Category: Fishing Reports

The news is bubbling with tariff talk! But what does all of this mean with regards to fishing tackle tariffs?

Plain and simple, fishing tackle isn’t getting cheaper!

We all felt the shock on the first round, during the 2018/’19 China Trade War. Many consumer products including fishing tackle and fishing related equipment imported from China had a 10-25% tariffs imposed. Thankfully it eventually reduced to 7.5%. Some companies absorbed the costs initially, but for the most part the costs were passed on to consumers.

Over the past few years many brands have tried to shift manufacturing out of China to places like Malaysia, Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Singapore, Vietnam and Indonesia (among other) as well as some near-shoring to Mexico and onshoring back to the United States. BUT, with the new 25% tariff on steel and aluminum imports, it’s uncertain how these actions may circumvent the tariff. How much of the raw aluminum is smelted and supplied from China? How might the raw costs increase?

Then and now the uncertainty surrounding the duration of these tariffs make long-term planning difficult and complicate business decisions. Moving manufacturing operations is not a simple nor quick decision. Today, China remains a major manufacturer and importer of fishing tackle; fishing reels, rods, lures, hook and other tackle.

Brace For Round Two’s Double Whammy

ONE: On February 10, President Trump signed an Executive Order that will have direct impacts on the sportfishing industry. Executive Order 10895 increases the tariff on aluminum products from 10% to 25%, including fishing reels, reel components, and landing nets. The new duty will apply only to the aluminum components of these products and will take effect March 12, 2025.”

TWO: March 4 the 25% tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico come into effect. Also the 10% additional tariff on Chinese imports that went into effect on February 4 would be increased to 20% on March 4, 2025.

So far this past week we have received more than a handful of “updated 2025 price schedules as a result of the recent tariff increases” from multiple tackle brands/manufacturer. We expect more as fishing tackle costs very well may increase. What’s uncertain right now is how brands and manufactures will proceed with their pricing policies. Most all of the fishing tackle we sell is strictly policed through MAP policies. These same brands that are manufacturing are also now selling direct to consumers. Will the retail prices rise but MAP remain? It’s uncertain how pricing and margin challenges will stew for both manufacturers and retailers.

At this stage of the game it’s too early to tell exactly how everything will shake out. The America Sportfishing Association (ASA) and importers are scrambling to figure things out. It’s possible (slim, but there’s a chance) there could be exceptions for fishing tackle. The ASA is hoping to have sportfishing products removed from the list because the industry already pays federal excise taxes which deposits into the Sport Fish Restoration Fund to help support the fisheries and habitat around the country.

The Days Of Increase Tariffs

As we enter this new world. It will be interesting to see if the trade war remains focused only on Canada, Mexico and China due to what is said to be measures directed at specific countries due to concerns over border security, drug trafficking, and trade imbalances. In time will the tariffs broaden?

Right now I see it giving an advantage to the value priced reels and possibly the high end. On the value side, a 25% hike will not take them too far out of the affordable range. However mid priced reels in the $300-500 range could jump out of reach for many.

Fortunately for both Shimano and Daiwa their Japanese roots remain strong. Their highest end reels may circumvent the tariffs since most are made in Japan. But where are the aluminum part actually smelted and cast? Most reels are made of aluminum but also a lot of stainless steel, titanium, brass, bronze and alloy parts.

Could Penn Fishing Tackle Company have a Philly factory come back? The Penn International Series is still made in Philly and they have a large factory. The last time I visited it was running but at very low capacity. It would be nice to see a resurgence of other models at their domestic factory. It’s a long shot but we can dream… Can you imagine Van Staal (sister company of Penn) making reels in the USA again?

Don’t think just reels. The aluminum tariffs will cover pliers, nets and other tackle too.

Just like in 2018/2019 our buying decisions are already laser focused on pricing to pass on the best value to our customers. We remain up to date on fishing tackle tariffs, the breaking news and we are tirelessly hunting for the best brands and best pricing for you.

Here’s how some well-known brands may be affected:

1. Shimano

Shimano, a major player in reels and rods, manufactures a significant portion of its products in Japan and Malaysia, but some entry- to mid-level reels, rods and other tackle is made in China. These products most likely will be subject to tariffs.

2. Daiwa

Like Shimano, Daiwa produces higher-end products in Japan but sources many mid-range reels and rods from China as well as other areas in the Far East. Tariffs may lead to price hikes.

