Month: September 2025

We have a breezy northerly flow is here today with long period surf in the 2-3’+ range. And LOTS MORE swell on the way! Strong surf from Humberto will be pumping tomorrow. The mullet run continues on and the goldenrod is popping. It’s looking seasonably like autumn however the hot humid days like yesterday have déjà vu setting in, feeling more like summer. With October just a few days away we expect this week’s weather to be a prominent switch into the true autumn fishing season.

Fluke season now closed however tautog – tog – blackfish fishing is in full swing.  The tog bite from the Barnegat Inlet Jetty has significantly picked up this past week.  Also another wave of triggerfish have showed and there’s still some sheepshead and occasional black drum being caught.

On the surf, kingfish and pompano continue in the suds as well as bluefish.

With the peanut bunker, spearing and mullet all schooled up and moving around the bay, waters in close proximity to the inlet and adjacent beaches, the bluefish are active and eating well. Some resident striped bass are also fired up and feeding at the right times, tides and locations. On the last blow they really came alive so there’s no reason to not expect a repeat with this upcoming Nor’easter. Lures to match the hatch as well as live baits like eels and spot are best for striped bass.

This time of year can offer some of the best crabbing and clamming in the area.

Come October 1st, New Jersey’s black sea bass season opens up with a 10 fish bag limit at a 12.5″ minimum size. Come November the bag limit increases to 15 fish. This fishery should be good right to the end of the year. Reports from those wreck fishing the limited weather window on the final stretch of fluke season, reported they are waiting for us!

2025 NJ Saltwater Fishing Regulations

Offshore the yellowfin bite has been very good with mahi in the mix too. The bite was on both jigging and chunking but offshore fishing will be off limits due to weather this week.

LBI Surf Fishing Classic

A full month in and it’s safe to say the one month early start this year was a great change. All positive feedback with really good catches too. As of today, 300 total anglers have entered 26 kingfish, 26 fluke, 13 bass, 21 blues and 15 tog. With flounder fishing season now over and closed that’s one less species however there’s… many others to fish for. We should have a couple more weeks of kingfish and the whole fall for striped bass, blues and tog. There’s lots of great fishing ahead. Sign Up Today! For more info… www.LBIFT.com

Striped Bass Public Comment

This is the final week to submit your public comment on striped bass for Addendum III to Amendment 7. Please take the time to share your comment on Section 3.0 Proposed Management Options with the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission. Fisheries managers need to hear from as many anglers as possible. For all that missed the local and virtual meetings, it’s not too late.

Please don’t pull the “no time” excuse… the online survey is quick and easy! Whether you agree with me or not, that’s fine. I encourage all striped bass anglers to submit comments. The deadline is Friday October 3 at 11:59pm EST.

For complete details – Atlantic Striped Bass Draft Addendum III

Section 3.0 Proposed Management Options has four sections and each has options.

3.1 Method to Measure Total Length

Status quo lacks coast wide total length definition which leaves too much grey area. It is especially important with the three inch slot limit that there is a coastwide standard. For this reason I support Option B. Here in New Jersey it is already defined as a straight line measurement with the fish laid flat, mouth closed and a squeeze of the tail to achieve the longest length possible.This should be adopted coast wide for consistency.

3.2 Commercial Tagging: Point of Tagging

Right now there is too much room for dishonest behavior. To prevent Option B would mandate tagging at point of harvest, immediately upon possession. It is a timely hassle on the water for harvesters; however it’s the only option to remove dishonesty. 

*Striped bass should be a game fish like it is here in New Jersey, no commercial fishing. But that isn’t on the table.

3.3 Maryland Chesapeake Bay Rec. Season Baseline

I’m not well versed in the Maryland CBay seasons and details so I’ll leave this to others with more knowledge on the area. Status Quo or Option C – with 10%+ buffer. Maryland is responsible for 80% of the stock and is a critical area coast wide.

3.4 Reduction in fishery removals to support stock rebuilding 

With regards to this public comment period and the proposed management options, this is where the tough decisions and debates reside.

I do NOT support no target closures. I do not support mode split.

