It’s That Time of Year!
Note, Monday, 12/19: Well, it’s that time of year. Only a few fishing reports rolled in from the weekend. Too few to make up an entire report. That’s typical for the holidays. So, a few updates were posted today, Monday, 12/19, instead of an entire new report.

<b>Staten Island</b>

<b>***Update, Monday, 12/19:***</b> Quite a few blackfish trips ran with <b>Outcast Charters</b>, Capt. Joe said, and the fishing was the same as all season: Most trips limited out, but the angling wasn’t great, and took work. “Sort of grinding it out,” Joe said. The fish weren’t huge, and lately weighed up to 7 pounds, and most keepers were 3 to 5 pounds. A 14-pound cod was mixed in with the catch the other day, and sometimes ling, okay catches, were landed when trips fished in deeper waters. New York’s blackfishing season is open through Tuesday then will close until reopening January 17. Outcast will stop fishing when the season closes, but will resume blackfishing when it reopens, if the tog are still snapping in the water temps then.

Fishing remained about the same as previously, said Pat from <b>E-Z Catch Saltwater Traps & Tackle Co.</b> Striped bass swam along the Staten Island surf from the Arthur Kill to Fort Wadsworth at the Verrazano Bridge to Great Kills. No bluefish were heard about locally. Party boaters cracked plenty of blackfish. E-Z Catch is open through winter from Tuesdays to Thursdays, and fresh clams and vacuum-packed bunker are stocked the whole time. The store is also a <b><i>premier manufacturer and supplier of saltwater traps</i></b> for wholesale and commercial, including custom building and servicing. See the online <a href="http://www.e-zcatch.com/catalog" target="_blank">catalog of traps</a>. E-Z Catch is also a train store.

<b>South Amboy</b>

About 20 blackfish including eight keepers were tugged aboard the last trip of the season Sunday with <b>Reel World Charters</b>, an e-mail from Reel World said. The fishing began fairly well, and the three anglers pulled up more than a dozen of the tog including five keepers in the first hour. Once winds dropped off, so did the bite. Reservations are now being accepted for spring striped bass trips. “Hope everyone has a great holiday and a healthy new year,” the crew said in the e-mail.

<b>Atlantic Highlands</b>

Loads of striped bass schooled the ocean off the Highlands Bridge on Wednesday, said Jimmy from <b>Julian’s Bait & Tackle</b>. Boaters jigged the fish, and eeled stripers along the channels. Stripers were also caught in Raritan Bay. Surf casters beached stripers, and Jimmy saw them hitting the fish on jigs as he walked his dog on the beach Wednesday at daybreak. Birds worked the waters as far as could be seen. Blackfishing was good for the most part. Some anglers decked none, but trips like those with charters limited out. Plenty of ling and a few cod were swung aboard from the Mudhole. Julian’s is open, as long as fish keep biting, and the weather is fishable.

