New Jersey Fishing Reports

Outcast Charters was supposed to blackfish Monday, but cancelled because of weather, Capt. Joe said. He was going to fish Wednesday for the tautog by himself, but bagged the trip, because of weather. The next blackfish charter is supposed to fish Friday, and Joe will decide whether to sail based on the forecast. The day was supposed to be cold, at least. Blackfishing aboard limited out on the fish to 10 pounds during the weekend, and was good, covered in the last report. Outcast also fishes from Sewaren, New Jersey.

Atlantic Highlands

None of the fleet fished today, said Capt. Tom from the party boat Atlantic Star. Wind blew, and only a handful of anglers showed up at the marina, too few for the vessels to sail. Only two of the head boats shaped up to fish, he thought, and forecasts hadn’t called for the wind. No trips sailed aboard in previous days in weather. The Atlantic Star is blackfishing 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. daily, and Tom will try to sail again tomorrow. If a trip gets out, he expects to give a report that will be posted here by 11 a.m. that day, Friday, as an update. ***Update, Friday, 12/13:*** Weather was windy and cold, but today’s trip sailed, Tom said in a phone call aboard at 10 a.m. Blackfish were latched into around the boat, and some were keepers, but too many were throwbacks. He’d see what happens next, and decide whether to move the boat. Forecasts look rough for the weekend. “All you hear is snow, snow, snow,” he said. For the next trip to sail, the marine forecast looks best for Monday. But that could change. ***Another Update, Friday, 12/13:*** Three drops were fished on today’s trip, and the first two gave up lots of throwback blackfish and some keepers, Tom said. The third turned out fewer of the tautog but more keepers than shorts. The trip put together a catch, and nobody limited out, but one angler bagged five. Some bagged three or four, and all anglers bagged at least one, Tom thought, but wasn’t sure. Maybe one or two didn’t, but all reeled in throwbacks, at least. Tom wasn’t sure whether the weekend’s forecast will be fishable, but will see. ***One More Update, Friday, 12/13:*** The fish weighed up to an 11-pounder today, and one angler limited out, Tom said after the outing. One angler might not have landed a keeper. This weekend’s storm is supposed to be fast-moving, but anglers will see. Forecasts had called for some of the best weather on Monday, but now are calling for wind that day. Anglers can telephone the boat if wondering if a trip can sail in the weather. They can also visit the <a href="http://www.atlanticstarfishing.com/" target="_blank">Atlantic Star’s Web site</a> and click the link to the NOAA weather buoy at the bottom of the page. That’s the only forecast. ***Update, Monday, 12/16:*** Trips were weathered out Saturday through today, Tom said. Winds were supposed to blow to 30 or 35 knots today, and forecasts for Tuesday are calling for snow. No trip is expected to sail then, and Wednesday is probably the next chance to sail. If not Wednesday, Thursday. Just waiting for a break in the weather to fish, Tom said. ***Update, Wednesday, 12/18:*** A few anglers said they were coming for a trip Thursday, and Tom hopes the trip gets out, he said. No trips sailed in weather in past days, but weather looks better for Thursday.

Few fished, said Jimmy from Julian’s Bait & Tackle. Striped bass were slid from the surf a few days ago. That was the last he heard about the fishing. On boats, blackfishing was good, and a friend ran a trip Wednesday that limited out the vessel with the tautog, including 13- and 14-pounders. When weather is cold, spray forms ice on boats, a problem this time of year. Baits are stocked, including green crabs for blackfish. If anybody wants five or 10, the shop will cut a deal. The store is open, and someone is there by 6 a.m. on weekdays and 5 a.m. on weekends, unless weather makes that impractical.

Highlands

Many blackfish limits were plowed, including limits on Wednesday, and the fishing remained strong the past week, on the Hyper Striper, Capt. Pete wrote in an e-mail. The fish weighed up to 11 pounds, and trips for them will continue into the new year.

