Tight Lines

Striper fishing in Raritan Bay has been exceptional, but as far as Capt. Ron Santee is concerned, today’s bite on his Fishermen from Atlantic Highlands was the best of his long career. His account follows:

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FISHERMEN/Best Bass trip of my Career!! Thursdays Report

 Created: Thursday, 10 November 2022 16:24 Written by Capt. Ron

I have been blessed over the years to have had some excellent Striped Bass fishing. 

The clam fishing in the early 2000’s to the amazing fall jig fishing the past several years. Nothing compares to what we had today!! I can honestly say this was the best Striper trip I have ever run, several have come close but with smaller fish.

Despite the wild traffic, we had an all day bite. The second drift once I could get on the meat away from the crowd we had over 100 fish! Joe, Jim and I went from customer to customer non-stop netting!

When the crowd chasing the birds got too tight we took a ride and found amazing action all by ourselves (almost), on readings from hell. Eric & Bill V. were Animals in the Bow with 34 & 20 fish each. Big John took the pool with a beauty at 38 inches. Novice bass fishermen and new to the game Big Tom  is now addicted landing over a dozen fish. See Tom there is life after Fluke! 

I had third generation customers who had a huge smile and great memories from today. I got to notch another Striper Virgin on the wheelhouse which always makes me smile.

We are fishing tomorrow, don’t let the weatherman keep your ass home!!

NOT AVAILABLE SATURDAY I HAVE A CHARTER…….WE WILL BE OPEN BOAT ON SUNDAY.

7:30 Sailing but get here early, I go when we have enough to sail. We shape up at 5:30am. Open boat, No Reservations just come on down. Fare is $90      Fishing in my back yard!!!

The forecast is for southeast winds at 10-15 knots with gusts to 20 before increasing to 15-20 with gusts to 30 in the afternoon. Not great, but fishable on a large boat in the bay as it shouldn’t take long to limit out. Unfortunately, a gale warning goes up Friday evening though the night.

The ocean story was the same today as the Big Mohawk from Belmar got right into big stripers, and had a boat limit of keepers by 8 a.m. before going into catch and release mode. They emphasize they will be fishing at 6:30 came rain or shine!

The Jamaica from Brielle has a post-gale canyon trip set for 8 p.m. Sunday. Call 732 528-5014 for reservations.

It seems that it didn’t make much difference which way boaters went today as there was very good action with striped bass in both areas.

The Golden Eagle from Belmar got into jumbo bass right away in the ocean before later spotting bunkers and birds closer to shore where some smaller keepers and even slots were boated. That boat is chartered tomorrow.

Capt. Ron Santee got into bass all alone with his Fishermen from Atlantic Highlands right away It got nasty when the wind came up against the current, and Santee went back to the bay where bass continued to hit in more comfortable conditions. Almost everyone had a keeper and slot, and some caught in double digits.

Golden Eagle striper – Nov.7

The forecast is for southwest winds at only 5-10 knots.

The Jamaica from Brielle has cancelled tonight’s far offshore wrecks trip for big sea bass due to weather concerns, but will be running it at 11 p.m. tomorrow for fishing on Thursday when the forecast is favorable.

The weekend trips to wrecks near the canyons produced coolers full of fish which consisted primarily of jumbo porgies along with some giant sea bass, cod, pollock and bluefish. Edwin Ortiz won a pool with a 6.5-pound sea bass. That fishing should improve as offshore waters get much cooler. For reservations call 732 528-5014.

Though the weather impacted the inshore striped bass fleet, Capt. Ron Santee of the Fishermen from Atlantic Highlands was fine with all the space as he noted :

“Bass love the snot and when the tide got right today, it was amazing fishing once again!

Starting to sound like a broken record but the past 2 weeks have been the best we have seen in a long time.

High hooks in the twenties. Keepers and Bonus fish coming in and many going back! Fishing right in our backyard ever yday.

Sailing 7:30am, except this SATURDAY….we are Not available.

Open Boat, No Reservations just come on down. Fare is $90.”

Small craft warnings are up through Wednesday afternoon. The morning forecast is for northeast winds at 10-15 knots plus gusts to 20 before going east at 5-10 in the afternoon.

Andrew Sokol wasn’t having any success with shads for stripers over the weekend on the Misty Morn from Morgan until he switched to the Nomad Vertex for a couple – and ended up catching a schoolie on a swimmer for the first time. Unfortunately, the better photo wasn’t the one that published. Stripers like that and some keepers are being caught daily on live spot in the bay behind Absecon Bay Sportsman Center.

Active and retired servicemen are eligible for a free striped bass trip Friday on the Canyon Runner from Point Pleasant. Visit adam@canyonrunner.com to determine availability.

That fishery remains excellent except in poor weather conditions. The Golden Eagle from Belmar reported another great day of striper fishing except for a brief period at the change of tide. They ended up with a boat limit of stripers plus many releases of bass that hit everything.