I believe that Option A – Status Quo is the right decision at this time. It technically only provides a 30% chance of rebuilding by the 2029 deadline based on the assumptions and projections. The very restrictive emergency coastwide (ocean recreational fishery) slot limit has been in place since the deadline of July 2, 2023. It is working to protect and rebuild SSB as shown in Figure 1 (SSB has increased since the recent low in 2018). However, since 2018 recruitment has been poor. The 2024 stock assessment update states the striped bass stock is not experiencing overfishing (F = 0.18, below the threshold of 0.21) but remains overfished (SSB = 191 million pounds, below the threshold of 197 million pounds). This is the same as it was in the 2022 assessment. SSB increased in 2023 but it’s still 6 million pounds short.

The 2027 Benchmark Stock Assessment is coming soon (expected early 2027) and will include 2025 data. This will provide a comprehensive update on striped bass. Taking action now with closures will not move the needle in time for the 2027 assessment and therefore not provide meaningful data for management decisions. Enacting closures now will then only become even more strict if the 2027 assessment isn’t positive. With six years of low recruitment and the striped bass technical committee (TC) assumption that 2025 fishing mortality is predicted to increase with 2018 year class entering the slot, there’s a good chance cuts will be coming eventually. As the TC previously presented, “(an) additional year of data under the same management regulations would inform a better estimate for upcoming assessments.”

We are NOT in a over fishing crisis… we are in a recruitment crisis.

We were on track however due to preliminary 2024 MRIP (marine recreational information program) estimates the 50% chance of rebuilding fell to 30%. These current events, this entire push for further reductions, stems from the short-term swings in the recreational FES (fisheries effort survey) data. Peer reviewed and NOAA internal evaluations have documented possible effort (MRIP-FES) inflations by  30%+. The board must temper reliance on preliminary estimates for urgent action.

What we have is a stretched out rebuilding process to a lofty rebuilding target that was set at an all time high in the striped bass fishery. Due to seven consecutive poor recruitment years it is becoming harder to achieve in the ten year timeline of the fisheries management plan. As the deadline nears, action requires more strict action to meet the timeline.

As per Figure 2, striped bass fishing mortality is at 20+ year low and below target levels so further reductions risk unnecessary socioeconomic harm without improving recruitment. With no strong year classes behind the 2018’s… how long do we wait trying to survive on low recruitment. I want to believe that the Chesapeake Bay is capable of making a comeback, but I’m losing hope. There’s too many issues and no one has control over many of them. Moreover, many of these issues date back decades. What has been done about many of these important issues that were identified in the 80’s… nothing.

Myriad Of Issues That Striped Bass Face

Inside The Scope Of The Board

• Forage: Herring and bunker are two major forage species that are not in great shape. ASMFC manages the harvest levels for both of these.
• Invasive Species: Blue catfish and cormorant populations are booming and their predation on young striped bass is detrimental to the rebuilding plan. Blue cat’s were deliberately introduced to the CBay by the state of Virginia in the 70’s and 80’s. They grow VERY large and are thriving, expanded and competing with native fish and forage in the many rivers and tributaries of the CBay.
• Enforcement: Rules are in place but worthless if not enforced. Poaching is out of control, but judges don’t prosecute and don’t drop the hammer.

Outside The Scope Of The Board

• Weather Variability: temperature, rain, river flow, salinity, changes disrupt cues for striped bass reproduction.
• Zoo Plankton: a make or break factor that is a critical link in the food chain. We can have perfect spawning conditions but if zooplankton aren’t present in the right amount and at the right time it all fails.
• Runoff: It doesn’t help that the nation’s largest chicken producers are concentrated in the tidal tributary watershed where striped bass spawn. Nitrogen and phosphorus fuel algae blooms and then lead to hypoxic (low oxygen) zones that stress habitats. Reduced SAV (submerged aquatic vegetation)
  • Endocrine Disrupters: A silent stressor in the CBay. These chemicals interfere with hormones of fish as well as other animals and people. Sources include treated sewage effluent, agriculture runoff,  industrial discharge
• Mycobacteriosus – VIMS study detailed 50-70% of adult striped bass in CBay show signs of mycobacteriosis.