3. Penn & Van Staal (Pure Fishing)

Penn & Van Staal, owned by Pure Fishing, produces most all of its reels in China, so tariffs will apply, except for the Penn International Series which is made in the USA. The popular Penn Battle and Fierce Series most likely will have price increases. Van Staal released price increases ranging from 5 to as high as 17% on certain items, all which take effect March 20th.

4. Rapala (Including Storm & VMC)

Many Rapala and Storm baits, as well as VMC hooks, are made in China, so tariffs will play a roll. Rapala diversified sourcing after the first trade war so the shocks this time around might not be as severe. I don’t see all brands shifting to these alternative manufacturing locations. Moving and building new manufacturing capacity is expensive and timely so it will be exciting to see how this pays off for Normark (the parent company of Rapala, Storm, Suffix, VMC, 13 Fishing, Luhr-Jensen, among others).

Rapala USA President Marcus Twidale included this statement in his Feb 19th letter to dealers, “We have actively engaged with our factory suppliers to negotiate cost reductions. Through these efforts, we have identified opportunities to mitigate the impacts and have chosen to adsorb many of the additional costs internally. As a result we have successfully limited the overall price increase on goods from China to 10% or less. In some cases, such as with our 13Fishing brand, there will be no prive increase as a result of these tariffs and duties.

5. Zebco, Quantum, Lews (Rather Outdoors)

Many budget-friendly reels and rods from Zebco and Quantum come from China and most likely will see tariffs and price increases. The company absorbed some of these costs on the first round so only time will tell what happens to retail pricing. Rumor has it there will be a price hike come April.

6. Avet, Accurate, USA Made Tackle

It’s our hope that both Avet and Accurate, two long time American made reel companies, come out on top as a result of the tariffs. This could be the only silver lining on this while tackle tariff topic. We have supported both of these brands from their early days; however they have struggled to compete with the bigger brands. Both Avet and Accurate have always made great products but importer’s pricing has kept their growth suppresses.

Navigating the Future of Fishing Tackle Tariffs & Pricing

As these new fishing tackle tariffs take hold, the tackle industry as well as the global economy faces a lot of uncertainty with unknown policy specifics, shifts and supply chain adjustments. While some brands may absorb costs or find alternative sourcing, consumers should prepare for potential price increases. Let’s hope that this works as planned and creates opportunities for American made brands to gain competitive traction in the market place. But only time will tell.

For the angling consumers, staying informed and making strategic buying decisions will be key. We’ll continue to track these developments and work hard to bring you the best tackle at the best value—because no matter what happens with trade policies, the passion for fishing never changes.

Worms are great spring time baits! Just about everything love them. Early season striped bass, winter flounder and perch can’t resist worms. In the summer worms are great baits for kingfish and blowfish The challenging part of the worm game is getting them and keeping them alive.

There’s no denying the price and quality of live worms has been an issue for the past few years. Worms have gotten expensive and their size isn’t what they used to be.

Are you looking for a convenient, long shelf life worms for bait? Try out Dynabait – freeze dried 100% all natural sustainable farm raised worms. These can be used as is or with your favorite scent/oils. Savvy anglers use live worms and Dynabait in tandem to stretch their live worm supply and fill the hook or make worm balls for striped bass.

For 10+ years Fish Heads has stock both bloodworm and sandworms with 1000’s of happy customers. At $5.99 a pack they are a must have in every tackle bag. Stop by and check them out or buy online now. 

Anyone around the water this past week has witnessed a very low water level. I’m calling it the “Great Blow Out Of Feb 2025”. There were many sand bars exposed, dry docks and some lagoons could be walked across. I posted a couple photos and shared details about it to inform. It got wings and the topic has trended, but many posts I see are loaded with jokesters and misinformation.

A tsunami is not coming. The NJ Forest Service did NOT pump the bay dry to water the Pinelands which are in a sever drought. It’s an epic time for clamming! Also a great time to inspect a bulkhead and clean up a dock slip. But I’m sure that cell phone you dropped in last summer is trash.

Why does Barnegat Bay has no – low water?

Here’s some information on the extremely low Barnegat Bay water level phenomenon that is rare this extreme but not uncommon.

