LBI NJ Fishing Report – LBI Surf Fishing, Barnegat Bay & Inlet
LBI's Premier Fishing Report By Fishermans Headquarters
Jack Wolfberg weighed in a 5.42 pound black sea bass today. Since the black sea bass season reopened last Sunday, the reports have been solid! Wreck fishing is great and some areas are loaded with not only humpbacks but also triggerfish, porgies and tog!
Below is Jack with his extra large catch that he checked into the Fisherman Magazine’s Dream Boat Challenge.
When the weather chills out, the fishing heats up! It’s about time… finally we are getting some cold nights and the water temps are coming down. The surf is right at the 60 degree cusp soon to break out into the nifty fifties. The bay is in the mid to upper 50’s. Both should cool some with tonight’s chill.
The past couple days we have heard about fish pushing south and west nearing our zone. There were a couple good days out east at Montauk and some reports from western Long Island are promising. Last weekend the local boats got their first taste of quality bass fishing with numerous anglers in on the action. Those in, raved and everyone had really nice fish. Since then bass fishing in the ocean has been slow. Tomorrow’s nice “west is best” forecast has lots of fisherman with high hopes. More than likely trolling will be most effective because the swell might have things spread apart. Gotta have to head out and see.
Before the blow the jetty fishing was very good with anglers catching the season’s best quality tog. Numerous reports came in from the Barnegat Light jetty about four and five pound tog. The bayside holds bass and blues with some good size ones at that.
Will be interesting to see if the albie action comes together again. With reports of fish all over the place to our north we are confident there is more light tackle drag screaming fun in our future.
The 21st Annual Sea Shell Striped Bass Derby is this weekend, October 27 to 29. It’s always a great weekend full of fishing, fun and most of the time sour weather. This year’s contest isn’t much different. Friday looks good. Saturday as the day progresses, things turn south. Sunday a possible gale sets in. All of this is flipping back and forth with question around the timing of the frontal passage. GFS is hinting earlier while the European model hinting later. One thing is for sure, the second half of the weekend it’ll be blowing!
For those fishing the tournament we’ve got everything you need to stay warm and dry. Top quality foul weather gear from Grundens, Guy Cotten and Stormr as well as Xtra Tuf boots and a great assortment of gloves. Stop in to check out our selection.
We’ve got a tank full of live eels and will do our best to have fresh bunker and slated clam in stock. Live clam in the shell is a no go.
Currently on day 20 of the LBI Surf Fishing Tournament Patrick Presutto’s 27.36 pound bass and Gary Grippaldi’s 14.12 pound bluefish hold the lead in their respective divisions. Today there was a 12.8 pound bass checked in by Michael Tedesco. He caught it off of the Harvey Cedars surf on clam. The surf has been slow this past week. The previous weigh in was from last Thursday the 19th. With this cold snap hopefully we start seeing a new push of fish. For more details check the LBI Surf Fishing Tournament website.
by Jim Hutchinson Sr.
The long awaited re-opening of black sea bass season in New Jersey finally arrived for the captains of the Beach Haven Charter Fishing Association, and the action did not disappoint anyone.
Captain Gary Dugan of the “Irish Jig” modestly termed the fishing as “very productive.” His catch included sea bass, porgies, blackfish, and bonito. He said his crew was tired from reeling in double headers and big fish. Their coolers were filled with fish for dinner and the freezer. They were fortunate in being able to witness a show from dolphins and 4 breaching whales.
Captain Carl Sheppard had the “Star Fish” out on re-opening day under beautiful fishing conditions. The water was calm and “glistened with fish.” In two hours of fishing Irv and Muriel Stoops and their guest Greg pulled in over 80 fish, including a number of large porgies, nice sized trigger fish and scads of black bass. The keeper ratio was about one in four, perhaps the best ratio of the year. Captain Carl noted that all of the sea bass were females, some of which were over 16-inches in length.
The offshore action also is producing fish. Captain Ray Lopez had the “Miss Liane” with mates Max Goldman and John Kelly along with Andrew Goldman and Shawn Kelly out to the canyons on an overnight adventure. They first trolled around some lobster pots and picked up several mahi. That night the chunk produced a 52-pound swordfish. The next morning the crew did some more trolling and picked up multiple mahi and a 60-pound wahoo.