No trip aboard was expected to sail today on the party boat <b>Atlantic Star</b> in forecasts calling for 15- to 20-knot winds with gusts to 25 early in the day and winds 20 to 25 with gusts to 35 later in the day, Capt. Tom said. “We’ll see what Friday looks like,” he said. On board Tuesday, the most recent day the boat fished, blackfishing was improved compared with previous days, covered in the last report. One angler limited out, and another bagged five, and some took three or four keepers, and others one or two, and some no keepers. But those with no keepers angled a few ling and plenty of action with short blackfish. Sometimes ling were landed on trips, and other times only blackfish were, depending on the area fished. The Atlantic Star is blackfishing 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. daily. <b>***Update, Friday, 12/16:***</b> No trip sailed today because of winds, but the boat should get back out this weekend, Tom said. Forecasts are calling for good conditions: 10- to 15-knot, northwest winds on Saturday, and 10-knot winds from the north on Sunday. In fact, forecasts look good for the next three or four days. Don’t hesitate to fish on weekends, because crowds aren’t large, aren’t large like in summer. The boat will fish through January 2, a holiday on a Monday, because New Year’s Day is on a Sunday, before going on a winter break.  <b>***Update, Saturday, 12/17:***</b> Today’s trip got out, and winds blew 16 to 18 knots, Tom said in a telephone call aboard the outing at 10:45 a.m., so that was a little breezy, but from the northwest, so seas weren’t rough, fishing conditions weren’t bad. A pick of blackfish and a few ling was under way. A few fish would be hooked, then time would pass, then a few more would be angled, and so on. There was time left in the trip, so the fishing could change, and the anglers would see. <b>***Update, Monday, 12/19:***</b> The small group aboard today’s trip was off to a pretty good start at blackfishing, Tom said in a phone call at 10 a.m. on the outing. If the catches keep up, the fishing will end up pretty decent for the day, he said. The catch was all blackfish so far. Winds came up sooner than expected, but weren’t bad. On Sunday’s trip, with a light crowd, three anglers limited out on blackfish, and the rest bagged one or two, except one angler who caught no keepers. The catch was all blackfish, except for about one ling, and the day was probably the coldest of the year so far, “was some cold,” Tom said. Anglers aboard Saturday’s trip picked away at blackfish, and on one drop landed ling mixed in. The boat will sail for blackfish through Monday, January 2, before going on winter break, he reminded. The day is a holiday, because New Year’s is on a Sunday. <b>***Update, Tuesday, 12/20:***</b> The trip Monday ended up good, a one-drop day, and a couple of anglers limited out on blackfish, and some bagged just under a limit, and all the anglers, a small group, at least took home two or three keepers, Tom said. Today’s trip was good, a little tougher, but ended up okay. Nobody limited out on blackfish, but some bagged five, some three or four, and everyone at least bagged one keeper. All blackfish, no ling, bit both days. Wednesday’s weather sounds rainy, but Thursday’s sounds good, with west winds. If anglers are trying to choose a day to jump aboard based on weather, Thursday sounds like the day. Green crabs are supplied on the boat, and white leggers have been available for sale on board lately.

The <b>Fishermen</b> was the only party boat to sail from the harbor today, and striped bass fishing was good aboard, Capt. Ron said in a report on the vessel’s Web site. The fish were hooked near port, then off New York for the final day of the Empire State’s striper season, then off the Highlands Bridge on the ocean off New Jersey. Winds reached more than 30 knots by the end of the trip. “Gotta love fall fishing!” Ron said. Wednesday was another great day of striper fishing aboard. After September’s weather and slow fluke fishing, despite a longer than usual fluke season, and weather and slower striper fishing in October and November, “we have been blessed with the best Christmas present any captain could receive: fish and lots of them!” Ron said. Striper fishing was good for five days in a row now, he said in the report Wednesday. “Sailing every day as long as the fish keep biting,” he said. Watch a <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=apweDBjbYXA&feature=player_embedded" target="_blank">video of Tuesday’s trip</a>. The Fishermen is sailing for striped bass 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. daily.

<b>Highlands</b>

<b>***Update, Friday, 12/16:***</b> Fishing for blackfish and striped bass continued  turning out good catches on the <b>Hyper Striper</b>, Capt. Pete said in an e-mail. Matt Findley and crew aboard sailed for a combo on Tuesday, tackling loads of stripers to 18 pounds and blues. Then they topped off the catch “with some nice tog,” Pete said. Jack Schmidt’s party concentrated on blackfish, limiting out on the tog to 12.4 pounds.

Fishing was wrapped up for the season on the Fisher Price III during the weekend, Capt. Derek from <b>Fisher Price Charters</b> said, and that was covered in the last report, but he’s running and mating on a boat from Point Pleasant Beach now. That vessel sailed to the Mudhole this week, putting anglers on a good catch of ling and cod. Charters are sailing on that vessel, and so are open-boat trips, including an open trip this Saturday for striped bass and blackfish. Anglers can call Derek about the Point Pleasant Beach trips: 732-291-7675 or 732-861-3394. On the Fisher Price III during the weekend, blackfishing was tougher, apparently because of strong currents from the full moon, but some sizeable blackfish to a 12-pounder were punched, and striped bass fishing was very good. Those were the final trips of the year on the vessel, covered in the last report.

With <b>Raritan Bay Charters</b> blackfishing was a pick on Friday in winds against the tide and strong currents from the full moon, but 20 keepers 3 to 5 pounds were managed, Capt. Dave said. The charter was covered in the last report, and so was an open-boat trip on Sunday that bagged 24 blackfish to 8 pounds on a scratchy bite in winds that blew with the tide, favorable conditions. Three spaces are available for an open trip for blackfish this Sunday.