A trip for blackfish attempted to sail today but turned around on the Vitamin Sea, Capt. Frank said. Strong winds, from northwest, blew, though forecasts didn’t call for that. Saturday might be the next opportunity to sail, and he’ll try to run a trip then. Charters and open-boat trips are fishing for blackfish to the end of year. Blackfish surely could still be caught, and waters hardly cooled, or water temperature was no problem. Fishing was just a matter of getting the weather. When temps drop well below 32, the boat ices up. “So – that’s a problem,” he said. Dates remain for trips in spring, and if anglers want a good date, they should book now, especially for weekends. A good number are already booked, so grab them.

Neptune

Individual-reservation trips for blackfish are the next trips slated for Last Lady Fishing Charters, Capt. Ralph wrote in an e-mail. They’ll sail Friday and Saturday, and the last trip aboard fished Saturday for blackfish. All bigger blackfish were bagged, covered in the last report. The 11 anglers totaled about 30 “quality-sized togs,” Ralph said. Charters are available, including for sea bass offshore, before sea bass season is closed on January 1. The cabin is heated, coffee is brewing, and a microwave is aboard. ***Update, Monday, 12/16:*** An individual-reservation trip for blackfish sailed Saturday, Ralph wrote in an e-mail. “Set up in rough weather,” he said, and the fish bit right way. The angling slowed a little, “and started up again, but so did the wind,” he said. The angling was good, but the trip quit at 10:30 a.m., because of weather. The outing had left port at 6 a.m., in the dark. The anglers left the tog biting, and one bagged five. Another bagged four, and others bagged one to three. The next individual-reservation trip will sail for blackfish Saturday. More of the trips will fish every day next week – Christmas week – except on Monday. Gift certificates are available for any price, with no expiration date.

Belmar

***Update, Monday, 12/16:*** Weather was expected to keep trips docked this past weekend on the party boat Golden Eagle, a report on the vessel’s Web site said Friday. So the boat, previously fishing for striped bass, was finished that angling. Reports were heard about the mackerel migration starting to show up, and trips will fish for them daily when the run kicks in. That could happen toward the end of the week or the beginning of next week.

Blackfishing was great on the party boat Big Mohawk, Capt. Chris said. Really good, he said. “Excellent fishing.” Plus, catches included many good-sized blackfish to 12 and 13 pounds. Many of the blackfish on trips were hooked on white leggers, and sometimes green crabs caught them. Greens are provided on the boat, and white leggers are available for sale aboard. The Big Mohawk is blackfishing 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily.

Was cold, but when the boat could fish, blackfishing was decent, said Capt. Pete from Parker Pete’s Fishing Charters. It was decent during a trip Tuesday, and Pete spoke with people who fished for them on other vessels, and they reported quite decent catches of blackfish, including sizeable. He heard from nobody who tried for striped bass, so didn’t know if stripers were around. Don’t have enough anglers for a charter? Contact Parker Pete’s anyway for individual spaces available on charters. Or <a href=" http://www.parkerpetefishing.com/" target="_blank">subscribe to Parker Pete’s e-mailed newsletter</a> to be kept informed about the spaces. Look for the place to sign up on the right side of the page on the boat’s Web site. ***Update, Monday, 12/16:*** Fishing was weathered out aboard, Pete said. Some boats sailed Saturday, returning early, because of weather. No boats were known about that fished Sunday in weather. Blackfishing was good, and the tautog included big ones, when trips could sail. A really big one, 23.3 pounds, was reported boated from Cape May.

