LBI Fishing Report Update – October 8, 2018

We had an awesome weekend on LBI with the 64th LBI Surf Fishing Classic Kick Off. The opening day seminar had a great turn out and all feedback from attendees was great. The Island was jumping with the Tournament, Kite Festival and the 18 Mile Run.

Finally the Fall Sea Bass Season Is Here! The New Jersey Black Sea Bass Fishing season is now open, October 8th to October 31st. During this time it’s a 12.5″ minimum size with a 10 fish bag limit. On November 1st to the end of the calendar year the bag limit increases to 15 fish with a 13″ minimum size.

Things are settling down after one of the longest swells (from a single source) in a very long time… possibly ever. What’s the word on the fishing front?

LBI Surf Fishing Report

The Mullet Run is still going strong! They were pouring by yesterday but it’s slowing down. It’s been a great run that will stack up against some of the best. There’s no debate, it’s the best and longest in a long time!

Blues are cruising in good numbers. Small ones in the snapper to cocktail range (1-3 pounds) are very common. We hope the larger class move in from offshore and hit the surf! Fish mullet, cut bunker or plugs.

Here’s a fishing report that was sent in by Robert Gernert, “It was a great weekend fishing the mid island surf. There was no time for rod resting! I caught a total of 14 cocktail blues Friday and Saturday. Each day in only a few hour of high tide with everything was on mullet rigs and chunking bunker. WOW! What a lot of catch-n-release fun! Thank you Fish Heads staff for getting me set. The mullet was the ticket. Now back to PA for bowhunting some deer!

Barnegat Inlet Fishing

On the jetty tog fishing is very good. Anglers fishing crabs are producing. October is traditionally a stellar month for land based tog fishing. We expect it to only get better.

Triggerfish and Sheepshead are also here in good numbers. Tog anglers are getting some good sized ones fishing jig heads tipped with crabs.

 

Barnegat Bay Fishing Report

In the bay blowfish, weakfish, small blues and striped bass are present. Those anglers anchoring up and chumming are raising fish. Clamming will yield blowfish and shrimping will attract weakfish. Working the flats, islands and sod banks with small lures and softbaits will get the striped bass to bite.

Offshore Big Game Fishing Report

With offshore anglers chomping at the bit, there’s finally a downward trend in swell. But it doesn’t look to totally let up anytime soon. With fair to marginal weather some bigger boats pushed off this weekend (Saturday/Sunday) to go on the hunt. Most found some life.

Captain Jeff Warford on the Reel Innovation reported, “No sword bites but the mahi were thick. We ended up with over 50 in the box.”

Captain Cody Melton of Jersey Nuts Sportfishing Charters sailing out of Brielle reported, “We found solid bluefin action for our overnight charters this weekend. Landed a 46″ and a 48″ bluefin while releasing a few more. Added a nice pile of mahi to round out the haul. Overall it was good fishing. Spots are available so contact us to get in on the bite!” Call Cody at 609-354-2734

Here’s a report from the Miss Barnegat Light… “This weekend’s canyon trip started off with a limit of mahi on Saturday afternoon. After heading off the edge we setup a drift in 75 degree water. Within the first hour we a nice longfin albacore was on the deck. About an hour later we released a short swordfish. On our second drift we caught a 240 pound swordfish that ate a squid. A short time later we added a 90 pound swordfish and released another short. Unfortunately that was it for the night. At sunrise a white marlin came up on a free lined live squid.”

Looking for a deep sea adventure? Jump aboard the Miss Barnegat Light for a 30 hour Offshore Tuna Trip. Sailing every weekend in October, one tuna trip per weekend, $450 per person. Reservations Required… Call 609-494-2094 to book today.

Fish Head Charters

Last trip out (a few days ago) I had Tim White aboard for a dawn patrol light tackle trip with focus on fly fishing. Tim started the day off right with a bite on his first cast. It turned out to be a toothy one (small blue) that chewed the fly off. From there it was slow but we did the best we could to look around and try different areas. While on the hunt we found a striped bass and a couple bluefish. Towards the end of the trip things came together like a flip of a switch. A feeding frenzy broke out with bass, blues and albies. They were pushing bait and on the feed. Our sights were set for albies but we didn’t connect. The other game fish outnumbered them.

With summer further in the distance and cooler night becoming the usually the local waters begin to cool. Sunday morning’s bay temperature at the top of the tide in Barnegat Light was 66 degrees. I expect this slow drop to continue and with it an influx of migrating and hungry game fish. With the October New Moon tonight I anticipate promising progress in our fall fishery.

Looking back on last October it was very similar to this year. The month started off with lots of bait staged up and on the move with resident striped bass and small blues on the feed. It kicked off strong mid month with phenomenal false albacore fishing, larger bluefish and also live baiting (spot and eels) striped bass. The classy stripers appeared in the inshore waters mid to late month and that’s when things really got rolling. I’m geared up and looking forward to fishing ahead.

~ Captain Greg Cudnik, Call: 609-389-9963

Hot New Product in Penn SSVI Series

Select sizes of the all new Penn Spinfisher VI Series are in stock now. Stop by to check them out. The entire/complete product line is anticipated very soon!

With major advancements to both the gearing it’s the best in performance and reliability at an unbeatable price the VI Series offers saltwater anglers the best in class!

The Penn Spinfisher VI is everything a saltwater spinning reel should be; smooth, powerful and built to last! With sizes ranging between 2500-10500, there is a Spinfisher VI for every saltwater fishing application. The ALL NEW 2500 SIZE is perfect for fishing the backwater flats, light tackle inshore, surf and kayak. The 2500 is the smallest and lightest sealed reel available.

Being a long time Penn Warranty Repair Center, Fisherman’s Headquarters knows reels. We fish them. We repair them. We field test them. The crew here put the screws to the VI Series and they stood up to the test catching trophy striped bass (last fall and spring) and big brown sharks (all summer long). We love them! If you have any questions about the reels give us a call.

Upcoming Fishing Event

The Maximilian Foundation’s 4th Annual All Boat Tournament and Family Fish Fry is Saturday November 3, 2018. The mandatory Captain’s Meeting is Friday November 2, 2018 at 7pm at the Manahawkin Elks Lodge located at 520 Hilliard Blvd., Manahawkin. For the schedule of events and more information go to… www.theMaximilianFoundation.org