Fisherman's Headquarters

Many striped bass anglers ask me… “The fishing is awesome, why the cuts?” Well yes, we have had some really good fishing in some areas and at some points during the season. So it can be hard for anglers to understand what’s boiling up. The recruitment data from Chesapeake Bay is bad and it’s been bad. Six consecutive poor year classes bad. Why? For a myriad of reasons and if you could fix each issue we wouldn’t be in this predicament. Also it doesn’t help that the SSB (female spawning stock biomass) Target is set at about 250 million pounds which is at a historical high. It will be challenging but it is everyone’s hope that the Chesapeake Bay (which is responsible for 70-80% of the Atlantic coast wide stock) is still capable of making the comeback.

Whether you agree with me or not, that’s fine. That’s fisheries management. To help encourage all saltwater anglers to participate in the process, I’m sharing my comments which I submitted via email, comments@asmfc.org. I encourage you to submit your own comments right away! The deadline is tomorrow Tuesday Dec 10th by 11:59 p.m.  The Board will meet in-person and via webinar on Monday, December 16 at 10 a.m. to consider changing 2025 management measures to increase the probability of rebuilding the stock by the 2029 deadline.

For more information here is a link to the revised meeting materials as well as a recent webinar…

Dear Striped Bass Board Members,

Please keep the striped bass seasons and limit status quo for 2025.

The current narrow slot is VERY RESTRICTIVE yet still allows access to the fishery while all sectors take a fair and equitable sacrifice. Management measures are working to control fishing mortality. SSB projections which incorporate the impact of low recruitment suggest we are on the right path.  

Do not support no target closures.

I acknowledge allowing catch and release ignores a large portion of mortality; however the recreational sector, more specifically the fishing tackle industry and for-hire sector can not take more cuts or closures. NJ is not willing to close Wave 6 (Nov-Dec) in the same way that MA is not willing to close Wave 4 (July-Aug). These waves are the cornerstone of the run which so many depend on. 

Do not support closed seasons.

The environmental conditions which result in poor recruitment are out of the board’s control. Implementing closed seasons will not fix recruitment.

Do not increase the slot.

These fish are the lifeblood of the coast-wide fishery. All year classes above the 31” slot must be protected.

Do not lower the slot and put harvest on immature fish.

These fish are not abundant and are very important because they’re the few who persevered amidst poor environmental conditions. It’s dismal, but they are all we have in the future fish pipeline until the next successful spawning year(s).

TC Concludes (Page 99): Methods used to analyze slot limits below the current 28” minimum size in the Ocean recreational fishery result in an increase in total removals. Had a reduction been estimated in any of these options, the next step in the analysis would have been to perform a spawning potential analysis to determine the loss of spawning potential from the proposed new slot option.   

Any commercial sector cuts must come from the landing, not quota.

Additionally the commercial gill net fishery must be prohibited during Wave 1 and Wave 2. 

Postscript

While this is outside the scope of this comment period at this time… Fishing in NJ has been good but regulations continue to clamp all out of a great fishery. No one; commercial, recreational, for-hire, etc is willing to hang it up. We can not continue to dig our own grave, regulating all out of the fishery. At some point we must accept and explore lower reference points while maintaining a fair, equitable and healthy fishery. Furthermore, there needs to be more studies funded to get a better handle on young of the year failures rather than anecdotal topics in hopes management can find options in their control.

With appreciation for your time and attention,

Captain Greg Cudnik
Fisherman’s Headquarters Inc – Fishing Tackle Retailer Since 1962

Early December Got Cold But The Striped Bass Fishing Is Hot!

Here’s our most recent Long Beach Island Fishing Report video update from yesterday morning December 4th…

The fishing on the beach of LBI has been slow with only a few fish reported. But the boat fishing out of Barnegat Light and Little Egg Inlet has been REALLY GOOD despite the cold weather.

I’ve been fishing everyday for the last week (had to take off yesterday attend fishing tackle show in Atlantic City). I had great fishing in various locations, including the Brant Beach Lump, Loveladies Lump, and the Harvey Cedars Lump as well as along IBSP and Seaside. I’m still seeing a wide range of striped bass size class with slots and overs.

