609-494-5739 This past year was a good one with some great fishing throughout the year. We have a lot to celebrate and also look forward to in 2024. From the entire team at Fishermans Headquarters, Happy New Year! We wish you all the best in the new year.
In celebration of New Year’s Day the store will be closed, Monday January 1, 2024. On Tuesday we will be back at the helm on our winter hours; 7AM to 7PM for now but that might be cut back another hour or two so stay tuned or call to confirm.
Reminder with the new year come some changes…
- Tog is now at a 4 fish bag limit, Jan 1- Feb 28th
- Black Sea Bass season is closed, opens May 17th (pending regulation changes)
- Striped bass fishing is closed in the back bays and rivers until March 1st. Until then only surf and ocean is open.
- NJ Striped Bass Bonus Program is closed effective 1/1/2024, Logs are due by 1/12/2024
- Remember to renew your recreational saltwater fishing registry! New for 2024 the process is done through the NJ Fish & Wildlife licenses and permits web portal.
2023 ends but there’s more gas in the tank! Fish on!
Even on the last day of the year, there’s still some good fishing taking place by both beach and boat anglers.
Yesterday Nate Kirby and his uncle enjoyed some time fishing the surf and caught a couple stripers. Nate said the teaser was getting it done. Today Joe Handley caught a 26″ striped bass fishing the mid island surf on clam. He reported an active whale and some birds in the area so that means there’s bait present. One can assume bunker and or sandeels. Another LBI surf fishing report came in from Gary Grippaldi when he stopped by the shop to pick up his LBI Surf Fishing Classic Surf Master’s Award for catching the combine total three largest striped bass in the catch and release division. His combined 113 points (~inches) scored him a glass engraved plaque, a custom fishing lure lot and a $100 Fish Heads Gift Card. He shared, “Still a couple little guys around!”
Boat anglers have gotten after the bass too! In recent days great blitz fishing was reported by a number of customers fishing the near shore waters of LBI, IBSP and Seaside. Captain Steve aboard the Reel Fantasea has put his clients on fish all year and the last couple days of the year were icing on the cake. Capt Steve said the fishing was on fire!
December and January are prime time for tog!
Right now is the time to get after big tog. Fishing has not been as good as previous years, possibly due to a variety of reasons. The recent storm was the biggest swell the area has seen in many years and that surly spin up the bottom and shuffled things. Also the past couple years have put much more pressure on the stock now that compared to ten years ago. New anglers targerting the species, new tackle advancements as well as new technologies being adopted by the masses like trolling motors (GPS anchor) and high resolution chartography. These make anglers much more efficient. Ok so the tog fishing isn’t lights out epic, BUT there are limit catches and some double digit trophies hitting the deck. What more can you ask for? Whether fishing the rig or the jig get live white and/or green crabs and hit your favorite wreck or reef site.
