Tight Lines

Capt. Ron Santee celebrated his birthday just the way he wanted to by putting a charter party into a great day of strper fishing on his Fishermen from Atlantic Highlands. Everyone went home with fish as Santee said there are more keepers now.

At Belmar, the Golden Eagle reported

“IT WAS GREAT ACTION FROM THE FIRST DRIFT EARLY THIS MORNING UNTIL THE LAST DRIFT OF THE DAY! With plenty of bunkers to fish in along the beach and plenty of fish in the bait, it was non-stop action on some drifts with BASS up to 49”.  There was white water with the STRIPED BASS crashing on the bunkers. Both bunkers and shads worked today.  A great day was had by all on board.“

The forecast is perfect – northwest at 5-10 knots.

Jeff Merrill’s Kathy G. s surrounded by bunkers while striper fishing off Asbury Park in this drone shot by Entwhistle Photography

Capt. Frank Massaria of Vitamin Sea from Keyport reported yesterday as follows:”National Geographic fishing today. Just incredible sights of acres and acres of bunker being blasted out of the water by savage feeding bass. Gary and crew had a great day catching them live lining, flutter spooning, casting Shad’s and working spooks. Dozens released and boat limit of keepers and bonus fish. We have 2 spots left for Monday morning. We have availability Nov 16 & 17.917-439-6448

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21Chuck Tyman Manny, Rob Rommel and 19 others

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Paul Haertel of the JCAA reports as follows:

“The new striped bass addendum has just been released. It seems that we will only have a choice between a slot limit of 28″- 31″, as we currently have or changing it to a slot of 31″- 33″”. However, there are a couple options that would widen the slot for the for-hire fleet but not for private boaters or shore based anglers. JCAA is adamantly opposed to sector separation and believes that the striped bass regulations for all of our anglers should be the same.”

Comments to the ASMFC are open through. 12/22/2023

All striped bass reports today were positive. The Golden Eagle from Belmar noted it was a beautiful day on the water as they caught all jumbo bass that were released. The Big Mohawk had an exceptional trip yesterday as bass hit all day and most fares released 10 or more.

As previously mentioned, I don’t text. I received some photos there today with no explanation. Please e-mail to cristori@aol.com.

The forecast is for west winds at just 10-15 knots before dropping to 5-10 in the afternoon.

Andrew Sokol forwarded this shot of a whale too close!

Vinny D’Anton said the morning was dead in somewhat rough, but clean water as stripers stayed well out of reach. However, it was a different story by early afternoon in the northern Monmouth County surf. Though these weren’t the big bass of earlier in the week, they were mostly 28-inchers and were willing to hit poppers. Vinny said there were also whales putting on a show.

The Golden Eagle from Belmar reported “WHAT A GREAT DAY OF STRIPER FISHING!! There were plenty of fish in the bait and NICE BIG STRIPERS caught on bait and shads. The fish were spread up and down the beach and we had action all day long.“

The Golden Eagle is chartered on Friday. That boat has announced a Veterans Day opportunity for those who have served as they will only be charged kid’s fare ($70) on Nov. 10 and 11.

Capt. Ron Santee said it took some time to find stripers that wanted to hit, but then there was action all day which included keepers and some bonus bass on his Fishermen from Atlantic Highlands,

Though it was cold this morning, tomorrow’s forecast is fine with southwest winds at just 10-15 knots.

The IGFA is running another opportunity to bid on great fishing trips, gear and art in its Swordfish Auction which ends at 6 p.m. Sunday.

Deane Lambros had a great canyon trip aboard the Thirsty Hooker that was topped by a 77-inch bigeye.

Capt. Ron Santee had a good striper catch yesterday in fine conditions with his Fishermen from Atlantic Highlands, but the weather was a lot different today. Santee said “I’t’s amamazing after all these years of posting fishing in the snot reports and the great fishing that comes with it that customers still want to wait for the perfect day!

