It took some time to get started, but it appears the NY/NJ Bight fall ocean striper bite is finally underway. That’s the good news, but the bad is that Sunday may be a blowout.

A small craft advisory is up through late Sunday with northeast winds tonight before going north at 20-25 knots plus gusts to 30 and rain in the morning. The winds decline to 20-25 in the afternoon.

The Golden Eagle from Belmar got into lots of surface bait and there were plenty of big bass hits on live bunkers though only a few on shads. They have cancelled for Sunday.

Monmouth County surfcasters were happy to see quantities of peanut bunkers showing in the morning, though Vinny D’Anton said nothing was caught — and they only saw one bass taken on Miss Belmar Princess. There were lots of boats in that area during the calm morning.

Capt. Ron Santee was happy with his bottom fishing results on the Fishermen from Atlantic Highlands as the sea bass bite improved and there was a good showing of porgies along with some triggerfish. Santee has cancelled for Sunday, and notes that his anglers should also bring striper rods in case that opportunity arises.

Alberto Zacchino with a fall bass on his boat out of Belmar

The original Saturday forecast for windy conditions has been changed to a very fishable north at 5-10 knots with possible rain in the morning before that becomes likely in the afternoon.

The Golden Eagle from Belmar looked for stripers this morning and found bunkers on top but no bass under them. A switch to sea bass didn’t provide the usual fast action as larger sea bass seemed to be turned off. Along with some blackfish, triggerfish and porgies, there was a variety of bottom life.

Vinny D’Anton started up in Sandy Hook today and did find some peanut bunkers along with working birds — but no bass or blues. He did get reports from several Monmouth County surfcasters of a school bass here or there. The best report came from a friend on the N.Y. side who caught a few bass including a 15-pounder on surface lures at Breezy Point.

The Queen Mary from Point Pleasant reported a good Thursday trip during which “Gary” caught an amazing 50 bonito.

Mike Monte is back in Nantucket, where stripers from 25 to 40 inches are abundant and should be heading to NY/NJ Bight very shortly.

Capt. Fred Gamboa ran the Andreas Toy 31FA from Perth Amboy to catch five large bass to 40 inches in less than an hour.

Ginger Tatum fished with Gary Caputi and Kris Trasborg to put a Gray Fish Tag in this 47-inch striper

Joe Cefalo took the lead this week in the Martha’s Vineyard Fishing Tournament with this14.67-pound little tunny which may be hard to beat.

There was bad news Tuesday on Facebook as word of Capt. Barry Gibson’s death after a long illness was posted by George Poveromo. Barry was with Salt Water Sportsman magazine for 27 years, working his way up to editor and eventually to vice president. He started as a charter skipper out of Boothbay Harbor, in 1971, and continued that labor of love even as he worked in Boston — becoming a pioneer of sportfishing for sharks off the Maine coast. Barry was also a fine angler, but the first thing that came to mind was that he was best described as a great guy. He was a pleasure to work with as an editor, and great company to be with the water. I never heard him say a bad word about anyone, and was universally respected for both his expertise and desire to help others become skilled fishermen. I can’t think of a better way to be remembered.

Barry Gibson (right} with George Poveromo.

Chuck Many reports from his Tyman out of Highlands that Michael Greene and Mark Joseph Polakovic joined him to release over 30 stripers to 52 pounds in just four hours of a crazy bite. Unfortunately, the new photos didn’t eliminate those from the day before which follow.

Capt. Freddy Gamboa ran his Andreas Toy 31FA from Perth Amboy to catch five stripers up to 40 inches in less than an hour.

Capt. Michael Ardolino reported almost a boat limit of yellowfins on an overnighter with the Helen H. from Hyannis as up to nine tuna were being fought at a time day and night.

The forecast continues fine with north winds at 10-15 knots, but Saturday doesn’t look good.

The Golden Eagle from Belmar reports as follows:

“

“We looked on the beach this morning for the STRIPERS and just managed some small BLUES so we opted to bottom fish for SEA BASS.  It was good action at times on shorts along with KEEPERS.  Some anglers had their limit of SEA BASS along with a few PORGIES. We also had KEEPER BLACKFISH and some FALSE ALBIES.   