The water temperatures have fallen with the ocean temps ranging in the mid to upper 40’s. There’s plenty of bait in the area, but it really has not pushed into the LBI beach. With the large mass off striped bass hanging around the inshore waters of LBI our fingers are crossed they crash the beach one of these days.

Yesterday store staffer Emmet caught a 10# bass off the LBI surf. Emmet shared he fished the surf for a few hours and didn’t see one other truck. “The beach was empty. I was fishing a Bill Hurley sand eel in some cuts. No bites. At one point, I saw some swirls on top. Clipped on a pencil popper and got the bite!”

Remember Amazon Doesn’t Fish!

Support local fishing tackle shops. Each and everyone is much more than just a store with expert advice and hands on help. They are generational fishing hubs and the lifeblood of the industry as well as communities supporting local fishing clubs, tournaments, charities and nonprofits.

Many big brands which independent tackle shops helped grow have lost sight of their roots and their dealers in pursuit of profit over the fishing community, the lifestyle and the activity we all love. Fishing deserves better! You fish! We fish! We fish together! Don’t let the posers invade! Support your local tackle shop today!

From all of us at Fisherman’s Headquarters… Happy Thanksgiving! We give thanks for friends, family and FISHING! We hope you have a great day!

The phenomenal fishing continues out of Barnegat Light. There’s lots of hungry striped turkeys! Yesterday was another great day and we heard that fishing was very good this morning in the rain. It simply doesn’t get any better. Here’s a short report update from yesterday. I included some striped bass fishing video showing the all new Quantum saltwater spinning reels, both the Strive and Benchmark is action. These all new reels from Quantum are in stock now at the shop. Stop in and check ’em out. Also don’t miss out on our weekend sales, Black Friday- Cyber Monday… Fishing Tackle Sale – There’s some great deals ranging from 15-50% off on tackle!

The windy westerlies this weekend offered up some great fishing but bluster conditions. Today (Monday 11/25) those winds backed off and gave way to a phenomenal day with Lake Atlantic conditions and even better fishing. The Central Jersey striped bass fishing is hot! Here’s a quick fishing report video update…

The waters out of Barnegat Light are teeming with striped bass in a full range of size class; unders, slots and overs. Striped bass fishing via boat has been particularly good in recent days with lots of bait stretched along the beaches out to the 3 mile line. Bass are gorging on sand eels, peanut bunker and adult bunker.

Anglers are catching on both topwater (spooks, pencils, poppers) and jigging (shads, spoons, jigs). Those looking for a less active methods are hooking bass on the troll pulling 9er umbrella rigs, mojos and bunker spoons. At times there is good action live lining bunker on the schools too; however, this very well may turn into a spiny dogfish raid.

While the surf fishing scene on Long Beach Island has not contended with the action of northern beaches there are striped bass sliding down and a couple waves have already moved through the LBI area. There are striped bass in the suds. The next coupe weeks should offer good fishing for LBI surf anglers.

All In All – This is about as good as it gets. The weather is getting colder and the striped bass fishing should remain strong but it will not last forever. Now’s the time! Get out and score great fall fishing!

It’s mid-November and prime time for fall fishing. We had the full moon a few days back to that marks the next stage in the progression. The ocean water temperatures are current sitting around the mid 50’s, there’s bunker and sand eels around and there’s lots of fun fall fishing. Here’s the Fishing LBI Fishing Report for Monday November 18, 2024.

Striped Bass Fishing Report

As we enter the 2nd half of November the local fishing has picked up. This past weekend was a windy one but some fish were caught, both slots and overs. There was some weigh in activity in the LBI Fall Classic. Take a look at the LBI Surf Fishing Classic Live Results Page for some details.

Surf angler Kevin shared this photo of a 50” beauty he caught on a SP minnow while fishing the mid-Island surf Friday.

Most of the striped bass caught on the surf are on sand eel imitation lures; diamond jigs, needlefish, SP minnow, sand eel soft baits. Dragging a diamond jig along the sand is not an exciting way to fish; however it is a simple and effective method to catching striped bass on slow days. It’s extremely effective to fish with a teaser. For more details on how to match the hatch when sand eels are present CHECK OUT this detailed sand eel blog.