Cold, wind and snow failed to prevent some surf anglers from fishing, Bob from Fisherman’s Den wrote in an e-mail. They were rewarded with multiple small striped bass beached. “The optimum word is small,” he said, but most of the anglers he spoke with didn’t mind, so long as the fish hit. The bass, feeding on sand eels, were spread out in Monmouth and Ocean counties. The fishing was hit or miss, or the stripers bit at Point Pleasant Beach one day, Bradley Beach another, and so on. “It’s been that kind of season,” he said. Many surf anglers stowed their tackle away for the season, hoping for better catches next year. On boats, blackfishing was good on the ocean. Dan Hawley bagged an 11-pound 12-ounce blackfish on the Laura Ann on green crab. Plenty of fishing was left. “Get in your last licks,” Bob said. ***Update, Thursday, 12/12:*** Bob hadn’t wanted to head out in the cold today, he wrote in an e-mail. But reports came in about lots of small stripers, mostly shorter than 24 inches, bailed in the surf at Ocean County. Some anglers tugged in more than 20. “The Tsunami eel and teaser best bet,” he wrote. He expects to give the fishing a try and report results. ***Update, Monday, 12/16:*** Striped bass were beached from the surf at Point Pleasant Beach, Bay Head and farther south this past week, Bob wrote in an e-mail. “There is no consistency, so you have to be vigil, morning and afternoon,” he said. Anglers could fish two blocks away, and miss the fish. “Very frustrating type of fishing,” he said. The bass jumped on small sand eel imitations with a teaser, fished painfully slow. The angling looks like it could last a couple of weeks. Bob didn’t know how many anglers will “out-last” the fish. Blackfish bit as well as it gets, at times, on boats on the ocean. Sharpies limited out on them, including impressive-sized.

Brielle

***Update, Monday, 12/16:*** Weather was “cruel” through the weekend, Capt. Ryan from the party boat Jamaica II wrote in an e-mail. A trip sailed Saturday, but fishing was tough, because of 10-foot seas. Catches were better during the week, and seas were calmer. Customers and their catches during the week included: Corey Winters, Bristol, Pa., 31 ling; Ed Brantster, Trenton, 22 ling and a 21-pound cod; and Ray Bryant, South Orange, limit of blackfish to 9 pounds. Deepwater Mudhole Trips are sailing Wednesdays and Sundays and December 26, 27 and 29 through 31. A 14-hour trip offshore is slated for Saturday. A cod trip is on the books for December 28.

***Update, Monday, 12/16:*** Surf fishing for striped bass was good throughout the past week, said Dave from The Reel Seat. The catches were heard about mostly from Point Pleasant Beach to Mantoloking and from Bradley Beach, on either metal or lures, definitely with teasers. Plenty of stripers were also hooked along Mantoloking Bridge, and soft-plastic lures like shads or Fin-S Fish on jigheads were fished there. Dave wasn’t asked the size of the stripers at either place, but small seemed likely. Nobody was known about who boated for stripers on the ocean, because most boaters pulled their boats for the season. Nobody was known about who boated for bluefin tuna that were chased previously, from close to shore to offshore, at Hudson Canyon. But commercial boaters caught bluefins during a short window of weather last week when they could sail. One customer bought ballyhoos to troll for bluefins on a private boat Saturday. But seas were rough, and the angler probably turned back. Blackfishing was very good Friday on the ocean off Elberon and Long Branch and at Sea Girt Reef. No other bottom-fishing, like for sea bass, was heard about, but party boats were known about that were going to steam for them Friday night. Catch the store’s sale on S&S Spro-style and Squidster bucktails at 25 percent off. Big news: The Reel Seat will be relocated to a bigger building on February 15. Then the store will be located at 307 Union Avenue in Brielle. That’s Route 71, and the new location will be 4,100 square feet, compared with 1,500 currently.

Point Pleasant Beach

No daily blackfish trip sailed today on the party boat Norma-K III, Capt. Matt wrote in a report on the vessel’s Web site. “Just a little cold, but a beautiful day,” he said. A light crowd joined Wednesday’s trip. “More of a fun trip,” he said. Keeper and throwback blackfish were picked. “Nothing great,” he said, but the anglers had a good time. Weather looks good for Friday’s and Saturday’s blackfish trips to sail. Matt expects to keep anglers posted on the site about whether Saturday night’s ling trip will have the weather to sail. Last Saturday and Sunday, the last time Matt posted a report, blackfishing was slow aboard. A few of the fish were managed, but Matt thought the fish were still around, he said at the time. “You just have to catch the right day (when they bite),” he said. Ling fishing was “decent,” he said, that Saturday night. Mostly small to mediums, and a few large, were swung in. Anglers averaged 10 to 15, and the high hook creamed 31. Dog sharks weren’t so much of a bother, to boot. The Norma-K III is blackfishing 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. daily. Magic Hour Ling Trips are running 3 to 9 p.m. every Saturday.

