by Gale-force northwest winds are forecast for Thanksgiving Day, and the usual shortened trips run that morning by party boats are being impacted. Even the Big Jamaica from Brielle has canceled, and anyone planning on making one of those trips should check with the skipper before coming down.
Actually, I used to run charters out of Manasquan Inlet in the old days in any kind of northwest blow as long as there were fish within a half-mile of the beach to the north. The land deflects the wind and it’s almost calm close to shore. The NW wind also lays down the swell, and makes for perfect surfcasting conditions. The Black Friday trip of the Jamaica from 6:30 to 3 is still on with lighter winds.
The Jamaica’s Tuesday offshore wreck trip was successful with many limits of jumbo sea bass plus good numbers of porgies and bluefish. A few weakfish and ling were also caught. Lawerence Arabian of Allentown, Pa. won the pool with a 7.5-pound sea bass, and Mike Vastola from Lavallette was second with a 7.2-pounder. The weekend offshore weather looks better, and there’s room on the trip departing at 11 p.m. Saturday — as well as one on the Paramount at 9 p.m. Friday. Call 732 528-5014 for reservations.
The Golden Eagle was offshore out of Belmar today where they found plenty of breaking striped bass and caught enough to satisfy the fares. The Sea Hunter fished from Atlantic Highlands even though only eight anglers showed up on a nice day. They had good early fishing for stripers locally and returned by noon.
The Canyon Runner from Point Pleasant has been wrapping up a fine striped bass season, and put a group of six veterans into a big striper for each among the smaller ones on the free Veteran’s Day trip they ran.
Small stripers are abundant all along the N.J. Shore, along with hickory shad. The northwest blow will be just fine for that fishing and will draw hundreds to the beaches tomorrow. Vinny D’Anton fished at Belmar this morning and picked away for hours to end up with 10 releases by casting where the loons were hanging around sand eels of all sizes that are the main attraction for bass.
Maren Toleno released 18 bass Tuesday and 19 this morning in the Ortley Beach area where the dusk action hasn’t been up to that standard Below is John Greger with a fat 26-incher at Ortley. 
Jay Russell on the other hand has been picking bass in late afternoon at Sea Girt.
Blog reader Jim Giles reported he was into fussy bass Saturday, but was able to fool them up to a 32-incher by casting a Sluggo on a jig head.
The Seaside Park tackle shops also report lots of small bass in many areas.
The marine forecast is for a gale warning to go up at 6 p.m. and through tomorrow. South gusts to 30 knots tonight – then go to west up to 45 after midnight.
Tight Lines 
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