Fishing in the boat along IBSP and northern LBI has been phenomenal. Some days are better than others, but for the most part it has been really good fishing when weather allows. We expect this fishing to remain right through Thanksgiving and hopefully right through the end of the year. We’ll have to wait and see how it plays out.

Shop alumni Dan D has been fishing hard this fall. He was in the boat yesterday and reported awesome fishing just a few mile from the inlet, off the north end of LBI. He was fishing soft plastics and top waters like The Doc Spook, Magictail Ahab and the Yo-Zuri Magdive. These large profile topwater lure raise big fish!

The days when the bite isn’t busting loose, troll mojos and umbrella rigs. Nothing beats a 9er umbrella rig to score bites on a slow day!

Tautog Fishing Report

It’s that time, the current bag limit is 5 fish are 15″ minimum size. The fishing on the wrecks and reef sites will only get better into late fall.

Land based fishing on the rocks in Barnegat Light is still a solid choice with anglers picking keepers. Some days there are anglers getting their limit which is an impressive land based feat.

Here’s a photo of Paul who wasn’t afraid to battle the westerly winds this weekend while tog fishing. He scored this 17′ keeper.

Bluefin Tuna Fishing Report

We’ve had an awesome year of Bluefin fishing so far and it doesn’t seem to be slowing down. Reports continue to flow in daily. Dante of Magictail Outfitters even went 3/4 and even hooked one while bass fishing on a 4000 spinning reel. The run and gun guys are getting their shots casting at them but trolling with planers has been the effective methods this fall. A ballyhoo with a Joe Shute or HooMagic Head combo has accounted for the majority of catches. Utilizing a planer to get the bait down 20-30’+ helps significantly.

Select and Horse sized ballyhoo are the bait of choice and we are stocked up with them right now.

Here’s a photo of Richard Fieramosca, Zach Michot and Gary Adair with a recent bluefin catch.

Striper fishing is breaking open up and down the coast, and now the weather is here to get us out. Lots of W and NW wind in the forecast translates to calm seas in tight to the beach. There is a mix of all size stripers along the beach from Island Beach to the Atlantic Highlands. Migration style fishing: jigging, casting, trolling. 

Sailing Open Boat Stripers:

Monday Nov 18 and Tues Nov 19, 6AM to 2PM, $300 person, 4 people max, all fish are shared. 

Also possible to charter the boat these dates for Stripers, Bluefin, or a Striper/Bluefin combo.

I am on the water more than I am on the computer so it is best to call or text me rather than email.

Here’s a video and pic of Luke Warwick and his 9 year old son Dylan with one of their big stripers last weekend on a live bunker. Released right after pic.

Thank you,

Dave

Dave DeGennaro

Hi Flier Sportfishing

732.330.5674 cell

hiflier.com

Here’s a prime time Long Beach Island Fall Fishing Report from your friend’s at Fishermans Headquarters – There’s a few different primary fisheries right now for saltwater anglers to take advantage of fishing the central Jersey coastal waters; Striped Bass, Inshore Bluefin Tuna, Tog – Sea Bass -Porgy Wreck / Bottom Fishing. Here’s the report for the evening of Monday November 4, 2024.

Striped Bass Fishing Report

First and foremost, striped bass on tap in the bay (Barnegat Bay, Manahawkin Bay) as well as the Barnegat Inlet and out front along the beaches. These are obtainable for both beach and boat anglers. Without a doubt, a classy wave of migrating striped bass has moved into our waters. Don’t miss out on much more as some have already passed by. We should have 3-4 weeks (maybe more) of good fall fishing from now into Thanksgiving and into December. My fingers are crossed things stay warm and we have them into the new year!

The beaches have been a slow pick but that should pick up as we progress into November. Most bait (bunker and/or clam) fishing surf anglers are catching dog fish. Even lure anglers are picking a few so you know they are thick. However, there are some nice striped bass here, both keepers and overs. Ralph Vital from the Brant Beach Rod & Reel Club weighed in an 11# striped bass today. Photo below. He caught it on the south end fishing a lure. A few other bass were entered today into the LBI Surf Fishing Classic.