Capt. Ron Santee said he had to run and gun all day to stay on stripers with his Fishermen from Atlantic Highlands as there was more boat traffic than expected. Many anglers had multiples up to a young man’s 48-inch, 35-pound release. That boat is chartered on Saturday.

A small craft warning is up through Tuesday afternoon. The morning forecast is for north winds at 15-20 knots with gusts to 25.

Chuck Many had his charter boat friends from Cape Charles up to fish NY/NJ Bight stripers a few days ago before getting into their great catch and release season when numerous 50-pound bass are caught — along with two over 60 pounds last winter. Sho-Nuf Sportfishing Charters is taking reservations for that live eel fishery from Dec. 1 to Jan. 15. Call them at 757 710-0098.

As good as Raritan Bay striped bass fishing has been, it may have even improved despite all the weekend boat traffic. Charter boats loaded up early, and Capt. Ron Santee of the Fishermen at Atlantic Highlands sent the following report”Took a bit to get everyone acclimated today but when things got right, it was awesome fishing once again.

4 of us including June netting lord knows how many Bass while the bite was hot. Some mix in size from Bonus fish up to the 38 inch pool fish caught by Eric. Young Josh even got to land 4 fish all by himself, I got him on video also which was very cool.

Several guys with 12 to 20 fish by days end. Tony topped yesterdays nine with twice that many today!

Amazing the amount of life with the bait and Strong Healthy Striped Bass. Everyone went home with the meat.“

The forecast is for southwest winds at 10-15 knots plus gusts to 20 and morning showers before going west in the afternoon.

Even Saturday traffic couldn’t stop the incredible striped bass fishing — and more of the “keeper” smaller bass are showing up Check out the report from Capt. Ron Santee of the Fishermen out of Atlantic Highlands:

“The Bass Gods have been shinning on us this season and today was no different!

I expected the worst today being Saturday with the Traffic and craziness but the Bass were hungry once again!

First couple of drifts we already had 25 keepers in the boat…..Shads worked the best once again. Several larger fish that had to go back when we found the Big bunkers to fish in. Most of the fish average between 29-36 inches with a few Bonus fish starting to show.

The last 45 minutes had the fish Boiling on top once again…Great fun and an awesome sight to see for all aboard.

Back at it in the AM 7:30 Sailing. Open Boat, No Reservations just come on down. Fare is $90.

If your waiting for it to get Really good…you missed the bite.“

Capt. Ron

Capt. Vinny Vetere reports the afternoon trips he’s started are producing plenty of bass for those seeking individual reservations on Katfish from Great Kills.

The forecast is for south winds at 10-15 knots with gusts to 20.

With striper fishing the way it is now, a birthday wish is almost sure to be successful as it was today for Capt. Ron Santee on his Fishermen from Atlantic Highlands. His report follows:

“

“Another Great Birthday shared with Friends!!

I always look forward to this day as it has always been good Karma for me and the customers who share it with me….the gifts aren’t too shabby either!

Had to work it extra hard in the fog all day but everyone managed to get it done. Run & Gun all morning catching those beautiful Striped bass….When the tide slowed before the change we still slugged away on every drift, current started to run and the bite turned back on!

Keepers, Toss backs & Bonus fish…..The bait is unreal with some larger Bunker showing back up. No doubt we could have snagged and dropped but didn’t have too.

Thank you from the bottom of my Heart, you guys & gals make me who I am!!

See you in the AM..7:30 Sailing (get here early). Open Boat, No Reservations just come on down.“

The Big Mohawk from Belmar reported that most of their anglers wanted personal record bass that were caught on bunkers. though they also managed 12 smaller keepers with a few on shads.

The forecast is for more calm weather with south winds at 10-15 knots. Surprisingly, with a light south wind, there was no fog forecasted.

When there are readings like these on Fisher Price IV from Highlands, the outcome is sure to be a bent rod!

That’s what Dave Lily had to say about today’s action with 15-20-pound bass which hit Tony Maja mo-jos as fast as they hit bottom. They often thought they had bigger bass on only to find the rods were being doubled over by doubleheaders, Bass were also on top, and poppers were hit on almost every cast before the crew was worn out and returned early.

Capt. Ron Santee said the fishing on his Fishermen from Atlantic Highlands switched from yesterday with the best coming later when he was alone. Some bonus bass are starting to show among the bigger bass. The high hook caught 20 stripers today, and a 36-incher took the pool.

The ocean was also hot. At Belmar, the Golden Eagle reported a slow start before the bunkers came up and there was a good pick after that. They said a 45-pound striper was released.

The forecast remains good with south winds at 5 knots. Areas of fog are possible.

Vinny D’Anton was seeking bass in the Monmouth County surf this morning when he was shocked to see a large seal appear in the 61 degree waters. That was the area where John Tiedemann caught his first striper of the fall yesterday — a fat 32-incher on a Mag Darter.

Chuck Many ready to release a striper from Tyman

Joe Greco (88) of Ft. Myers lost a short battle with lung cancer this week, but the good nature of that fine angler will long be remembered.