Bill Purdy @fairwindsphoto captured this photo on the LBI bayside. It would normally be waist deep where his daughter stands. A “blow out tide” is a phenomenon as a result of extreme west- north/west winds.

Barnegat Bay Blow Out Tide

Plain and simple… It’s called a blow out tide! This low water event is primarily due to the wind…

• The wind’s direction – West, North / West Winds
• The wind’s speed – Powerful Gale / Tropical force winds
• The wind’s duration – 36-48+ Hour Duration
• The wind’s area/distance – Large Surface Area

It’s the recipe for a very large, broad and powerful fetch which pushed the water out. Just the opposite happens during coastal large storms when coastal storms create a very large fetch that pushes water in creating flooding events (and also generate large waves/surf).

Another factor is the barometer and barometric pressure gradients. Without getting too far into the weeds. Wind is created by pressure differences with air moving from areas of high pressure to areas to low pressure. But ALSO high pressure can cause lower water levels (and low pressure can raise the water level) compared to the predicted tides for a specific date.

Nearly Hurricane Force Winds

The evening of Sunday February 16th and most of the day Monday (2/17) were very windy. A powerful low pressure system with gale force (39-54mph) – tropical storm force west winds (39 to 73mph) moved through the area Sunday. Behind it was strong high pressure. The large gradient between the two created a board area of strong offshore winds. For clarification, west winds aka offshore winds, come from the west and blow in the direct of offshore.

Sunday and Monday the area had sustained 30MPH+ winds with gusts to 50MPH++!

• Atlantic City Airport: 71MPH!!! 74MPH is Cat1 Hurricane!
• Beach Haven peaked at 56MPH
• Island Beach State Park 65MPH

These winds pushed the water out of the bay and each ebb tide only helped drain the bay. These same winds blocked the subsequent flood tides, preventing the incoming water.

What is tide?

Most all anglers (should) know about tides but or those who don’t… The tide is the vertical elevation of water, the rise and fall of seawater that is caused by the moon’s, and a less part the sun’s (further away) gravitational pull. The normal everyday water elevation tidal change is about 1.5′ for most locations in our local area.

Local Observations

Taking look at the USGS Tide Elevation Gauges in the area you’ll see the super low tide elevations recorded at both the Waretown and Barnegat Light locations. The water level was about 2.5-3.5′ below normal.

Waretown Tidal Elevation: The west side of the bay location recorded a low of -2.42′ on 2/18/25 at 8:30PM. Statistics based on two years of data from USGS share the mean to be -0.17′.

Barnegat Light Tidal Elevation: The east side of the bay, near the Inlet location recorded a low of -3.73′ on 2/18/25 at 5:24PM. The location’s 22 year mean is -0.23′. Looking at this chart you will see more tide range due to the location.

Some say the event, “is because of neap tide” or “it’s because of spring tides.” That is not the case. This blow out event occurred at mid moon phase ~50% so the moon had little to no effect. The moon’s effect on tides is greatest, most extreme at the new 0% and full 100% phases and weak at the 50% stage.

• Neap Tides have the smallest tidal range, less extreme, resulting in lower high tides and higher low tides.
• Spring Tides have the largest tidal range, most extreme, resulting in higher highs and lower lows. Spring tides have nothing to do with the season we call Spring! It happens during new moon and full moon phases of the lunar cycle.
• The King Tide is the year’s highest tide. It’s the largest spring tide of the year. It occur when a new or full moon coincides with the moon’s perigee (closest to Earth in its orbit).

Additional Factors

An additional factor that did not cause but certainly didn’t help is the current drought. There’s little to low/no, flow out of the many creeks and rivers which drain into the Barnegat Bay. The entire Barnegat Bay watershed and broader area/state is in a sever/extreme drought. New Jersey and especially South Jersey is experiencing one of the driest periods of the 10-15 years. There has been little rain since this past August. If you read my end of year 2024 LBI Fishing Recap then you should know that this issue isn’t new, “October was BONE DRY, the driest since 1895!

Remembering Back

What a crazy blowout! One of the lowest and longest duration blow out tide in a long time! This event beat the last extreme blowout we can remember in early Jan 2108. Then we had a blowout in the frigid cold. The west wind blew out the tide and then it seemed like the hard freeze kept rom coming back in. Once it did a lot of pilings were lifted and docks damaged. Here’s a photo (below) from Jan 7th 2018.

