Just as the fall temperatures have been fluctuating between hot and cold, so has the fall bass fishing off Northern New Jersey. Nevertheless, there are still plenty of stripers being caught, along with some blues. Bottom fishing is great for a number of species when the weather allows boaters to reach the grounds.
Trolling bunker spoons has been the ticket to big Raritan Bay stripers reported the crew at True World Tackle in Bayonne. Bass to 35 pounds were trolled up in the bay this week. Tog fishing around the bay has been okay. Most fish have been undersized.
When the blackfish bag limit changed to six fish on Sunday, Brayden at Efinger’s Sporting Goods said the south winds made it difficult for many fishermen to catch their limit. As the wind shifted later in the week, the bite picked up for the boats able to reach the fish. Boats have been having success on inshore structures, some just off the beach, catching blackfish to 11 pounds. White-legger crabs have been working well for the tog, Brayden advised.
Farther offshore, the wrecks 30 to 50 miles off the beach are producing very good sea bass and porgy fishing for this early in the season, Brayden said. Cod up to 20 pounds have been in the mix as well.
For bigger stripers, Brayden said the best bet is trolling in Raritan Bay with bunker spoons and shad umbrella rigs. Beach fishermen are having success with swim shads and SP Minnows. There are still decent numbers of bunker around, and boats live-lining the big baitfish are having some success. The reports are varied, with some fishermen catching stripers to 35 pounds in the bunker schools while others find just a few bluefish.
Dave at The Reel Seat in Brielle said another very big sea creature has been making a meal out of the bunker, as a whale was spotted feeding just off Manasquan Inlet this week. The striper fishing has been inconsistent, Dave reported. The surf action has been happening almost entirely after dark Dave said. The fish have been ranging from 26 to 30 inches or more, but they seem to be moving quickly. The fish will bite well for two nights in a row, Dave said, and the third night, they’ll be gone entirely.
By the end of the week, tog fishing was great, Dave reported, with lots of 8- and 10-pound fish being caught. The offshore sea bass fishing has also been good for the party boats making the run. Most fishermen can count on taking home a limit of sea bass, along with some big scup and the occasional codfish.
Dave also mentioned that the Reel Seat will be having a storewide sale starting on Black Friday, November 28 and running through the weekend to kick off the Holiday shopping season.
Despite the tough weather for most of the week, the Atlantic Highlands party boats did manage to get out on Thursday, reported Phil at The Tackle Box in Hazlet. The fishing was very good, with lots of action on stripers. Most fish were undersized, but there were keepers in the mix. Jigging with shads or diamond jigs was the ticket for these fish, which were scattered from Sandy Hook on down the beach. Larger stripers still seem to be hanging in the bay, where trolling has been the best bet.
The surf fishing in Sea Bright was excellent early this week reported Tom at Giglio’s, although the action has tapered off somewhat. On Tuesday, Tom said there was a big school of fish that was feeding right behind the shop for four hours. Fishermen casting bucktails and SP Minnows connected with big bluefish and stripers up to 20 pounds.
Best Bets for the Weekend
This weekend looks promising weather wise. A striper-blackfish double feature would be my top pick. Start with stripers at daybreak, jigging with diamond jigs and shads. The fish have been on the small side, so keep the tackle light for maximum enjoyment. If/when the striper bite dies, head over to some nearshore structure (being careful to stay within three miles if you’ve kept any bass) and some excellent blackfishing.
If you are really looking to load the freezer with fillets, hop aboard a party boat headed to the offshore wrecks for sea bass.