Tight Lines

Though a gale warning is up until 6 p.m., the morning forecast is for only 10-15-knot northwest winds — and the Big Mohawk from Belmar is scheduled to sail for tautog at 6:30.

The Golden Eagle from that port may try for stripers later in the week, but has an offshore sea bass trip set for 7 p.m. Dec. 14.

Capt. Ron Santee Jr. has decided to call it a season on his Fishermen from Atlantic Highlands after the main body seemed to move too far south.

The great winter tuna fishery is underway in North Carolina, and Water Proof has some dates open. as per the following post: dates remaining:

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Feb 13-14, 24-25

March 1, 4-5, 8-12

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This was certainly not a day for fishing in NY/NJ Bight. as a storm warning is only now moderating.

By morning there will be clearing west winds at 25-30 knots, which will start settling seas that were up to 18 feet.

A gale warning is up in NY/NJ Bight through late tonight, and that may be the beginning of the end for a great fall striped bass season.

Capt. Ron Santee Jr. of the Fishermen from Atlantic Highlands said the local bass seem to have moved out to at least Shark River Reef. “Some may hang on a bit longer as long as they still have a little something to eat, and that is getting thin. The past two days the fish we have been catching, their stomachs have been empty.

The East wind has never been my friend and today was no different, we caught fish, some did better than others but you had to fish hard to get it done. Bill V. and Big Tom were High hooks with 8 & 6 fish each. Few guys had 3 and 2 but they worked their asses off to get it done. I constantly moved to stay on top of the small readings we had to catch a couple a drift. No, it was not easy. 

We also had to stay on the nasty bottom loosing many jigs, I tried a couple times to go deeper but there were no fish there. Today may have been the swan song for us, I will see what the weather holds for Friday through the weekend then make my decision. I will never beat a dead horse. We have had another good season, if I think we can get it done by Sunday we will shape up, if not, Thank you to all who have fished with me.”

The Golden Eagle from Belmar sailed right into the main body of stripers this morning and had a great first drift on surfacing fish as everyone got their keeper and Bonus Bass. They will try again if the weather permits.

The forecast is for south winds at 20-25 knots plus gusts to 35 before gusting to 35 as seas increase to as much as 17 feet in the afternoon.

There was no problem catching NY/NJ Bight stripers today, and Tuesday also looks good before bad weather may be a problem. Capt. Ron Santee Jr. of the Fishermen from Atlantic Highlands reported as follows: “Not the Hot fishing of the past couple of days but certainly good enough for everyone aboard. I always like it better when the guys actually have to fish for them!

Did have a couple drifts where the action was excellent then we went into search and catch mode. Sailing tomorrow, taking a pass on Wednesday and most likely Thursday. South with gust to 30 is not my idea of fun Striper fishing. Will see how the weekend goes, may be playing Sinatra on Sunday afternoon. (And now, the end is near) for Joey! LOL “

The Golden Eagle didn’t have to go anywhere for stripers as they were up and biting right outside Shark River Inlet as that Belmar boat limited with keepers and Bonus Bass during long drifts in surfacing fish.

Vinny D’Anton didn’t have any positive results from his Jersey Shore surf crew this morning, which may have been due to the south wind.

The forecast is for east winds at just 5-10 knots before switching to southeast in the afternoon with a slight chance of rain and fog.

Boaters found just what they expected today. Capt. Ron Santee Jr. said he saw the bird action from miles away as he headed out with his Fishermen from Atlantic Highlands, and was quickly into catch-and-release. As a bonus, there were a couple of tautog caught on jigs — and a giant tuna jumped close by.

The Golden Eagle from Belmar reported “It was SUPER ACTION right from the first drift with BASS up on top. There was action around the boat and at times holding 5 fish on at a time! “

A small craft advisory is up through this evening. The forecast is for southeast winds at 5-10 knots before shifting to south at 10-15 plus gusts to 20 in the afternoon.

The Fishermen from Atlantic Highlands was into bass right away — and it stayed like that all day for boaters in NY/NJ Bight for those who could put up with the cold.

The Golden Eagle from Belmar from had a similar report with all hands getting their keeper plus a Bonus Bass, while many shorts and overs were released. Bass were on the surface during long drifts.

A small craft advisory is up through Sunday afternoon. The forecast is for SW winds at 20-25 knots before dropping to 15-20 in the afternoon.

Vinny D’Anton said yesterday’s gale made even surfcasting difficult. but some anglers got back to it this morning in time for some striper action in peanut bunkers and sand eels at Monmouth Beach. There was a pick of bass up to 27 inches.

Though a small craft warning is up through Saturday morning, the party boat fleet should be able in get out with a forecast of west winds at 15-20 knots plus gusts to 25. Be sure to check with your favorite skipper before coming down.

Today’s frigid gale kept anglers home despite the great fishing that was enjoyed by many under clouds of feeding birds Wednesday. Though Capt. Ron Santee Jr. hopes to get out Saturday with his Fishermen from Atlantic Highlands, it appears the windy weather may last into Monday. Ron is looking forward to temperatures back up to the fifties next week — and will continue to sail as long as the stripers bite and customers show up each morning.

The gale warning continues to late tonight. The forecast is for northwest winds at 25-30 knots.

Bluefin tuna also remain in the picture. as noted by Capt. Gene Quigley in his post about this week’s crew trip. “Incredible crew trip with the boyz for the re-opening of giant season. Went out with no expectations other than to have fun. Came across a jurassic park feed of complete units and @scuuuse had the sickest popper bite I have ever witnessed on the @black_ledge_lures popper. 90 minutes later with fluid teamwork and this fat 94 incher was boat side on spin tackle. “

Dave Lilly said it was just 25 degrees at the dock when he joined Rick Martel and Bryan Farmer to run down the beach into wild areas of birds and surface feeding stripers. Everyone released all the stripers they could handle. Most were keepers with some overs mixed in. Party boats and a few private anglers were into that action with no crowding problem. Those fish are moving fast — so don’t hesitate to get in on it now!

Unfortunately. a gale warning is up through Thursday night. The forecast is for west winds at 25-35 knots.

With striped bass being as abundant as they are right now, all reports are usually similar. However, there were two very different ones today. The Golden Eagle from Belmar summed it up as follows: “12/03/2024 What a PHENOMENAL DAY OF STRIPER FISHING!
The STRIPERS were biting as soon as we got out there. With plenty of bait and fish around and lots of action, we were in catch and release mode very early in the morning. All anglers had their KEEPER STRIPER and their BONUS FISH. All other fish were safely released.”

On the other hand. Capt. Ron Santee Jr. found bass everywhere he went with his Fishermen from Atlantic Highlands, but had to work hard for them. No white water, or suicide fish — but working with the fishfinder produced plenty of stripers. Steven Lauria caught 15, and Eric the mortgage man released a 30-pounder.

A small craft advisory will go up Wednesday afternoon, followed by a gale watch to late Thursday night. The forecast is for west winds at 10-15 knots before going to southwest 20-25 plus gusts to 30 in the afternoon.