Headed out today with the wind blowing 20 out of the North, Dark & Cold with a little bit of a swell and chop…..Found amazing life right off the bat, a huge area of birds working, just like it’s supposed to be. Action was awesome the first couple hours, lost the tide bite went to a pick.

After the change the wind came on stronger, the life came back and we finished up with a bang! Another great Striper trip in the books. Sailing everyday bright and early, first boat out. Don’t miss this bite!‘

A small craft advisory is up tonight, but by morning it should be northwest at just 10-15 knots before dropping to 5-10 in the afternoon.

There was a great tautog catch last week as Aiden Cole (17) boated a 15.78-pounder on Melissa Ann Fishing Charters, and weighed it in for a CT. Trophy Award before releasing her.

It’s hard to believe that this late in the season there are still top ten spots worth valuable fishing prizes in the Fisherman magazine’s Dream Boat Fishing Challenge. With a minimum of 15 pounds, only five bluefish spots are filled at a time when big blues used to be abundant, A 16.13-pounder is first.

The black sea bass category thas only three entries at a 4-pound minimum, though that will change when party boats start fishing the deepwater offshore wrecks There are only three entries in blackfish with a 7-pound minimum. Though the weakfish category is full, there isn’t a single tiderunner as the entries range from 8.66 to 8.10 pounds. The Dream Boat contest is only open to subscribers, and provides prizes ranging from a 21-foot Steiger to a Costa Rican fishing trip, electronics and tackle.

The fishfinder on Capt. John Contello’s Just Sayin indicates that it may just be possible to catch a striper.

The forecast is for north winds at 15-20 knots with possible evening and night rain.

This is the last day to apply for the Striped Bass Bonus Bass Program. Go to the SBBBP website.

KILLER DAY OF STRIPER FISHING TODAY ON Miss Belmar Princess

Only the Princess sailed again today and had a KILLER DAY!! Tons of ACTION ALL DAY on JUMBO STRIPERS and a few KEEPERS in the mix today too! Over 60 fish landed today with a bunch lost as well! High hook had 7 plus today with a bunch of other anglers hooking about 5 a piece. Live bunker and swim shads both worked today. Back at it tomorrow!

Miss Belmar Princess is fishing for STRIPERS- departs at 7:30am and returns at 2:30pm

Royal Miss Belmar is fishing for STRIPERS 3/4 day- departs at 6:00am and returns at 12:30pm

MAKE YOUR RESERVATION at missbelmar.com or call Stephanie 732-681-0030 or Heather 732-681-6866

The Golden Eagle from Belmar had a similar report of all day action on bunkers and swim shads. Most of the bass were overs. but smaller than usual– though not quite keeper size.

Vinny D’Anton got into big bass from a northern Monmouth County beach this afternoon as they were feeding on peanut bunkers and hitting shads. He released a 38-incher, and saw other bass over 40 inches being caught,

Just as predicted yesterday, striper fishing in NY/NJ Bight was a pleasure today without the crowds.

Capt. Ron Santee of the Fishermen from Atlantic Highlands noted:

“After a weekend from Hell it was good to be back on the meat!!!

Little fog this morning had us in stealth mode finding the bunkers…Couple beauties with Dave landing a Monster at 48 inches. Nice mix of fish from keepers to Bonus fish with a bunch of overs.

Several times we had white water around the boat, was fun watching Eric the Morgage man work that Plug. Fish knocking it right out of the water then coming back to attack it again. Weather is perfect for Bass fishing all week….don’t miss out like today!!!“

The Fishermen is chartered. on Saturday,

Max DeGennaro with a 42-pound bass on the Boga before release from Hi Flier out of Barnegat

The Queen Mary from Point Pleasant switched to porgies on Saturday as a charter party loaded up — before returning to hot striper action Sunday with mostly overs from 32-38 inches and some keepers as swim shads of 6-9 inches worked along with live bunkers.

A small craft advisory goes up at 7 p.m. to late night. Tuesday starts with north winds at 10-15 knots plus gusts to 20 before diminishing to northeast 5-10 in the afternoon,

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.