Fall plus fish equals frustration. That’s fishing. Despite some slow days, there are reports of sea bass, tog, weakfish, blues, croakers, kingfish, an occasional trigger, and yes, even keeper-size stripers. Grab that sweatshirt and get out there.
“A little slow,” says Ron Flemming of Cape May Bait & Tackle, “but definitely not a total loss.” According to Ron, snapper blues up to 18 inches are still working the Cape May beaches and Point jetties, with an occasional blue at 2-3-pounds. Cut baits and lures are all working well for the blues.
Kingfish are still hanging around at the Point jetties and Higbee Beach with bloods and clam as the best baits. Spike weakies were caught around the rocks, most under 18-inches, but were reported as fat and healthy.
There was one confirmed sighting of a keeper bass caught at Sunset Beach, but none have been brought into his shop yet for the weekly give-away. More keeper bass are being caught around the Cape May inlet and bridges and should be increasing off the beaches.
Captain John Sowerby, Caveman Charters, South Jersey Marina, continues to be disappointed by the lack of tuna and is hoping that the cold front brings some yellowfins to our local canyons as in previous years. He plans to fish offshore into November and is always looking for small parties or singles to join him for either a day troll trip or overnight trip.
He is offering really reduced weekday rates fishing for trophy stripers on the Delaware Bay starting early November also and will be doing some discounted small party make-up trips also. Call 425-1970 .
Captain Ray on the Tide Runner, Cape May, says the cooler weather and cooler water has turn on the striper bite. Mostly throw backs but larger fish are being taken on live baits. He found schoolie stripers in the back-bay and inlet area, with the inlet and ocean producing the nicer fish.
Along the inlet larger bunker flies from 4-7 inches and buck tail deceiver flies worked best with the hottest action after dark. The back-bay produces good action around dusk and into the dark, fishing shallow water on the outgoing tides. Swimming plugs in darker colors worked in both areas for the light tackle anglers.
He is still not seeing the large quantities of baitfish usually around this time of year but he thinks the cooling water should improve the striper action with each passing day.
By the way, Captain Ray identified the ‘Mystery Fish’ in last week’s column as a lesser amber jack. He caught one earlier this year and found out what it was then. Thanks, Ray.
Bucktail Willie fishing out of Whale Creek Marina had a good week on striped bass including six fish over 28 inches up to 34 inches.
Most of the fish were caught on live spot along the sod-banks with a few caught on trolled bucktails with 6 inch green twister tails.
The fish were on the move and not concentrated. Early morning and dusk produced the best catches.
At Sterling Harbor Bait and Tackle the wait continues for the fall striper migration. A few small stripers were caught around the jetties on live eels or spot and small stripers caught in the back-bays on top water plugs or clam.
Bluefish to 3-pounds are being caught in the surf on mullet or mackerel. There were a few sea bass caught at the Cape May Reef and at the offshore wrecks.
Sterling Harbor is stocked with live eels and live spot and the 2009 Hobie Kayaks are in stock and ready for you to test ride. Give them a call at 729-5222.
NEWS:
The NJ DEP Division of Fish and Wildlife have five hundred reef balls ready for deployment during early November at the Great Egg and Little Egg Reefs. Each reef site will receive 250 reef balls. Call 748-2022 for more info.
More than 21,000 super-sized trout have been released throughout New Jersey, and many of the stocked trout – 14 to 20 inches, are still out there to catch. Observations on the water and reports from anglers indicate these 2-3 year-old fish take a while to acclimate and to begin feeding again after stocking. By now, they have spread out, found good water and will be available to anglers throughout the fall and winter and even into the spring.
If you haven’t yet purchased a fishing license and trout stamp this year, visit wildlifelicense.com/nj/ to buy and print your license and trout stamp online.
TOURNAMENTS:
Long Beach Island Surf Fishing Classic, Oct. 11–Nov. 23, six-week event, tournaments sponsored daily, weekly and grand prizes, prizes for youngsters (14 and under), students (15-18), ladies (19 and over) and senior citizens (62 and older). Boats are not permitted. Registration $25 adults, $15 others, forms at the Chamber office, 265 W. 9th St., Ship Bottom; Barnegat Light Bait & Tackle, 1501 Bayview Ave.; Fisherman’s Headquarters, 280 W. 9th St., Ship Bottom; Jingles’ Bait & Tackle Shop, 1214 Long Beach Blvd, Beach Haven; and Surf City Bait and Tackle, 317 Long Beach Blvd; and Oceanside Bait & Tackle, 8201 Long Beach Blvd, Brighton Beach. Visit lbift.com or 494-7211.
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.
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.
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