by You can’t keep them, but there’s no better time than now to catch and release a striped bass personal record in NY/NJ Bight. Dave Lilly advises that if you want a “keeper” try trolling bunker spoons or mo-jos in the back of Raritan Bay. On the other hand, trolling in the ocean will provide you with the opportunity to release the striper of a lifetime.
Lilly ran down the beach yesterday and had a hard time getting two bunker spoons out before the first one was hooked up. There wasn’t a single keeper among the 30-40-pounders! Dave kept trying different color Tony Maja spoons and couldn’t find any that didn’t work.
The master himself had a similar report this morning as Tony Arcabascio trolled out of Barnegat Inlet to release big bass from his boat on the number 4 Maja spoons.
Sea bass continue to please private and party boat anglers in the ocean. Doug Rusch used a slo-pitch jig to fool this fat bass.
Capt. Ron Santee said Wednesday’s sea bass fishing on the Fishermen from Atlantic Highlands wasn’t up to the [previous day’s standard, but there was a lot of excitement when one of his regulars fought a 50-inch striper in 100-foot depths to a successful release.
The Golden Eagle from Belmar reported another good sea bass trip today with some limits and lots of shorts. They add 4:30 p.m. fishing and sunset cruises on Saturday.
A small craft warning is up to Saturday afternoon though the forecast is only for southwest winds at 10-15 knots plus gusts to 25.
New Jersey is opening its state parks for entrance at no cost on Saturday. There are some exceptions, including beach buggies.
Tight Lines 
Leave a Reply