A COUPLE STRIPERS WERE CAUGHT AT THE END OF THE DAY ON THE BEACH so we will try for them again tomorrow.“

Nick Honachefsky reports his 5th annual Barrier Island Beach Brawl was successful. despite some tough conditions at times over the Columbus Day weekend, as many prizes were handed out. . Last year the fall run of large stripers started during this contest, but that wasn’t the case this year.

Nine stripers were caught, though there were no sizes noted since that was a photo release category with no measurements as all bass were entered for a prize drawing. However, I’m sure Nick would have made note if any were large. Over 50 small blues were entered as a 3 1/4-pounder was the winner. Three kingfish up to one pound were added. I know there were also decent tautog, but don’t have that info yet.

Vinny D’Anton is still waiting for the fall striper run in the Monmouth County surf. He said surf conditions improved today, and a few stray schoolies were caught, He didn’t raise any, but did come upon an abundance of hickory shad which provided some action on a small metal.

Another great forecast for tomorrow – southwest at 5-10 knots.

Capt. Ron Santee had a good day on the water with his Fishermen from Atlantic Highlands as sea bass cooperated even if shorts dominated. There were also porgies, blackfish and triggerfish, That boat is chartered Saturday.

The Golden Eagle from Belmar looked for stripers, and found some readings of bass that wouldn’t hit. Anchoring up for sea bass put fish in the boat along with porgies, triggerfish and even a showing of small blues.

Damn good day yesterday with Lee Wakefield, Joel Wakefield, Seth Wakefield, Greg Wakefield, and Bob Bowden!!!! Fish to 45 pounds.

+18

Jeff Merrill got out of Manasquan Inlet yesterday to troll for stripers. He only had one hit. but made the most of it with a 49-inch release.

Though it’s been yellowfins that have been providing most of the good tuna trips this fall, the Golden Eagle from Belmar had the opposite experience on Monday’s tuna trip as they limited the boat on both under and over bluefins while yellowfins failed to appear. The Golden Eagle is back to daily inshore trips which started in beautiful weather today as bait was located though there were no stripers with them. A switch to sea bass produced a decent pick plus a triggerfish.a few small blues and bonito — and some porgies.

Capt. Frank Masseria of Vitamin Sea at Keyport took his family out for school stripers in the bay and after a slow start ended up with good action as the fall run may be starting. He has openings right through the weekend.

Here is he photo of the 40-inch first large striper report from Bay Head in yesterday’s blog that didn’t download then.

The Canyon Runner from Point Pleasant has been loading up with yellowflong with some bi swordfish in the canyons. They have open boat spots available on Thursday by calling 732 272-4445

There’s a great forecast with west winds at 5-10 knots.

NYC Capt. John Mc Murray reports as follows: “Wow man…that was an absolutely incredible 4 days of tuna fishing. Hand feeding yellows, having’em crush poppers feet from the boat, and a solid jig bite… All 50 to 80lb fish too. And the bluefin? Not as many of’em but some real nice 60” (100lb) class fish in the mix. Man am I beat up today…hands so swollen I can’t make a fist…but couldn’t be more stoked. Think that was the last shot? No way man. Another weather window mid-week. Booked on Wed, but look’n to put together a crew for Thurs. PM me if ya wanna go! “

Fisher Price IV had their party into tuna up t 46 inches all morning. They are available Friday. Call 73261-3394.

The first large striper I’ve seen from the N.J. surf this fall was caught yesterday morning by Bay Head regular Nick Sardone who was casting a lure.

Capt. Ron Santee of the Fishermen at Atlantic Highlands summed it up as a cranky day with the sea coming at him from every direction as he struggled to put together some sort of sea bass catch.

A small craft warning continues to this evening. The forecast is for southwest winds at 15 knots with gusts to 20.