Captain Bob Gerkens had the “Hot Tuna” on a 50 hour, 450 mile fishing trip between Beach Haven and Morehead City, NC as Captain Bob took the boat to its winter home. He began a troll at the Baltimore Canyon after picking over 15 mahi off some pots casting artificial lures on light gear. With few other boats working the pots the action was non-stop. They trolled along the continental shelf and through the southern canyons until “the point” off Oregon Inlet. They then followed the edge of the Gulf Stream until turning in at Morehead City. They ended up releasing a nice sailfish, several more Mahi, a couple of king mackerel, and some skipjacks. The boat operation and cockpit duties were split among the crew of Dante Soriente, Jim Murry, Chris McEntee, Scott Helious, and Captain Bob.
Additional information on the Beach Haven Charter Fishing Association website.
Another great day on the water today fly rodding albies! The calms winds and drastically less boat traffic helped big time. The morning marine layer kept visibility low and turned out to be a GOD SEND! We had them boiling on top four hours. Once it burned off the bite continued but wasn’t nearly as good. It’s great to see this awesome light tackle inshore fishery here at home. I’m hoping it continues because I’m not ready to switch over to bunkering bass yet.
This morning the bass on bunker continued in the same areas as last night; northern IBSP, Seaside, Lavallette. Word is good! Lots of bunker are stacked up and bass are on them. We heard good word on the snag and drop and anglers fishing plugs. One customer was in the shop getting replacement shads for his Mojos. He said, “Got one on a White Magic Tail Mojo trolling off the pier in 60 foot.” This afternoon Blake Scholey got a classy bass trolling a bunker spoon.
Kyle Gronstajski got a new personal best today fishing with Dave Werner.
The threasher sharks are inshore…
Black Sea Bass season is open! We didn’t get a bunch of reports but those that did talk said good things. We can only assume the wreck fishing for sea bass is good since the areas haven’t been fished since the end of August.
We just had our first weigh in from Bill Dabney of the Village Harbour Fishing Club. He said the fishing was good at the Little Egg Reef. His biggest was 2.3 pounds. Another report came from Dave McDonnal stopped in the shop for some tackle today. He raved on the sea bass fishing. He said, “The Garden State North is loaded with fish. Got on a nice piece of structure at 8am and limited out in less than two hours. Lots of nice fish. My biggest was 17 inches.” Below is a photo he sent of his catch he sent us. We also got word from another angler, “Triggerfish the size of a dinner plate and well as porgies are mixed in with the sea bass as well as some good size tog at some of the inshore wreck.”
Tog fishing at Barnegat Inlet is smoking hot! Anglers in the boat and on the rocks are smoking fish!
Lake Atlantic went off today on the tuna grounds! Store staffer Dan D. fished aboard the Reel Fishers with Dylan and Scott about 60 miles out of BI. “We got 25 bluefin working the scallop. It was an insane, all out rope session!”
by Jim Hutchinson Sr.
Cooler weather has come to Beach Haven, and the striped bass are beginning to show up. The captains of the Beach Haven Charter Fishing Association are ready to troll spoons and fish live bunker on a “snag and drop” basis. These bass are good sized already with 20-pounders and even a 40-pounder or two coming across the gunnels.
In addition to the stripers, the black sea bass season re-opens on October 22, and that should be a true bonanza if recent catch and release results are any indication. These sea bass are big and in good numbers on structure and artificial reefs within a short trek of the inlet. The daily bag limit for black sea bass is 15 fish, and limit catches are a distinct possibility. These fish make great eating and freeze very well.
At this time the BHCFA captains are finding a great deal of life in the ocean within a couple of miles of shore. There are large schools of bunker along with lots of bird play working over feeding schools of bluefish and false albacore. These false albacore, or little tunny, make poor table fare but they fight very well for their size with 5-8 pound fish common. There have also been some spottings of whales.
To see about getting in on some of this fishing or just to learn more about the Beach Haven Charter Fishing Association, go to www.BHCFA.net.
