PHENOMENAL FISHING!!!!! With the weather trending stable [ imagine that] and the fishing nothing short of EPIC our 3 hour trips have been an absolute smack down on stripers, blues and albies!!
Our light tackle enthusiast have been rewarded with likes of “Montauk Type” fishing with fast out of the gate “catching” [ not fishing] within minutes of throwing the dock lines!
I have 2 spots open for Friday morning [weather looks fantastic] hour 6:30 am -11:30 am targeting all the above with all tackle and bait supplied – $175.00pp and afternoon 3 hour 1:30pm – 4:30pm – $120pp.
World class light tackle action with high speed dragsters from the likes of torpedo shaped little tunny has been absolutely insane!! Presently the amount of false albies along our beaches has been nothing short of historic with tons of bird plays , bait pods and aerial free jumping tunny as far as the eye can see!!
These little tuna pulled drag faster and harder than any fish that swim our local inshore waters. Although well placed casts continue to up the anglers opportunities to capitalize with coming tight but once the techniques are squared away look out and hold on for some fast and furious fishing!!
Stripers and bluefish also continue to provide excellent oppurtunites all within the safe confines of our bay and inlet waters on a variety of live and artificial baits.
C’mon and jump aboard for some fantastic fall fishing!!
“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!
A New Jersey redfish caught recently off the LBI surf by Cutter from Colorado.
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.”
LBI Fall Classic Update
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.
Here’s Gary with his 14.12 pound bluefish.
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
Here’s the youth bass leader Logan Johnson.
LBI Surf Fishing Classic Special Prizes
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
Sunday October 15th $100.00 Gift Certificate To Fisherman Headquarters For Heaviest Bass
Monday October 16th
Tuesday October 17th Otw Aluminum With Attached Clip & Rag. Retails For Almost $50.00 Goes To The 2nd Largest Bass Weighed In Today
Wednesday October 18th
Thursday October 19th $250.00 Cash Award For Largest Striped Bass In Honor Of Ric O’Brien From Jingles Bait And Tackle
Friday October 20th
Saturday October 21st $100.00 Gift Certificate To Fisherman Headquarters For Heaviest Bass–9 Foot Shakespeare Alpa Combo For Biggest Striper Entered By A Juvenile Angler Donated By EP Sales
Inlet Tog Fishing
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.
Here’s Torr Cohen with one of many black fish he caught recently at the Barnegat Lighthouse.
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.
Upcoming Tournaments
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.
This week we found ourselves battling through weather that limited our access to all but the protected waters of the back bay until weeks end.
As the weather settled I got out for a solo secession [ Sunday] to find excellent activity with numerous bird plays that contained albies, blues and stripers!!
World class light tackle fishing right off our beaches that folks travel great distances to be part of!!
With the days getting shorter and temps starting to cool off we are finally seeing the first signs of the Fall progression with excellent opportunities for the light tackle enthusiast.
I have Friday 7am-12noon and 1pm -6pm for open or private charters we will be targeting albies, stripers and blues. All bait and tackle, fish cleaning included – $175.00pp
Feisty weather has stirred our inlet into a mess but fortunately there has been enough in the safe confines of the bay to allow for continued catching on light tackle . Weakfish have been the main event but a mix of other species joining the line for the “all you can eat shrimp buffet”have included fluke and blues.
Things are shaping up for yet another fantastic fall season along our beaches! The live bait pen is fully stocked and the rods and reels are ready to go for some the most exciting fishing found anywhere!!
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.”
The fishing action off Long Beach Island for the captains of the Beach Haven Charter Fishing Association continues to be a wide mix of fish from the inshore structure and artificial reefs along with some good action on false albacores, bonita, and some bluefish.
Captain Carl Sheppard of the “Star Fish” is counting the days until the black sea bass season in re-opens in New Jersey on October 22. He figures the sea bass will be thick along with some Trigger Fish for some topnotch bottom fishing. Until then he plans on fishing for blues and tautog and getting out to the offshore waters for some pelagics. He terms the current fishing “good” and expects it to improve, especially when the big stripers arrive in another week or so.
Captain Lindsay Fuller of the “June Bug” has been catching a good number of false albacore on light tackle. He says these feisty fish provide all the action any angler could want on light tackle. He is also looking for bonita. He too is looking forward to striped bass season and is keeping his fingers crossed for some cooler weather to cool the water off.
Additional information on the Beach Haven Charter Fishing Association can be found at www.BHCFA.net.
Little man Dane (5 years old) caught his first striped bass. He got it in the bay fishing a Yo-Zuri lure. Check out our social page (Instagram or Facebook) for the photo. Still lots of small bass in the bay along the docks, bulkheads, sod banks and channels. Bluefish are also hanging around with them.
Be sure to keep up to date on the LBI Surf Fishing Tournament… here’s the Live results page. So far there’s a some bluefish on the board.
Mr. Vanderbech stopped in Wednesday with a bucket full of crabs and shared this report, “Fishing is slow, so I’m crabbing. It has been a great year and it continues! Last year it was good into Thanksgiving. This year is set up to be the same. Maybe it will go longer. Put the traps in Tuesday and soaked over night. Pulled them and had a good haul. A bucket full of jimmies!
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.
Alert from JCAA – Menhaden Amendment
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
Stiff southerly wind last night continue today with increasing swell. What’s left of Tropic Storm Nate tracks toward, over and past. Tuesday westerly winds will clean up the place. Currently the surf looks great with beautiful white water rolling through.
Today we got a report from a couple sandy anglers fresh off the surf. They fished the morning high tide and got into some fish. “There’s some small blues in the wash. Lots of small bait present. Our friend caught a 25″ bass.” There bluefish, weakfish and albies in with these bait piles.
Yesterday John Stravalle from Newburgh, NY stopped by for a weigh in. He caught two black drum off of the north end surf using clam. Both fish were teen size fish. Over the Harvest Moon period we heard of a couple others but this was the first direct report. Maybe some others are chewing too.
Long Beach Island Surf Fishing Tournament
The 63rd Annual LBI Fall Surf Classic kicked off Saturday. Hope everyone that attended the Saturday’s LBI Surf Fishing Classic Seminar enjoyed and learned something new. The anglers from Team Mullet always put on a great learning experience.
As we creep deeper into October we expect the surf fishing to turn on soon. So far there are two bluefish on the board. For more details check out the Live Results Page.
Backwater Water Fishing
Whole lotta life in the bay right now. Anglers are gearing up with soft baits and lead heads as well as poppers. Some in the shop have reports of very good fishing from the bay. One customer in the shop today reported catching three bass on his last outing, “The scholies are whaling lures! I’m getting them on the fly rod and spinning tackle.” Another customer said the bass fishing in the bay is on fire in the kayak.
Stan Slachta of Greenlane, PA was on the bay with his family this weekend looking for blowfish. They caught a bunch of small sea bass as well as some spot and porgies. They also got a handful of lizard fish! No blowfish. Chumming with clam using squid for hook bait. Have you ever caught a lizard fish? Most definitely an odd creature!
World class light tackle action with high speed dragsters from the likes of torpedo shaped little tunny has been absolutely insane!! Presently the amount of false albies along our beaches has been nothing short of historic with tons of bird plays , bait pods and aerial free jumping tunny as far as the eye can see!!
