Well, the summer flounder season has officially ended. Hopefully, you had some fun catching them, and maybe you even have a few filets in the freezer for the winter. It’s hard to believe it’s now fall, but don’t fret, because sea bass season opened up again Oct. 1.
The minimum length remains at 12.5 inches, but the bag limit has increased to 10 fish. These are great table fare, either fileted or scaled, gutted and baked whole, that all the local boats will be fishing for. Before that, though, let’s check out what occurred as the sun set on flounder season.
The Starfish is now sailing eight-hour trips for sea bass. They will be leaving the dock at 8 each morning and hitting the reefs and wrecks hard in search of these tasty fish. They are also running a special where you buy five trips and get the sixth free. Call 609-263-3800 or book online to make sure you get a spot along the rail.
The Miss Avalon has released their October schedule, which features fishing for sea bass, porgies and bluefish. And you may even be able to land your one-fish limit of blackfish. Their schedule consists of six-, eight-, and 10-hour trips. Your best plan of action is to call 609-967-7455 to see the length of trip on the day you want. A few days aren’t available because the boat has been chartered out, but calling ahead will allow you to plan accordingly.
Boulevard Bait and Tackle reported that prior to the end of the flounder season the backwaters were still harboring some nice flounder. To back up their claim, they reported that Stevie, a young angler, was able to land a nice flounder while on a trip during the final weekend of flounder season. More proof was offered by the Lashley family, which landed two flounder over five pounds, among their multiple keepers, as they fished in the windy conditions that dominated the final week.
Sea Isle Bait and Tackle reported that Captain Zig, from First Fish Adventures-Sea Isle City, caught an 8.26-pound sheepshead while out fishing during a recent weekend. The strong east-northeast wind didn’t provide a deterrent, and the lesson they pointed out was to try to get in an area that is out of the wind. If you can do that, well, then you have a chance to catch some nice fish.
Also being reported was the good nighttime striper action that was experienced by Tim and Kristen. They had plenty of action, and that resulted in both of them having their one keeper to bring home.
Moran’s Dockside Bait, Tackle and Hoagie Shop reports that there are striped bass and weakfish around Avalon that are more than willing to take your offering of fresh mullet. They also reported that there are blackfish being caught from the T.I. Bridge. They have fresh mullet and live green crabs available, and if you’re heading offshore they also have baits available for that fishery.
Word from the Sailor’s Delight was that keeper flounder, up to 21.5 inches, plus other keepers were being caught right up to the final days of the flounder season. With a business plan that is built around fishing in the back waters, they have been able to fish while the wind stopped bigger boats from getting out on the ocean. Their plan is working.
The Starlight Fleet has online booking available for 10-, 12-, and 18-hour offshore sea bass trips. Their complete schedule through the end of the year is posted for you to check out. This includes trips for sea bass, tog and deepwater tilefish. You can call 609-729-7776, ext. 2, to make your reservations.
Captain Chuck, from the Sea Star III, reported a week that was heavily affected by the northeast winds. Most of the trips were lost to the conditions, although they did tough it out on Saturday. The conditions were less than ideal, but the day was “fishable.” Short fluke, croakers, kingfish and small bluefish provided the action for the day.
The lone pool-winner of the week came from this trip, and he was Eric Balcavage, who won with a 1-pound croaker.
After a break, the Sea Star III resumed fishing Oct. 1 and is now focusing on sea bass. Oct. 1 was the opening of the sea bass season.
The final flounder of the season has been caught and cleaned, and now we move on to sea bass. It’s time to get your sea bass jigs and rigs ready, get some heavier lead in your tackle box, and get ready to change your fishing tactics. And don’t forget to throw a few tog jigs in with your other gear.
If you limit out and others are still targeting sea bass, why not change up and try for your one-fish limit of tog? They frequent the same areas, so why not take a chance at grabbing a keeper to go with your sea bass? Good luck, take care, and I’ll see you around.
Submit fishing news and photos to mrobbins@cmcherald.com.