Albies were up on top again today, although a bit on the spooky side. Saturday morning’s boat traffic didn’t help at all but it was great to see anglers out on the water on the hunt! For the most part everyone played nice and allowed for productive close quarters fishing. The opportunities are out there if you get out there.
Dewey Knapp reported, “What a blast these little critters are… already looking forward to the next time!”
Kyle Gronostajski, “Have to love when the ocean is so alive. Bait, blues, albies, dolphin and whales. A few more degrees cooler and the bass should arrive to a giant feast.
Some large bass have moved in! Today the Jen-Jen got into a good bite on the bunker pods off of IBSP, snag and drop in the afternoon. It came alive! They caught one that went 41.6 pounds.
Some big gator blues are chomping!!! Here’s store staffer Dan with a monster he caught today.
Here on LBI, today was the 1st Annual Merchantville Fishing Club Surf Tournament. 30 teams plus about 20 individuals rounded out for about 200 anglers fishing. The winning team taking the $750 cash prize, RH Custom Rods, had 220″ of scoring fish. Equal mix of kingfish and small blues. The $450 Second Place was Ocean City Fishing Club with 180″. The $300 Third Place went to South Jersey Surfcasters with approx 160pts. Most pts individuals was Bill Kephart Jr with 97pts. Most fish female was Lynda Greaves with 60pts. Most points (27.5) and Biggest Fish youth (14.5″ hick shad) went to Lachlan Pirello of Long Beach Island FC. Largest Fish Overall was a 15.25″ blue. Calcutta $480 Largest fish “other than blue” Calcutta was a 15″ kingfish. CHRIS Thatcher of Surf n Land Club. Calcutta $300.
If you have not heard by now the false albacore fishing is red hot… off the charts… WORLD CLASS!!! Anglers from around the world converge at Montauk and Harkers Island to tangle with “Little Tunny” and all his buddies. Right now the locally fishery stands up to these these legendary locations.
Anyone who has not experienced albie fishing should try it out. It’s a blast! Especially on light tackle and more so on the fly! Get out and enjoy. There have been some caught by land based anglers; however it is not the easiest to accomplish. For those that don’t have a boat, reach out to a friend or better yet hook up with the local charter boat captains. They are dialed in. Give them a call to get in on the action.
Today I was out on the water with Bob Bruns of upstate New York targeting the albies on the fly. After yesterday’s off the charts fishing expectations were HIGH! We started off the morning looking for bass in the dark but could only squeak out a couple blues. Before the sun poked we got on the search and found the albies boiling. The stiff westerly winds made for challenging fly fishing conditions but Bob did great putting the fly where it needed to be… in front of the speeders face. We had a blast catching a bunch of them all morning. Here’s a short clip of one bite with some some screaming drag.
The LBI surf striped bass fishing is still on the slow but fish are being caught. For the latest results on the LBI Surf Fishing Classic check out the Live Results Page.
Tomorrow is the ASAC sanctioned Merchantville Fishing Club Surf Tournament. Best of luck to all the anglers. We are looking forward to a great day. It will be interesting to see what species are caught. With all of the anglers fishing these tournaments really provide a great gauge on what’s present. Stay Tuned…
Trolling the beaches is a very slow pick but should improve very soon. There have been a couple nice ones pulled locally on spoons. Word from up state is positive. We heard of solid fishing off Sea Girt.
The back bay is still offering great fishing. One customer buying a bunch of softbaits and jig heads said, “You don’t need luck. It’s that good.” Eeling is heating up in the bay with anglers catching bass.
Tog fishing continues to produce!
Good weather window has offshore anglers packing up and pushing off. We got a recent report from the edge that swords are on the chew. Also we heard that some scallop boats fishing the Hudson closed area are chumming up tuna in the slicks. Anglers are getting in on the action.
Piles of white bait are stretched out along LBI’s beaches, Barnegat Inlet and the local waters to our north and south. For the most part these black clouds of white bait have FALSE ALBACORE heavily feeding. There’re bluefish, weakfish and striped bass in the mayhem too. The scene is Montauk September session esque!
Today I was out on the water with store staffer’s Lou and Blake. To say the trip was sensational is an understatement. It was an all morning blast session with speedsters smoking drags.