Commercial fishing is not the crux of the problem, however, I have a major issue with the direct targeting and harvesting of striped bass 35”+ by Massachusetts’ open access commercial rod and reel fishery. It must be reformed. Ballers fun fishing and selling striped bass has gone on for far too long, especially the out of state anglers cashing in. Limited access, lottery or better yet close it all together and support striped bass as a gamefish!

I must ask… How many more poor spawns until there is a serious look at hatcheries? It’s expensive and risks the strong genetics of striped bass, but what other potential fixes can be done? 

It’s not on the table but I suggest an alternative course of action.

1. Protecting forage (menhaden/herring) – Ask the Menhaden Board to adopt more precautionary measures, tighten the CBay’s cap as well as adjust coast wide quotas. For herring, in collaboration with states and NOAA prioritize fish passage and dam removal in rivers to improve spawning runs
2. Curbing predator impacts (blue catfish, cormorants) – Create demand both recreational and commercial to better target and sell blue cats as they are a great source of protein. Urge the USFWS to open up a waterfowl hunting season for cormorants or depredation permits.
3. Ensuring compliance & enforcement – As mentioned previously, fines must be increased and the pressure must be put on better enforcement and prosecution to reduce poaching.
4. Prepare a hatchery feasibility study – At minimum the Commission should revisit hatchery supplementation as a contingency option if poor spawns continue.

The weekend marine forecast looks great! We will be running Open Boat trips for Bonita or Yellowfin Tuna on Saturday Sept 27 and Bonita on Monday Sept 29. I will go with what the majority picks to fish for on Saturday. Monday is Bonita only, as per the forecast.

Here’s what’s going on. There are Yellowfin Tuna 55 to 65 miles from our inlet. They have settled in to this area and are hitting bait more than anything else. Every day there are a few taken on jigs, as well. No trolling whatsoever. Day chunking is the technique. Live bait is working the best, and we are well stocked with that. In my opinion, this is as exciting as fishing gets. Not just fishing in NJ, fishing anywhere. You have to experience slow feeding a weightless bait into a chunk line, expecting a tuna to eat it any minute, and then the spool goes from 0 to 30 mph. 

No experience necessary. You don’t need a thing. We have everything you need on board. Just bring whatever you want to eat and drink for the time we are out. If you have a favorite rod, bring it, let’s see if we can’t blow it up!

I sailed this past Friday with a light rail of me and two anglers. Went to the “magic spot” where they had them solid just 24 hours earlier, and us, and two dozen other boats caught nothing for two and a half hours plus. On the way out, I throttled back on a whale, a slick, and two chick birds in a tight area. I didn’t read anything on our slow roll through, and I thought I should get to where they had them yesterday. If I had any courage, I would have threw some chunks and put a few rods out. Instead, I never put a rod out, but at least I marked it as a waypoint. After not catching at the spot, we had a quick meeting and I suggested we hit that spot where we saw the life. All agreed. When we arrived, we immediately saw a few chick birds. Enough to go on the drift. Not a soul on the horizon. Started slinging the chunks heavy and after 30 minutes, I saw a boil pretty far back in the slick, and then another….and another! Pretty soon we had 40 to 50 pound yellowfins eating every floating peanut bunker in the slick. The rods were not going off but it was something to see. We changed things up and I had these guys on my heavy spinning gear casting live and fresh dead peanut bunker into the boiling fish and they started hooking up. I can’t describe the mayhem or how we lost so many fish, but we went 1 for 7 in two hours of feeding these fish. One broken rod, a few busted off on the 30 lb flouro the rods were rigged with, so many more blunders. Mark Marquez, who some of you may remember, used to run Fishing Reports Now, a NJ website with fishing reports, finally got one close enough to stick with a gaff…….Thank you Mark! There is no greater jump in numbers than between 0 and 1, when you are fishing. We had lines is by 3PM, started cleaning up for the ride home, and put the numbers on the VHF for those close by. Before we throttled up, there were six boats on us. I hope they connected. 

We are drifting or anchoring on the 15 to 25 mile lumps for bonita, albies, and a few spanish mackerel. All bait and jigs, no trolling. Catching them on spinning rods. They are great sport on this tackle and bonita are delicious. 

Sailing Open Boat Tuna or Bonita on Saturday Sept 27, your choice, whichever gets the most people interested:

4AM to 4PM, $450 person, 4 people max, all fish are shared. 

