The Hudson River Fisherman’s Association sent the following to their members:

“

“As we announced at the December 12 General Meeting the HRFA EBoard voted in favor of Option B for the comment period (deadline Dec 22, 2023 ). Option B essentially maintains the status quo. Members in attendance agreed. Please email Emilie Franke your personal preference (if you have one) of the available options given below by noon time tomorrow. “

Mike Monte tried surfcasting in perfect conditions this morning at Sea Girt and Belmar, but said he and several others had no hits. However, he heard that stripers were caught yesterday evening and this morning much further south at Brick Beach. Furthermore, those weren’t the small bass expected in the winter, but 26-to-30-inchers on Tsunami Sand Eels. Betty & Nick’s in Seaside Park continues to list a very warm for December 52 degrees water temperature.

The Jamaica from Brielle has added another far offshore jumbo sea bass trip leaving at 2 a.m. Tuesday, 12/26. That’s to make up for all the trips lost to weather and to beat the end of the sea bass season on Dec, 31. The last trip produced many sea bass limits plus a few porgies and pollock as well as some weakfish. A 10-pound pollock took the pool.

A small craft advisory is up through Friday morning. Friday’s forecast is for northeast winds, but at only 5-10 knots.

Jamaica jumbo sea bass

Mike Monte didn’t have high hopes this morning. but was pleased to find that the Monmouth County surf had cleared and calmed enough to be fishable. There were lots of birds picking on sand eels, but no hits. Another angler further north had the same report.

A small craft advisory is up through Thursday afternoon. The forecast is for north winds at 15-20 knots plus gusts to 25.

The Golden Eagle from Belmar will not sail for stripers tomorrow, but plans to do so Friday and Saturday.

Chuck Many had good Chesapeake Bay release fishing Saturday as Cesar Carranza. Bill Doughty and Joseph Eller joined him to troll stripers with Capt. Clinton Lessard.

Big seas along the N.J. coast have done quite a bit of damage to the beaches. Mike Monte said he saw 12-14-foot waves which washed out storm fences, damaged boardwalks and washed away access areas. He noted that he’d never seen such damage from a non-tropical storm.

The west gale extending to Wednesday afternoon should help flatten the seas. As a result, the Golden Eagle from Belmar will be sailing at 7:30 a.m.for stripers which were still abundant when they last got out on Saturday.

A small craft advisory is up through Wednesday afternoon. The forecast is for northwest winds at 10-15 knots plus gusts to 20 in the morning.

 Chuck Many sent this shot of a big pre-spawning Cheasapeake Bay striper before release on Friday as he fished with Clint Gray and Cesar Carranza

Even if you haven’t gotten around buying a gift for a special angler, it’s possible to do so quickly with just a note in an envelope.

A membership in the International Game Fish Association will bring the annual IGFA World Record Fishes book plus many other publications during the year — and enable him to spot some “soft spots” in the records which may enable him to join the ranks of world record holders.

A subscription to The Fisherman magazine will be a weekly reminder of your gift and make him eligible for the Dream Boat Challange with its many prizes.

Party and charter boats plus tackle shops provide gift certificates at substancial discounts for Christmas. Just go to their web sites for a selection.

Though the weather kept boats at the docks today, the Golden Eagle from Belmar plans to get back out for stripers before that fishery is all over.

A gale warning is up util 9 p.m. for west winds up to 30 knots. Tuesday starts with west winds at 15-20 knots plus gusts to 25.

A small craft advisory is up from 6 p.m.to Monday afternoon. The forecast is for south winds at 25-35 knots plus gusts to 55. That switches to southwest with gusts to 35 in the afternoon. It’s unlikely that anyone will sail tomorrow.

It’s well beyond the time when boat fishing for stripers in NY/NJ Bight is over, but there’s still some hope on the NJ side where the ocean remains open all year.

Capt. Frank Massaria of Vitamen Sea from Keyport reported: “We ran our final bass trip of the season with Nick and his crew. Had to take a long ride but it paid off. Nothing big but very good action with bonus fish shorts and some keepers. Had a lot of fun with ith these guys. Not bad for Dec 16th.”

