There was a book and movie both titled “The Hunt for Red October.” We are having our own similarly titled story. It’s called “The Hunt for Fall, During October.” Step outside and it’s an extended hot and humid summer. Enough already. It’s time for cool weather, fall fishing and throwing a hoodie on. Regardless of that, we did have a nice wahoo and sheepshead caught, a nice striper crossed the scales at a local bait and tackle, and a couple redfish managed to jump into a local boats cooler. Even trout make our report, so let’s get started.
Tammie at Avalon Bait and Tackle described the past week as having “picture perfect fishing conditions.” Unfortunately, not many people were around to enjoy them. The warm water is also slowing the arrival of the striped bass migration, an event that many anglers are waiting on.
That same warm water is one reason “why we are seeing more southern fish” in our area. I have heard of scattered catches of redfish, but a couple fish were recently documented. Tammy reported that “Mark and his crew” were fishing at the Wildwood Reef and caught two redfish. These fish went 23 and 25 inches in length, and both were over six pounds. They hit clam and squid baits that were meant “for other targets.” These redfish aren’t a bad by-catch to end up with.
There was also “at least one report” of another southern fish, a ladyfish, being “close to our shoreline.” Be alert if you get out because you never know what’s lurking in our waters.
When you get in the Avalon area, stop in and check with Tammie for the hot bait and the best spots to hit for your day on the water.
Boulevard Bait and Tackle was busy over the weekend. This was due to a run of striped bass that was moving along the beachfront. Most were shorts, but their appearance was welcomed by Rita who caught two, and Todd who caught one. Another angler, Jim, caught a 30-inch keeper that weighed 11 pounds. His fish was caught in the back bay. It appears that fish can be caught from just about anywhere that you can get a line in the water. The inlet area is also holding blue fish if you want to take a shot at them.
Cameron has mullet available for the bluefish, plus eels in stock for those who want to try for stripers. Stop in, say hi and pick your bait of choice.
The Miss Avalon has her schedule posted for October, November and the beginning of December. For now, it’s triggerfish, kingfish, bluefish, croakers and blackfish. You can keep one blackfish for now, but that changes on Nov. 16 when they’ll be the main quarry. Before that though, it’s sea bass season on Oct. 22, and striped bass later on as their arrival to our area dictates. Nov. 11 is the Veterans Day Special with half-price fares for all vets and civil service employees. Private fishing or cruising charters are also available. Call (609) 967-7455 for information or to book your private outing.
Bayhound Charters and Captain Al had a couple highlight catches this week. A nice wahoo was boated by one angler, and the captain’s son added a nice sheepshead to the list. If you want to get out and have your chance at these fish, contact Captain Al through their Facebook page.
“Steady” is the way Captain Chuck from the Sea Star III describes the fishing “action at this point.” Bluefish, weakfish and kingfish, plus some straggler triggerfish, all contribute to the daily haul.
Two bluefish won pools for anglers Robin Womble and Kathy Mulvehill over the weekend. The third pool was won by Linda Fiordimondo with a 2.5-pound triggerfish.
Captain Chuck is eyeing up the date of Oct. 22, the opening of sea bass season. The Sea Star III will go back to its daily schedule when that day arrives. Get ready, as it will be here quickly.
Matt, at Jim’s Bait and Tackle, checks in by mentioning that “quite a few boats went offshore” over the weekend. Reports had only a few tuna being caught, but dolphin were said to be present in good numbers. The Baltimore Canyon provided a couple of white marlin on Saturday, plus Matt heard “of a couple of short swords” (swordfish) and a couple of bigger ones that got away. Since the wind conditions were favorable, some of the boats “dropped down” and targeted tilefish. Word was they did “very well.”
Inshore fishing is still the domain of bluefish, triggerfish and blackfish. Blues are in the Rips and on the South Shoal of the 5 Fathom Bank. The inshore wrecks are holding triggers and blackfish.
The local rock piles and seawalls have blackfish and the occasional keeper striper. The latter have been caught by anglers who have been plugging.
A few more redfish were caught recently, but no big run has occurred yet.
Captain Tom from Fishin’ Fever Sportfishing Charters took a group out on an overnighter recently. They were targeting tuna with a chunking strategy, but the fish weren’t cooperating. However, they “still managed a good trip.” They were able to boat golden tilefish to 23 pounds, plus bring in a few blue line tilefish. They also boated 18 mahi-mahi. They caught a swordfish and a 68-inch white marlin that were subsequently released to swim another day.
In news from the freshwater scene, the fall trout fishing season got underway last week. The N.J. Division of Fish and Wildlife began stocking rivers, streams and lakes around the state with thousands of large two-year-old fish on Oct. 10. The fish will range from 14 to 22 inches in length and will weigh between 1.5 to eight pounds. All newly stocked fish are at least 12 inches, but anglers must remember that there is a nine-inch minimum. All short fish must be immediately released. Another important date to remember is Saturday, Oct. 21. That date represents a “free fishing day.” Resident and non-resident anglers can fish all freshwater areas with no license or trout stamp required. Size and daily bag limits remain in effect. Check www.njfishandwildlife.com/flstk17.htm or call (609) 633-6765 for the stocking schedule to see if your favorite freshwater area is included.
Submit your fishing news and photos to mrobbins@cmcherald.com.
