We seem to have entered into a “hurry up and wait mode” as we bide our time awaiting the striped bass invasion. Some have been caught, like a nice 35 pounder, plus some in the 30 inch range. Some in the back water show signs of a recent arrival from the ocean. In addition, sea bass seem to be all over, with some accompanying bluefish and triggerfish. I’ve also seen some keeper tog being caught, but it’s one and done, at least till Nov. 16. Let’s get into it.
Captain Chuck and the Sea Star III check in reporting “more sea bass action.” Some of the “really nice sized” fish went up to 3.55 pounds. That makes for some nice eating filets. Also taking room up in the cooler were some triggerfish.
Captain Chuck began striper fishing Nov. 12. They are hitting the sea bass hard, plus seeing whatever else comes over the rail.
The Starlight continues rolling along with big catches of porgies, blues and sea bass. A recent highlight was Adam Jones of North Wildwood who took high hook honors with a day consisting of eight blues, four porgies and four sea bass.
The fall schedule of 6-hour weekday trips going from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. continues, while weekends have two 4-hour trips starting at 8 a.m. and 1 p.m.
Matt from Jim’s Bait and Tackle checks in and starts by saying that sea bass fishing has been very good on the wrecks in the 20 Fathom area. These wrecks are still holding bluefish and triggerfish. Sea bass are being caught at Cape May Reef and Delaware Reef Site 11, but there are a lot of throwbacks. If you head inshore, you’ll “really have to work for your keepers.”
Concerning striped bass, they’ve received “some really good reports” from boats that have been trolling off of Atlantic City. Some big fish, in the 40-50 inch range, have been caught. Boats off of Sea Isle and Ocean City reported “tons of bait,” as well as whales in close, but no fish yet. The signs are “great” and “it looks to be a week or two before the bass are here.”
The surf is slow with a few small stripers being caught. An “occasional keeper” is mixed in from time to time. Also, a few redfish are being caught along the beach. The last spot to check is the rock piles which are “pretty thick” with blackfish.
Cape Queen Sportfishing has been getting out lately and getting results. The Leroy Burroughs party got out and scored with 59 keeper sea bass with several hitting 18-20 inches. 100-150 shorts were returned, and the pool went to Skeeter with a 20 incher.
On Nov. 1, a family and friends trip occurred with a 10-hour sea bass trip. Three generations of the Merendino family – Captain Andy, his son Andy and grandson Andy – were aboard. 101 keepers came across the rail and 200 shorts made it over the rail twice – once aboard, then back to the briny deep. A beautiful day and great fishing was enjoyed by all.
Off The Hook Bait and Tackle sent notice that a “fleet of boats” in the Ocean City area were marking fish and seeing birds, but couldn’t get any bites. “Everything is in place” so it could “go off” at any time. Also, a few redfish and speckled trout were caught off of Wildwood Crest.
One catch definitely worth noting was a 35.8 pound striper caught by Randy Peterson while on the Spooled Rotten.
Don’t forget the 3rd Annual Cape May Striper Tournament on Friday and Saturday, Nov. 18 and 19. You can choose one of the two days to fish, and there are boat and surf divisions. Call (609) 884-0444 for information.
Captain Skip from Stalker Fishing Charters is still hitting the back with positive results, but soon will be concentrating on the ocean as we all await the arrival of stripers from up north. A couple highlights from recent outings saw them bring in fish to 30 inches, and be kept busy by catching 50 fish on another trip. They even caught a “surprise guest,” a summer flounder. During one of those days the fish had mullet pinned in a pocket, and were hitting any top-water bait being thrown. Seeing them hit a bait on the surface is really something to see.
The Fishin’ Fever is up next. They went out on Saturday and returned after “more great sea bass fishing.” They also had a bunch of 3 to 5 pound bluefish, plus an exciting encounter with a thresher shark.
A trip on Tuesday resulted in an “easy boat limit,” with multiple fish in the 2 to 4 pound range. The big fish of the day honors went to Jim Snyder with a 5.1 pounder.
Boulevard Bait and Tackle sent word of a late Tuesday afternoon outing. Ted, Cameron and Kelcy (Cameron’s fiancée) got out to the back bay and bested 11 stripers, two of which were keepers. Bait options were eels, spot and lures. Kelcy showed who was boss by catching five of the 11 fish. An interesting observation was that these fish had sea lice. These were migratory fish in the bay, a sure sign that the fish are on the move. This report was coupled with word of other catches from the backwater in recent days. This report concluded with the admonition to “go fishing!”
News from readers Phyllis and John Beck arrived Tuesday. John was fishing in Cape May earlier that day and caught a 21 inch, 4.5 pound redfish. Can anyone say blackened redfish for dinner?
The 12th Annual Fight Leukemia Fishing Tournament is Saturday, Nov. 19. It is open to fishing from Absecon Inlet to Cape May Inlet, the back bays and the surf. Fishing is allowed up to three nautical miles from shore. Pre-register at Tackle Direct in Northfield till 6 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 18, or call Sean Meyers at (609) 602-8957. Late registration is at the Anchorage Tavern from 6 to 8 p.m., Nov. 18. There will be designated weigh stations, and an after party from 6 to 10 p.m. at the Seaville Fire Hall on Route 50 in Ocean View.
Captain Ray from Tide Runner Charters says it’s still a little slow for his clients. The reason for that is because his clientele enjoys catching their fish on flies or plugs. As a result, the captain is waiting, as we all are, for the stripers to arrive. Slowly but surely, some seem to be showing up.
Other news from Captain Ray concerned the favorable vote for the development of a reef in the Delaware Bay. The final vote was 6 to 5. The project now rests in the hands of the Army Corps of Engineers. They will work out the details and implement the plan. The turnout for public comments was light, as Ray spoke while representing the CMCPCBA. They favored the building of the reef for use by recreational fishermen.
Don’t forget the SMZ hearing in Cape May on Thursday, Nov. 17. This concerns ending commercial fishing on reef sites. This topic was covered in a previous edition of this column.
Submit your fishing news and photos to mrobbins@cmcherald.com.