Frank may still do some blackfish trips if the weather cooperates.

A storm warning goes up from Sunday evening to Monday afternoon. The Sunday forecast is for east winds at 15-20 knots plus gusts to 25. Light rain in the morning — and more in the afternoon.

Those seeking a readily available gift for their favorite angler can do no wrong by buying him AFTCO shorts.

I have virtually lived in those shorts for decades. and they’ve proven to be almost indestructible..

While still living in N.J., I started surfcastng with them in the spr[ng — and was reluctant tp switch to waders once it got very cold in the fall. In Florida the only question is what color to wear each day.

AFTCO also has a wide selection of shirts, especially Guy Harvey models, and even some rainwear.

This year’s Long Beach Island Surfcasting Tournament has come to an end. There were 429 anglers registered with 65 striped bass, 9 bluefish, 29 kingfish, and 70 tautog weighed in. For the Surf Master Award category there were 35 non slot size bass catch and release pictures entered.

The Master angler award went to John Ipri for a released 48-inch striper. This contest is primarily fished by anglers casting bunker around the clock. It used to produce lots of big blues, but the winner this year was just a 6.38-pounder.

 

Vinny D’Anton reports the Monmouth County surf is in good shape. and stripers are being picked — though they are now the small bass typically caught in the December surf. They are feeding on sand eels, and lures such as the Tsunami Sand Eel and Ava diamond jigs are working.

Saturday;s forecast is good with west winds a just 10 knots before shifting to northeast in the afternoon.

The GooClinton Lessarlden Eagle from Belmar reported “

It was EXCELLENT right away on the first stop and continued to be excellent fishing throughout the day. There were plenty of fish up on top at times working on bait. All anglers onboard limited out with their KEEPER BASS and SLOT FISH. We had numerous OVERS that were safely returned. “

Chuck Many started off his Chesapeake winter season as he and Joe Eller fished with Capt.C;inton Lessard to release pre-spawning bass from 38 to 52 pounds. Lessard has a few winter openings. Call Sho-Nuf Sportfishing at 757-710-0098

The Bobby Matthews memorial service is on Saturday, Dec. 16th at 3 pm at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the South Jersey Shore, 75 S. Pomona Road, Egg Harbor City. Exit 44 off the parkway.

There will be a chance for friends to share their thoughts and favorite stories. Most of his many trophies will be on display. His relatives are also looking to find new homes for his many fishing-related books.

Light refreshments and casual dress.

The Golden Eagle from Belmar reported another good day of striper jigging though anglers had to work through many shorts in order to limit.

A small craft warning is up through tonight. The morning forecast is for northwest winds at 10-15 knots plus gusts to 20.

Bluefin tuna are still a possibility, such as this one on Reel Freedom.

All reactions:

26Paul Haertel, Allen Riley and 24 others

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Dennis Peterson

Wow! That’s awesome!

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There was some question about whether stripers would still be abundant in NY/NJ Bight after Saturday’s storm, but that question was answered by the Golden Eagle out of Belmar as follows “

STRIPED BASS FISHING IS STILL HOT!! We had an early boat limit again today and released quite a few. Fish were all caught on diamond jigs and crippled herrings.  

The weather is looking great right through Saturday and there are plenty of fish around.

Come on down and get in on the action. Enjoy an exciting day of fishing in the ocean.“

Chuck Many is on a brief trip to Hilton Head, South Carolina for some light tackle action in salt ponds with redfish and the black drum illustrated.

A small craft advisory is up through late tonight. The forecast is for northwest winds tomorrow at 10-15 knots plus gusts to 20.

The Jamaica from Brielle has openings on their Tuesday 10 p.m. departure for the far offshore jumbo sea bass wrecks. The last trip, on Friday, produced limits of sea bass up to 5 pounds plus a few porgies and bluefish. A 10-pound pollock took the pool. There are similar openings on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Call 732 528-5014 for reservations.

The Big Mohawk from Belmar is chartered tomorrow.

A small craft advisory is up through Wednesday evening. The forecast is for northwest winds at 15-20 knots plus gusts to 25.