Toms River

Throwback striped bass, but a fair number, that were beached from the surf were the only real news, said Dennis from Murphy’s Hook House. The store wasn’t even opened in past days. Nobody boated in the weather recently. Token keeper stripers, very few, were eased from the surf. The throwbacks averaged 12 to 22 inches, and mostly Ava jigs in sizes 007 or 17, smaller ones, with teasers were fished for them. A few anglers tossed Daiwa SP Minnows and Baker lures. Sinking Daiwa SP’s were just stocked. Pick up discounted gift certificates for the holidays. No fresh or live bait, only frozen, will be stocked now. “We’re in the end of season mode,” Dennis said.

Seaside Heights

Hardy anglers who fished still found throwback striped bass in the surf, said Mario from The Dock Outfitters. Very small stripers were around in the waters from Ortley Beach to Island Beach State Park, jumping on Ava jigs with teasers, but also small swimming plugs. The Dock Outfitters features bait and tackle, a dock to fish and crab from and boat rentals for fishing and crabbing. Crabbing and boat rentals are available during the warmer months. ***Update, Monday, 12/16:*** A few throwback striped bass were played in the surf Sunday, a report on the shop’s Web site said. On Saturday morning, one customer landed a couple of throwbacks and saw a keeper bagged from shore at Island Beach State Park. For anglers willing to brave the weather, throwback stripers and an occasional keeper could be found in the surf. Big rods and long casts weren’t necessary this time of year. Concentrate on fishing a small rod close to the beach, working drop-offs and cuts thoroughly, with lures that can imitate sand eels. That’s where to fish clams or cut baits for the bass, too. Check out the shop’s holiday sale for great gift ideas for anglers. That includes rods, reels and tackle, but also gift certificates for 35 percent off boat and jet-ski rentals. The rental certificates must be used by July 1. Gift certificates to the tackle shop and café are available for 25 percent off.

Barnegat

***Update, Monday, 12/16:*** Capt. Ted from the Super Chic called it a season, he said. A blackfishing trip was weathered out Saturday, and fishing aboard was weathered out the previous weekend. Charters will begin again in April, starting with wreck-fishing. Open-boat trips for tilefish offshore will probably be scheduled for April to June. Ted thanks anglers who fished on the boat this year and wishes everybody good holidays.

Surf City

Throwback striped bass were sometimes beaten from the surf on Ava jigs, said Joe from Surf City Bait & Tackle. Not much news rolled around, but he banked a 21-inch throwback the other day on an Ava with a green tail. “Green is the color of the day,” he said. Small stripers remained north in the surf that seemed not to start migrating south to local waters. A friend landed a hundred at Sandy Hook. Anglers hope they tumble down locally. Blackfish were bagged on party boats on the ocean, and Joe will take a trip for them this weekend. Visit <a href="http://www.surfcitybaitandtackle.com/" target="_blank">Surf City Bait & Tackle’s Web site</a>. Keep in touch on <a href=" http://www.facebook.com/pages/Surf-City-Bait-and-Tackle/207533229268619
" target="_blank">Surf City Bait & Tackle’s Facebook page</a>.

Mystic Island

“Nothing,” said Scott from Scott’s Bait & Tackle. No news was heard, and customers didn’t even show up. One stopped in to get a rod tip fixed. Weather turned rough and cold before Thanksgiving, and people stopped fishing. Thanksgiving weekend is usually hopping with customers going fishing. The store will be open through December 23, and will be closed afterward a moment for a winter break. The crew will use the time to work on things like hurricane restoration and the shop’s Web site’s mobile compatibility. Eels and green crabs are probably still alive at the store. Not-so-fresh clams are on hand, and nightcrawlers are carried. No bloodworms are in, and Scott’s glad no more arrived, because of demand. He didn’t bother to net grass shrimp to stock live.

