First, let me recognize that today is Pearl Harbor Day. Thank you to all who have served or are currently serving, and for all of the sacrifices you’ve made. Now to the report. From checking the results, it seems a fair amount of people got out and fished before sitting down to their Thanksgiving dinner. Stripers ruled that day, but tog were also represented. As the weekend rolled on, both species continued to be accounted for. Throw in some sea bass and the weekend was complete. Let’s check things out.
Captain Chuck from the Sea Star III reports that this past week was rather slow. One fish that got away was a “big fish” that now can fight another day. Basically it has been quiet, as the stripers have been slow to arrive in any numbers.
The Sea Star III is sailing daily at 9 a.m. for stripers until late December, so if your schedule allows, by all means get down to the dock and hop aboard.
Looking for a gift idea for the fisher-folks in the family? Call Captain Chuck at (609) 884-3421 and ask about a gift card. It’s always a good idea for the person who has it all.
Jim’sBait and Tackle, represented by Matt, also talks about the striper fishing and describes it as “spotty down here.” Some fish were taken in the bay while fishing tight to the beach. Bunker was the top bait. A windier Saturday and Sunday made the bay a tough place to fish, but the boats plan on hitting it again Monday.
Further north, on Saturday off of Atlantic City and Brigantine, the troll bite was good until heavy boat traffic shut it down. On Sunday, a few reports were received from locals that ventured up to Long Beach Island. Seems they caught some nice fish while trolling, as well as when snagging and dropping bunker.
Sea bass are still “holding up well” on the wrecks on the 20 Fathom Line. With them are some big bluefish that have found the wrecks to their liking. Reports from those going to the offshore rocks inside the Wilmington Canyon say they are getting “good numbers of jumbo sea bass.”
Tog fishing is slower around the local rock piles, but has “picked up” on the reefs and inshore wrecks.
Finally, there was a “little” surf action this week on the Delaware Bay side near North Cape May. Other beaches were “slow” as a few shorts were taken, along with a few small keepers.
Terri from the Starlight reports they are sailing their six-hour weekday striper trips. The fall fishing season officially closed recently with the final sea bass trip. All aboard caught fish, but the big fish du jour went to Jack Cody of North Wildwood with a 3.2 pounder.
Stripers now await. Reservations are needed, so call ahead at (609) 729-7776.
A Sunday report showed that Captain Al and the Bayhound had a good day on the stripers, and also with tog. From the pictures, it looked to be five nice stripers and a nice tog. Those were the ones that were held up. A few others may have been on the deck. All the smiles showed that it was a good trip.
Boulevard Bait and Tackle had a few reports of stripers, plus a nice tog trip over the holiday weekend. Stripers were caught by the anglers on the “Flyin Hawaiian” captained by Captain Chuck Umba. There were two nice stripers in the picture. One was a 46 inch, 40 pounder, while the other was a 37 inch, 20 pounder.
Another report had an angler named Mike holding a 38 pounder he caught while trolling along the beaches. This report came in early on Thanksgiving afternoon.
On Sunday word reached me of Libby, who along with her crew, caught a nice striper while fishing off of Ocean City. The report also mentioned that they had some “great marks” on their machine. “Things are looking up.”
Cameron and some friends got out on Thanksgiving morning and gave tog a shot. They were rewarded with a number of nice fish before returning to port, and a holiday feast later that day. Sounds like a full, productive day.
Bob Stanton, a local fisherman, contacted me Monday with his results from earlier that day. His efforts got him two short stripers, at 21 and 23 inches. He mentioned wishing they both were 10 inches bigger, to which I agreed. He was getting action and as I pointed out, “If bigger fish ever get here, it will happen.” No guarantees on that, but here’s hoping. Keep in touch Bob.
The Full Ahead with Captain Bob Cope was out on Sunday. It was a “long boat ride” but it “was our turn” as the accompanying photo shows five anglers and five nice stripers. Everyone going home happy makes for a good day.
Another Cape May boat had a good Thanksgiving morning trip. The Gone Fishin’ IV with Captain Mark Elliott went out for a few hours “and it paid off.” They went three for four, the picture looked good and they concluded by saying they “hope this is a sign for weeks to come.”
The Gone Fishin’ IV also had two fine sea bass trips, one on Friday and one on Sunday. Both parties got their limits, a large bluefish was also caught and over 200 fish were thrown back. The boat will get back to striper fishing as soon as the weather clears.
Off The Hook Bait and Tackle recorded a 46.35 pound striper for Alex, who made his catch while trolling recently.
The Miss Avalon with Captain’s Irv and Brandon had a different type of success over the holiday weekend. They went togging and brought the fish over the rail. A number of fish around 5+ pounds were caught on each day, and the Friday highlight was a 7.1 pounder, not pool eligible, caught by Captain Brandon. Charlie Moody won the pool on Friday, while Ken Raines won on Saturday with a 5.5 pounder.
Something to plan for: The Wildwood Fishing and Boating Expo which is scheduled for March 19 at the Wildwoods Convention Center. Up to 85 vendors are expected to cover your fishing needs from the canyons to the back bays. Admission is $4, but free to all military members, law enforcement officers, firefighters and children under 12. More details will follow as they are released. It should be a nice late winter diversion for all of us.
Submit your fishing news and photos to mrobbins@cmcherald.com.
