LBI's Premier Fishing Report By Fishermans Headquarters
Author: FishHead.Greg
Greg Cudnik is a Long Beach Island native with lifelong experience fishing and navigating the local waters. He is a distinguished Master Captain—the highest level of operator licensing—holding a U.S. Coast Guard Masters 50-Ton Near Coastal License with Towing Endorsement.
Raised in and now managing his family’s bait and tackle business, Fisherman’s Headquarters (est. 1962, The Saltwater Fishing Bait & Tackle Experts), Greg is immersed in fishing on a daily basis. He is the Chief Contributor of FishingLBI.com, Long Beach Island’s leading fishing report blog, and serves as the administrator of Fisherman’s Headquarters’ social media channels on Instagram and Facebook, where he shares real-time fishing reports, conditions, and tactics. Be sure to follow along.
Although the weather was not the best, today was a great day of fishing. I headed out early with Chris Colasante of Surf City and we started off with tight lines quick. Live spot had stripers piling on every drift. Thanks to Captain Mark from Laura Sportfishing for offing some live baits at the dock in the morning. It paid off big time because the little striped ones did not want to touch our lures. After boat pressure took over we headed up the beach into dicey seas. With the forecast calling for easing winds we figured a trek north to the promise land was a good bet. The ride was long and bumpy but it paid off big time. We got into the same body of classy fish in the 20-30 class live lining bunker.
Here’s Chris C with one of the nice bass we caught today.
On our way back we crossed paths with Captain Cody aboard the Heavy Metals heading out to the grounds. Turns out they got into the fish too and some bigger ones!!! This evening the crew weighed in a 48.4 pound monster bass they got live linging bunker.
Here’s a photo from the Heavy Metals Crew.
Now is the time to get out fishing! Both the beach and boat offer great opportunities to catch migrating striped bass.
Anglers fishing the surf are catching bass fishing cut bunker. The entire stretch of beach is worth a shot. Recently reports came in from the north, mid and south end. Tuesday morning we got a call from the town of Holgate on the south end that spoke of a whale breaking on bait. Monday morning there were two whales on a big mass of bunker right at the mouth of Barnegat Inlet. These whales are also up the beach along IBSP and further north.
The he LBI Surf Fishing Class surf fishing tournament is active. For updated results go to the tournament website at www.LBIFT.com.
Today Wednesday November 15 is the last day of tog at the one fish bag limit. Starting Tomorrow November 16th the bag limit goes up to 6 fish until the end of the year. Sea Bass is 15 fish bag limit at 12.5″ this is until the end of the year when it closes.
Wreck fishing reports are strong. Mike D was out fishing a piece of structure not far off and said the tog fishing was very good. Anglers fishing the Barnegat Inlet Jetty are still into tog on a daily basis.
Tuesday was another great day of fishing. I got out early with store staffer Dan and run up the beach. We pulled into where I had them yesterday and the screen lit up. In 25-30’ of water the sounder was reading 8’ with big bass blobs on the side scan. Dan casted out and before I pulled the boat out of gear… “I got one!” Dan exclaimed. I told him, “Nice, let the bunker drop down. The blobs are deep.” “NO! I got a fish!” As the drag goes screaming! It started off with a bang and continued for us. Every single drift we had one or more fish until 9am when it slowed up.
My biggest bass of the day pulled the Boga Grip to 40 pounds.
We even raised some bass on top water lures. Again the Doc Top Water Spook was the MVP! For me in the past two days, this lure has produced more than a dozen fish… most in the 30 pound class. Over the years, I was told by some sharp striped bass hunters that I had to have this lure. I’m ashamed to say I never took action.
One of the best top water spook baits for striped bass, the Doc!
Big thanks the Stormr and Grundens for making top quality foul weather gear. Here at Fisherman’s Headquarters we are proud to be an elite dealer with both brands. Running a center console fishing boat I depend on their gear’s performance. I can say neither have ever let me down. This past weekend I was happy to be warm and today I was happy to be dry.
We got a weigh in and report today from Ken Daimond and Ray Hartmax. They were out trolling off of LBI’s mid-island beaches. They reported good fishing catching quality bass on Mann’s Stretch deep diving plugs. They had a couple fish in the thirty class; 33 & 37#.
One for the record book! Today’s fishing was the real deal. Definitely in the top ten best bass on bunker bites I’ve experiences on the New Jersey Coast. The cold snap really turned it on.