<b>Neptune</b>

<b>Last Lady Fishing Charters</b> last fished on the weekend, Capt. Ralph said. The trips were covered in the last report, and racked up more than 15 keeper stripers and lots of shorts and bluefish on one outing. Another outing copped slow blackfishing, though one angler limited out, and Ralph changed tactics on the next blackfish trip, and the tog fishing was the best of the season so far for Last Lady. Again, the angling was covered in the last report. One space is available for an individual-reservation trip for blackfish on Sunday. More of the trips are slated for this season, and cod trips will be scheduled for the near future. A good run of cod turned on at the Mudhole last winter. Charters are available daily. <b>***Update, Friday, 12/16:***</b> Individual-reservation trips for blackfish were added for December 22 and January 2, Ralph said. The trips with openings also include ones on December 24 and 26 and January 1. <b>***Update, Monday, 12/19:</b> Two anglers limited out on blackfish on a trip for the fish aboard Saturday, and the rest of the crew caught the tog, but the fishing wasn’t good, Ralph said in an e-mail. On a trip aboard Sunday, “the weather man was wrong again,” Ralph said, “(and blackfishing) was only a pick in tough conditions. Hopefully the coming week will be like it was a week ago, with really good fishing,” Ralph said. An updated individual-reservation blackfish trip schedule: December 22 (2 spots), 23 (1 spot), 24 (4 spots), 26 (3 spots), 31 (full) and January 1 (5 spots) and 2 (5 spots).

<b>Belmar</b>

Blackfish to 14 pounds, a couple of 8-pounders and lots of 3- to 4-pounders were shoveled aboard with <b>Barbara Anne Fishing Charters</b>. The fishing wasn’t great, but like 30 per trip were bagged, all on white leggers. Striped bass were around, if anglers wanted to mix in fishing for them. More stripers were around in the last two weeks than previously, and water temps must’ve been right for them or something. Lots of sand eels schooled, and birds worked the waters for miles. Barbara Anne will sail for blackfish until the season for them closes. Cod and ling trips will be available as the weather chills. Don’t have enough anglers for a charter? Call Anthony anyway, because he can usually include individuals and small groups on trips.

The new boat, a 30-foot Island Hopper, was sailed to port this week, is in the slip and is ready to fish, Capt. Kris from <b>Fish Stix Sportfishing</b> said. The crew jigged a few striped bass on the ocean on the trip, and striper fishing was good lately, and so was blackfishing. Charters are fishing, and open-boat trips are running for blackfish, and might mix in striper fishing. Anglers can call or e-mail Kris to be kept informed about the open-boat dates.

Not a lot happened, because of weather, said Bob from <b>Fisherman’s Den</b>. Only one of the blackfish party boats sailed today, and few people showed up for the fishing. But the trip reportedly caught blackfish well and some cod mixed in. Striped bass kept biting in the surf, but mostly to the south at Island Beach State Park. The angling there was a little slow today but very good the previous two days. Surf fishing infrequently turned on locally. One day this week gave up surf catches at Sandy Hook, Monmouth Beach and Long Branch. “A one-day shot,” Bob said. Southeast winds put a damper on fishing today. But winds are supposed to switch to west and northwest, and that should create good fishing conditions. “Get good weather, it’s good fishing,” Bob said.

Too few anglers showed up at the docks for striped bass trips to sail on the party boat <b>Golden Eagle</b> in the past days, a report on the vessel’s Web site said. “(But) it ain’t over yet!” the report said. Good shots of stripers and blues were still around, “(getting) caught by those who want to brave the chilly mornings,” the report said. Warm waters and plenty of bait kept the fish around. No trip was expected to shape up today on the boat because of weather forecasts. But the crew will shape up for trips Friday to Sunday. After the weekend, they’ll look at whether striper trips will sail next week. The Golden Eagle is fishing 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. daily. Mackerel Express Trips will begin as soon as the migration arrives. This Saturday had been the target date for the trips to begin, but the run wasn’t in. “We will keep you posted,” the report said. “We won’t take you searching for them if we know they are not there ….” Cod and ling trips will sail this winter.