On light tackle outfits (3000 size spinners matched up with a 7′ medium action rod) these could be one of the funnest species to target inshore, especially the fly. On spinning tackle the Deadly Dick was top producer and softbaits from Ronz, Fins and Tsunami are a close second. With that said if you can get out on the water, now is the time. Get in the game while fishing is off the charts!!!
Joe Hanley knows a thing or two about catching quality redfish. When he saw the report of Cutter’s LBI mullet run surf redfish on the fly he sent in a message… “Just saw the redfish post. Nice fish! I also got one last night (Tuesday) off the mid-island surf. It was a small puppy, about 15 inches. Went for a 3/8oz lead head rigged with a paddle tail. Caught two last year on November 21st on the same lure. There must be a few around.” It’s great to see these fish around! With the way seasons and temps are trending maybe one day we’ll have a solid red drum fishery! Wouldn’t that be nice?
The tog fishing at the Barnegat Inlet only gets better! Jeff Crabtree is in the shop everyday, if not every other day. He’s dialed in with togging the rocks and recently has been doing great! Wednesday he was in for crabs in the morning then stopped back at 1pm to check weight on a 20″ white chin. Turns out it was a 5.88 pound fish. Really nice catch for a land based tog angler! Jeff said, “Yesterday (Tuesday) I had four keeper sized fish.” Fishing is good and keepers are holding. Get out and give it your best shot!
Today we had two tog weighed in. Bill Figley of the Village Harbour Fishing Club checked in a 3.72 pound white chin. A 5.14 pound rubba’ lip went for Bob Schlachter’s (from Rutland, VT) green crab on the BL jetty.
Lots of anglers are gearing up in preparation of Black Sea Bass fishing which opens Sunday October 22. It remains open to the end of the year with a 15 fish bag limit at 12.5″ minimum size. Word in the shop from commercial pin hookers is the bite has been really good with lots of big knot heads. Everyone is struggling getting clams due to a severe shortage. Unless something changes, fresh/live, salted and even frozen clams look to be a no go this entire fall. Anglers are choosing squid and meat like mackerel and bunker as a substitute. One angler purchased a couple jars of Jig Strips which are squid scented and said, “I trim them with a pair of scissors to the perfect size and add to the hook with bait. The strips are added insurance.” Jig Stripz hold up great to feisty biters!
“Fishing’s like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re gonna get!”
Here’s a story from Comanche Surfcasting’s South Philly Fred…
Every once in awhile something special happens. This story is about Cutter, a fly fishing guide from Colorado studying at Princeton. During this year’s Mullet Run, fishing a hard north east blow, I ran into a man. He looked confused and out of place. So, I introduced myself. We began to talk during the slack high tide. It turns out it was his first time fishing the NJ coast and was in search of a striped bass on the fly. A bit overwhelmed by the super tough and rough conditions, he was hesitant and asked a lot of questions. A lot of really good questions. I could tell this guy was the real deal.
A bit later into our conversation, the tide started moving by now and I noticed a curious seagull hovering over a specific area. I told Cutter, “We need to cast in that area!” Sure enough as soon as my bucktail hit the water I was tight to a striper. Next cast, another one! Third cast, another one! I looked back at Cutter and he was bowed! We were doubled up!!! I quickly released a bass I had on and ran over to assist him. Cutter said, “This is a good fish!” I leadered and pulled the fish gently towards me and I couldn’t believe my eyes… I yelled through the 20 knot wind, “IT’S A RED FISH!” Bottom line… Cutter’s first fish in NJ salt is a red on the fly… unbelievable! When you are fishing just never know what you are gonna get!
Now on to a fishing report update…
Lots of bluefish around in our waters. Anglers in the surf are mowing through bunker in search of bass, getting torn up by the yellow eyed piranha. These blues range from 1-10+ pounds
The awesome backwater fishign contiues for both schoolie bass and weakfish. Anglers are catching using hardbait lures, swimbait shads and bucktail jigs. The classic Lunker City Fin-s & Sluggos are going the trick too!