Open Boat Bonita: Monday, Sept 29. 7AM to 3PM $300 person, 4 people max, all fish are shared.

It’s a great time of year to be fishing. There is something unique about the ferocity of these species when the migration kicks off. You feel it in every hookup.

Stop in to Fishermans Headquarters for insight from their guys who know these fisheries inside and out. They have all the bait, lures, gear, and intel from the most helpful “no ego” guys who just want you to have the best day on the water.

Thank you,

Dave

Dave DeGennaro

Hi Flier Sportfishing

732.330.5674 cell

hiflier.com

Pic: Mark Marquez of Williamstown, NJ with his 40 pound yellowfin he bested on a spinning rod and live peanut bunker.

The recent blow gave us two days of foul weather but good fishing. With the mullet mayhem, it’s safe to say the mullet run is on! There’s still a variety of species on tap; tog, kingfish, bluefish, fluke, striped bass, sheepshead and a few pompano among others.

South Philly Fred stopped by the shop to pick up his Van Staal after an annual service and then heading up to the north end. He reported back, “The mullet are everywhere and the bass are snapping. It’s winds and raining but it’s on! On my second cast the Bomber Windcheater got smoked. Then a few minutes later got another, much bigger one. It was a good mullet run bass about 20#.

LBI Surf Fishing Classic

The 2025 derby is off to a strong start. Check out the live results and weigh-in log for details. Now’s a great time to sign up and participate in this fall fishing event.

Striped Bass Comment Period

The striped bass public comment period is NOW for Addendum III to Amendment 7. The deadline is Friday October 3, 2025 11:59PM.

For all that attend the local meeting this past week in Manahawkin… Thank You. It was a great meeting with lots of questions and answers, but unfortunately there was not a strong attendance. I was expecting a packed house and a long line for public comment but that wasn’t the case.

For those that missed it, there’s still time. All you need to know is published here… It’s super easy to comment online via survey form. Please do it now.

Atlantic Striped Bass Draft Addendum III

We never sailed our Open Boat Tuna this past Monday. I pulled the plug Sunday night because when they updated the marine forecast, the NE wind had a little more velocity and it was going to come earlier in the day than originally forecasted.

This Friday Sept 19 looks really good. Light winds and a nice ocean are what is predicted so far. We are headed to the yellowfin grounds, 50 to 70 mile range. Day chunking with fresh, frozen, and live bait. We will have jigging rods set up, as well. 

Open Boat Yellowfin Tuna 4AM to 4PM, $450 person, 4 people max, all fish are shared. Everything is provided. 

I’ll be at the marina all day Thursday getting ready so call or text me on my cell below is the best way to get me.

Beyond Friday we will be sailing for bonita in the 15 to 20 mile range, no trolling, all bait and lures on light tackle. We will also be fishing the bay and inlet for fluke, bluefish, blowfish, and an assortment of other characters on ultralite rods.

Hope to see you on board!

Thank you,

Dave

Dave DeGennaro

Hi Flier Sportfishing

732.330.5674 cell

hiflier.com

After numerous public service announcement, I continue to share again and again. Sure most know by now but a lot do not. If I can help just one more, I did my part.

Here’s some more details on the hazard…

Notice To Mariners

There is shoaling in the main channel near the inlet, just west of the Barnegat Lighthouse. The sandbar has grown south over the past couple months and encroached on the channel. The most hazardous shoaling is in the area of the 16 nun (red buoy). For those transiting the area, simply do not run close to the red side and all is good. There’s plenty of safe water, just don’t get close to 16.

The following photos provide helpful details. The photo below shows the sandbar in the channel west of 16 nun.

The photo below is the exact same as above with the yellow overlay to identify the shoaling along the north side of the channel near buoy 16.

The photo below shows the shoaling at 16 as well as the rip that forms on the outgoing tide.

Here on Long Beach Island the ocean surf temps are straddling high-60s/low-70s but soon we’ll see a flip of the switch and things will get colder. Let’s hope we have another week or two of these great September sessions. It really has felt like fall since Erin. The recent full moon nudged schools of peanut bunker and mullet closer towards the inlets. With some of the traffic lights already blinking yellow the Island looks like fall. Here’s the fishing report update for the Long Beach Island area for Sunday September 14, 2025. Be sure to check out my latest fishing report video from Friday linked below.

