Well, it’s one day to go till tog season expands to six fish. That’s good news to anglers, bait shops, and captains of charter and head boats. The sea bass season is in already, so those trips to various wrecks and reefs will offer the chance to get more fish. Going from a one-limit bag to a six-limit bag will allow this. Fifteen sea bass and six tog is an attractive option for a day on the water. Some triggerfish may still be there, which makes it all the better. Now all we need is for stripers to arrive, and we’ll have a fishing nirvana. Until then, let’s check out what happened recently.
Tammie at Avalon Hodge Podge reports that as the water temperature drops into the 50s, we should soon be seeing an increase in the striper activity along the beachfront. Some small bass have been reported in the back waters and the surf, but for now we just wait for the bigger fish to arrive.
Snapper blues are in the area and can be caught on small metals or mullet. The biggest Tammie has heard of was a four pounder. These hard fighters offer a nice option while we wait on more stripers.
Sea bass are also being caught in the areas that contain structures. While there, you can catch your one tog, but that bag limit will increase soon. Speaking of tog, reports claim that fishing for these fish has been very strong. The Townsends Inlet Bridge, the 8th Street Jetty and the offshore reef systems have been productive spots. Green crabs or clam have been the most productive baits.
Scott Ferrara from Sparta, N.J. caught a 20-inch tog on Friday, while his friend Toby “found the skunk on Friday.” A lot of us have been there and done that.
Boulevard Bait and Tackle sends word of good back bay striper action. It’s not just smaller stripers being caught. A couple keeper-size fish were recorded on Sunday. Ted went fishing instead of watching football and landed a 30.5-inch striper. That day also saw Cameron, the shop owner, catch and release a 29.5-inch fish. They’re there, you just need to get out and toss an offering at them. Top-water poppers have been the best, so give them a try.
Captain Chuck has the Sea Star III out and about. Anglers are picking up sea bass, triggerfish, bluefish, porgies and blowfish. Keeper are being caught each day as the action has been “good.”
Pool winners this week were Don Fagan with a sea bass weighing 2.95 pounds, Tom Collins with a 2.5-pound sea bass and Jim Krewson with a three-pound triggerfish.
The Sea Star III is “sailing DAILY” for sea bass and any other keepers that want to get in the mix. The boat pulls out at 9 a.m. so be prompt. Better yet, be early.
Jim’s Bait and Tackle is next with Matt representing. He starts with word that “sea bass fishing is holding up well on the wrecks and coral beds in 20 fathoms of water.” With these bass are big porgies and triggerfish. Unwanted visitors, according to some “guys wreck fishing,” are big slammer blues that are eating the sea bass. Tog are here and also at the inshore wrecks and rock piles in good numbers. When the tog season opens up to six fish, Matt feels “it should be good.”
Checking on stripers shows that some shorts are being caught by anglers in boats that are fishing in the area of the Inlet jetty. Matt feels that these fish are most likely resident fish.
Chris Daggett and “his girl” landed two bass while plugging along the beachfront on Friday. The fish went 36 and 28 inches. They lost another fish in the surf. Further down the beach at Cape May Point, “quite a few short bass” were being picked up. Ron Hillman of Dennisville caught a 32-inch striper on clam from the Coral Avenue jetty on Saturday.
No local offshore reports were received, but word of good tuna fishing north of here, in the Hudson Canyon, was received. However, Matt did mention that a few small makos were caught along the 20 Fathom Line, and that it is getting near “the perfect water temperature for the bigger fish to start showing up.”
Captain Tom has the Fishin’ Fever Sportfishing Charters boat out, about and staying active. Anglers have been getting boat limits of sea bass with fish to four pounds. One trip had them running into “a ton of four- and five-pound blues.” Boat limits, plus variety, equals a good time for all.
The Sailor’s Delight Back Bay Fishing boat is still out there fishing. Anglers were recently in the back and ran into some weakfish. Linda Dressic boated a “healthy 19.5-inch back bay weakfish” during a recent trip. They are trying for stripers but have been experiencing “a slow bite” recently, “but they’re there.” With the opportunity to catch those, plus the chance to catch some tog along the sod banks, things have stayed interesting.
Captain Andrew mentioned that he’s already looking forward to next season, even though this one isn’t in the books officially. I’m sure he’ll have some news for us on what plans he has for next year, but we’ll wait on that. For now, keep on fishing and let us know how your crew does.
Keri Falcicchio sent in some pictures of her fishing excursions from around the area. She has fished freshwater and saltwater in the Wildwood area for the past 20 years. Pictures sent in show tog, sharks, sea robins and even a striper. The striper weighed 4.5 pounds and measured 22 inches. Thanks, Keri, for following the column. Keep fishing, and please continue sending in pictures of your catches.
Another steady contributor is Ryan Morse. He has been working the freshwater scene steadily and doing well. He was out fishing on a recent Saturday evening on the Maurice River in Millville and connected with a 22.5-inch, 4.1-pound channel catfish. Good job, Ryan, and keep us informed about your future outings.
Take care, get out if you can and keep in touch.
Submit your fishing news and photos to mrobbins@cmcherald.com.
