Well, it’s now November, but some days are feeling like it’s early June. The nice weather, which the anglers have welcomed, has been accompanied by windy conditions, which aren’t being as well-received. Anglers have been fishing when they can take advantage of any calmer day that shows up. Let’s check out how things have been going.
The Sailor’s Delight is sailing out to the local rock piles and enjoying days that others may not be able to. They aren’t hitting the ocean but staying in sheltered areas. When conditions allow, they can venture farther out along the inlet rocks.
Whatever their strategy, it worked during a recent morning of fishing. The anglers aboard caught 104 tog, which easily allowed for a boat limit, plus 22 other keepers that were released. The trip also produced some triggerfish, oyster crackers and sharks.
A trip the day prior also kept the anglers busy, as 60 tog were caught, with most being released. The local rocks are a great place to get in on some fun action.
The Starlight Fleet is setting up some 18-hour sea bass trips. These trips will leave at 7 a.m., need reservations and will only carry 15 anglers. Check them out online at www.starlightfleetnj.com or call 609-729-7776, ext. 2, to secure a spot.
The anglers of the Sea Star III made some nice catches over the past week. Captain Chuck reported that the action was “pretty good,” even as those fishing had to work a little harder to catch their keepers. Even with that challenge, the anglers’ efforts were rewarded, as some limits were registered.
Pool winners for the week (all with sea bass) were Mike Maziarczyk (2.25-pounds), Glen Donahue (2.15), Gary Agness (2.25), Randy Hannings (1.85) and Kelly Rickards with a 2-pounder.
The Sea Star III will continue to chase sea bass until Nov. 15. Following that, starting on Nov. 16th, they will be targeting blackfish. Trips leave the dock daily at 9 a.m. and return at 3 p.m.
Cape May Bait and Tackle reported that the sea bass action at the Cape May and Wildwood reefs is starting to become spotty. Meanwhile, charter boats fishing offshore, from 20 to 30 miles out, have been doing better, but still are experiencing some inconsistent times.
Fishing from the beaches has produced croakers and snapper blues, while the rock piles have been good for those who are targeting tog. Green crabs and sand fleas are good, but Asian crabs have been the best bait of late.
Offshore the anglers are reporting “excellent” yellowfin tuna fishing at the canyons. Some have said that this is the best tuna fishing of the season. The drawback is the rough seas that have hampered efforts to get out.
Finally, your best options are fishing in the back for stripers or on the rocks or bridges for tog. Look for areas that are sheltered from any wind that may be present. If you’re lucky enough to get some nice weather on a day you want to fish, then you may want to hop on a boat that is fishing for tuna or sea bass. Either way, take advantage of your opportunity.
The Miss Avalon is running sea bass trips to offshore sites when the conditions allow. Even with all the warm, dry weather we’ve been having, too many trips have been lost to the wind. When fishing occurred, the results were good. Plenty of sea bass, as well as some porgies, have been caught, so check out their schedule to see when you can get in on the action.
The Starfish was able to get out during the last week, and the anglers aboard were able to record some limits. High hooks on other trips were Ron Mon and Jerry Kurian, while pools were won by Dave McPherson and an angler named Shawn.
Sea Isle Bait and Tackle reported on some nice weekend action, and then that action rolled right on through the week.
First, there was the nice keeper striper that Brian caught while out doing a little night fishing. Prior to that there were two tuna catches to mention as Steve, Mark and Jon took a morning trip and returned with a 145.5-pound bluefin. An even larger tuna was caught by Captain Joe Cunningham, Captain Paul Black and by Paul D. Their nice morning catch – notice the pattern here – tipped the scales at 170 pounds.
As the week moved along, reports of stripers and tuna continued to arrive. A very nice striper was caught by Steve, who was fishing on a nice morning and using spot as bait, while Timmy B. sent in a picture of a striper that came from the back waters.
Frances B. stopped in to show off her 29-inch, 9-pound striper that hit a live spot on the first drop of the morning. Another nice catch of note was made by the crew of the Purple Fever. Anglers Steve, John, Billy, Jeno and Anthony stopped by the shop with their bluefin tuna. The stats for this catch were 71 inches in length, a 49-inch girth and a weight of 194 pounds.
On the final day before my deadline, two more catches were reported. Kyle Timpson checked in with a nice striper that fell for an SP minnow, and Wes weighed in a 2.95-pound, 17-inch blackfish. The action was good, and Wes released seven other tog that were long enough to be keepers.
The fishing was good when anglers got out, with more tuna action than we’ve seen in a while. Sea bass seem to be hitting better farther offshore, which only follows considering the time of the year, and tog are starting to hit better.
Soon the bag limit will increase, and keepers that are now being released, since your one legal fish has been caught, will be able to be kept. Good luck if you get out, take care and I’ll see you around.
Submit fishing news and photos to mrobbins@cmcherald.com.
