Resilient is the word – as in the fishing community here, captains, shop owners, marina personnel and anglers are a resilient group. Two weeks ago we had comfortable weather, very active stripers and tog, and reports coming in from Barnegat to Cape May. Then a cold, snowy stretch arrived, and the temperature and the fishing chilled. But not to fret, as some fished, some waited and then the community rebounded, along with the temperature. Let’s check out what happened when we found our way back to the water.
Captain Tom of Fishin’ Fever Sportfishing Charters is back in town. He’s set up again at Utsch’s Marina after a foray to Atlantic City. While up north he was targeting stripers, but he turned his attention to tog even though I’m sure a late season striper trip can’t be ruled out.
Friday before the snow flew, Tom’s charter put some nice fish in “the box.” The action wasn’t focused on the short fish, as the big fish drew the spotlight. Thirteen keepers were built on the backs of a nine, 10 and 16 pounder. Another nice fish broke off before coming over the rail.
Sunday was another “grind” day. Each piece of structure had “life,” but not enough for the day. Moving to other spots allowed the group to accumulate 21 keepers, with the largest reaching nine pounds. That’s not a bad first couple of days on the blackfish grounds.
Captain Chuck on the Sea Star III is finishing out his season chasing stripers. The weather kept some anglers away and some trips were curtailed, but not all. As of this writing, he still had six days to rack up some catches.
Sunday was the best day, as some nice fish were caught. The pool-winner was Anthony Perna who bested a 40 pounder. Hopefully you’ll be able to get in before last call and get your own big striper.
Cape Queen Sportfishing Charters was out Sunday with the Bielecki party. How was it? Well, party members described it as “the best day ever fishing for stripers.” Limiting out on your “unders” and getting two “overs” to 45 pounds has a way of making for a nice trip. Another nice problem to have while wrapping it up to head for home. As they reported, “They were still biting when we had to leave.” Better to leave with them biting than heading in because nothing was biting.
The Cape May Lady was out a couple of times over the weekend fishing for blackfish. The pick was “tough” but not impossible. Anglers were able to land some “decent ones” and went home happy. Robin Jung had four fish during one of the trips. Fish in the cooler will make for happy fares.
Captain Bob had the Full Ahead out fishing for stripers on Wednesday. The pictures of the trip showed a full cooler, and word is everyone in the charter had a fish. A fish per angler is a good equation any day of the week.
Libation Charters had another successful striper trip. The recipients were the Derik Doroshuk Party. The party had the boat for their annual striper trip. In “short order,” they had a boat load of “unders” which included a dozen more being released. They got home early enough to “get the crew in their deer stands.” Fishing and hunting makes for a full day.
The final outing of the striper season went to the Terry Horgan group. They had eight “unders” and released 30 fish. They were chasing bass that were in turn chasing bunker.
For now it’s “a couple days of maintenance,” enjoying the holidays and then venturing south to the Carolinas for wahoo season.
Peace Token Fishing Tackle checked in by reporting “great success” on a recent sea bass trip aboard the Atlantic Star, a boat in the Starlight Fleet. The whole boat limited out with fish between 4.5 to five pounds. They also mentioned “awesome fishing, full coolers and all smiles” for those who attended. They have a tog trip coming up also. I want to check out if these trips will be a regular attraction, and then get the word out. More anglers equal more chances to have these trips on a regular basis.
Fin-Atics reached out with a report on recent striper fishing in the Ocean City area. Right before the weekend, there was “a school of nice fish parked in front of Ocean City.” Leo Letushko and his 45-inch, 38.4-pound fish can attest to the quality of these fish. These fish are considerate also, as they are staying about 1.5 to two miles off the coast. You don’t even have to worry about the three-mile line.
Tight Lines NJ in Somers Point had news from some charter boats that the recent Monday through Wednesday striper trips were “epic,” “awesome” and “the best day of the striper season so far.” One captain stopped counting at 30, another was “over” 30, and one caught and released “over 50.” At the beginning of the week, coupling calm weather with a bump in the temperature led to some great striper fishing excursions. Try to get out and participate as the weather and the fish allow.
The Osprey has been leaving its Atlantic City dock and heading out to hunt for tog. Anglers had some “picky” bites, but also some nice fish. Matt had a pool-fish with an eight-pound, six-ounce catch, a lady angler, Allysa, had a six-pound, two-ounce fish, and an angler named Py caught and released a five-pound, 10-ounce male. Regular rigs worked some days, while Jigs worked better on other days.
Don’t forget that if you want to fish with the Osprey, you will need to call ahead and reserve your date. Check them out online or on Facebook.
Another shop is packing it in and planning to take a long winter’s break. Cameron at Boulevard Bait and Tackle recently turned out the lights and locked the doors till spring arrives once again. Thanks for contributing reports and pictures for the column and Facebook page. They, like many others, are one of our steady, weekly contributors. Take care, Cameron, enjoy the break, and see you in the spring when we amp it up for our next run.
As this will be the last column of 2017, let me thank everyone who gives me the updates, information and pictures I use to construct each weekly issue. Without your help and contributions there would be nothing for us to read and share. Also, thanks to all the readers who faithfully read each week’s offering. Happy New Year to everyone.
Submit your fishing news and photos to mrobbins@cmcherald.com.
