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.

Somethings got to give already with this wind and weather pattern. Ocean still 62 degrees along the beaches and the bay finally broke sub 60. Not liking this climate change stuff when it comes to fishing. The good news is there are bass and monster blues just north of us. Some are north and far east of the 3-mile line or are in the EEZ. What exactly is the EEZ? Well……every coastal State may claim an Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) beyond and adjacent to its territorial sea that extends seaward up to 200 nautical miles from its baselines (or out to a maritime boundary with another coastal State). Within its EEZ, a coastal State has: (a) sovereign rights for the purpose of exploring, exploiting, conserving and managing natural resources, whether living or non-living, of the seabed and subsoil and the superjacent waters and with regard to other activities for the economic exploitation and exploration of the zone, such as the production of energy from the water, currents and winds; (b) jurisdiction as provided for in international law with regard to the establishment and use of artificial islands, installations, and structures, marine scientific research, and the protection and preservation of the marine environment, and (c) other rights and duties provided for under international law.

What about the three nautical mile line? The Three Nautical Mile Line is retained on NOAA charts because it continues to be used in certain federal laws.

So what does this have to do with fishing? In an effort to keep the striped bass fishery sustainable, NOAA does not allow harvesting of striped bass in the EEZ of the Mid-Atlantic region. NOAA’s website says that they are increasing their targeted enforcement efforts to protect the species from illegal poaching activities this fall and next spring. Be warned

Been on the water a lot the last few days. And fishing has been slow, (bad news) but we still have been bringing some bass over the gunnels of the Debbie M. Like yesterday’s trip with the Frank Joie clan. And calling them a clan is exactly who they were. Frank, Fred, and Jerry. Bunch of good friends having a good time. I took them all over the bay to put a catch together. No big bass, but bass well earned. Oh and for the good news. Bait, inside, outside, up and down the beaches. And with their predators just to our north, I predict this week will be the breakout week for us fishing the LBI area. Off for teacher convention this week so I have some prime dates/tides still open from Wednesday on. Give me a call to get in on the action. Also, contact me if interested in sailing in an open boat spot for availability and competitive pricing.

Screaming drags, Capt. Alex 609-548-2511

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!”

Mild temps. and light wind during our Fall season albeit very pleasant, doesn’t always translate into increased fishing activity and although we did have a brisk uptick in striper activity with striped bass into the upper thirty pound range it didn’t quite progress as hoped.