As to be expected, sea bass rules the roost over the past week, although some nice triggerfish and a big porgy were caught in the area. Large specimens of the latter two species won recent pools on one local boat. One of our weekend fishing days was lost to Sunday’s washout, but even that didn’t stop fishing on that day. Check out what was caught, including a rare catch that makes it two years in a row that I have mentioned one of these.
Captain Chuck from the Sea Star III reports “good sea bass action.” The toughest part of the equation is that the keeper ratio is about 10 to one. I’ve heard that theme from other captain’s also, but the fun of catching something is keeping the anglers happy. Also adding to the catch total are triggerfish, porgies, blackfish and bluefish.
The Sea Star III will sail daily at 9 a.m. from the Miss Chris Marina, and will be going to the local wrecks and reefs looking for sea bass and the above mentioned fish that hang with them. Captain Chuck is keeping an eye out and watching for stripers, and when they arrive in force they will become his next opponent. I’ll keep you up to date as he informs me of his plans.
Recent pool-winners were Bob Costello with a four-pound triggerfish, Gary Agness with a 3.5-pound triggerfish and Don Fagan with a 3.61-pound porgy.
Matt at Jim’s Bait and Tackle checks in to report that more keeper-sized stripers are starting to show up around the Cold Spring Inlet jetties. The fish are mainly hitting swimming plugs, but don’t hesitate to throw a bucktail as those have taken a “couple.” The little blues are “still around, but starting to thin out a bit.” There are also plenty of tog around the rocks, albeit many are small, but getting one “for dinner is usually not a problem.” The rocks along the Cape May beachfront have also produced stripers, with bait working better there.
Checking out the sea bass scene shows that fishing “was good.” The best action is “on the wrecks in the 20 Fathom range.” Triggerfish were also being picked up on these trips and even “a stray mahi” was caught “once in a while.”
Heading offshore, we find yellowfin tuna and “a good number of dolphin” being caught in the Wilmington Canyon. Early in the week, Tom’s Canyon “gave up a few tuna,” plus some wahoo and swordfish that were caught “on the night bite.”
Finally, the Five Fathom Bank gave up its first few stripers of the season, which were caught on the troll. These fish were released, as they were not legal. Matt had a thought on the stripers, feeling that these early arriving fish are “a good sign, however the inshore fish should be here soon.” Small bluefish were also present, as they have been all fall.
The Fishin’ Fever had “great fishing” in the past week. In that time, its anglers had sea bass to six pounds, boat limits most days, bluefish, mackerel, triggerfish, porgies and blackfish. Give Captain Tom a call at (609) 868-6014 to “jump on” and take advantage of all the life that is coming over the rail.
Captain Bob had the Full Ahead out before the rain, and had “another great day.” The morning was “bumpy” while the end of the day “got quite sloppy.” In between, though, was a productive time for sea bass and triggerfish. Anglers even caught and released “more keeper sized fluke.” A lot of boats stayed “dockside,” and that helped to make for “an easy day” of fishing.
The Cape May Lady had a nice sea bass outing recently, as Adam Sneathen and friends did well. They had sea bass and triggerfish, plus a nice outing in general.
The Cape Queen got in on the action recently. She took the Lee family and friends party out and had a great day. They caught 34 sea bass, four bluefish, one frigate mackerel, one false albacore and a four-pound triggerfish. Not a bad outing, as everyone was kept busy during the trip.
The Miss Chris got out over the weekend before the foul weather arrived, and was able to put her patrons on some nice sea bass. She is running four hour, half-day trips which are good for those who want a quick trip, or for younger anglers who are getting their first taste of fall fishing. Trips sail from the Miss Chris Marina on Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 8 a.m. and 1 p.m.
Captain Skip from Stalker Fishing Charters continues to catch striped bass while hitting the backwater. He has been hitting the water early if needed, or later in the day, or both. This time of year that is a good strategy, and gives you two options to get some fishing in around your work schedule. I need to take my own advice and get out soon.
At Avalon Hodge Podge, word was that the ocean temperature was at 60 degrees on Monday. That means, as they put it, “It shouldn’t be long before the best show up in the surf.” They also had a picture of “Tim and his crew” who had ventured out to the Wilmington Canyon. While there, they trolled small ballyhoo’s and were rewarded as they “loaded up on mahi.”
Cameron at Boulevard Bait and Tackle reports that some stripers were caught over the weekend – yes, even in Sunday’s rain – but they were under the 28-inch mark. An angler named Todd got a 20-inch fish on Saturday; then on Sunday, Todd and his friend Joe were out in the rain and caught bass that stretched out to 27 inches. So close, but not yet. As Cameron told them, “Your keeper is coming soon.” Another bit of advice was that we “can’t catch them on the couch.” It’s good advice to remember and to live by.
On Friday, Oct. 27, Captain Zig from First Fish Adventures in Sea Isle City and a friend, Tom, got out for a morning outing. They had a good day catching sea bass, triggerfish and a false albacore, really. They also sent in word and picture of a rare blue lobster that was caught by the boat Two Dukes out of Sea Isle. I reported one last year, but with only one a year they still seem pretty rare. I’ve read that the odds are two million to one to catch one, and they are definitely neat to see.
Captain Al had the Bayhound on the fish for his Nov. 1 charter. Anglers returned with the tog limit, plus sea bass, porgies, weakfish, bluefish and false albacore. In all, 13 different species of fish were “counted.” The seas were “rougher than forecasted,” but that didn’t deter them from having a productive outing.
Try and get out and get the line wet, and good luck if you do. Keep me informed as to what you catch.
Submit your fishing news and photos to mrobbins@cmcherald.com.
