Those fortunate enough to be able to fish in NY/NJ Bight waters on Monday should have great striper action without the crush of boats putting them down as was the case the last two days.
The Golden Eagle and Big Mohawk from Belmar reported the early bite was best, though bunkers remained available for snagging all day, The Big Mohawk counted 70 bass, which included some 32-38-inch fish among all the bass over 40 inches. The pool bass was 48 inches.
The Golden Eagle is on its last tuna trip, but will be back to stripers on Tuesday.
The Queen Mary from Point Pleasant summed up last week as follows:
What a week! Great Weather combined with BIG STRIPERS! Tuesday & Wednesday saw all larger fish to 50″ taken on live Bunker. Thursday was slow all morning. The afternoon perked up. 6″ Shad’s were the ticket with 30″-44″ fish We finally are seeing a few smaller ones we can keep in the mix.
The forecast for Monday is for south winds at 10-15 knots plus rain and patchy fog before going northwest in the afternoon.
Just as always can be expected on a nice Saturday in October, NY/NJ Bight was loaded with boat traffic today. That always results in poor results for some, but most of the reports I’ve received were positive.
Indeed, the Big Mohawk from Belmar reported their best day of the season with 140+ bites on live bunkers. One angler caught 11 bass, and the pool bass taped out at 50 inches.
Capt. Ron Santee wasn’t as happy with the conditions as he said boats were so packed in on surfacing bass that he couldn’t get in. After only getting a few early, he made a move that resulted in a later bite carrying into overtime to end up catching a couple of dozen bass on his Fishermen from Atlantic Highlands,
The Golden Eagle from Belmar reported an early bite saved the day before the traffic got too bad Most bass were over 40 inches and up to 50-incher in the bunker schools.
The forecast is for east winds at 10-15 knots with gusts to 20 plus rain.
If you can handle historically outstanding striped bass angling with a forecast of west winds at a mere 5-10 knots. then tomorrow should fill the bill in NY/NJ Bight waters. Of course. there might be a few others that can figure that out.
Capt. Ron Santee provides some guidance within his description of today’s fishing on his Fishermen from Atlantic Highlands as follows “
Headed out with a nice gang today and found fish right off the bat before all the traffic showed. Had a couple shots at them then changed up the game plan for the rest of the day.
Mostly keepers with some Bigger fish in the mix. Caught the end of the tide but it didn’t seem to matter as the bite got better as the day went on. Fishing mostly readings all day which makes me wonder how many actually use the fish finder anymore….Run & Gun for the birds, when they are not there, the deer in the headlights come out.
Brother John had the Monster for the day at 44 inches! Several customers with double digits.
Weather looks great for the weekend, please get here early, we sail at 7:00am but if we have our crew early….we go!!
Open Boat, No Reservations just come on down. Fare is $90, Rod Rental $20. See you Bright & Early!“
Capt. Ron
Even surfcasters like Gerald Cece get into them at times!
Just because you see them doesn’t mean you’re always going to catch them!
That was the problem reported by the Golden Eagle from Belmar They managed some bass early as they were feeding in bunker schools, but the bite slowed before picking up at mid-day. Later the bass resumed working the bait, but were difficult to hook. Most were overs which were released, though there were a few keepers.
Capt. Ron Santee had a different experience on his Fishermen from Atlantic Highlands as bass of all sizes cooperated including some Bonus Bass. Eddie led the way with a 48-inch release, and there were several 25-30-pounders.
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Tony Arcabascio’s grandson caught his first striped bass this week though I doubt if it was on a Tony Maja bunker spoon. That young man has a lot of catching up to do before equaling his grandfather in catching stripers!
The weather forecast remains ideal, with southwest winds at 5-10 knots.
Vinny D’Anton reports there’s a bothersome swell on the Monmouth County surf that’s. creating a backwash problem which surfcasters have to take into account. There was some exciting fishing yesterday for those who could fire a lure far over the bar as the bass out there were from 15 pounds up to over 40. Vinny raised one monster, but it failed to hook up. This morning was a different story as none of his group hooked up even though a few big surf bass were reported by others.
Betty & Nick’s Fishing Club member Brian Smith reported he went up north yesterday to release this 47-inch bass.
There doesn’t seem to be any method that isn’t working right now for striped bass of all sizes in N//NJ Bight. Capt. Joe Massa went out from Morgan Marina yesterday afternoon, and turned live bunkers into 20-pound stripers before running past other surface feeding stripers on the way back.
Jim Hutchinson Jr. was happy with this 43-inch bass he caught by casting a white shad.
At Belmar, Miss Belmar Princess reported “another solid day”of striper fishing . The Golden Eagle had hot striper fishing right away, and it kept up.
Capt. Ron Santee made a couple of drifts with his Fishermen from Atlantic Highlands get everyone acclimated before putting them into hot action all day with everything from slots to three over 40 pounds!
The forecast remains great with southwest winds at a mere 5-10 knots.
