<b>Atlantic Highlands</b>

The party boat <b>Atlantic Star</b> fished on Thursday, Thanksgiving, for the first time since fishing on Sunday, Capt. Tom said. The trip managed only a few blackfish catches so far, Tom said in a phone call at 11 a.m. aboard that day, when he gave this report. The ocean held a bit of a ground swell that seemed to be subsiding. Seas were nastier during the weekend, but on Thursday’s trip, waters were dirtier. The swell through the week seemed to be taking its toll on the fishing. But seas might’ve been calming, and Tom would see what would happen with the fishing. Tom in the last report noted that security, after the hurricane, was only letting anglers enter the marina starting at 6 a.m. The Atlantic Star is blackfishing 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. daily. <b>***Update, Friday, 11/23:***</b> Blackfishing aboard today produced a bit of an improvement in catches, Tom said. He wouldn’t call the angling good, but it definitely improved over Thursday. Winds hardly blew today, but the calmness combined with a ground swell made anchoring difficult. “Tough laying conditions,” Tom said.

Striped bass were clammed from boats, said Jimmy from <b>Julian’s Bait & Tackle</b>. “There’s no fish on top,” he said. None worked the water surface, where they could be jigged, since the hurricane, for some reason. But very good striper catches were clammed along bottom. In the surf, many stripers were wormed and clammed. Beach access, since the storm, was open at places including Sea Bright, Monmouth Beach, North Long Branch, Elberon and Deal. Access was closed farther south, but everybody who surf fished banked 15 or 16 stripers on the baits. “They do get a few keepers,” Jimmy said. Blackfishing was tougher in the past couple of days, because waters were stirred up from the ocean roll and easterly winds. But plenty of the tautog were around, and the fishing will improve by Saturday, because westerlies began. Baits are fully stocked at the shop.

<b>Highlands</b>

Blackfish to 6 ½ pounds were tugged aboard the <b>Hyper Striper</b> today on Doug Wakefield’s charter, Capt. Pete said in an e-mail. “A decent pick,” Pete said. A few keeper striped bass and lots of small, schoolie stripers were landed Tuesday and Wednesday on Keith Herbert’s and Jim Mellet’s charters. Trips will chase blackfish until the new year, and a few dates remain for charters.

Anglers with <b>Fisher Price Charters</b> striped bass fished the last couple of days, Capt. Derek said. Lots of shorts and a few keepers came in. Blackfishing was very good, piling up limits on every trip, from last Friday – when the bag limit was increased to six from one – to Monday on board. Then the heave stirred up waters, slowing the catches. A trip will be weathered out Saturday, but a trip Sunday is expected to sail for either stripers or blackfish. Charters and open-boat trips are fishing, and one spot is available on an open trip for blackfish Monday, and two spaces remain for one of the trips Tuesday. Call to jump aboard or to be kept informed about future open dates. Fisher Price will fish as long as possible this season into winter.

<b>Neptune</b>

<b>Last Lady Fishing Charters</b> was supposed to fish next from today through Sunday, Capt. Ralph said. He might try to concentrate on striped bass instead of blackfish, because boats that sailed for stripers caught. Blackfishing became difficult in past days, probably because of dirty waters that should clear in west winds that are now forecast. Individual-reservation trips for blackfish and stripers are set for: Tuesday; November 30; December 9, 16, 22, 23, 29 and 30; and all weekends in January. An individual-reservation trip for cod offshore that was supposed to fish 2 a.m. Monday might run on another day because of weather forecasts. Check with Ralph.

<b>Belmar</b>

Blackfishing was a little slow in dirty waters on the ocean, said Capt. Chris from the party boat <b>Big Mohawk</b>. But winds are now forecast to blow from west, after relentless northeastern winds. That should clear waters and help the fishing. A few good-sized blackfish were creamed, but the angling was picky. The Big Mohawk is blackfishing 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily. Green crabs are supplied for bait, and white leggers are sold aboard when available. But white leggers are yet to be available. “They’re not potting yet,” Chris said.

No trips fished in a few days on the party boat <b>Miss Belmar Princess</b> in weather, Capt. Alan said. But the boat sailed today in better weather. Fishing for striped bass and blues aboard, on the ocean, wasn’t good since the hurricane. Striper fishing had improved on one day, sometime before Thanksgiving, then slowed again on Thanksgiving and today. But Alan hopes the fishing will become better and change, and trips will keep sailing for stripers and blues. Mackerel trips aboard usually begin during the third week of December, but that depends on when the migration arrives and water temperature. The Miss Belmar Princess is sailing for striped bass and blues 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily.