Absecon

A few anglers started to make the “transition” to white perch fishing on brackish rivers, said Capt. Dave from Absecon Bay Sportsman Center. Small minnows are stocked for bait for them, and he’ll probably stock grass shrimp for them before long. The slabs will probably start gathering in their “winter holes.” Nothing was heard about striped bass locally. But one customer’s trip bunker-chunked two keeper stripers and a bunch of shorts on Delaware Bay on Sunday and Monday. Nothing was reported about blackfish, and inshore waters probably became cold for them. Waters farther off were too rough to reach in weather. Dave will try to keep the shop open until Christmas. Afterward, “we’ll see what happens,” he said.

Ocean City

Striped bass had been reeled from along the 9th Street Bridge on the back bay, said Justin from Fin-Atics. They and sand eels had swum there, but water temperatures plummeted after the snow this week, and the fish were no longer around. Customers had bought green crabs for blackfish bait last week. But no results were heard about blackfishing. The shop is open daily until Christmas, and will be open Fridays through Sundays afterward.

Sea Isle City

Boaters on a trip whaled striped bass, including multiple 40-inchers, on the ocean Saturday, said Mike from Sea Isle Bait & Tackle. They returned Sunday, and could only fish until 9 a.m., but the waters erupted with stripers at 8:30 a.m. They landed four or five then had to leave. That was the last news about fishing, because nobody mentioned going afterward. The local party boat scored okay on blackfish during the weekend on the ocean. Summer and winter flounder, both out of season, bit like crazy in the ocean while anglers fished for other species. Was a shame the seasons were closed.

Just a lot of bad weather, said Capt. Joe Hughes from Jersey Cape Guide Service, affiliated with Sea Isle Bait & Tackle. He’ll absolutely fish for striped bass on the ocean when weather’s better, and caught them well previously. He’s also preparing for annual traveling charters to the Florida Keys from Christmas to Easter, mostly on weekends. He does have space available for Christmas week, and the trips can chase a large variety of fish, from redfish and speckled sea trout to tarpon and sailfish. The trips can be a mini, fish-filled vacation. See <a href="http://www.captainjoehughes.com/page3.html" target="_blank">Jersey Cape’s traveling charters Web page</a>. Keep up with Joe’s fishing on <a href="http://captainjoehughes.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Jersey Cape’s blog</a>. ***Update, Monday, 12/16:*** Joe did no fishing in the weather, but heard second-hand about striped bass boated from the ocean Saturday morning, he said. He’s mostly preparing for the trips to Florida. Some of that fishing, like angling for tarpon or snook, can be better than others at different times of the season. The exact times can change from year to year. One good thing about the trips is that something can be fished for, no matter the weather. If winds blow from one direction, one body of water can be fished, like the bay inshore of the Keys, or the inland waters in the Everglades. Or if they blow from another, another place can be fished, like the ocean side.

Cape May

***Update, Monday, 12/16:*** Fishing was wrapped up for the year on the Heavy Hitter, Capt. George said. He thanks all who fished aboard this year, and will start trips again probably in April, beginning with fishing for striped bass and blackfish. A trip aboard Saturday hooked only throwback stripers in southern Delaware Bay. Chunks of bunker caught 15 or 18 of them, and the trip fished at Cape May Rips for stripers at first, and nothing bit. The rips were 46.5 degrees, and the bay was 43.5. George wishes everybody Happy Holidays.

On the party boat Porgy IV, blackfishing trips last sailed through the weekend, Capt. Paul said. The tautog were decked, no matter wind on Saturday and snow on Sunday. Several anglers limited out, and action was good. No trips sailed in the storm Monday and the bitter cold the rest of the week. During the weekend’s trips, Dan Stinsman from Atco limited out, and won one of the pools with a 7-pounder. Pete Martine from Vineland limited out, and so did several others. Waters probably cooled in weather this week, and anglers will see whether that affects blackfishing. The cold might keep some anglers from joining trips, but some will want to go, and trips aboard will be a chance to catch blackfish, at least. Weather might scrub one or both of the weekend’s trips, but the Porgy IV is slated to sail for blackfish at 8 a.m. daily.