Bass On Bunker Explosions!!!
I got out on the water earlier this morning. Ran up the beach in the dark and found massive piles of bass blasting bunker out of the water. The first two hours were great with classy bass blasting top water lures. With only one or two boats in the area with what seemed like every boat in the world flying north like a flock of geese in summer. Fortunately they were just a bit too far off the beach to see the unfolding mayhem frothing on top. By about 8-9 the masses came in and everyone was in on it. By that time it turned into a snag and drop bite which was very consistent for a good length of time.
For me the Doc Top Water Spook was the MVP. Big hungry bass just can’t resist the Doc’s slow top water walk the dog action. In my opinion, nothing beats a top water explosion especially from a trophy striped bass.
By all accounts, fishing was great. I lost count with the biggest 42 pounds on the boga grip, three in the 30 class and numerous twenties and teens. Here’s to many more bunker breakfast sessions like this right into the Holiday Season.
Here’s Tim W from the Boobie Trap.
Store staffer Dave was on the water with his buddy Chad. Dave reported, “We smoked the beast! Legendary snag and drop session today. We had a dozen fish up to 45 inches on the snag and drop. Epic-ness!!”
Here’s Dave with a big one!
The Smith clan was into them today! “We got a late start but found them chewing on bunker, catching six on the snag and drop. Biggest was 46″ 31 pounds. Young gun Justin Smith got a 28 pound 41″ bass.”
The Smith Family
Store staffer Max was in on the action today too. He reported, “We headed up the beach early and found good fishing. Good fish on the snag and drop in the morning. Then later in the day we switched over to the troll and caught some more. Tony Maja spoons were getting bites!”
Here’s Max with a nice striped bass.
Side Note
While stoked out of my skull, part of me felt serious pain with the mass slaughter. I saw a lot of fish caught but I didn’t see many go back over. I don’t want to be the catch and release broken record so I will not preach. I would like to remind all to harvest responsibility. Don’t get caught up in the excitement. These classy migrating fish are the life blood of the striped bass fishery.
Surf Fishing
The surf produced some fish but nothing close to what the boats did. This past weekend was a big improvement and we look forward to better fishing soon as the migration fills into our local water. Check out www.LBIFT.com for live results from the LBI Surf Fishing Classic.
Tog Fishing
Charles Young from Warminster PA checked in a 10.66 pound tog today for the Fisherman’s Magazine Dream Boat Challenge. He reported good fishing out on the Garden State North with live green crabs.
The weather gets cold and the fishing heats up! Today and yesterday were full of great fishing on both the beach and boat. New arrivals pushing in have the table is set for an awesome weekend and beyond. Most are in the “young” teen size range but classy fish and trophies are present and more are moving in. Now’s the time to get out and FISH!
The local waters have come down from their early fall holdings and currently range in the 50’s. Areas of the bay range from 52 to 58 degrees and after tonight’s cold temps it will be lower. The LBI surf temperature is currently 58 degrees. These numbers are prime for striped bass!!!
The weather is looking great! Saturday is sunny with moderate northerly winds easing over the second half of the day. Sunday is just about flawless with light winds!
Surf Fishing
This week things significantly improved for the surfcasters working the beaches of Long Beach Island. The LBI Surf Fishing Classic had a lot of activity the past couple of days! Today and yesterday were the busiest tournament days of the year. So far today six fish were checked in. Yesterday had five fish entered. It’s great to see anglers putting in the time and getting the reward.
At the time of this report update… Top Three Striped Bass: John Matt 48#, Anthony Mormile 35.52#, John Baxter 29.76#. Top Three Bluefish: Rob Vallone 15.16#, Gary Grippaldi 14.12#, Chet Bojarski 13.16#. Senior Division Striped Bass: John Baxter 29.76#, Merle Van Liere 22.74#, Steve Warren 18.96#. Senior Division Bluefish: Chet Bojarski 13.16#, Bill Montrey 12.98#, Dan Procida 9.74#. Youth Division: Striped Bass is held by Logan Johnson hold the striped bass and Quinn Rutan has the bluefish. Cathy Thiel holds the lead for the largest striped bass in the Women’s Division.