Check out the LBI Surf Fishing Classic Live Results Page to see all of the weigh ins as well as the recent catch and release submissions. There are a few really nice fish on the board!

Bluefish Report

The bluefish action seems to have waned with the mullet run’s fade but there are a few left. It’s nothing like it was a few weeks back however we still have a couple choppers and cocktails sleuthing around. Thomas Shelly reported losing some paddle tails this weekend to small blues fishing the mid island surf. Best bet to score a yellow eye right now will be fishing mullet or bunker off the surf or catching lures in the surf or inlet. Let’s hope some more invade to make for some fun fall fishing.

Tautog Fishing Update

Barnegat Inlet Tog

Anglers continue to catch tog at Barnegat Inlet. That action is on sand fleas and green crabs using a jig or a rig. Check back on a previous report from more details on this fishing. I think the the climax of this fall inlet fisher is behind us however there is still plenty of great fishing left in the tank this month.

Bottom Fishing The Wrecks & Reefs

It’s time to catch sea bass, porgy and tog! Remember…

• NJ Black Sea Bass Opened November 1 to 12.5″ minimum size with a 15 Fish Bag
• NJ Tautog Fishing Opens November 16th to 15″ minimum size with a 5 Fish Bag

For a cheat sheet reference download with more info: NJ Saltwater Fishing Regulations

Inshore / Mid-shore Bluefin Tuna Fishing

This year the fall tuna bite started early and has rolled on strong for months. It’s still rocking and there an abundance of bluefin in close to the shore. In some areas the tuna are mixed with the striped bass inside the 3 miles line. Both are hungry for bunker and sand eels. There’s also mid-shore grounds areas that are lit up with good fishing; however most are saving the time and gas targeting the tuna closer in.

Inshore the tuna are being caught on lures (stick baits) as well as on the troll. Trolling ballyhoo on Shutes has been the most consistent producer. Some boats have found that fishing a bait deep on a planer as been the most effective.

Mid-shore anglers are catching chunking and jigging too.

I’ll mention it again, there’s lots of bait around right now. We have bunker schools and sand eels along the Central Jersey coast. There’s also butterfish, squid, bay anchovies and hopefully in the next couple of weeks schools of peanut bunker.

The marine forecast looks pretty good for Sat, Sun, and Mon, Nov 2, 3, and 4. We will be running Open Boat for Stripers or Bluefin Tuna/Striper combos.

I will do whatever the majority wants to do. The lion’s share of the stripers are still up north by Asbury Park, but some fish have finally started to slide closer to us, and every day will bring more and more. I intend on running to where the biggest concentration of fish are. The other good news on this front is that there are now some keeper size fish in the mix along with the big bruisers. It’s fun to catch both, but it’s nice to go home with a Ziplock. Most of the action has been jigging and livelining bunker. 

The bluefin tuna are anywhere from 7 to 20 miles offshore. 100 to 200 lb fish airing out of the water and aggressively feeding at the surface. It is something to see, but they are not easy to catch. Casting poppers and trolling ballyhoo are two techniques that produce hookups, we will be prepared to do both.

It is possible to fish for the tuna first and then switch to stripers. It has to be in that order, as we can not possess striped bass beyond the three mile line from shore. 

Open Boat Stripers or Stripers/Bluefin Tuna: 

Sat Nov 2, Sun Nov 3, and Mon Nov 4

5:30 AM to 2:30 PM each day. $300 per person for Striper Trip or $350 per person Striper/Bluefin Tuna combo. 4 people max. All fish are shared.

Of course these dates are also available for your private charter. Call right up until “go time’ to reserve a spot. Phone is the best way to contact me.

Thank you,

Dave

Dave DeGennaro

Hi Flier Sportfishing

732.330.5674 cell

hiflier.com

Happy Halloween! This morning we have small 1-2′ waves on the beaches of LBI with light winds, but it is expected to increase out of the south west direction through the day. No matter what the forecast says, with the sun and 70º temps here (80º temps in Philly) expect a strong south westerly sea breeze this afternoon. The weather has been really dry and mild. The 10 day forecast is saying it will stay that way too. So, it looks like we will have good weather rolling into November. We are looking forward to a great month of fall fishing!