The former resident of Edison made a quick move to Florida from N.J. taxes and cold weather along with his wife Sue shortly after retiring from his profession as a computer analyst. He bought a small boat that could get into the shallowest waters and spent years learning the entirely different fisheries there for everything up to tarpon.

Joe quickly became friendly with local skippers who helped in the transition to skinny waters tactics, and he especially enjoyed fishing for sheepshead with 10-pound test freshwater spinning rigs.

The last time I fished with him, we weren’t doing well on the inside, so he made a move on a calm day to just outside the harbor to fish over a sunken clothes dryer that quickly provided action on our live shrimp with short, but feisty groupers before I hooked something much bigger. I assumed it was a shark which would soon cut me off, but Joe thought it might be a cobia. The battle continued on the 10-pound outfit for a long time before Joe was proven right as a cobia finally surfaced. Unfortunatey, we had no gaff, and the only net was a small, short-handled sheepshead net. Cobia usually go wild when netted, but Joe was able to get its head in that tiny net before we both grabbed the metal hoop and slid the exhausted cobia aboard.

Joe was proud as a peacock when we returned to the marina with the biggest fish of the day on the smallest boat — and steaks from that 42-incher were passed out to all his friends and the employees.

The Golden Eagle from Belmar reported no change in striper fishing as they got into them right away and had action throughout the trip. Big fish outnumbered the keepers.

The Jamaica from Brielle is starting the offshore wrecks sea bass fishing with 10 p.m. departures by reservation, four nights a week.

The forecast is good for days ahead. Thursday starts with east at 5-10 knots.

It was over half a century ago, but one of my fondest fishing memories occurred on a Halloween night.

I was making good will calls on New England tackle shops for Garcia, and left Cape Cod during a surprise snowy northeaster– heading west for some R.I. calls on my way home to Long Island. A cold northwest front roared in on the way and cleared everything up, leading to a decision to fish at Charlestown Breachway that evening.

I had only fished there once before when the regulars told the young stranger that I’d have to wait my turn to cast into the outgoing water at the breachway mouth in order to avoid tangles. Thus, when my turn came, I cast across the narrow opening and retrieved my plug so it would pass through the school striper “feeding station” where bait was heading out to sea. There was little action that night, but I was anxious to try it again.

Checking the tide table revealed the outgoing tide would conveniently start after dinner, so I went to my motel room and donned layers of clothing to guard against that cold wind. Upon arriving at the parking lot. I was pleased to see very few vehicles before walking out the path to the opening. There wasn’t an angler in sight, and I understood why as water was pouring into the breachway. I had forgotten that the outgoing tide doesn’t turn out for about three hours after it starts falling!

I started heading back to my car along the path when I looked to the east and saw big waves left over from the northeaster racing toward the surf before being “stood up” by the northwest wind that created white water in depths well offshore of the beach. I was a very inexperienced surfcaster at that time, but that situation looked good to me and I decided to make a couple of casts before returning to the motel.

There was no problem in making a long cast with 20-pound mono, and the full moon was so brilliant that it was more like daylight than dark. I watched the swimming motion of my Junior Atom plug — and then saw a sight that’s forever locked into my memory as a seemingly huge striped bass rose up behind it and sucked the lure in without any hesitation!

I had the shore fishing fish of my dreams hooked. but then surveyed my situation. Though I was at one of the most popular spots in Rhode Island, I was all alone as the regulars wouldn’t be showing up for the outflowing water for three hours. I hadn’t brought a gaff since there would be lots of them at the Breachway among the pros fishing there. Below me there was a steep drop covered with large rocks which I wasn’t about to attempt, especially with a rod in hand. There didn’t seem to be any way I could land my prize.

Then, as if God had answered my prayers, I heard –“I’LL GAFF THAT FISH FOR YOU”.

It wasn’t God, but unbeknownst to me there was an angler, fishing a live eel, tucked out of the wind at the base of the water line below my location.

That’s exactly what he did, and I was able to get close enough to grab the end of his gaff handle with which to drag my trophy up to the path.

Going back to casting, I hooked another large bass that was landed in the same manner. I was almost relived when the only other hit was from a schoolie that shook off.

Though well satisfied with what I had caught, I woke up at the motel in time to check what the regulars had done at the Breachway. Though the water was pouring out and conditions were perfect, nothing was being caught. I had enjoyed the Halloween of my life only because I had miscalculated and then was able to improvise!

At Sea Isle Tackle in Freeport later that morning, Ron Fuerhing put those bass on his scale where they weighed 34 and 38 pounds. A big thrill for an angler who hadn’t caught anything larger than a schoolie from shore before.

NY/NJ Bight boat fishing for stripers could hardly be any better. Capt. Ron Santee said bass came up as soon as the tide turned this morning, and many fares on the Fishermen from Atlantic Highlands had over 10 released bass. Top waters and shads worked fine.

The Golden Eagle from Belmar reported a fine striper bite with keepers outnumbering the overs. Bunkers and many types of lures all produced,