Today a customer in the shop today buying some striped bass trolling gear reported his neighbor got a pair of classy bass trolling bunker spoons off of LBI in 40 foot of water. “Both fish were 20 pound class or bigger.” Today we also got a report of adult bunker podded up off of IBSP.
There’s still some fluke hanging around the surf. Hungryforsimplicity posted a photo on Instagram with this caption, “Surf fishing LBI… There is something perfect about a beach with only a few people on it. Oh and we caught flounder, plus saw a pod of dolphin.”
The Long Beach Island surf hasn’t officially lit up but anglers are finding fish. Today closes out on day 11 of the 63rd Annual Surf Fishing Classic. So far it’s safe to say the tournament is off to a great start. With 10 blues and four bass the scales are active.
Yesterday afternoon Steve Warren was in the shop before he hit the beach. Turns out he got a nice striper shortly after leaving. Steve currently leads with the largest striped bass (and senior division) at 18.96 pounds.
Gary Grippaldi checked in a good size gator bluefish this past weekend and he sits on top holding the largest bluefish with his 14.12 pound yellow eye.
Chet Bojarski is putting in time and catching. He currently leads the bluefish senior division and has second place overall bluefish with his 13.16 pound racer.
It’s great to see the fishing groms getting in the game! The youth division has fish on the board. The youth bass leader is Logan Johnson (8.1 pound) and the bluefish leader is Quinn Rutan (12.52 pound). So far no fish checked in by a female angler. For more details on the current standing go to www.LBIFT.com
Another Bonus Day Is Coming Up!!! October 19th $250 Cash Award For The Largest Striped Bass in Honor of Ric O’Brien from Jingles Bait & Tackle.
Here’s some additional prizes… Week Two Special Prizes
The light house is a great place to fish almost year round. For the past couple moths the tog fishing has been very good. Now’s the time to gear up and get in on the fun. Anglers are catching all along park’s water front.
The schoolies bass continue to chew in the bay. Anglers fishing poppers soft baits. And jig are having a blast
One angler got a reddish this past weekend.
Here’s some photos of a couple recent weigh-in.
Save the date for these upcoming boat fishing tournaments!
The 21st Sea Shell Striped Bass Derby (All Boat Tournament) is October 27, 28, 29th.
The Maximilian Foundation Annual Striped Bass Bash (All Boat Tournament & Fish Fry) is November 4th
The Forked River Tuna Club Fall Striped Bass Tournament is November 4th to 11th.
I just returned late last night from a quick trip out east. Blake and I made the last minute call, packed up the truck and headed to Montauk late Wednesday night. We were greeted with awesome conditions at sunrise on Thursday. But the clean rolling water water and twenty plus knots of wind in the face didn’t produce much. I got one dink and only saw one other fish caught. Fortunately we caught fish on Friday. Both the morning and evening session we found small bass on bait. The linesiders were snapping bucktails. All in all it was a good fun trip but from what we’ve heard it has been a very poor season. Some of the top fisherman are struggling. Hopefully things turn around soon.
Store staffer Dan reports there’s a variety of fishing going down. “The schoolie bass are still snapping on bait. The peanut bunker have grown in size and are schooled up. Bluefish ranging from small to 10+ pounds are offering fun. The blackfish are chewing at the Inlet and there’s some albies around. The crabbing and clamming is good too. Just heard one guy chunking bunker looking for bass and blues got a 21″ fluke.”
South Philly Fred has been getting into fish at the Inlet for the past couple weeks. Some days he’s finding bass on mullet and other days they are feeding on spearing. “It tee’d off Friday. Got into some fun fishing on lures.”
Coming into mid October moon and approaching mid month we look forward to the fall progressing in one way or another but it seems summer just will not shake loose. The southerly blow didn’t drop the surf temps much as expected. My fun (and really good) surf session this morning amazed me with nice clean surf and warm. It’s crazy how the warm temps are holding on. By feel I’d say it is in the high 60’s. Most likely between 65-68 degrees.
