Beaufort, NC – The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s Atlantic Striped Bass Management Board approved for public comment Draft Addendum II to Amendment 7 to the Interstate Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for Atlantic Striped Bass. The Draft Addendum considers management measures designed to support stock rebuilding by reducing fishing mortality to the target in 2024

The Board initiated the Draft Addendum in response to the low probability of meeting the 2029 stock rebuilding deadline if the unexpectedly high 2022 fishing mortality rate continues. The Draft Addendum builds upon the 2023 emergency action by considering management measures intended to reduce fishing mortality to the target level in 2024. Projections indicate that a 14.5% reduction in total removals relative to 2022 is needed to have a 50% chance of being at or below the fishing mortality target in 2024. For the recreational fishery, the Draft Addendum proposes recreational bag and size limit options for the ocean and Chesapeake Bay regions, including options with different limits for the for-hire modes. To address concerns about recreational filleting allowances and compliance with recreational size limits, the Draft Addendum includes an option that would establish minimum requirements for states that authorize at-sea/shore-side filleting of striped bass (e.g., racks must be retained). For the commercial fishery, the Draft Addendum proposes a quota reduction option that would reduce commercial quotas by up to 14.5%, with the final percent reduction to be determined by the Board.

For measures beyond 2024, the Board will consider the results of the upcoming 2024 stock assessment update to inform subsequent management action. To enable an expedited management response to the 2024 stock assessment update, the Draft Addendum proposes an option that would enable the Board to respond to the results of the stock assessment updates more quickly, via Board action, if the stock is not projected to rebuild by 2029.

The Draft Addendum will be posted to the website no later than October 31^st at https://asmfc.org/about-us/public-input. A subsequent press release will provide the details on the public hearing schedule and how to submit written comments. The Board will meet to review submitted comments and consider final action on the addendum in January 2024 at the Commission’s Winter Meeting in Arlington, VA. For more information, please contact Emilie Franke, Fishery Management Plan Coordinator, at efranke@asmfc.org or 703.842.0740.  

Capt. Ron Santee reported a disappointing day of striper fishing on his Fishermen out of Atlantic Highlands, There wasn’t much bird life, while fish being marked on bottom wouldn’t hit. He did a lot of running to different areas while coming up with only one keeper. Santee isn’t fishing tomorrow due to a bad weather forecast, but will be back at it Saturday.

The Golden Eagle from Belmar lost some stripers right away this morning, which proved to be a bad omen as they said it was a “tough” day for them.

Though boaters have been catching large stripers in NY/NJ Bight, the NJ surf hasn’t broken out so far. Vinny D’Anton said the surf is clear, but peanut bunkers have disappeared from the Monmouth County surf. Large bunkers are far out of reach where boaters are working on them. Vinny caught a couple of small blues by casting a Krocodile metal, but only knew of one surfcaster in that area who caught a single school striper.

Capt. Russ Binns ran from Barnegat Bay up to Sea Girt yesterday where he and two friends got into bunkers not far off the shore and released six stripers from 35 to 47 pounds. Unfortunately, he also spotted several large stripers floating belly-up.

Absecon Bay Sporstman Center reports very good school striper action in the bay, including many keepers. Capt. Dave has been using live spot which are available for sale at the shop.

Though I’ve heard reports of a storm tomorrow, the National Weather Service forecast is for southeast winds at 10-15 knots with gusts to 20 and showers.

Austin Perelli has been having fine evening light tackle casting in Jamaica Bay for school stripers, blues, weakfish and even porgies on lures.

.

That’s how Dave Lilly summarized his striper trolling this morning as all of the many he trolled down the beach were over 40 inches, and up to a 52-incher. He trolled down the beach in 25 feet as large bunker schools marked on the bottom, and it was hard to get two lines out. The Tony Maja #4 gold bunker spoon worked best. The only bird action he saw was well offshore in deeper waters.

At Belmar, the Golden Eagle reported being in bunkers all day as many bass were caught — though all were overs. They finished up with sea bass to put some fish in the bags.

The Big Mohawk had their best striper action early, but stayed with them all day as 55 were caught and about 20 more lost.

Capt. Ron Santee said today was basically a repeat of yesterday on his Fishermen from Atlantic Highlands with lots of surfacing stripers, including keepers, that kept turning off — requiring many moves. Dan was high hook with seven.

Another great forecast — Southwest at 5-10 knots before going to south at 10-15 with gusts to 20 in the afternoon.

” Dave Lilly about to release big bass on Tony Maja #4 gold spoon

The NY/NJ Bight fall striped bass run is off to a great start.

The Big Mohawk from Belmar reported over 70 bites on live bunkers resulting in over 60 bass caught. up to a 52-incher. They sail at 6 a.m., but suggest you arrive by 5;30.

Capt. Ron Santee said he got into birds and fish right away during his first striper trip of the season with the Fishermen from Atlantic Highlands. There was a mix of keepers and overs in many areas, but conditions required frequent moves.

The forecast is as good as it gets! Northwest winds at 5 knots, going southwest in the afternoon.

Capt. John Contello reported yesterday as follows:

“hat was as good as it gets!! Best trip of the year. Landed close to 40 Bass and they were all 40-53 inches… Not a single fish under 40 inches. 2 of them definitely at that 50lb mark. Special trip with a great crew. I had a Charter cancellation for Wednesday morning 10/18. Text me if you want to grab it 732-670-1919 #JustSayinSportfishing“

+3

Fisher Price IV reports “

Incredible morning on the bass grounds today for Paul and crew. Bunker, shads, spoons and vibes. Several dozen releases with fish to the mid 40 pound class.

We have 1 spot available tomorrow morning Wednesday 10/18 and 1 spot available Thursday morning 10/19. Sailing at 630am. Text 732-861-3394. We have a few dates available rest of the month and November as well.

+6

WL

Capt. Ron Santee switched his Fishermen from Atlantic Highlands to striper fishinng ast year on Oct 16 with good results, and is making that same move Tuesday morning at 7. Hopefully the bass will be ready to feast on shads and jigs. The Prowler 5 from that port will switch to stripers on Thursday from 7:30-2:30.

At Belmar, the Big Mohawk switches to stripers at 6 a.m. tomorrow. The Golden Eagle is on a tuna trip today and was catching some early in the morning. On Tuesday they’ll be striper fishing at 7:30.

The Canyon Runner from Point Pleasant is going to make one last canyon overnighter on Wednesday, and has some discounted open spots available for the yellowfin tuna chunking that’s been red hot. Call 732 272-4445 for reservations.

TheTuesday inshore forecast is for north winds at just 5-10 knots.

My phone came back to life overnight, but hasn’t been recording messages, Keep trying, or leave an e-mail at cristori@aol.com. Keep in mind the fact that I do not text.

Vinny D’Anton reports the N.J. surf has been clearing up from the storm, though there were no catch reports this morning. That should change tomorrow.

NYC Capt. John McMurray got into big bluefins Sat. before switching to yellowfins and taking a beating going home.

Sunday was a blowout day in NY/NJ Bight, and a small craft advisory is still up tonight. but Monday’s forecast is for a clearing northwest wind of 10-15 knots. Surfcasters may have to deal with discolored waters, but this could be the first day of the real fall migration.

My phone has gone completely dead, and is not taking a charge. Until further notice I can be reached only by e-mail at cristori@aol.com

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.