Little baits – large bass in surf

Big stripers offshore like big baits such as bunkers and eels, but in the spring and summer surf the biggest bass are often attracted by very smalls baits– sand fleas.

The Monmouth County surf produced a 34-inch striper on sand fleas this morning for Frank Manzi, but Vinny D’Anton stuck it out and did even better with a 37-incher on the mole crabs. He also added a fluke on those baits, which aren’t a favorite of that species.

Sea bass fishing remains very good. At Belmar, the Big Mohawk reported a 30-man limit with most caught on bait though the few jiggers did as well. The Golden Eagle had limits early enough to switch over to other species. They caught six short fluke plus some 2-3-pound blues.

The forecast is for northwest winds at 10 knots with possible showers.

Rck Donofrio with a striper before release