Be ready for a Thanksgiving blitz

Thanksgiving is a family day, and it may be hard for anglers to get away for even short periods to pursue their sport. However, even when stripers weren’t as abundant as they are now, there usually was a blitz somewhere that day. A few party boats are sailing early trips which will get you back long before turkey time, and the fishing seems to be close to a sure thing.

It was like that this morning for Hazlet pro Dave Lilly as he ran Rick Martel’s boat down the North Jersey Shore until a couple of feeding humpback whales were spotted. Though bass weren’t showing, they were marking — and Lilly could hardly get his secret rig out before he was hooked up with 20-30-pounders. They managed only one keeper among all the big fish and were worn out before heading back at 10:30 from the spot they had all to themselves.

Capt. Ron Santee Jr. reported from his Fishermen out of Atlantic Highlands as follows: Started out the morning locally, caught some fish right away but didn’t like what I saw.

Took a ride and found some amazing life for the rest of the day. Fish were stuffed with sand eels and still hungry at the end of the day..

Not Sailing Thanksgiving, will be back at it bright & early on Friday! DONT MISS THE BITE, The clock is ticking.

7:00am Sharp. First Boat out, First Boat on the meat. No Reservations. Fare is $90, Rod Rentals $20. All Jigs & Tackle aboard for sale.

Happy Thanksgiving“

Vinny D’Anton only caught one striper yesterday morning in Ocean County before getting word of bunkers back in Ocean Grove. The bait was so thick that surfcasters couldn’t get lures through it without snagging them. Vinny’s legal circle hook snagging rig was the answer to that problem, and he released all big bass up to a 45-incher. After a while it appeared that conditions had changed enough to try plugs – and anglers started hooking up on swimmers. That blitz continued until almost dark.

Nick Honachefsky of Saltwater Underground fished in Monmouth County this morning, where he had to make very long casts with the Ava jig in order to get over the bar and catch school stripers.

The forecast is for southeast winds at 10-15 knots before going southwest at 15-20 knots in the afternoon.

Happy Thanksgiving!