Do you recall a super low extreme blow out tide? Share you memory.

Surf Day 2025 is quickly approaching this weekend -Don’t miss out on the year’s best surf fishing show!

• Who: The Jersey Shore Surfcasters (JSS Fishing Club)
• What: Surf Day 2025
• When: Saturday Feb 15, 2025 from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm
• Where: Brookdale Community College at 765 Newman Springs Rd, Lincroft, NJ 07738

This pure surf fishing show run by JSS, a group of die hard anglers, is well known in the North East. Many have tried to copy the format and ideas however none come close. This original and long standing show is a must attend for surf casters.

The seminar schedule looks great this year with top speakers lined up… Dave Anderson, Jenni Ackerman, Nick Honachefsky, Frank Goncalves and Bill Wetzel! These will all be worth attending.

While the seminars are the backbone of the show, the special part is seeing
the surf fishing community all under one roof. The networking and knowledge shared is second to none. Whether a rookie, novice or veteran Surf Day is for you.

The crew here at Fisherman’s Headquarters is looking forward to the show. We’ll be at the same booth we have had for the last ten years… located in the main room on the left side upon entering. We’ll have a full spread of surf fishing tackle, equipment and supplies from A to Z… all at Show Special Pricing. Stop by and say hello!

Two different “beach projects” caught my attention this past weekend. One I shared previously on Instagram 1/18/25 showing a before and after at the Lighthouse Jetty.

Dredge Spoils At Lighthouse Jetty

The Double Creek & High Bar dredge work wrapped up but the project is far from over. The dredge spoils were hydraulically dredged and transported via pipeline to the state park. But the situation there has turned into a public safety nightmare. I first shared information about the public safety hazard with a before and after video on January 18th via Instagram. I predicted a larger problem existed and thought it would play out overtime. I didn’t think it would happen so fast.

This is not the first time bay dredging maintenance was placed by the Lighthouse. It has been done numerous time over they last ten years. However, in my opinion, this time there was major oversight, failure of the plans and/or supervision over the shoreside part of the project. The failure to understand the dynamics of the area was negligent. Black geo-matting was used in the past and should of been used from the start. But this go around either no matting was used or not used properly.

There are very large sinkholes caused by the tide fluctuations sucking the sand underneath the concrete walkway and through the rock jetty. It has gotten worse with each tide cycle. Thankfully there is safety netting now to keep people away from the sink holes.

When filming this video I found large rolls of black geotextile matting (MIRAFI N-Series non-woven polypropylene geotextile) which looks to be staged and ready to use. This material allows for high water flow rates, excellent soil retention and long lasting durability. Hopefully this will be installed soon. But WOW! Talk about a waste of time, money and public safety risk not putting this down first. Now we have more sand shoaling up in the inlet that adds to the hazard. Are “they” paying to dredge the sand out of the inlet?

A little more info on the project is shared at the end of this blog post.

Barnegat Light’s New Piping Plover Beach Project

Here’s a first look at the second questionable beach project on Long Beach Island’s North End. How they are linked if at all is unknown to me. Is it just a coincident they occurred within a tight time window? Possibly but I assume the shoreside equipment and operators were used. More below.

The Barnegat Light dune excavation and removal of vegetation and maritime forest seems extreme. So much for the DEP’s protection of the dunes, fragile habitat of Seabeach Amaranth and other beach plant species! There was serious discussions as recently as last year that threatened shutting down beach access in order to protect this plant.

I heard about the activity a couple days ago and saw a couple photos from Tim Brindley and Joy Ludke. They blew my mind! It looked like somebody went a little crazy. Like a kid in a sandbox playing around with some Tonka trucks but on a much larger level. I was shocked and had to take a look to see it first hand.

Take a look for yourself as I walk through the 7/8th street beach access trail and pan through the area. I also show the erosion of beach at the Old South Jetty and the fish bowl cove leading towards the Sea King’s mast and “The Point” aka “The Bar” to the south.

Info On The Lighthouse Dredge Material Placement

A simple search pulled up this public notice from 2015 which details the purpose, location, activities and more about what I believe to be the same project. If that is the case, in my unqualified opinion, the recent activities grossly exceeded the designated 3.2 acre “sand stockpile area” shown below.

Wish I had more, but I’m not going through a public records request route.