<b>Brielle</b>

<b>***Update, Monday, 12/19:***</b> Striped bass fishing exploded last week in the ocean, said Dave from <b>The Reel Seat</b>. After a lull in the fishing, boaters last week drilled the fish, including good-sized ones 10, 15 and 20 pounds, on the ocean anyplace from Mantoloking to the Shrewsbury Rocks on jigs. Big bluefish were mixed in. Surf fishing for stripers also exploded then once again. The angling was good from Island Beach State Park early that week, and Dave through the week also heard about the catches from spots including Ortley Beach. A customer on Sunday talked about catching stripers from the surf at Mantoloking that day. Needlefish lures and swimming plugs like those from Daiwa or Yozuri Cyrstal Minnows hooked the fish in the surf. Those types of lures typically catch when sand eels swim the waters. Sundials also bit in the surf. Stripers were sometimes angled at Manasquan Inlet, and so were herring and hickory shad. Blackfishing was so-so on the ocean, and sea bass fishing began to improve offshore. Dave fished for sea bass on Wednesday, and the fishing was “eh,” he said. But a customer fished for sea bass on Saturday, and the catches had considerably improved. Little was heard about bluefin tuna that held close to shore lately, but some were landed last Monday and Tuesday. A couple of customers headed out for the bluefins on Saturday, but results were yet to be heard. The Reel Seat will be open through Christmas Eve day and will be closed in January for a winter break. The shop will reopen on weekends in February.  <b>***Update, Monday, 12/19:***</b> A trip aboard this Saturday limited out on blackfish to 9 pounds, Jerry said in Facebook postings. “Everywhere ya went ya caught a few after ya set up, n then it would die,” he said. But the last drop saved the day, and a good chew got going. The trip put in overtime, and limited out. A trip on the boat this Sunday limited out on blackfish to 12 pounds. The weather was frigid, but the fishing was “red hot,” Jerry said. Many shorts bit, but so did lots of 4- to 8-pound keepers. The anglers limited out by 11 a.m., then the fishing slowed, and a few more keepers were swung in.

A trip aboard Sunday limited out on blackfish to 9 pounds with <b>Fish Monger Charters</b>, Capt. Jerry said in Facebook postings. “They def didn’t come easy,” he said. “Put in a long Monger day, n the crew fished very hard for their catch.” But they limited out. A trip Monday on deck limited out on blackfish to 7 ½ pounds. “Kind of the same as (Sunday),” Jerry said. “Just a slow pick.” But the anglers worked hard and limited, and the catch included two 7-pounders. The fish bit every place the boat fished. “Scratchy, grind bite,” Jerry said. “One here, one there.” The ocean was flat, and the weather couldn’t be better. A trip on the boat Tuesday limited out on blackfish to 8 ½  pounds. “Blackfish were back on the chew for Jmurr Joey n crew!” Jerry said. The fishing took a moment to get going, but then the tog chomped. Most were 3 to 4 pounds. A blackfish trip sailed Wednesday, and Jerry posted a photo of Stelios Gatanas holding a big one on the trip, but was yet to post a report about the fishing at press time.

<b>Point Pleasant Beach</b>

Lots of ling were swung aboard the party boat <b>Dauntless</b>, Capt. Willie said. The fishing was usually good, turning out 15 to 40 ling per angler, and a few good-sized cod to 12 pounds were angled aboard. So were a few sizeable sea bass, and a handful of bluefish were iced on each trip. No striped bass showed up. The boat fished at wrecks at the Mudhole in 150 to 200 feet in 50- to 51-degree waters. Dogfish were a nuisance early in the week but not later. The mackerel migration could swim within range in the next weeks, and during seasons when they do, trips mix in mackerel fishing along with the bottom fishing. The Dauntless is fishing 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. daily.

<b>***Update, Monday, 12/19:***</b> Now here’s a gift! Holiday gift cards are available for <b>Reel Class Charters</b> through Christmas Eve, Capt. Allen said. They’re available in any denomination, and the turnaround time is quick. Call or e-mail Allen for info. Also, info on trip rates and season passes for next year will become available on <a href=" http://www.reelclassfishing.com/" target="_blank">Reel Class’s Web site</a> on January 1.