For updated tournament information check out the Live Results Page found on the tournament website www.LBIFT.com
Here’s some recent weigh in reports…
Tonight Anthony Mormile of Egg Harbouir Township NJ weighed in a 35.52 pound 46.6″ striped bass. He caught it off the North Beach surf on bunker at about 4:30 pm. This catch by Anthony is currently the second largest in the LBI Surf Fishing Classic.
Anthony Mormile 46.6″ striped bass
Early this morning Jim Larson of West Berlin weighed in a 23.54 pound 41″ bass. He caught it at about 10pm last night fishing a Daiwa SP Minnow lures on the Barnegat Light Inlet jetty.
Jim Larson’s 41″ bass
Joe and Cathy Theil stopped by yesterday afternoon to check in a nice striped bass from the surf. They were fishing the mid island surf in the town of Surf City. Cathy caught a 15.9 lb 38″ bass on a bunker chunk at about 1:45pm. This catch puts Cathy in the lead of the woman’s division in the LBI Surf Fishing Classic.
Cathy Theil with her 38″ striped bass from the surf.
Here’s a surf report from Steve George, “Well that was a rush today! Started slow but man did it deliver in the end. Blowing and cold, but once I found them and figured out how they were feeding, I warmed up quick with steady striped bass action. Numbers not size but I’ll take it with over two dozen fish up to 25″. It’s a start and better days are coming. Have a great weekend!”
Boat Fishing
Anglers hunting bass are having great results. Some boats are trolling while others are fishing live baits. Both are working. Those that prefer to fool game fish with lures are also doing a number on the fish too.
SELFIE!!! I enjoy fishing bucktails, fortunately bass love them too!
I’ve been fortunate enough to fish before and after work the past couple of days. The sessions were great. Picking off bass on bucktails is always lots of fun. Last night we got into a good late night bite. The photo below is one of many striped bass caught. (Check out the moon rise. Really wish I had my good camera on board.)
Store staffer Blake with a teen size bass that ate a Super Strike Bottle Plug.
Some of the boats working the near shore grounds are catching really nice fish. Yesterday Trevor Jones weighed in a 46″35.8 pound bass that he caught trolling off of Island Beach State Park. The fish went for a chartreuse bunker spoon.
Here a stomach contains photo that I found interesting. One fat teen size had this pile of food packed in its belly.
In the boat anglers are catching in the bay, inlet and ocean. Yesterday and today trolling pulled quality fish. Fishing live bait as well as lures will also effectively hook bass too.
The backwaters are still cock full of bass. Most are schoolleis but there are nice fish in the mix. Fish the docks, bridges, sod bank marshes and especially the tidal creeks.
BL Inlet Tog Fishing
Tog fishing is awesome. The inlet continues to fire on all cylinders. Joe O stopped in yesterday and report fishing was great, “Everyone is out having fun catching fish. If you know what you are doing, finding good size keepers is an everyday thing.” Joe had one pushing five pounds.
Dave Hershberger reported, “Nice day to go fishing with the boyz.”
Tackle Talk
The Yozuri Hydo LC Minnow are in stock now! It’s been a long wait but it’s finally over. A big thanks to the guys at Yo-zuri for not only making another amazing fishing lure but more importantly releasing it before the expected availability date. They knew the North East bite would be on so they air shipped the lures in rather than having everyone wait for the lures to float over on a slow boat.
Yo-zuri is well known for making some of the finest, best catching fishing lures on the planet. Crystal Minnow, Mag Minnow, Mag Darter, Surface Cruiser, Hydro Pencil just a few. Their lure designers are always one step ahead of the market place and therefor responsible for some of the best new lure designs.
The Yo-Zuri Hydro Minnow LC Minnow is a brand new slender minnow style bait which floats and swims 2-3′ with a tight wiggle action. Featuring a new weight transfer system for long casting, the Hydro Minnow LC is a lure designed for the ultimate long cast. Even with a stiff headwind, the Yo-Zuri Hydro LC Minnow will cast like a bullet allowing the zone to be within your reach.
Available in two sizes in a great assortment of awesome time tested proven fish catching color patterns. The Hydro Minnow LC covers any and all fishing situations. Casting striped bass on the surf to hunting down inshore species like redfish, snook and tarpon. The ultimate coastal fishing lure.
Best of all Yo-zuri makes these lures to be the strongest possible utilizing extra tough and durable proprietary polycarbonate material as well as rigging the lures 3X strong treble hooks and heavy duty split rings. These lures are ready to fish right out of the box and will catch saltwater trophy gamefish.