More On Plover Beach

After I recorded the two videos I ended up diving in more to the topics. As assumed the two events are part of the same project that’s “made possible through collaborative efforts and funding from a number of partners, including Conserve Wildlife Foundation of NJ, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, New Jersey Fish and Wildlife, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. and Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey.” Here’s a link on the collaboration…

A Return to Barnegat Light to Get the Beach Ready for Plovers

Getting THE BEACH READY FOR PLOVERS

Hook Some Winter Show Deals!

Don’t miss the 15th Annual Fishing Flea Market hosted by the Lacey Twp High School Fishing Club. It’s going to be packed with great deals on all kinds of fishing tackle. We will have hot deals on best selling gulp, reels, braided line, lures and much more.

When: Sunday, January 19, 2025
Time: 9 AM – 2 PM
Admission: $5 at the door
Location: Lacey Township High School – Forked River, NJ
73 Haines St., Lanoka Harbor, NJ 08734-2115

All proceeds support the hardworking student anglers of the club. See You There!

For More Info Visit The Event’s Facebook Page

This year was an exciting year for Long Beach Island anglers, offering impressive catches alongside unique challenges. Both beach and boat anglers found rewarding opportunities during the year’s fishing seasons. Dive into this year-end fishing recap to reflect on the highlights, memorable moments, and key takeaways from fishing the LBI region in 2024.

Ya can’t say, “I fished hard all year if you don’t start on day one!” I kicked off 2024 with a good New Year’s Day tog fishing trip and landed this big white chinner in the mix of enjoyable (sweatshirt and jeans) winter tautog fishing. I tried to fish “late into the season” but pulled the boat before the January 9/10th mid-latitude cyclone that pounded the area with 68 mph winds and major flooding. I’m still in the water now so I’m hoping to score some action to kick off 2025 once the weather allows.

SPRING FISHING

March kicked off with hungry striped bass actively hitting bloodworms and small-profile lures in the back bays, rivers, and tributaries. White perch were also in these areas, eagerly biting on grass shrimp. The month started warmer than usual with high hopes for a promising spring. By mid-March, gannets moved up along the coast and WALLA! The season’s first surfside striped bass was landed by Jon Kelly fishing the Island’s south end surf. It was an exciting moment that set the tone for a strong start to the year. But the second half of the month deteriorated. Heavy rain (3rd wettest March since 1895) and stormy conditions disturbed and diluted fishing.

Stellar Spring For Bass & Drum

April ushered in better conditions and sparked up good fishing for tog, striped bass and black drum. Mid-April had more positive progression into the heart of spring fishing with warming waters. Mid to late month some bigger bass, bigger black drum and a few gator bluefish added to the excitement in the LBI surf. Also the season’s first kingfish and blowfish showed.

It all carried on into May with clam as the bait of choice! April and May delivered one of the best surfside black drum seasons in recent years, with phenomenal action in the bay as well. Striped bass fishing wasnt shabby with solid catches in the bay and surf.

On May 20th Jon Kelly had himself a stellar day in the surf… 12 black drum, two striped bass and a bluefish.

Bunker Were Hard To Come By At Times

During April and May in the coastal waters of Long Beach Island, Barnegat Inlet and Island Beach State Park area bunker (aka menhaden) did not gather in large schools like they typically do. Bunker was hard to find for bait and tackle shops as well as striped bass. This situation was advantageous for surf anglers because the game moved into the surf zone rather than staging on bait schools off of the beach in deeper water. The migrating hungry striped bass had to rummage the suds and that is where they found anglers hot to trot us fishing the cuts and troughs. Clam and sand fleas were two hot baits in the spring of 2023 spring and it repeated in 2024. Now for spring 2025… ready, aim, fire! 

Tuna Showed Early

April had some giant tuna in close off LBI. This trend played out all year. With regards to other early season offshore info, BHMTC Tuna Open (June 8-15th) had good participation and lots of fish with all five species of tuna hitting the scales; 5 bluefin over 100#, 8 big eye over 100# and 11 yellowfin over 70#.

TJ Johnson aboard the XYZ weighed in the biggest bluefin tuna ever brought to the Beach Haven Marlin Tuna Club. This 92″ 462# tuna was caught in close after a three hour battle on an 80 wide.