Ocean private-boaters and party-boaters bailed striped bass, and tons of Ava 47 and 67 jigs were sold for the fishing, said Gary from <b>Gates Bait & Tackle</b>. Ones with dark-green tails and dark-red tails were in demand. Lots of stripers were still migrating to the local coast from farther north. Stripers, a mix of throwbacks and keepers, not a lot, but some, were beached from the local surf. Small Ava’s with dark-green tails were favorites for that fishing, and clams sometimes grabbed the catches. A few stripers swam Manasquan Inlet, and anglers sometimes scored run-offs on them on livelined sea herring that appeared at the inlet on Saturday for the first time this season. The population was spotty, but the herring were in, and hickory shad were mixed in. Anglers fished for the herring with Sabiki rigs, and the rigs fished on the bottom hooked lots of sundials that carpeted the inlet. Stripers that migrated the ocean chased the herring to local waters. <b>***THIS TACKLE SHOP IS FOR SALE! CALL: 732-899-5760.***</b>

<b>Toms River</b>

A few customers surf fished at Seaside Heights on Wednesday, all catching striped bass, said Dennis from <b>Murphy’s Hook House</b>. They said the fishing was pretty darn good, giving up 30- and 32-inchers, mostly on teasers, some on Ava jigs. Another customer hit the surf at Island Beach State Park on Wednesday, saying the angling for stripers was a little slow in the morning but better in the afternoon, on Ava’s and teasers. Bob who works at the shop fished Island Beach on Tuesday morning, even landing bluefish among stripers, on Ava’s and teasers. The surf this week was 50 to 52 degrees, a good temp for fishing. A few boaters stopped by to gear up for striper fishing on the ocean this week, but no results were heard. They clocked stripers, averaging 12 to 14 pounds, sometimes larger, during the weekend, all on umbrella rigs with tubes. Nothing was heard about Barnegat Bay, like eeling for stripers at night along the sod banks. All the eels customers bought were used in the surf for stripers. Nobody mentioned blackfishing or bottom fishing. This will be the final weekend that fresh clams are stocked at the shop this season. The eels that are on hand will be the last of the season. No green crabs are left. All the frozen baits are carried.

<b>Seaside Heights</b>

Lots of striped bass were beached from the surf again the last three days, said Scott from <b>The Dock Outfitters</b>. Many were keepers, and the bass bit pretty much from Brick Beach to Island Beach State Park on metal and teasers. No bluefish were reported banked. Boaters also bailed good catches of stripers on the ocean. Lots of blackfish snapped at the ocean wrecks, and surely some could be hooked along the jetties. Fresh clams and frozen baits are stocked.

<b>Barnegat</b>

From an edited e-mail from Capt. Dave DeGennaro from the <b>Hi Flier</b>: “Striper fishing is excellent right now. I put the Hi Flier away for the season but have joined up with another captain to run open-boat trips on his 28 ft. sport fisherman. We will be running open boat this Sat. and Sun., 6AM to 2PM. Limited to four passengers. Leaving from his residence in Toms River, with the option to leave out of either Manasquan or Barnegat inlets, depending on our up-to-the-minute fishing report and/or weather. Right now the forecast is for very favorable sea conditions. I just hung up the phone with this captain, and he just returned from an awesome day of striper fishing. Forty-plus fish, all jigging and casting. The amazing part for this time of year was that 3 out-of 4 were keepers! December usually finishes with the smallest fish of the season, but not this year. The water temp was 47 degrees. Tons of sand eels, lots of birds working and very few boats. The fish were spread out from the wash to 40 feet of water between Lavallette and Seaside. This will probably be the last open boats for me this season. I look forward to one more shot at these fish this weekend, and then it's time for the holidays. Thanks to everyone who sailed with us this year. It was a season to remember. One of the best trophy striper/live bunker runs in the history of the planet, that rolled into three weeks of blue-water bonita, mahi and bluefin tuna at Barnegat Ridge, wrapped up with one of the strongest fall striper runs for quantity and average size that anyone can remember. This season will be remembered one day as "the good old days," and we were lucky enough to be in it, instead of hearing an older generation wax nostalgic about it. Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Looking forward to seeing you onboard in 2012.”

<b>Forked River</b>

A customer today ran a trip that boated three keeper striped bass and two throwbacks on the ocean in 40 feet on jigs, said Grizz from <b>Grizz’s Forked River Bait & Tackle</b>. Seas were rough, and birds worked the waters. A neighbor last week landed two or three stripers on Barnegat Bay on eels. So stripers seemed able to be caught on the bay, though few anglers fished for them there. Blackfishing was okay on the ocean.

