Author: FishHead.Greg

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.)

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!

Beach Haven Charter Fishing Report Update

Update:  Thu, Nov 9, 2017 by Jim Hutchinson Sr.

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.

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.

LBI Surf Fishing Classic Update

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.

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.

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.

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.”

Nice fish showing up closer to home…. Mike Shimmerhorn and Larry Dubin were out trolling this morning. They got a nice fish pulling a white bunker spoon in 40 foot of water off IBSP.

3rd Annual Striped Bass Bash

This Saturday, November 4, 2017 is the 3rd Annual Maximilian Foundation Striped Bass Bash. The all boat tournament captain’s meeting is 7pm Friday 11/3/17 at the Manahawkin Elks Lodge. One hour complimentary bar starts at 6pm. Fishing is from 12am to 2pm Saturday 11/4/17. At 2pm Fish Fry, Cash Bar & Live Entertainment by Face Down and Rob Connolly. Weigh-in at the Elks Lodge is from 2-5pm.

Blake and I fished early this morning. Pushed off the dock at 6:30 am and had 54 degree water. It’s nice to see it’s come down. We got into a good but short lived plug bite. A few bass and a bluefish. Stoked to see what the next couple days offer up. I have high hopes for this week and next. It’s gotta break open soon.

Happy Halloween!!!

It’s that time to get in the game as fishing turns towards the prime meaty part of the season. I always look at Halloween to Christmas as the LBI Striped Bass fishing season with the early part best for quality size and the weeks around Thanksgiving as the best for quality.

Last year’s Halloween Day etched memories. I’m happy to say I enjoyed the full day of mayhem. The epic peanut bunker blitz is now marked in history as Blitz-o-ween. Unfortunate today wasn’t a repeat of last year’s action. However, as we enter November logs suggest that it’s our best month for striped bass fishing. Every year our local waters are productive for both surf and boat anglers. If you aren’t in the game yet… now’s the time to get out and start fishing.

After the weekend’s Sea Shell Striped Bass Derby the local fishery isn’t popping. Word has it, there were over 80 boats but only a handful of fish were caught. The weather wasn’t the best but it was better than some years. The Sea Chaser took the win with a 42.05 pound bass.

There are fish here. The back waters have a good population of bass from schoolie size to mid teeners. Anglers fishing the main thoroughfares and sod banks with lures and live baits are picking. The inlet has produced with some days better then others.

Anglers out trolling on the search today didn’t have much to report although rumors are some fish were picked (not a first hand report and no photos seen yet)… One said, “Lots of bait on the sounder, but not much popping on top other than a couple whales. We trolled all afternoon… not a touch.” Word from way up the beach is big bass are around. It might be worth it to burn the fuel and get into the action. Hopefully they stage up at their usual fall stomping grounds soon.

Here on Day 25 of the LBI Surf Fishing Classic Tournament, Patrick Presutto holds the lead with his 27.36 pound bass and Gary Grippaldi with his 14.12 bluefish. The latest weigh in came in yesterday (Monday) from Tony Agresta 11 pounder he got on bunker in Surf City.

For the most part the surf has been slow. Anglers fishing bait are picking skates and dogs but struggling to find bass. One customer in the shop this morning stopped in to iron out a reel issue. While here he shared, “Got one 22″ bass plugging the surf yesterday. Went for a Yo-zuri swimming plug. ” He was heading back out now that his reel is fixed. Other than that we heard of a couple small bass caught on rubber swim shads this morning.

Barnegat Inlet Tog Fishing Continues

Tom Riley of Barnegat was on the jetty fishing today. He stopped in the shop on his way off the Island to get his rod tip repaired. He reported, “Kept my one 18″ fish for the dinner table. I had numerous fish at and over 15″. Fishing was good until I blew my tip out and had to leave them biting. Once the water clears it’s only going to get better!”

Ryan McMinn from Hopatcong fished LBI’s mid island surf today with his father. They were on the hunt today looking for a bass or blue chunking bunker. Ryan ended up catching a puppy drum.

Speaking of red fish there was another one caught and weighed in for the LBI Surf Fishing Tournament, by Patrick Presutto. Patrick caught a 26″ 7lb+ red fish fishing bunker from the surf. Some other fish were caught off the surf too… Eric Setzer got an 8lb+ bass and Patrick Gallen got a 13lb+ bass on bunker fishing the surf.

Tog fishing at the Barnegat Inlet Jetty is rock solid. Get green crabs and go!

Reports from the boat today spoke of good but busy fishing in the inlet live bait fishing, solid striped bass action way up the beach and the albies cracking on top again too. Guys that got out to the wrecks and reefs had good sea bass fishing with other species in the mix.

Here’s on solid report from a local boat that made the run north.  Captain Jeff Warford from Reel Innovations was fishing aboard the Reel Fishers and they got em on!!! Jeff reported, “We took the ride and it paid off. We found fish all to ourselves in the deeper water. Fall bass fishing was as good as it gets! 12 bass in two hours all between 30-47 pounds.”

Today our long awaited Sporting Wood Lures delivery arrived. We got both the bottles and the darters. For the last couple of years the Sport Wood Darter was one of my top five producing lures. If you love fishing darters and haven’t fished one of these I highly suggest it! Just a heads up, Sport Wood Lures are made by Larry who is a top notch plug builder and expert surf fishing anglers. He is also well known for his deadly plastic lures… North Bar Tackle!