Tue Oct 24 – Coxes Ledge Cod & Sea Bass
The Viking Fleet reports a good start to the fall Cox’s Ledge Sea Bass & Cod trips. “We had a very nice pick of QUALITY Sea Bass all day with some very nice Cod in the mix as well. Guys who used the jig/jelly worm combo definitely put on a clinic with the Sea Bass as well as landing a majority of the Cod. More than a few of them had their limit of BOTH jumbo Sea Bass AND Cod. Along with a boat limit of Sea Bass and strong Cod showing we also landed a nice Monk Fish, some hub cap Scup, big Cunners, and a few green Bonito to round out the catch. It was definitely a great start to the Cox’s Ledge excursions which should only get better and better as the fall progresses. The Cod pool winner was Dwayne “Jigaholic” Sherard with a 16 lber. The Sea Bass pool winner was Anthony Bjelke from Bohemia, NY with a 4 lber.
showing we also landed a nice Monk Fish, some hub cap Scup, big Cunners, and a few green Bonito to round out the catch. It was definitely a great start to the Cox’s Ledge excursions which should only get better and better as the fall progresses. The Cod pool winner was Dwayne “Jigaholic” Sherard with a 16 lber. The Sea Bass pool winner was Anthony Bjelke from Bohemia, NY with a 4 lber
Michael Leech of the IGFA had sad news today on Facebook as great woman angler Marsha Bierman passed away this morning. Though she looked more like a showgirl than an angler, that tall blond woman could put most men to shame while fighting big marlin and tuna on stand-up tackle long before that type of big game fishing became popular on the east coast.
Marsha put tremendous pressure on those big game fish, and I’m sure she never gave up on one while setting numerous records. I had the pleasure of fishing with her in Costa Rica and also when giant tuna were first discovered during the winter on shallow wrecks off North Carolina. She wanted to catch a giant standing up, but was frustrated by only hooking up with medium bluefins. Of course, as soon as we switched to 130-pound outfits so all could participate, we caught all giants!
There was finally very good news from Vinny D’Anton as the northern N.J. striped bass surf run got underway this morning. He fished northern Monmouth County where 20-25-pound bass were feeding on peanut bunkers. Swim shads did the job as Vinny said anglers casting poppers didn’t seem to be connecting.
At Belmar, The Golden Eagle reported lots of big bass on live bunkers, with yesterday’s largest at 53 inches. They change their sailing time to 6:30 a.m. tomorrow. Miss Belmar Princess had a similar report.
Capt. Ron Santee said he was at the right place at the right time with his Fishermen from Atlantic Highlands this morning. It was mostly big bass up to a 56-incher, but included some keepers.
The forecast is great — southwest winds at 10-15 knots..
Eric Kerber with a 47-pounder on his digital scale
“Big Stripers on the fly …..not an easy task especially in this area. What do we consider “big” on fly tackle? Anything over 40 lbs….but between the boat crowds (which is at an all time high these days), massive schools of large bunker difficult to imitate with a fleye, wind, weather ect…..making this happen is not an east task. No one does it more graciously that this guy right here, “Doc John” @jyavorsky. “Doc” has been fishing with us for over 25 years and he has landed countless fish in the 40-50lb class range, including one yesterday with Capt @eastbound_malanga on the #REELFREEDOM at an estimated 45lbs. Having the right gear is critical; and there is no better fleye than the Popovics Beast Fleye, which literally accounts for all of the big stripers we take on fly tackle. Great job Doc and big Jer ! #popfleyes#shorecatch#reelfreedomBig Stripers on the fly …..not an easy task especially in this area. What do we consider “big” on fly tackle? Anything over 40 lbs….but between the boat crowds (which is at an all time high these days), massive schools of large bunker difficult to imitate with a fleye, wind, weather ect…..making this happen is not an easy task. No one does it more graciously that this guy right here, “Doc John” @jyavorsky. “Doc” has been fishing with us for over 25 years and he has landed countless fish in the 40-50lb class range, including this one yesterday with Capt @eastbound_malanga on the #REELFREEDOM at an estimated 45lbs. Having the right gear is critical; and there is no better fleye than the Popovics Beast Fleye, which literally accounts for all of the big stripers we take on fly tackle. Great job Doc and big Jer ! #popfleyes#shorecatch#reelfreedomBig Stripers on the fly …..not an easy task especially in this area. What do we consider “big” on fly tackle? Anything over 40 lbs….but between the boat crowds (which is at an all time high these days), massive schools of large bunker difficult to imitate with a fleye, wind, weather ect…..making this happen is not an east task. No one does it more graciously that this guy right here, “Doc John” @jyavorsky. “Doc” has been fishing with us for over 25 years and he has landed countless fish in the 40-50lb class range, including this one yesterday with Capt @eastbound_malanga on the #REELFREEDOM at an estimated 45lbs. Having the right gear is critical; and there is no better fleye than the Popovics Beast Fleye, which literally accounts for all of the big stripers we take on fly tackle. Great job Doc and big Jer ! #popfleyes#shorecatch#reelfreedomBig Stripers on the fly …..not an easy task especially in this area. What do we consider “big” on fly tackle? Anything over 40 lbs….but between the boat crowds (which is at an all time high these days), massive schools of large bunker difficult to imitate with a fleye, wind, weather ect…..making this happen is not an easy task. No one does it more graciously that this guy right here, “Doc John” @jyavorsky. “Doc” has been fishing with us for over 25 years and he has landed countless fish in the 40-50lb class range, including this one yesterday with Capt @eastbound_malanga on the #REELFREEDOM at an estimated 45lbs. Having the right gear is critical; and there is no better fleye than the Popovics Beast Fleye, which literally accounts for all of the big stripers we take on fly tackle. Great job Doc and big Jer ! #popfleyes#shorecatch#reelfreedom“
Miss Belmar Princess reported as follows on today’s striper fishing:
“Miss Belmar Princess had really good fishing today with JUMBO STRIPERS up to 46lbs! Beautiful flat calm ocean today with PLENTY of ACTION all day! All action today was on live bunkers. Todays high hook had 7 JUMBOS which were all safely released. We also saw HUMPBACK WHALES, GIANT BLUEFIN TUNA and THRESHER SHARKS blowing up the baits today! Tomorrow’s weather looks great, join us for your Trophy STRIPER!”