Fishing was good “in some areas,” said Bob from <b>Fisherman’s Den</b> in an e-mail. Interest in blackfishing picked up since the bag limit was increased to six last Friday from one. “Just what we need to help the fishing industry,” Bob said. Party boats and charter boats “found plenty of action with this tasty fish,” he said. But striped bass fishing was tough. The fishing improved the last few days, but wasn’t like expected this time of year. Surf anglers caught and released plenty of small stripers and bagged occasional keepers. Most were clammed, and catching them with lures might not kick in this season. “We still have time,” Bob said, “but it is slipping away. I hope everyone had a nice Thanksgiving,” he said.

<b>Parker Pete’s Fishing Charters</b> is “back in business,” Capt. Pete said in an e-mail. After the hurricane, trips are ready to resume, “when weather allows,” he said. Weather was rough this week, but trips will fish for blackfish and striped bass. Blackfishing was hit or miss, and striper fishing was picking up. Charters and open-boat trips will fish, and Parker Pete’s sails for any species available. For availability on open trips, see <a href="http://parkerpetefishing.com/belmar-fishing-trips/open-boat-trips" target="_blank">Parker Pete’s open-boat page</a> online, and sign up for the e-mailed newsletter on the site. Dates are announced in both places.

A fuel truck was brought in, and the <b>Katie H</b> was tanked up, Capt. Mike said. Fuel docks had no power to operate since the hurricane. But fuel trucks were coming in, and the boat was supposed to begin fishing today and Saturday. Sunday was available, if anyone wants a trip. At this time of year, fishing aboard often focuses on striped bass half a day and blackfish the other half. Many boats seemed unavailable for charters since the storm, and many anglers were contacting the Katie H, because the vessel is available. Plenty of dates are on tap for charters, and the boat has heat and a lot of desirable amenities for this time of year.

<b>Point Pleasant Beach</b>

Mostly blackfish were caught and targeted on the party boat <b>Dauntless</b>, Capt. Butch said. Fairly good catches were scooped aboard on a couple of days, and slow fishing for them was seen on a couple, typical for blackfishing. “Doesn’t take much to get them finicky,” Butch said. A few ling, a bunch of blues and a few cod were landed. Striped bass were run into and caught one day. Trips fished for blackfish in 60 to 80 feet and for ling in 120 to 130 feet. Loads of bluefish schooled the ling grounds. Ling catches were somewhat slow, probably because lots of dog sharks and the blues held there. Most hooked ling were bitten in half by those fish. Waters were 52 or 53 degrees. The Dauntless is bottom fishing 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. daily.

The first couple of stops produced few blackfish on a trip Thursday on the party boat <b>Norma-K III</b>, Capt. Matt said in a report on the vessel’s Web site.  But the third stop “struck gold,” he said. Anglers around the boat pumped in blackfish. Some limited out, and some bagged two to five, and some landed no keepers. The keepers mostly weighed 3 to 7 pounds, and four topped 10 pounds apiece. “A good turkey toggin’ kinda day!” Matt wrote. “Hopefully, we can repeat this …” That was a special blackfish trip for Thanksgiving. Another trip for the tautog was slated for today. No trips sailed aboard Tuesday and Wednesday, because too few anglers showed up at the port.  On Monday the Norma-K III was the only party boat to sail for blackfish from Point Pleasant Beach. The fishing aboard “was not that good, but for the conditions … was not that bad, either,” Matt said. Strong winds blew from north-northeast, and a sizeable ground swell rolled from east. Bites were difficult to feel, but most customers bucketed two to five healthy-sized blackfish, “with a few anglers not having luck on their side …” Matt said. A 6-pound blackfish was the pool-winner. The Norma-K III will fish for striped bass 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Trips are usually scheduled to fish for blackfish 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays and 7:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Fridays, striped bass 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays and Saturdays and Sundays, and ling and cod 3 to 9 p.m. Saturdays. But the schedule is subject to change, and contact the boat or visit its Web site to confirm. Looking for the perfect gift? Call for gift certificates to the boat.

<b>Toms River</b>

A few fished for blackfish along Point Pleasant Canal, catching them on clam or crab, said Dennis from <b>Murphy’s Hook House</b>. Anglers walked eels along the canal at night, hooking a few stripers. Access to the barrier island was only open to residents, because of the hurricane. So surf fishing wasn’t possible from Mantoloking to Island Beach State Park. A few stripers banked from shore at Long Beach Island were known about. Eels, killies, all the frozen baits, including salted clams, and freshwater baits including meal worms, garden worms and nightcrawlers are stocked. The shop is open 8 a.m. to 1 or 2 p.m. daily, except is closed Tuesdays, since the hurricane. Gift certificates are available for the holidays. 

