The bass bite has exploded this past week off the waters of Sea Isle to Cape May with jumbo bass being caught on trolled Spoons and Mojos. Most of the bass have ranged from 30 to 40 pounds. It has been a different story up the coast with mostly smaller “unders” and throwbacks being caught on thin, sand-eel like jigs. Anglers working the beach have been doing well in terms of numbers using a teaser above the metals and doubleheaders have not been uncommon. Tog fishing has absolutely been on fire offshore from Island Beach State Park to Cape May with some huge Tog to 20 pounds being landed. Most of the bigger Tog have been landed off Cape May as these areas tend to be very productive Blackfish grounds.
Fishing Report For South Jersey
Fisherman’s Supply in Point Pleasant had slow reports of Striper action for anglers trolling Spoons and Mojos at the 3-mile line. Tube and small eel umbrella rigs have been working for trollers focusing on the 20- to 30-foot depths. Most of the fish have been around 20 inches with a few slots, and very few keepers being caught. The Axel Carlson has been spotty on Tog with anglers having to work through quite a few shorts to put a catch together. Some of the keeper Tog have been in the 7 to 9-pound range. The shop heard of a few charters running as far as the Garden State North reef to box keeper Blackfish and the bite has even been better further south. The beach or surf has seen lots of action on short Stripers and small AVA’s, S&S Slimfish jigs, and Tsunami sand eels have been the ticket.
Capt. Bill’s Landing in Point Pleasant Beach reported tough Togging the past few days as they have been a little slow on the bite. Anglers working are picking up Tog to 8 pounds, but it’s been pretty scratchy. The Striped Bass bite has slowed down with smaller fish being caught very close to the beach and surf anglers are still getting the best shots as the bass have been right before the shore break.
Norma K III in Point Pleasant Beach was out the last few days fishing hard for Blackfish and anglers have been putting fish over 7 pounds over the rail. The boat did have a few anglers get their 5-fish limit as the Tog have been chewing well. Green crabs and Whites have been working equally and the rest of the week looks good in terms of ocean conditions.
The Gambler out of Point Pleasant Beach reported a slower couple of days for Striped Bass as the bass have been slow on the bite. Most of the fish have been short with a few slot and keepers in the mix. The boat has been cruising north and finding bird life and bass on 2oz and 4oz AVA jigs. It seems that both tails and tail-less jigs have been working fine for anglers that cast and slowly crank them in. The boat will be fishing everyday starting at 7am.
The MIMI VI out of Point Pleasant has officially switched over to Blackfish as the Striped Bass bite has slowed down to mostly fish under 24 inches. The skipper will be running quite a few Open Boat Blackfish trips starting this week and going through the rest of the month. It’s best to call ahead for details.
Jersey Hooker Outfitter in Brick reported Striped Bass being caught sporadically off the beaches of Seaside to Island Beach State Park. Most of the bass have ranged from 18 to 22 inches with a few slot fish in the mix for anglers with bonus tags. The shop has a lot of great Christmas deals and they are accepting phone orders, so give them a ring.
Grumpy’s Bait & Tackle in Seaside Park reported some decent fishing for Striped Bass on light tackle as most of the fish have been in the 16- to 23-inch range. Sand eel imitations, whether it’s metal or plastic, have been working with equal success. Anglers casting and retrieving slowly have been getting the best hook ups. The shop has heard of a few keepers trolled up on the 3-mile line, but it’s been relatively slow.
Lacey Marine in Forked River reported Striped Bass being caught from the Bathing Beach to Barnegat Inlet on metals and teasers worked just inside the breakers. The fish have been of the smaller variety, but the numbers are there so bringing the light tackle. Tog fishing remains good from 55 to 90 feet and it seems the fish have been biting in a variety of locations.
Super Chic in Barnegat Light was out looking for Striped Bass and found some isolated schools but most of the fish have been smaller with a few slots in the mix. The skipper did have a couple of Blackfish trips and has been doing well with fish to 8 pounds coming over the rail.
Creekside Outfitters in Waretown had poor reports from anglers working the 3-mile line in hopes of bigger bass. A few fish to 31 inches were caught, but most of the action has been right off the breakers with 18- to 21-inch fish. The S&S Slimfish has been very hot as it mimics the sand-eel. Blackfish have been very good from most of the southernly reef sites with charter vessels from Point Pleasant running as far south as the Garden State North to find keeper Tog.
Tony’s Bait & Tackle in Manahawkin reported a solid bite on catch-n-release Stripers for anglers working the surf and boaters working areas just outside the breakers with metals. The fish have been in the 19- to 23-inch range. Tog fishing has been exceptional on Green Crab and White Leggers on the individual wreck and reef sites. The action has been better from the wrecks offshore of Little Egg Inlet.
Fisherman’s Headquarters in Ship Bottom reported similar results in terms of schoolie Striped Bass action for boaters working just outside the breakers off Island Beach State Park. Anglers working metals, teasers, and fish on the fly rods have been fully engaged in catch-n-release action. Tog fishing has been very good from the Garden State North, Garden State South, and Little Egg reef sites and getting there early has been the ticket to success.
Riptide Bait & Tackle in Brigantine reported more quality Striped Bass action for anglers trolling 24- and 32-ounce Mojos at the 3-mile line. The shop reported of major bird play and bass rolling on surface, but most of the action was seen over the line. Togging has still been good off the Atlantic City jetties, but better action has been from the reef sites, especially Ocean City. It seems the further south you go the better the fishing for both Tog and Striped Bass.
Fin-Atics in Ocean City was busy with anglers stopping in to pick up hooks for Tog and Mojos for Striped Bass as the bite has been on fire for boaters. Striped Bass to 30 pounds have been trolled just inshore of the 3-mile line, while Tog fishing has been good for keepers at most of the reef sites.
Peace Token Fishing Tackle in Cape May reported a tog-filled week with whitechins to 20 pound being weighed in at the shop. Most of the wrecks in the 70- to 90-foot range are producing lots of quality keepers on Green Crab. Striped Bass fishing has been above average with lots of 30- to 40-pound fish being caught close to the 3-mile line.
Hands Too Bait & Tackle in Cape May reported Tog, Tog, and more Tog for anglers working the reef sites and wrecks off Wildwood and Cape May. There have been quite a few Tog in the upper teens landed by anglers fishing on recreational and charter boats. The bite has been exceptionally consistent the past week with lots of boat limits hitting the docks. Anglers looking for Striped Bass are finding them around the lumps from Wildwood to Cape May. Most of the action has been on trolled lures close to the 3-mile line.
South Jersey Fishing Forecast
The best bet for the weekend will be to target Striped Bass south if you’re looking for quality bass as most 30 to 40 pounders have been caught from Ocean City to Cape May. The bulk of the fish have been landed on trolled Mojos and Bunker Spoons worked very close to the 3-mile line. Surf anglers will have shots at short Striped Bass from Point Pleasant to Cape May, but better action has been from Long Beach Island North to Manasquan Inlet. Black-fisherman or Tog fishermen should look to hit the wrecks off Brigantine southward to Cape May as the greatest number of 10-plus pounders have been caught. Although it’s going to be cold, the weekend weather looks great for anglers as the seas and winds are predicted to be calm. I would recommend bundling up and to watch out for the frozen spray if venturing offshore. Good Luck Be Safe, and Tight Lines!