Here’s the link to the Yo-zuri Hydro Minnow LC 6″ size and the larger 6-3/4″ size. Both sizes have a spot in my surf bag and will be in my every day rotation. I’m already looking forward to the productivity and versitility these lures will offer especially when fishing rough conditions and casting is the utmost concern. These lures are surf bag staples!
Raging northeast winds and high waves have made fishing difficult recently for the boats of the Beach Haven Charter Fishing Association. There is hope this nasty weather will bring about some positive changes to stimulate some striped bass action.
Captain Fran Verdi of the “Francesca Marie” has experienced several good years in a row putting his anglers on striped bass. He notes the current water temperatures are still in the 60’s, which is really too warm for consistent bass action. The current weather has him hopeful those water temperatures will drop and the fish will head south.
“I have heard of a big mass of fish to the north of, us, we just have to be patient,” notes Captain Fran. Despite some very thick fog one day recently, he jumped in his boat and headed for the inlet. The normally quick trip took exceptionally long thanks to the fog, but he preserved and finally made the ocean where he headed north.
Captain Fran dropped a green bunker spoon over the stern and spent some time trolling off Seaside. His patience was finally rewarded and he was able to hook and boat a fat 34-pound bass. Now it is a matter of waiting for the current weather to break, and more fish to arrive. When they do arrive there will be no time to waste.
Additional information on the Beach Haven Charter Fishing Association website.
Beach Haven Charter Fishing Association Fishing Report Update
by Jim Hutchinson Sr.
The black sea bass action is still good on the wrecks and reefs off the port of Beach Haven, the mahi and tuna are still offshore when conditions permits trips out there, but the annual striped bass migration has the captains of the Beach Haven Charter Fishing anxiously awaiting their arrival.
Spiny dogfish have arrived on the wrecks and reefs close to shore making it difficult at times to get some consistent actions going on the sea bass. Those pieces of structure a little farther offshore still seem to be free of the pesky dogfish and are still producing a steady bite.
The canyons are still holding a very high number of mahi-mahi with fish being caught by working lobster pots and other items such as week lines and pieces of debris. This is a cast type fishery on light gear. Other mahi, often larger, are also being caught on the troll. The overnight chunking action has been spotty at times although the chum slicks have been attracting some swordfish and sharks to spice up the action. Daytime trolling has been producing its share of tuna.
At last report a large mass of striped bass were just off the mouth of Raritan Bay. With some continued cool weather these fish should be showing up off Beach Haven in anywhere from a couple of days to a week or so. These are big fish, and it is important to take advantage of them when they show up. The BHCFA captains are ready to troll, jig, or fish live bait when they get here. There have been reports of a good number of 40-pounders caught up to the north.
Additional information on the Beach Haven Charter Fishing Association can be found at www.BHCFA.net.
Some positive reports from the Island’s back waters. The sod banks and channels are holding fish. Poppers and small plugs are getting attention!
Jarrett Hillman got into some bass late afternoon yesterday in the bay. He was catching light tackle plugging.
Jacob Bowles sent in a report yesterday, I got a 28″ bass as well as two shorts in the dark this morning.”
There’s also talk of small linesiders in the suds. “Finally broken in my new 12′ StCroix Mojo Surf Rod that’s matched up with the Star 8000 Surf Reel.” Alex from Lighthouse Sportfishing sent in this photo below, “Although small it’s a start. This rod and reel set up is going to be great for the surf.”
Dennis Gallagher got a 8 pounder off the surf today on bunker.
Today is Day 30 of the LBI Classic. Currently John Matt holds the lead with a 48 pound striped bass. Rob Vallone’s 16.16 pound yellow eye is sitting on top of the bluefish division. Both fish are going to be hard to beat but that’s one of the best parts of the Fall tournament’s structure. There’s still lots of fishing and lots of prizes up for grabs. Get in on the fun.