<b>Mystic Island</b>

The last time a striped bass was weighed in was on Saturday, said Scott from <b>Scott’s Bait & Tackle</b>. Stripers 20 pounds were taken from Little Egg Inlet then, and the lack of reports wasn’t about whether fish were around. Instead, few anglers were around, by this time of the season. The weather wasn’t always calm, like winds forecasted for today. But the time of year more than anything seemed the cause. Not even boats being trailered from slips for the season were seen anymore. Stripers and blackfish very well might’ve still been able to have been boated.  But nobody reported trying for them. More anglers started to be seen who were white perch fishing on the brackish rivers. A few stopped in to buy live grass shrimp or bloodworms for perch, but no results were heard. More anglers started to be seen who were fishing on foot. Customers stopped by who were headed to the surf at Harvey Cedars for striper fishing with metal. The first couple hours of daytime seemed most productive. In addition to grass shrimp and bloodworms, the shop is stocking fresh, shucked clams, and more will arrive Friday. The supply of bait is in good shape.

<b>Absecon</b>

Two healthy-sized striped bass were socked at Absecon Inlet today on a trip Capt. Dave from <b>Absecon Bay Sportsman Center</b> took with his son, Dave said. His son hauled in a 17-pounder, and Dave bagged a 28-incher. The fish were hooked on some of the last spots Dave had this season. The inlet’s striper fishing was some of the best of the year this week. Spots were the best bait but were scarce by this time of year. But eels also caught. Dave ran a charter with Dave Morris’s party on Monday that pelted six keeper stripers and four throwbacks at the inlet. They took a run to the ocean, because the weather was good, but nothing was happening with catches on the ocean at the time. Stripers swam the ocean sometimes lately, and nothing fantastic was heard about fishing for them, but the linesiders definitely remained in the ocean. Plenty of bait remained in the ocean, and there seemed no reason stripers wouldn’t keep migrating down the coast to the local area. The netter caught a load of bunker off the beaches of Atlantic City, and the shop just stocked plenty of fresh bunker. The ocean was still warm, even so much that striper fishing at the ocean lumps was still best in the early mornings. By 2 hours after sunup, the bite was finished. Stripers were also still caught on the back bay.  Blackfishing was very good on the ocean, and lots of sea bass held in the ocean, and cod already started showing up there. One customer who wreck fishes reported already catching cod, and expects to sail for them into January. Little was heard about white perch fishing on the brackish rivers, and anglers mostly chased stripers, taking advantage before perch will be some of the only fish to hone in on during winter. In additions to fresh bunker, the shop is stocking eels, fresh clams and green crabs. Spots ran out.

<b>Brigantine</b>

<a href=" http://riptidebaitandtackle.com/articles.php?category_id=6
" target="_blank">Click here</a> for a report from <b>Riptide Bait & Tackle</b>.

<b>Atlantic City</b>

Surf anglers dragged in striped bass and blackfish, said Noel from <b>One Stop Bait & Tackle</b>. The fishing went fairly well, and nobody bailed the stripers, but they picked up occasional ones. A big run of stripers was yet to happen. The bass were landed on fresh bunker, fresh clams or eels, and the blackfish were belted on green crabs or fresh clams. All those baits and more, the full supply, are stocked. This coming weekend might the final that the shop is open before a break through winter.

<b>Ocean City</b>

<b>***Update, Friday, 12/16:***</b> At Great Egg Inlet catches of striped bass were fairly consistent the last 10 days, mostly from boats, occasionally from the surf, said Ed from <b>Fin-Atics</b>. Bluefish seemed to depart for the season, but the striper fishing was fairly good. From boats, the bass were mostly jabbed on bunker chunks on anchor or eels or spots on the drift. From the surf, most were bonked on bunker chunks. But from the surf, striper fishing was better at Corson’s Inlet, and some good-sized ones were heaved in. The weather made surf fishing mostly a blow out on Thursday, but the angling definitely dealt out catches Monday to Wednesday. On the ocean off the beach front boaters wrangled up a number of stripers on trolled Stretch plugs or umbrella rigs, and jigged a few when birds worked the waters. Plenty of bait swam local waters, and bunker schooled. A few blackfish were eased in “locally,” Ed said, and fishing for the tog, sea bass and a few cod and ling was good at the ocean reefs. Little was heard about the back bay, and fishing there seemed finished for the season in cold waters. 