For the most part things are the same from my last report… there’s a variety of things going on.

If you want fast bend-the-rod fishing, start at Barnegat Inlet rocks for blackfish (tog / tautog) with green crabs or sand fleas. Tog fishing has been active since the season opened (lots of shorts, better size class should show as temps tick down). Sand flea soakers are occasionally finding sheepshead too.

Fluke are still in play fishing the bay’s main channels and inlet as well as the surf. The biggest are coming from the deeper edges and on bigger baits. Here’s a 12# 30″ fluke that was caught yesterday by Jimmy Nacion fishing live bait inside.

Channels, inlet, rocks and surf are producing as well as nearshore wrecks/reefs when sea conditions allow. The NJ Fluke season runs through Sept 25 (last day to fish) so don’t delay at scoring the final inning of 2025/s summer flounder fishing season. Below is Jared Zaum who sent in this photo of his recent catch. This 23″ 5# fluke was caught off the Barnegat Inlet rocks. This is the main funnel where fluke slide out on their way offshore for the fall and winter.

Anglers fishing the inshore waters are finding a variety of fishing. There’s tog and fluke. While the water is warm, there will be cobia, mahi and triggerfish too. Also here… albies! Tony Butch shared this report from yesterday, “What a day! We set out this morning hunting for cobia and caught a 40#. Then switched gears to bottom fishing and boxed up a couple tog. Then we put a hurt on the fluke… 3 man limit with Fish Heads Alumni Bill having the largest at 7#.”

Captain Greg Carr aboard LBI Charters reports, “It has been a 9 days since we sailed due to a stretch of poor weather. Saturday was good so we went out fluke fishing. Didn’t expect much and it’s kind of what we got. Some life at times with some beautiful sea bass going back (season is closed until October; October 10 fish bag and then November and December 15 fish bag). My guys fished hard and ended with 10 keeper fluke and a couple XL triggerfish.” One is photoed below. Looking to get our fishing with Captain Greg give him a call at 856.2640319.

In the surf, expect bluefish with shots at kingfish, fluke and possibly pompano. You might even get a striped bass. The bass will become more common along the surf and jetty areas as the peanut bunker, bay anchovies and mullet get moving. Keep an eye out for life along the edges as that’s where mullet trickles through.

The LBI Surf Fishing Classic started a month early and runs through Nov 30 with daily and weekly prizes for kingfish, bluefish, striped bass, tog and fluke. It has been a strong start. Glenn Curtis (above) caught this 3.25# bluefish off the surf and currently holds the lead in the LBI Surf Fishing Classic. For full details on the surf fishing tournament check out… www.LBISFC.com

Did you see the bullshark video we posted on Instagram? If not watch this crazy one now. Yes there was a couple nights where the boys, Austin Pounds and friends Jetty Jockeys got into them and it wasn’t just one. Crazy!!!! I question and ask are these guys just showing up for a long around or were they here all summer and just leaving now?

Weather looks good for this Monday Sept 15 so we are headed offshore to the yellowfin tuna grounds. Good size fish, 40 to 60 lb, and the best part is, it’s all on bait. My absolute favorite fishery on the planet….day chunking tuna! We will have jigging rods also, if you prefer, but most of the fish have been hitting bait. It’s about 70 miles to the grounds, so crash out in one of our beanbag chairs and we”ll wake you when we get there. We have everything you need onboard, just bring whatever you like to eat and drink. If you have a favorite rod, lure, gear,….bring it, but we have enough of everything for everybody. No experience necessary!

Open Boat Tuna: Monday Sept 15 4AM to 4PM. $450 person, 4 people max, all fish are shared. Call to reserve a spot.

Thank you,

Dave

Dave DeGennaro

Hi Flier Sportfishing

732.330.5674 cell

hiflier.com

Finally! There is a weather window coming up this weekend. Sat, Sun, and Mon have light winds, nice sea conditions, and no rain. We are headed to the bonita grounds. We will be chumming with spearing and using spinning rods. There are some albacore mixed in, as well. We will be using both bait and lures. If you have never done this type of fishing, it is a blast. Both the bonita and albies are great sport on light tackle. They burn line off the reel, and while the albies are inedible, the bonita are delicious! Any way you prepare tuna, you can prepare bonita……including sashimi. As long as you take the time to bleed and slush them, which we do. We have everything you need on board, just bring whatever you like to eat and drink for the time we are out. If you have a favorite rod or two, bring them, but just know I have enough rods, tackle, and lures for everyone.