For the latest weigh in info check out the tournament website, www.LBIFT.com
WEEK FOUR SPECIAL PRIZES
SATURDAY – OCTOBER 7TH $100.00 GIFT CERTIFICATE TO FISHERMAN HEADQUARTERS FOR HEAVIEST BASS
SUNDAY – OCTOBER 8TH $500.00 CASH AWARD FOR THE LARGEST STRIPED BASS $100.00 GIFT CERTIFICATE TO FISHERMAN HEADQUARTERS FOR HEAVIEST BASS
MONDAY – OCTOBER 9TH FARIAS SURF & SPORT TIKI TOSS GAME & A FARIAS HAT RANDOM DRAW FROM ALL REGISTERED JUVENILE ANGLERS
TUESDAY – OCTOBER 10TH $25.00 GIFT CERTIFICATE TO WOODY’S FOR BIGGEST BLUEFISH WEIGHED IN TODAY
WEDNESDAY – OCTOBER 11TH GOODY BAG DONATED BY EP SALES FOR LARGEST FISH ENTERED BY A SENIOR ANGLER TODAY
THURSDAY – OCTOBER 12TH $ 250.00 CASH AWARD FOR LARGEST STRIPED BASS IN HONOR OF ROBERT “ JINGLES “O’BRIEN FROM JINGLES B & T
FRIDAY – OCTOBER 13TH FARIAS SURF & SHOP 2X LONG SLEEVE SHIRT & FARIAS HAT TO THE FIRST FISH WEIGHED IN TODAY
SATURDAY – OCTOBER 14TH SUB Z 48 QT COOLER FILLED WITH GOODIES FROM NJ POOLS & SPAS OF LONG BEACH ISLAND RETAILED AT MORE THEN $300.00 FOR THE LARGEST STRIPED BASS $100.00 GIFT CERTIFICATE TO FISHERMAN HEADQUARTERS FOR HEAVIEST BASS
Rob Vallone just weighed in a 15.16 pound bluefish that took the lead in the LBI Surf Fishing Classic Bluefish Division. Rob stopped over to check in his blue. While here he reported, “For me it was a good day today because it has been slow. I fished the mid-island surf this morning. At the top of the flood tide I got two bass on salted clam. Both were released, about 28-29″ range. I also got a couple big skates.” Rob headed back out in the afternoon and was on the search for more bass fishing a bucktail. He got a big gator bluefish on a heavy hooked bucktail tipped with a chartreuse Jig Stripz.
Here’s Rob with his monster bluefish he caught on a bucktail.
Another report came in from Rob Swift. He picked up some bait, hit the sand and was back shortly after…”Got one bass!”
The surf action is slowly picking up and there’s a few bass and blues being caught. The boats are doing much better but not on an everyday basis.
Here’s a solid fish that was caught late night Friday on the boat by Eddie Gleason. Additional details were not provided.
Most of the solid action is coming from boats fishing up a ways. The Raritan Bay has been red hot for the past two-three weeks. Some really big fish are showing. Anglers trolling spoons in the ocean are also finding fish in the waters of Monmouth County.
Here’s one photo from a happy customer who caught a good one fishing the Shrewsbury Rocks (a natural rock formation well known for holding game fish year round)
A couple customers were in the shop today who were out trolling. They reported it was rough, plenty of bait stretched out along IBSP, just no knockdowns (bites) for them. Hopefully in the coming days a better population of fish move in. It’s great to see the quality bass but it’s frustrating for so many of the anglers that are putting time with little to show.
Tog Fishing BL Jetty
Tog fishing at Barnegat Inlet continues strong. Guys fishing the jetty today were into fish. One anglers in the shop getting hooks and live crabs reported he got some nice fish, but only one keeper yesterday. He was on his way back up to try again.
This afternoon John Matt from Surf City weighed in a monster from the mid-island surf. His 51.5″ inch 48 pound striped bass took the lead in the LBI Surf Fishing Classic and the Fish Head Striped Bass Calcutta.
At weigh in John said, “I’m on the beach everyday. It’s been slow but there’s some fish here. It’s starting up. Drove the beach and found a nice bowl that was holding water at low tide. Set up and planned to fish the flood tide. At about 1:30pm, a half hour in, one rod with a small bunker chunk with a short wire leader (rigged up for bluefish) had a bump. I picked it up and felt another tug so I set the hook and it began! It was mean! What a battle! Got it to the beach and we were both beat. I’ve been fishing the Long Beach Island surf for a long time. Got 20’s and 30’s but never a fish of this class. It’s my trophy.”
My biggest bass of the day pulled the Boga Grip to 40 pounds.
One of the best top water spook baits for striped bass, the Doc!