<b>Barnegat Light</b>

Lots of striped bass were smashed on livelined spots, mostly at Barnegat Inlet, but sometimes on Barnegat Bay, said Vince Sr. from <b>Bobbie’s Boat Rentals</b>. The fishing was good through the week, including on Wednesday and Thursday. Blackfishing was okay along the inlet jetties on green crabs. Live spots and green crabs and fresh bunker are stocked. Bobbie’s features a tackle shop, known for a large supply of baits, and a fuel dock. It features boat rentals during the warmer seasons, and the rentals are currently on break until spring.

<b>Mystic Island</b>

A handful of anglers fished, and striped bass were boated at Little Egg Inlet, said Scott from <b>Scott’s Bait & Tackle</b>. Clams were the bait, “for sure,” he said, and most of the fish were hooked at the bars. The “outer bar,” Scott said, was best, “if that means anything to anyone.” He was sure it did. A few tried jigging and trolling for stripers on the ocean off the towers Wednesday and Thursday, with no success, though this time of year usually produces. Nothing was heard about blackfish, and seas were relentless, and northeast winds blew strongly all week. Seas might’ve been 4 to 7 feet today, and 7 to 9 on other days. Fresh clams are stocked, including for Saturday. Live spots, eels, green crabs, grass shrimp, minnows and nightcrawlers are on hand. The shop, severely damaged in the hurricane, is open for limited hours, and is being rebuilt. It was open today and will be open this Saturday, for example. Scott’s been announcing the week’s hours in the fishing reports on <a href="http://www.scottsbt.com/fishing/report.htm" target="_blank">Scott’s Bait & Tackle’s Web site</a>. Take advantage of tackle that got wet in the storm, but is like new otherwise, that’s being offered in a 50-percent off trailer at the shop. Maybe rigs will need to be repackaged, but are perfect otherwise, or preventive maintenance should be done on reels, for instance.  <a href="http://www.pennparts.com" target="_blank">PennParts.com</a>, the store’s online business featuring every Penn part available on the market, and many that are no longer available, is up and running.

<b>Absecon</b>

Fishing for striped bass became better at Absecon Inlet on Thursday than before, said Capt. Dave from <b>Absecon Bay Sportsman Center</b>. Catches of stripers were also heard about lately from inlets including Little Egg and Great Egg. Waters were clearing. It’s time to get out, Dave said. Fog blanketed the area this morning, when he gave this report over the phone when headed out to boat for stripers, so he couldn’t talk long.

<b>Brigantine</b>

Calls started to come in about striped bass 32 or 34 inches bagged from the surf by 10 a.m. today, Capt. Andy from <b>Riptide Bait & Tackle</b> said. Throwback stripers were beached lately from the surf “left and right,” he said, and bigger bass might’ve been starting to arrive. One angler weighed in a 27-pounder during the weekend, and another checked in a 25-pounder then. The angler with the 25-pounder won the weekly prize in the Riptide Striper Derby, and see more info about the contest below. Two anglers on Monday stopped in with two stripers to 15 ½ pounds they bagged from shore, and saw plenty of throwbacks caught and released. On Thanksgiving one striper, a 32-incher, was checked in, and the angler let go two throwbacks. Boaters bagged stripers at Absecon Inlet on drifted, live spots or eels and on the back bay on clams while anchored. Fresh bunker is stocked, and more will arrive. The shop’s bounty is up to $510 for the season’s first striper 43 inches or larger checked in from the Brigantine surf. Entry is $5, and the angler who checks in the fish wins all the cash. Anglers must enter 12 hours before catching. Riptide’s annual Striped Bass Derby is under way, awarding cash prizes for the biggest stripers beached from Brigantine’s surf, until December 23. Weekly and monthly prizes are also awarded, and entry is only $20. What’s more, with a Brigantine beach buggy permit, entry allows anglers to drive the entire Brigantine beach, unlike the permit alone.

<b>Atlantic City</b>

Access is open to surf fishing everywhere in Atlantic City, said Noel from <b>One Stop Bait & Tackle</b>. Anglers kept asking about access, because much of the state’s coast, including at Holgate farther north, is closed after the hurricane. New customers were showing up, because Atlantic City was open. The anglers, including from shore at nearby Absecon Inlet, lined with many jetties, reeled in striped bass, blackfish and ling. The stripers were taken on fresh clam or fresh bunker, 2 hours before and after high tides. The ling were looted on the same baits on smaller hooks, about size 1/0. The blackfish were socked on clams or crabs. Several kingfish, sizeable, were banked five days ago at the T-jetty at the end of the inlet. Anglers can even fish Atlantic City then visit the casinos or the town’s other attractions. Fresh clams, fresh bunker, eels, green crabs, bloodworms and all the baits, a large supply, are stocked.