Early Season Fluke Fishing

The fluke season started strong with an early opening date of May 4th. Right out of the gate, store staffer Paul had a nice limit of flatties fishing the Barnegat Inlet rocks, 19” – 21.5”. Other positive reports were common with fluke up to 26” and multiple limits of fish all over 20” on Gulp, live minnows and large strip baits.

Here’s Paul with a nice haul!

Spring Yellow eyes demons

Some gators were in the surf this spring with the best of it focused around the middle of May. Then for the most part cocktail blues in the 1-3# and 2-4# range, occasional 5# and larger frequented the surf, inlet and bay. Right into summer.

Store staffers Frankie (left) and Jared (right) got into some nice blues on the LBI surf fishing the mid-May time frame.

Diversity arrived in June

June started off with great weather as well as the year’s first showing of cow nose rays, cobia, sheepshead and houndfish. Early June had the Long Beach Island surf water temperature in the mid 60’s and it was gin clear. Anglers caught fluke, blues and occasional bass and drum which fizzled out from the May climax. The clean and warm inshore waters had bonito and Spanish mackerel activity spicing things up early in mid June. June also produced good black sea bass fishing on the wrecks and reefs.

Father and son Tony and Anthony Butch scored a limit of nice sea bass this trip.

SUMMER FISHING

An intense and unusually early hot and humid heat wave kicked off the 2024 summer season at the Jersey Shore. Meanwhile the Long Beach Island region was heavily influenced by upwelling events, which kept the nearshore ocean water temperatures unusually cold. It eventually broadened and escalated into a full-scale regional event. Even Monmouth County waters which rarely get extreme upwellings like LBI were dealing with the chilly summertime waters. While this cold water phenomenon posed challenges for certain fisheries, it boosted others.

Challenging Summer Fluke Fishing

Fluke which started off the season strong remained a worthwhile target; however, challenging. Most would agree, the fluke season fell short of the typically robust action anglers have come to expect. Tightlines were had by focusing on the tides and temperatures as well as adapting one’s approach. I found that fishing shallow (3-8’ deep) mud bottom areas in the bay with live minnows and spearing to be my successful strategy. It was common to have slow fishing or short lived bites as cold waters disrupted and depressed the usual patterns. Not only did I focus on the shallow waters that were warmed by the sun. I boxed some nice fluke working slowly in deeper areas which remained consistently. At times the surf was productive.

Consistent Bluefishing

The consistent bluefish bite which offered good fishing in late spring waned, but the yellow eyes in various sizes were caught all summer long in the bay, inlet and surf. Weakfish too made a showing as well as a boat load of spot in July and August. However the blowfish abundance was low this summer and not nearly comparable to the recent years past.

Summertime striper fishing

Resident striped bass enjoyed the chilly waters and it sustained some of the best summertime bass fishing the area has seen in a long time. The bass bite was good all summer long offering both surprisingly great quantity and quality. Some summertime linesiders were picked off the surf but for the most part the activity was focused around the bay and inlet. It made for a very productive summertime jetty season. Despite the radical water temperature swings bass, blues, fluke, weakfish, tog, sheepshead, triggerfish and kingfish were all on tap in August.

Summer Midshore Pelagics

On the midshore grounds, bluefin tuna as well as yellowfin tuna offered good content for jig, pop and trolling. The first half of August (before Hurricane Ernesto’s large swell rolled through on top of already higher than usual tides) there were bluefin less than 20 miles from BI. For the most part the tuna stuck around all summer with bluefin in the 20-25 mile range and yellowfin 40-60.  The bonito were abundant with albies, spanish and chub mackerel in the mix too.

When the blackfish season opened on August 1st, the jetty fishing for blackfish was remarkable and it continued to deliver all fall.

September was full of onshore, easterly winds and cool, dry weather. The never ending blow did have a silver lining. It was a change in weather pattern which fixed the prolonged upwelling issue. And it got the bass and blues stoked up on the mullet that was moving.

FALL FISHING

Fall 2024 was New Jersey’s driest in 130 years and the summertime anomaly inverted. The weather patterns flipped from a semi-permanent Bermuda High (summertime south wind causing upwelling) to a semi-permanent high pressure to New Jersey’s north and northeast, parked over the North East United States and Canadian Maritimes with lower pressure to our region’s south. With this high pressure in command for six straight weeks the area was locked into warm and dry conditions with extreme drought in the area. October was BONE DRY, the driest since 1895!

