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.