Oct. 15: The Fishing Line, Fall fishing improves

While you are waiting for the stripers to show up, there are plenty of fish in the sea…porgies, bluefish, kingfish, sea bass, and croakers; even a wahoo and Mahi-Mahi or two. Fall fishing is as unpredictable as the weather, but always interesting.
Ron Flemming, Cape May Bait & Tackle reports that after a slow start, with small snapper blues tearing through everyone’s bait earlier, fishing along the Cape May beaches and jetties is good again. Pods of mullet and peanut bunker returned and brought some hungry predators with them.
Throwback bass to 26-inches (almost there) were caught around the bridges at night at the top of the tide using clam, small bomber long A’s, and Berkley swimming mullet.
A few small weakies to 17-inches were also in the mix. Around the Point jetties, bluefish to 16-inches were caught on cut mullet and mackerel. Higbee Beach produced small blues as well, with a few kingfish returning to the scene, caught on bloodworms.
Schoolie bass were caught from the beach during a couple of short blitzes. Peanut bunker, small pieces of clam, and 4-inch soft plastics were hooking them up.
This week’s prizewinner was Chris Mattern with a 19½ inch, 1¼ pound weakfish caught at Sunset Beach using a chartruese Gulp swimming mullet. Other weakies caught mainly around the Point jetties, on bloods and pink Fin-S were around 17-18 inches. Hopefully the bigger ones are on the way.
Cathy Algard at Sterling Harbor Bait & Tackle is reporting sea bass at the Cape May Reef. Alan Ritter had a dozen keepers on a half-day trip while fishing on his Little Devil II out of Wildwood.
Croakers and snapper bluefish are being caught along the Wildwood beachfront. Look for bird plays.
In the surf, there are some kingfish and a few small stripers, but snapper bluefish is the main bite now. Justin Fesler, of Cape May, had a 29-inch and a 30-inch striped bass from the North Wildwood beach while live lining spot.
Offshore, they’re still looking for the yellowfin tuna but Mahi-Mahi are plentiful and some Wahoo and white marlin are being caught.
In the back-bays there are plenty of short stripers being caught along the Sod Banks and around bridge pilings at night, on clam or top water lures.
On the Kayak Fishing scene, Suzanne Smith of Philadelphia, reported a 26-inch striper caught near a bridge piling that took her for a nice ride on her Hobie Outback Kayak.
Crabby Jack gives the crabbing two Claws this week.
Captain John Sowerby on the Hooked Up II out of South Jersey Marina is going out on day canyon troll trips targeting Wahoo and Mahi but he reports that there is still no day or night bite on tuna as of yet.
They will try to do a few make-up canyon charters for singles and small parties if the night bite starts up over the next few weeks along with his regular charters until at least early November if the weather allows.
In past years some of the very best tuna fishing at night was in late October and through Mid-November so we are still hoping. Captain John is offering super discounted rates, not published on his Web page, for fall bunker chunking striper trips targeting those in the 20-50 pound range. Those trips will start running in late October. Call 425-1970.
Charlie Langan, South Jersey Marina reported fine catches by the Hooked Up II and Jen & Tonic (see pictures). The Noreaster II came home with a large bluefin tuna and several dolphin, too.
According to Charlie, croakers continue to dominate the inshore fishery and seem to be getting bigger with every catch.
As far as fly-fishing is concerned, Captain Ray, Tide Runner, Cape May, reports things are slow for this time of year. A few small schoolie stripers were caught on flies and plugs, along with small bluefish. Crease flies and yellow epoxy head flies worked best with floating lines in the shallow waters and sinking lines working best along the inlet rocks.
With the back-bays still experiencing the algae bloom, the best action has been along the inlet rocks and the ocean where the water has been the cleanest. Captain Ray is not seeing a whole lot of bait around but at least there are some fish. With cooling air and water temperatures fishing should start to improve with each coming week as we get into prime striper season.