Miss Belmar Princess striper
Capt. Ron Santee said he got into “unreal” bait with fish breaking on it early, and also did well with his Fishermen from Atlantic Highlands in the afternoon. Dereck had the day’s monster at 53 inches and 40 pounds. Scott Scuderi was high hook with eight up to 25 pounds, which included a keeper and a bonus bass. Despite the abundance, the bass were hard to catch as they were on peanut bunkers — and Santee had to run & gun to stay on them.
Vinny D’Anton only heard of one school striper taken on a swimming plug in the Monmouth County surf this morning, but that fishing is bound to break open any day.
The forecast is perfect – northeast at just 5 knots before going southwest in the afternoon.
Yesterday’s fishing reports came in late, but were good — and today was more of the same.
Capt. Ron Santee of the Fishermen from Atlantic Highlands said he got a good start before having to make a long run that resulted in the best action of the day into overtime. The high hook caught nine stripers, and there was a spread of sizes which resulted in bonus bass in the bags.
At Belmar, the Big Mohawk reported 55+ bites and over 40 bass caught.
The Queen Mary from Point Pleasant had a great day with stripers yesterday as Nick from Manasquan was high hook with 12 up to 46 inches. This morning was like that until 10 when the bass got fussy. After that they were still swirling in bunkers, but not biting.
A small craft warning is up through late tonight. Monday’s forecast is for northwest winds at 15-20 knots before dropping to 10-15 in the afternoon.
There were no reports today, but Fisher Price IV had the following on Facebook which seemed to be for yesterday — though it could be for earlier in the week.
“One of the best bites of the fall this morning for our open boat trip. Doubles, triples and quadruple hookups all on live bunkers. Dozens of releases to 41# with a few personal bests broken. Called it an early morning once the bite shut down. Thanks for fishing hard guys.
Next open boat trips will be Tuesday 10/24 and Thursday 10/26. 6am-12pm. $180pp, not including tip for mate. Text 732-861-3394 for reservations.”
A gale watch is up tonight. The Sunday forecast is for west winds at 20-25 knots with gusts to 30 and 4-6-foot seas. When I was running out of Manasquan Inlet, I fished many days with a west gale as the hills to the north create a calm sea near shore. Boaters can fish safely within a half-mile or so — which is where the stripers should be on bunkers or for trolling.
Just when the fall striped bass run in NY/NJ Bight appeared to be well underway, there was a problem yesterday as party boats reported suddenly poor action after the fast start. Before that, the only complaint about too many overs as 28-31-inch keepers were hard to come by.
There was some speculation that there was too much boat traffic yesterday. Most trips were cancelled today due to stormy weather.
A small craft advisory is up for Saturday as west winds at 10-15 knots plus gusts to 20 increase to 20-25 with gusts to 30 in the afternoon. A gale watch is posted from Saturday evening through Sunday evening.
In an unusual move, the Prowler 5 from Atlantic Highlands switched back to bottom fishing today until the striper run improves.
Jerry Lasko was at the right place at the right time yesterday in northern Ocean County when stripers blasting bunkers barely came within reach with a 10-foot surf rod and released this 42-incher. Maren Toleno lost a bass at the same time, and also saw a large tuna chasing the bunkers.
This blue marlin caught by Best Trait out of Orange Beach, Alabama set a Gulf of Mexico record at 1,145 pounds!
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at an estimated 45lbs. Having the right gear is critical; and there is no better fleye than the Popovics Beast Fleye, which literally accounts for all of the big stripers we take on fly tackle. Great job Doc and big Jer ! 
Tight Lines 