North Jersey surfcasters finally got a big striper blast yesterday

After watching boaters catching big bass working on bunkers beyond the outer bar for weeks, northern N.J. surfcasters got their shot yesterday morning.

Vinny D’Anton said the bass ranged up to 40 pounds, and were on medium–sized bunkers. He used the Lil Doc surface plug for steady action until the bass started working on somewhat smaller bunkers and wouldn’t hit artificials in the Monmouth County surf.

It was necessary to switch to live baits, but it’s now illegal to use treble hooks in the old snag and drop technique. Vinny rigged up a circle hook snagging rig that did the job as long as he could cast into very thick bunker schools.

When the fishing was at its peak, Vinny watched an angler with a very light rod fight a 48-inch bass for about a half-hour before the release. That action ranged up into Sandy Hook — and was duplicated in some South Jersey areas.

Unfortunately, it was a different story this morning as no one in Vinny’s group of contacts weas able to locate those bass early in the day. However, at this time of year, it’s just as likely for them to show at any time of day if the bait suddenly appears.

As noted in yesterday’s blog, the Golden Eagle from Belmar will be providing the first 15 veterans to show up on Nov. 11 with a free trip. Proof of veteran status will be required. That boat had another great day of striper fishing yesterday, including whitewater surface action as everyone caught a keeper.