Here’s my latest fishing report video from yesterday morning, Wednesday October 30, 2024.

Currently there is and has been a strong body of fish, lots of bait and consistent fishing activity in the northern Jersey waters. Large (some very large) striped bass are darn near jumping in the boat the past couple of weeks. There’s lots of sand eels stretched along the Jersey coast and there are also schools of bunker. Some days it’s Lunkers On Bunkers and others it’s Jumbos On Jigs. Get lucky and score them both!

As we enter fall’s prime time (Halloween – Thanksgiving) some of these fish are sliding down and with that come good fishing here in the central Jersey Coast. In the past week we have seen some are making the move down and a good showing today with bunker, whales and big bass off IBSP.

The surf side striped bass reports are ramping up here on LBI. We had two striped bass weighed in yesterday, both entered into the LBI Surf Fishing Classic… Jake Smith 10.12# and Dante Soriente Jr. 9.42″. For more details on these two check out the Classic’s website which has live results. While there haven’t been any trophy-sized fish caught YET (at least from what we have heard)… Now is that time! Each year some of the largest striped bass of the fall roll through the area in the last week of October and the first week of November. The next 7-10 days are prime, especially with the November new noon on Friday November 1st.

Last weekend, some quality striped bass were caught off Island Beach State Park from of boats fishing the Sea Shell Striped Bass Derby. Those were the first positive signs of movement into the local waters. Store staffer Keith fished with his uncle and Fish Head’s alumni Lee, trolling up some classy striped bass.

To score bites it is important to match the hatch. When the fish are keyed in on sand eels, there is no better choice than a classic Diamond Jig Lure. These simple and proven lures catch fish. A17, 27, 47 are the common sizes needed. If the fish are up top, the lighter sizes A17/27 fished with a quick retrieve produce. But when the striped bass are down deep and especially when there is wind / waves / current the heavier option A47 are best. Another one of my favorite sand eel imitation jigs for both striped bass and sea bass is the Hogy Sand Eel Jig.

Other great catching lures for Striped Bass to match the hatch with sand eels:

• Guides Secrete Needle Stick Needlefish
• RonZ Softbait
• Tsunami Sand Eels
• Joe Baggs Miracle Minnow Sandeel
• Red Gill Lures

On the surf side, all of these options are great choice as well as CHUNKING! This is the time of year that the doggies invade the waters but weeding through them results in classy striped bass each and every fall. Expect surf side bunker chunking to turn up a notch in the month of November!

The Barnegat Inlet is still producing good tog fishing for land based anglers. All of these catches are taken on live crabs (green crab, sand fleas) fished on jig or rig. On the inshore – midshore wrecks and reefs sea bass, porgy and tog are available. Store staffer Jared (photo below) was out focusing on tog and caught some good ones earlier this week. The tautog fishing will only get better as we get into the meat of November. On November 16th the bag limit increased from the current one fish to five fish until the end of the year. Here’s a detailed reference sheet on the NJ Saltwater Fishing Regulations, Size and Bag Limits.

The inshore – midshore tuna fishing continues to be excellent with lots of fish just about daily. Fish are being caught by boats trolling bally dressed with HooMagic and Shutes as well as casting stickbaits, worms and poppers. Stop in the shop for details on these.

Here at Fisherman’s Headquarters, we have all of the necessary gear for fall fishing, including rods, reels, lures, clothing, boots and much more. Stop by and shop our broad selection of fishing tackle as well as cold weather fishing gear; bibs, jackets, boots and gloves!

Looks like a really good weather window tomorrow, Monday, Oct 28, so we are headed offshore for tuna. Bluefin will be the target. We are bringing 30 to 80 class gear because the size range of these fish are all over the place. We will be drifting and bait fishing. Live bait whenever possible. You’re welcome to jig and throw poppers, we will have all of that onboard, as well. 

I have my sites on the Atlantic Princess to start for big bluefin and then working our way back through Little Italy for a shot at all size fish.

Open Boat Tuna: Monday Oct 28, 4AM to 4PM $450 person. 4 people max. All fish are shared.

Thank you,

Dave

Dave DeGennaro

Hi Flier Sportfishing

732.330.5674 cell

hiflier.com