<b>Sea Isle City</b>

Winds kept fishing from happening much of the time this week, said Mike from <b>Sea Isle Bait & Tackle</b>. But now that winds somewhat calmed, surf fishing wasn’t on fire, but was decent. Anglers sometimes picked up one or two stripers per trip from the surf. Fresh bunker is best bait, and is scarce, but is stocked. But if anglers can find no fresh bunker, fresh clams can catch, and the clams are stocked. So are eels and green crabs. Ocean boaters last reported fishing for striped bass on Sunday, talking about catching a few. They found no blitzes, and trolling worked best on the bass. Stretch 25 and 30 plugs winged the 30- to 35-inchers. No bluefish were seen at the shop, but surely a few blues swam the ocean. Back-bay fishing slowed down, and anglers previously angled a few throwback stripers there. But the surf and ocean were best for tackling better-sized stripers. Blackfishing was good at the inshore wrecks earlier in the week when winds were calm enough for boaters to sail for them. Nothing was heard about sea bass, because the weather was too rough for boaters to reach them.

Fishing aboard last sailed on the weekend, said Capt. Joe Hughes from <b>Jersey Cape Guide Service</b>, affiliated with <b>Sea Isle Bait & Tackle</b>. A striped bass and some bluefish, good-sized fish, were jigged on the ocean on the outing, and out-of-season summer flounder pounced on the jigs and were released. The angling was covered in the last report, and mixed reports were heard about fishing for stripers and blues on the ocean this week. Good reports and bad reports rolled in. But the fish were still around, and also still swam to the north, and they could migrate to the local coast. Jersey Cape will keep after stripers and blues on the ocean until at least Christmas. Annual traveling charters to the Florida Keys will begin at Christmas, lasting to April. See Jersey Cape’s <a href=" http://www.captainjoehughes.com/page4.html" target="_blank">traveling charters page</a> for info. Anglers can arrive at the Keys on a Friday evening, fish all day Saturday and part of Sunday, return Sunday evening, and be back to work Monday. The trips can be a mini, fish-filled vacation, for a large variety of catches from redfish to sailfish. Keep up on Joe’s fishing on <a href="http://captainjoehughes.blogspot.com" target="_blank">Jersey Cape’s blog</a>. <b>***Update, Monday, 12/19:</b> The weather was cold and rough, and no trips got out aboard during the weekend, Joe said. A few striped bass decked on the ocean were heard about. Joe is gearing up for the Florida Keys trips, and single days remain for charters during the week between Christmas and New Year’s. So, for example, if anglers are already in Florida, they don’t have to book a full weekend then. Fishing on Keys trips will include at the reef, where a smorgasbord of fish can bite, including Spanish mackerel, cero mackerel, king mackerel, groupers, snappers, jacks, sailfish, false albacore and blackfin tuna. Fishing there will also include at the back country, where a variety of fish can attack, including speckled sea trout, redfish, jacks, ladyfish, snook, tarpon and sharks.

<b>Cape May</b>

The <b>Heavy Hitter</b> was pulled from the water for the season during the weekend, covered in the last report. But Capt. George from the boat has access to another vessel he’s available for charters on, and the owner of the boat fished a couple of times. He ran a trip that beat a good catch of striped bass at the Cape May Rips the other day, and another that pumped in a good catch of sea bass and a few cod on Wednesday 30 miles from shore. George is available for charters for stripers, blackfish and either inshore or offshore fishing for sea bass and cod. Call if interested. <b>***Update, Monday, 12/19:***</b> A tog charter with George was cancelled because of weather, he said. A few stripers were reported reeled in, but little was heard about anyone fishing. Water temps remained in the 50s, a good temp for stripers, and anglers talked about healthy catches of stripers to the north, so the fish should keep migrating south to the local area. Sea bass bit, when trips could get out, and cod were around. Trips are available for all these fish, and call George if interested.

Anglers reeled in blackfish, scored okay, on the party boat <b>Porgy IV</b>, Capt. Paul said. Several limited out on the fish in the past days, and some of the tog were big. Alan Ho, Philly, plowed a 15.6-pounder, the biggest aboard this season so far. Customers who limited out lately included Craig Constantino from Voorhees and Bud Callahan from Philly. Al Bednarik from Philly fished aboard four days in a row, limiting out on three of them. Ken Minett from Voorhees limited out and won the pool. On one trip, with a small crowd of 11 anglers or so, some of the anglers hooked more than their limits, giving the extra fish to other anglers, so that the trip likely limited out. The Porgy IV is sailing for blackfish at 8 a.m., and the crew is trying to get out every day the weather allows. Christmas will be the only day no trip is scheduled.

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