<b>Ocean City</b>

The surf calmed enough to fish today, and was too rough previously, said Justin from <b>Fin-Atics</b>. Before the seas, stripers were boated at the inlets almost daily last week. Stripers 12 to 30 pounds were weighed in from the angling, and a few blues 10 pounds popped up among the catches. Most of the bass were hooked on chunks of fresh bunker. That was the only fresh bait available since the hurricane, until fresh clams became available at the shop last week. The store is now stocking fresh bunker and fresh clams and live eels. Its supply of live spots was lost in the storm. The first report about blackfish in a while rolled in Tuesday. The tautog were boated on the ocean in 75 to 80 feet, farther from shore than expected. On the back bay, a few small stripers were picked along the bridges.

<b>Sea Isle City</b>

“You’re only into the first 3 hours of fishable weather (this week),” said Mike from <b>Sea Isle Bait & Tackle</b> at 10 a.m. today in a phone call. Weather had been brutal, but a half-dozen striped bass were already reported beached from the surf in those hours. Mike hoped the catches continued. One of the bass was banked on frozen bunker, but fresh bunker is now stocked. So are fresh clams and live eels, spots and green crabs and all the frozen baits. Nothing was heard about blackfish, because weather kept small boats from sailing, and caused too few anglers to show up for party boats to run.

Fishing for striped bass on the ocean was weathered out through Thursday aboard, said Capt. Joe Hughes from <b>Jersey Cape Guide Service</b>, affiliated with <b>Sea Isle Bait & Tackle</b>. He hoped to get out today in better weather, and trips on deck had begun to land the bass, covered in previous reports. Jersey Cape will keep fishing the migration of stripers and blues on the ocean. Annual winter weekend trips to Florida will begin at Christmas. The trips can be a mini, fish-filled vacation. A large variety of catches are possible, including redfish, speckled sea trout and tarpon in the back country, to king mackerel, blackfin tuna and sailfish out front. Anglers can arrive on a Friday evening, fish all day Saturday and part of Sunday, return home that evening, and be back to work on Monday.  See info on Jersey Cape’s <a href="http://www.captainjoehughes.com/page4.html" target="_blank">Traveling Fisherman Charters</a> Web page. Keep up with Joe’s fishing on <a href="http://captainjoehughes.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Jersey Cape’s blog</a>.

<b>Cape May</b>

Two striped bass 32 or 34 inches were bunker-chunked, and a few were missed, Thursday on the <b>Heavy Hitter</b> on Joe McGee’s charter, Capt. George said. Fish grabbed the baits and dropped them quickly, so the hooks had to be set fast. The fish were probably small. Boats that day seemed to bag a striper or two apiece but on Wednesday seemed to sock pretty good catches. Each day seemed different. George’s buddy ran a trip Tuesday on the Heavy Hitter that reeled in seven stripers including one keeper on the bay on bunker chunks. On George’s trip Thursday, the bay was fairly clean. Shallows and shoals were dirty, but deeper waters, like at 60-Foot Slough, were cleaner. Seas held a 3- or 4-foot chop in the morning on the trip but calmed and were 2 feet later. No dogfish or other fish bit the baits on the trip. More trips are slated to sail for stripers aboard today and Saturday. Saturday might be too windy to sail.

Trips sailed for blackfish Saturday and Sunday on the party boat <b>Porgy IV</b>, but hardly any were decked in a filthy ocean from a big swell, Capt. Paul said. He expected to resume fishing for the tautog today, after keeping the boat docked since the weekend, because the swell wasn’t forecast to let up then. Winds now were forecast to begin blowing from west, and that usually clears waters. Paul couldn’t know whether the angling would turn on when trips resumed today, but he expected to head out and see. The Porgy IV is blackfishing at 8 a.m. daily.

Delaware Bay churned out striped bass, good catches, on chunks of fresh bunker, said Nick from <b>Hands Too Bait & Tackle</b>. Surf casters began to drag in stripers today. A few were heard about from near the Cape May Lighthouse and the concrete ship. Fresh clams or fresh bunker were baits to dunk. Little was heard about blackfish. Fresh bunker and clams and green crabs are stocked.  

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