“Beachrunner” a local angler who wants to remain anonymous shared this report while in the shop today… “Been cruising the beaches today and yesterday. There are also tons of small blues in the 2-5 pound class. They were in the wash but the last couple days they are hanging on the bar and backside. Get metal and wing it your hardest. It’s the only way I could reach them. Might end up hooking up with a screamer (albie)! There are a bajillion of baby crabs in the wash. There’s birds are all over them. Don’t get fooled by the crab blitz. I can’t wait for the migrating bass to move in. The island’s beaches have lots of nice water! Bowls and bars throughout the island. It’s time to go pocket picking!”
Will Weikel sent in a report… “Caught about a dozen sea bass in bay near the Lighthouse on Saturday the 7th. We used cut up mullet for bait.”
Speaking of the Lighthouse, the blackfish bite is still good. Local angler Jack got some fish yesterday afternoon and into evening. All anglers in buying crabs reports fish are chewing. Most are struggling getting a keeper.
Store staffer Dan has been in on the schoolie bass action. His stealthy midnight light tackle game is on point.
Lots of thresher sharks in the local waters. Today we heard of a couple large ones that were caught.
Here’s some important information from Paul Haertel at the Jersey Coast Anglers Association
As you probably know, the ASMFC is seeking comments on Amendment 3 of the Menhaden Fishery Management Plan. Below you will see a narrative written by Paul Eidman describing the best choices of the options offered.
It’s important that everyone submit their comments before the October 20th deadline. You may use the following electronic link (www.menhadendefenders.org) which will direct you to an easy to use submission process. It will only take a minute of your time so please do this.
Comments sent by regular mail carry more weight than the electronic comments. Send them to:
Megan Ware, FMP Coordinator
1050 N. Highland St. Suite A-N
Arlington, VA 22201
Re: Draft Amendment 3
We ask everyone to submit both electronic and regular mail comments. Please share and “Let the voice of the recreational angler be heard!”
Atlantic Menhaden
Draft Amendment 3 Comments
Dear ASMFC Commissioners,
Ecological management of menhaden and effective conservation will
improve the productivity of this resource over time, increasing
menhaden’s value to every state and stakeholder through improved
recreational fishing, commercial fishing and seafood industries, and
wildlife and tourism businesses that all depend on an abundance of
menhaden. The current approach that ASMFC uses for setting catch limits
is wrong for menhaden, because it ignores their importance to the
ocean food web and to other fisheries.
Issue 1: Reference Points
Ecological management is right for menhaden, so Option E is the best solution now. Menhaden must be managed conservatively to 75% of virgin biomass. The current management system risks huge increases in catch which could have a direct impact on the striped bass recreational fishery and potentially many other fisheries.
Issue 2: Quota Allocation
Tier 1: Option C, Jurisdictional Allocation with a Fixed Minimum, Sub-option 3 allocating a fixed minimum of 2%, is the best option on the table, but an even larger reallocation is appropriate. The current quota allocation for menhaden gives more than 85% of the fishery to Virginia, leaving the remainder of the states to split the rest. This is inherently unfair and must be fixed. Reduction fishing has been banned in every state on the E. Coast, except Virginia, so it makes no sense that the one state that still allows it gets 85%. At the same time, commercial bait harvesters outside of VA are begging to catch more fish. If option C is not possible, a reasonable alternative is a 70/30 split for
reduction/bait coastwide, and no increase in catch.
Issue 3: Quota Transfers
Quota transfers encourage horse trading of fish and they should not be allowed.
Issue 4: Quota Rollovers
Option A – No quota rollovers – is the most appropriate option.
Issue 5: Incedential Catch and Small Scale Fisheries
Option F – All catch to be included in cap.
Issue 6: TAC set aside
Option C is the best option with a 0% of TAC set aside
Issue 7: Chesapeake Bay
The Chesapeake Bay is an important nursery for menhaden that eventually migrate across the coast. Option B – Reducing the cap and set at 51,000 MT for the Chesapeake should be adopted along with Sub-option B- No rollover of unused cap. Over the preceding years, catch in the bay has fallen drastically.
This option is an opportunity to further protect the nursery.
Thank you again for doing what you did back in 2012. We have all seen
what can happen when the bunker are given just a little chance to
recover. As fishermen and concerned citizens, we thank you in advance
for voting in favor of the above conservation options in November!
Capt. Paul Eidman, Chairman
Forage Species Committee