bass season opened. For October the regulations remain at 12.5 inches for fish length and 10 for the bag limit. The bag limit will increase to 15 fish once November arrives.
For now, though, the captains are thankful after a short period of inactivity after flounder season ended and before sea bass season opened. Depending on the home port, some boats were able to stay active by fishing the Delaware Bay, or the backwaters, while others rode out the break between seasons by doing minor repairs or just resting. Let’s check things out.
The Atlantic Adventure is sailing for sea bass and other reef dwellers. Captain Adam accommodates 12 anglers on his charters, so everyone can fish comfortably. He can be reached for bookings, or to handle any questions, by calling 609-435-3119.
A recent charter trip had the members and advisers of the local 4H Tightlines fishing club out for a productive inshore trip. The young anglers filled the fish box with nice sea bass, large triggerfish, a few blackfish and a few exotics. Captain Adam enjoyed having the young anglers aboard and being able to give back to a group that he was in when he was younger.
Captain Chuck, from the Sea Star III, reported that early sea bass trips were less than hoped for. The recent brush with the two storms offshore affected the sea bass fishery to a degree. Hopefully, as the days pass, the sea bass will return and their numbers will increase.
The first few trips back on the water saw sea bass, triggerfish, croakers, kingfish and small bluefish being caught and contributing to a nice mixed bag.
The pool winners for the week were Jim Mooney with a 2.55-pound sea bass, Bill Kwas with a 2.75-pound triggerfish and Jimmy Wilkes with a 2-pound sea bass.
Captain Chuck will have the Sea Star III sailing daily at 9 a.m. and returning to the dock at 3 p.m. Call him at 609-884-3421 to check on reservations for any of his trips.
Captain Skip, at Stalker Fishing Charters, Cape May, reports that there has been a solid bite of striped bass recently. The fact that there is plenty of bait around is only helping the situation. Obviously, the bass are following the bait, and as a result some bigger fish, up to 36 inches, are mixed in and providing a great fight after taking your offering. Call Skip at 609-972-5218 to grab a single seat or to set up a private two-person charter.
Captain Bob, from Full Ahead Sport Fishing in Cape May, has his sea bass charters racking up some nice numbers. The anglers are putting up early limits with many quality-sized fish mixed in. Jigs, as well as bait, have been the go-to options.
The Miss Avalon set sail on the first Saturday of the new sea bass season after letting the weather settle. Those aboard were rewarded with a beautiful day on the water, and even better, plenty of tasty, legal sea bass. There were also plenty of shorts that were caught, then released, but those fish just served as good practice for when the keepers bit.
Trips can be booked online at www.missavalon.com.
The Starfish experienced a nice opening, even if delayed like everyone else. The few days of waiting appeared to have been worth it.
The Saturday crowd saw some anglers catching their limit of sea bass, while others caught short of their 10, but still enough to put filets in the cooler. In addition to the sea bass, croakers, triggerfish and some bluefish were caught.
The Sunday outing was also good, as many anglers finished with their limit of sea bass, while bluefish, porgies, triggerfish and croakers all went into a well-mixed bag of fish.
Moran’s Dockside Bait and Tackle reports that you can catch your single keeper tog if you take the time to head out to the Townsend’s Inlet rock piles and finger jetties. Dan Gray listened and caught a nice keeper. Also taking the advice to heart was Seamus, who fished the rocks at slack high tide and caught a nice keeper tog. Take some metal with you, as there are also some small bluefish cruising through the area. Green crabs and sand fleas are the baits that are producing both short fish and keeper tog.
Captains Andrew and Stan, from the Sailor’s Delight fleet, have been hitting the local jetties for blackfish when the conditions allow. Their patrons have been rewarded with a mix of throwbacks and keepers. Captain Andrew is keeping his eyes to the skies and checking the forecast, and when he sees favorable days, he will post the openings on his Facebook page and also call anglers on his list of interested patrons. I’m sure he wouldn’t mind a call at 609-827-8309 if you want to get your name and number on that list.
A trip prior to a recent tog trip saw anglers catching some tasty kingfish. Any trips in the back this time of year could also see bluefish, weakfish, croakers and maybe even some striped bass caught.
The weather has hampered us recently, but when the conditions allow, some nice fish have been caught. Sea bass have led the way, but triggerfish, croakers and tog have also been counted in the daily catch of many anglers. Check the weather and keep your gear ready, because when a good weather window opens you’ll want to be ready. Good luck if you get out, take care, and I’ll see you around.
Submit fishing news and photos to mrobbins@cmcherald.com.