The Jamaica is headed out from Brielle at 7 p.m. for more tuna fishing which has been very good. Room is available.

NYC Capt. John McMurry with a bluefin in the 6o-inch class

The Golden Eagle from Belmar found some bird action this morning, but stripers under them wouldn’t hit. A little tunny was hooked before they anchored for sea bass.

As previously noted, the IGFA Auction closes at 8:30

The commercial General category bluefin tuna season closes tonight, but that has no effect on recreational tuna regulations.

There are lots of good reports coming in from the offshore yellowfin tuna run all along the coast’

Capt. John Contello reports his Just Sayin offshore boat loaded up with yellowfins and left them biting on its last trip before returning to Keyport for the striper season. John got that going with lots of big bass yesterday.

The Golden Eagle from Belmar didn’t find stripers working under birds as was the case the day before, but switched to sea bass for steady action even though shorts dominated.

A small craft warning is up through Sunday evening, though for a favorable northwest at 20-25 knots with gusts to 30. Seas are 5-8 feet in a southeast swell from the offshore hurricane. That can result in rough inlets.

The Golden Eagle from Belmar ran into working birds on the way out this morning and two big stripers were caught on poppers before the birds dispersed. They then switched to sea bass and caught lots of them even though shorts dominated.

Chuck Many reported as follows: “Looked like I was doing a solo trip yesterday afternoon when I stopped by the Tackle Box Fishing Co. to grab some supplies. Walking out asked Phil and Paddy if they wanted to go. Phil said he would watch the shop and Paddy was in! WOOOOOOO!!! Left the dock a little after 1pm, went 2 for 4 right away pulling eels, went dry for a couple hours, went on the drift and it was game on!! Long skinny fish. Smallest around 25 pounds, largest 45 pounds . Definitely been a good start to the fall!! “

Unfortunately, the surf news hasn’t been as promising. Vinny D’Anton has seen no bait since the heavy rains, and isn’t seeing anything being caught out of the Monmouth County surf. He even tried sand fleas one day with no success. A friend fishing on the N.Y. side at Breezy Point did have a few good days with bait and school bass.

The Fishermen from Atlantic Highlands reported better sea bass fishing Thursday with jumbos up to 3 pounds. Big Dan added two blackfish — his first ever,

The Qeen Mary from Point Pleasant jigged limits of blues Thursday while some anglers added 5 to 10 bonito — and a few little tunny also showed,

The forecast is for southeast winds of just 5-10 knots before switching in the afternoon to northeast 10-15 with gusts to 20 plus showers.

0:02 / 0:10

Stripers from Chuck Many trip

+3

A

Time is running out on the opportunity to get some great buys in fishing tackle, art and trips during the IGFA Tournament Series Online Auction which comes to an end at 8 p,m, Sunday. Cjeck this out at hq@igfa.org

Nick Honachefsky reports as follows:

” Bass moving down! Fantastic reports on a friends boat just north of inlet of 30 to 40 pound fish, just like last year, same pattern. The Barrier Island Beach Brawl may get lit up again like last years show! 5 AM start time tomorrow….get your gear at Betty and Nicks early!”

As noted by Nick, this is just what happened last year as I’m still waiting for the first report indicating the fall striper run has started in the surf while the boat run is gathering steam.

Dave Lilly said bass fishing was hot in Hudson River when he headed up there in the dark this morning. Stripers up to the thirties were on their eels right away . and the only problem was the arrival of blues in daylight as they went through 1 1/2 dozen eels very quickly.

The Canyon Runner from Point Pleasant reports limits of yellowfin tuna by chunking are common, and they still have a few openings left.

Sea bass reports have been mixed, as some find many more shorts than legal fish.

Capt. Ron Santee reports Wednesday was a tougher one on his Fishermen from Atlantic Highlands as the bite would shut down shortly after it started during a dozen drops from 45 to 100 feet. A 3-pound sea bass won the pool, but there was only one porgy and no tog.

Friday’s forecast is for east winds at 10 knots with 2-4-foot seas in a southeast swell which may result in rough inlets.