Open Boat Bonita: Saturday Sept 13, Sunday Sept 14, and Monday Sept 15. 6AM to 2PM. $300 person. 4 people max. All fish are shared.

These dates, and every day are also available for your private charter. When the ocean is too sporty we are fishing the bay for fluke and blowfish. When I see a perfection weather window, we will jump out for yellowfin tuna. They are in the 70 mile range right now.

Hope to see you on board!

Thank you,

Dave

Dave DeGennaro

Hi Flier Sportfishing

732.330.5674 cell

hiflier.com

As the summer wanes and we approach the fall equinox anglers fishing the waters of Long Beach Island enjoy a good variety. During the transition there’s a smorgasbord of different species on tap. No one is stealing the spotlight, but that may change as the days continues to shorten and the weather and water temperatures cool. The full moon has sparked change and bait is moving. Here’s the Long Beach Island Fishing Report Update for Tuesday September 9, 2025. Check out my latest fishing report video from Monday 9/8/25.

Recent catches & Fishing Opportunities…

Monday morning Fish Heads Alumni Erik Hawrylo weighed in a striped bass for the LBI Surf Fishing Classic. He caught the 9.62# bass, 30-5/8″ line sider fishing the night shift. It went for a small NLBN paddle tail fished with the special E$ retrieve and twitch. His photo is part of the video thumbnail above. The past couple weeks has offered really great early seasons striped bass action for anglers fishing both lures and live eels. Here’s a link for more info on the LBI Surf Fishing Classic tournament and live results.

Keith Soycher weighed in a 5.68# sheepshead on Sunday. His photo is part of the video thumbnail above. Tog action has been good, but not a lot of keepers or bigger fish to be had. However anglers are catching and having fun using rigs and jigs baited with sand fleas or green crabs. We just got a restock on the Bottom Sweeper Jigs which are standout OG’s for their shape (many have tried to copy) and their small hook yet strong hook. They are still one of it not the best tog and sheepshead jigs.

Brandy Hillegass weighed in a 13-3/8″ 0.90# kingfish yesterday afternoon. She caught it on mullet and reported it was a great morning on the surf. “Lots of blues and almost as many kingfish, two small fluke and a shark.” Her daughter Savanah Hillegass weighed in a 17-1/4″ 1.90# bluefish on Sunday.

Another kingfish report came in yesterday from Dave Groeber who fished the mid-island suds. He too caught some nice size kingfish on small pieces of frozen mullet.

Kingfish have been spotty some days and some areas. We expect them to stick around another week or two, maybe more (fingers crossed). Pompano are still here being picked by anglers targeting kingfish. They most likely will be gone soon as the surf temperature is in the low 70’s. To catch kings while they are here tie on a small hook rig with or without floats baited with Fishbites, bloodworms, small pieces of mullet / salted clam / squid… small sand fleas also work.

Jamie Gramley shared Monday he was catching cocktail blues and fluke off the Long Beach Island surf. Fish Gulp or mullet to score these guys.

In the bay there’s snappers and cocktail blues depending on the areas. Some channels have plenty of fluke too. Store Alumni Sam shared he got a bunch of fish (40+, but few keepers) working a main thoroughfare a few days back. Blowfish action has not ramped up but there’s some around. You might get more spot and croakers than blow toads. Live bait striped bass anglers aren’t complaining as it’s a great opportunity to load up the pens for the fall run.

Albies have offered light tackle line pulling for for a couple weeks now. Spotty some days but It has been good some days and then others spotty. Expect them to be on deck for the next couple weeks chasing bait out front.

It’s about that time… Jersey Mullet Run!

Offshore – Yellowfin, Tilefish, Swords – Alec Derita shared a report from a recent trip… “I grabbed some rigged Baitmaster tentacles sword baits from you guys last minute before we ran offshore. Landed this nice pointy one.”