The NJ DEP Division of Fish and Wildlife’s Fall Trout Stocking Program began Oct. 7. During the two-week stocking program 20,000 brook, brown, and rainbow trout, averaging 14-16 inches, and weighing 1-2 pounds, will be distributed in 16 streams and 16 lakes and ponds statewide. Approximately 1,000 exceptionally large rainbow trout broodstock, measuring 17-20 inches, and weighing 3-5 pounds, will also be mixed in with each truckload of fish. Visit njfishandwildlife.com/trtinfo_fall.htm
Winners in the 17th Annual Governor’s Surf Fishing Tournament, held at Island Beach State Park in Ocean County, have been announced with Richard Abdill of Delran winning the Governor’s Trophy with a 21-inch fluke. (The tourney was given an exemption for fluke.) For tournament details, njfishandwildlife.com/news/2008/gsft08-winners.htm
And for those of you who are still wondering, our mystery fish pictured on page B-22, Oct. 1-7 edition is said to be a cutlass fish, sometimes mistaken for an eel, according to Mike Martin, Stone Harbor. Last week another source identified it as a Hound fish…anyone else have an idea?
The following press release from the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Administration revises and replaces the Sept. 26 release:
Atlantic coastal states have scheduled hearings to gather public comment on the Interstate Fishery Management Plan for River Herring.
New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife, Nov. 6, 7 p.m., Galloway Township Public Library, 292-7794.
Fishers and others interested are encouraged to provide input by attending public hearings or providing written comments. Copies can be obtained at asmfc.org under Breaking News. Public comment will be accepted until 5 p.m. Jan. 1, 2009.
Tournaments:
Oct. 18, WSFC Tournament, open to men, women and children over age 6, $50 team (six anglers), $9 individual, complementary luncheon and award ceremony following event. Registration: Sea Isle City Marina Bldg., 42nd Place and the bay, 6-7 a.m., fishing first position 7:30-10:30 a.m.; second position10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Call 267-312-3395, 264-7754 or fshrwmn2505@netzero.net.
Oct. 19, Fishing Flea Market, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Cape May City Elementary School, 884-9565.
Oct. 25, Anglesea Surf Anglers Tournament, register 6:30 a.m.-7:30 a.m., Firehouse, Second and New Jersey avenues, North Wildwood; fishing 7:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., fee for participants, 856.786.0070 or asaconline.org.
Oct. 31-Nov. 1, South Jersey Big Bass Open, South Jersey Marina, Cape May and the American Striper Association, 884-1600.
Nov. 8, Carpenters Local 1743 Striped Bass Tournament, benefits Brendan Borek Memorial Fund, Hinch Marina, 989 Ocean Drive, Cape May, $50, includes dinner; scales open 3-5 p.m. Captain’s meeting Nov. 7, 7 p.m., 729-0399.
Fall Fishing Schedules:
Fins & Grins, Wildwood, Captain Jim McClintock, is available for 4-6-8 hour charters. On days not booked they will run open boat and put small groups together, 425-3021.
Captain Dick Herb, Escapade Charters out of Avalon, will be fishing until Dec. 15, 967-0779.
Captain John Wilson, Olivia Grace, South Jersey Marina will be finishing out October in South Jersey then moving to Morehead City, N.C. for the winter months, 267-767-9124.
Hooked Up II, South Jersey Marina, Captains John and Diane Sowerby will continue to run offshore canyon trips until early November. Last year their best overnight trip was on Halloween. They will be offering early season discounted chunking only trips on the Delaware Bay for trophy stripers starting around the first week of November through at least Thanksgiving.
Capt John Peterson from the UnReel in Cape May will be sailing daily through the New Year, offering open boat trips as well as private charters, 408-4089 or fishtheunreel.com for availability.
Captains, send me your schedules and I’ll print them.
Check out SeeMyBigFish.com and be sure to send your fish stories and pictures to Be My Guest reporter. Send info to cmiller@cmcherald.com.