Fall 2024 Mullet Run

The mullet run was sensational. What started in August poured all September, all October and into November. The whole time bluefish pestered and in the early to mid stages of the run fluke and striped bass were keyed in on the finger mullet.

Tog fishing was outstanding for land based anglers fishing Barnegat Inlet. But the traditional inshore hot spot snags (wrecks and reef) were not loaded. Some spots produced. Some days better than others. There is no doubt in my mind, tighter tautog regulations are needed NOW! Actually they were needed when I first tried to wake up the NJ Marine Fisheries Council five years ago. That fell on deaf ears. Tog fishing was extraordinary and lots of new participants joined the hot fishery. More participation and pressure, but moreover advanced technologies (specific tackle, precision GPS boat positioning trolling motors, HD sonar, HD bathymetric charts/ imaging, etc.) make our recreational efforts exponentially more powerful and effective! Managers have no handle on the status of the fishery and action is needed now before what is still good is gone.

The first week of November was really warm both air and ocean temp wise. Surprisingly the ocean water was warmer the first week of November than it was for most of June and July. 

Boat bassing all November was exceptional. Phenomenal early month striped bass fishing was had by those that made a northern trek. Lunkers on bunkers and Jumbos on jigs was the mantra. As the month went on, the fish slid down making a short commute for local boats running out of Barnegat Inlet. Sand eels and bunker ranging from adults and juvenile lollypop to peanut bunker were present and harassed just about daily. Some days the gorging was spectacular!

But a big frigid cold front moved in around the 30th (11/30) and stuck around. For the most part this cold snap closed the door. The surf temps dropped fast and the fish that were staged up along the beaches seemed to move off towards deeper, more consistent temperatures. Some also headed to their local back water wintering grounds. December can be an awesome month for striped bass fishing but not this year. 

It was not a good fall run on the beaches of LBI. However there were opportunities and successful catches. John Bonner was a stand out, winning the catch and release LBI Surf Master Division hosted by the LBI Surf Fishing Classic. His three fish stringer scored 141 points/inches; 50, 46, 45. All were caught waxing out of November’s new moon (11/1) during the month’s first week.

Tuna Kept Coming

The midshore / inshore tuna bite that kept going all summer exploded to biblical proportions in the fall! The bite rolled on month after month and rocked right to the end of the year. At times there were bluefin busting on bait along the beach. The consistent catches came from the Manasquan Ridge, down through the Separation Zone to the Barnegat Ridges. Hook ups came on lures and bait fishing, but trolling ballyhoo dressed with a Joe Shute pulled down on planers was the most dependable and consistent method. It’s kind of hard to believe it’s still rocking now at the end of the year.

Gio DeMarco scored this bluefin tuna fishing in mid November.

CONCLUSION

As 2024 comes to a close, it’s clear lots of great fishing memories were made. From early-season striped bass and black drum fishing to a phenomenal tuna run and surprising summer stripers, anglers have a lot to celebrate. Here’s to building on this year’s successes in 2025. Tight lines and a Happy New Year from all of us at Fisherman’s Headquarters! We wish you all the best in the new year.

In celebration of New Year’s Day the store will be closed, Wednesday January 1, 2025. On Thursday we will be back at the helm on our winter hours; 8AM to 5PM for now but that might be cut back another hour or two so stay tuned or call to confirm.

REMINDER: With Each New Year Comes Changes…

• 2025 Fishing Regulations (2024 rolls over until updates are finalized)
  • Tog / Tautog / Blackfish is now at a 4 fish bag limit, Jan 1- Feb 28th, then closed until April
  • Black Sea Bass season is now closed, May 17th opens at 10 fish bag limit with 12.5” minimum length
  • Striped Bass fishing is now closed in the back bays and rivers until March 1st. Only the surf and ocean is open to striped bass fishing.
• NJ Striped Bass Bonus Program is now closed. Logs are due by 1/15/2025
• Remember to renew your recreational saltwater fishing registry! New for 2025 the process is done through the NJ Fish & Wildlife licenses and permits web portal. 

From all of us at Fish Heads… We wishing you and your family an awesome holiday season, a very Merry Christmas… and a fish filled Happy New Year!

Here at Fishermans Headquarters we are open daily year round. Here’s our special holiday hours which are exceptions to our everyday posted times.