First thing in this issue is a wish for a happy Thanksgiving to everyone. I’m sure some will celebrate with some early morning fishing, so good luck on your outing. I know I’ll be trying to get out. Stripers should be around, hopefully in abundance, plus the tog bag limit will be up to six which will make any excursion, from land or boat, much more worth-while. Sea bass are still out there and filling up coolers, so they also remain an option. Whatever you do, safe travels to you, and enjoy some good food and time with family and friends.
The Starlight leads off with word that they are “still producing” with a nice run from the fall fishery. Sea bass, porgies and bluefish continue to keep the people happy. This week, the “high hook honors” went to Andrew Jensen from Sea Isle City. He completed the trifecta by catching all three species in his “mixed bag.” These trips will continue to run on weekdays from 10 a.m. till 4 p.m.
There is a scheduling update to report. On Friday, Nov. 25, the Starlight will be starting trips for stripers. Reservations will be required. Call (609) 729-7776 for additional information.
Captain Fred from Utsch’s Marina reports of “very good” sea bass fishing from 20 to 30 miles out from the coast. The charter boats, the Full Ahead and Fishin’ Fever, went out and returned with their boat limit. Among them were many in the 4 to 5 pound range, plus a 6 pounder for the Full Ahead.
News of a slip-holder catching an approximately 30 pound striper off of Avalon got back to Fred, as well of word of a red drum from the Cape May surf. Fred was wondering, “What is up with this?” as he concluded with never seeing red drum around here this time of year.
Fred concluded with word that the tackle shop is loaded with your needs for striper fishing. There is tackle at close out pricing, and the Christmas sale will start on Dec. 17. Get your Christmas list ready.
Captain Chuck from the Sea Star III sent in a very happy report on Sunday evening. Seems that earlier in the day one of their patrons, Russell Bare from Mohrsville, Pa., caught a nice pair of stripers. They were almost twins as one went 39 pounds, while the other went 41 pounds. Close enough for me. The Sea Star III will continue to fish for stripers daily through late December. In Chuck’s words, “Hopefully, this is just the beginning.”
Matt at Jim’s Bait and Tackle starts with word that sea bass fishing “is holding up well when the weather allows.” Most of the boats checking in are fishing the wrecks on or beyond the 20 fathom line. They have been getting their limits of fish. Another good spot to hit is Delaware Reef Site #11 which has “good numbers” of fish, but you’ll have to get through the shorts.
Matt moved on to stripers with a reminder that our season last year, at least around here, started about Nov. 20. He said this because so far the pick has been slow. Some local charter boats ran as far as Long Beach Island “without a bite.” A body of fish that was off Brigantine recently was gone as of Saturday, Nov. 13. A few fish were caught off of Hereford Inlet while trolling, but the ratio of fish to boats was not favorable. We now think of the previously mentioned date of Nov. 20 and hope that history is waiting to repeat itself.
Checking on blackfish shows they are still on the inlet rock piles and the inshore wrecks. It “looks like we’ll get a shot at them” on Nov. 16 when the bag limit increases to six fish. My son and I have been out a few times this fall, but we’re stilling working on getting that first keeper. Lots of fish, plenty of action, but nothing legal yet.
The surf is still giving up “some redfish” which are hitting 4 and 5 inch Gulp Mullets. Wildwood Crest and the Cape May beachfront are the best options. Small stripers, with an occasional keeper, are around the rock piles in town and at the Point. You just have to put in your time to find them.
Captain Skip from Stalker Fishing Charters sent in a picture of Bill Federer with a healthy striper that was caught on Monday morning. It’s a slow start but some nice fish are being caught, so it’s just a matter of investing the time.
Cape Queen Sportfishing Charters got out on Monday and hit the wrecks for sea bass. The result? A big cooler full of fish that equaled a limit for all aboard. A dozen of the fish were between 17 and 20 inches. Overall, they threw back over 200 fish, so they ended up with plenty of action for the day. Give Cape Queen a call at (609) 884-0001 or email queencharters@aol.com to get on the Open Boat list. Leave your name and contact information.
Last week we reported on reader John Beck and his 21 inch redfish. Well, fast forward one week and John is at it again. This time he checked in with a 30 inch, 10 pound striper. Hey, I want to hang with this guy. Good job, John. Hopefully you’ll get something good next week and let me know, so I can report about it. Keep on catching, John.
I checked in with Captain Irv from the Miss Avalon on Wednesday after returning from an outing for tog. There was good early action that “slowed” near noon. The fish started biting again after lunch and continued throughout the remainder of the trip. They caught over 100 fish, and finished with over 20 keepers. It was a good way to start off the increased bag limit section of the tog season.
Another boat that hit the tog hard was Bayhound Charters led by Captain Al. While cruising some wrecks, they also caught some triggerfish, sea bass and porgies. As the report said, they had “non-stop action.” The largest tog weighed in at 16.9 pounds.
From the “it’s never too early to plan ahead” department and Off The Hook Bait and Tackle comes notice to set June 7-10, 2017 aside for the 37th Annual South Jersey Shark Tournament. You can fish two out of three days. There will be more details to follow.
Submit your fishing news and photos to mrobbins@cmcherald.com.
