RJ
11-08-2008, 11:37 AM
Overview: Anglers are talking about the possibility of a very late bass run with many bass hanging around until early January. A good push of bait has infiltrated Sandy Hook with plenty of fish circling Raritan Bay. Most action has been on fresh clams, with a switch from eels, which dominated all last week.
A decent bluefish bite has been present since last month but many schools are still further north. Jetty jockeys have been balancing on rocks all over this area, trying to find a perfect blackfish spot. Anglers in search of good offshore action should switch to cod and ling; many tuna poles haven’t seen water since last October.
Atlantic Highlands: Bass have been spotted off beaches in the Highlands but many of them are schoolies or just shy of 28 inches. Fresh clams are all the rage for striper fishing off any beach, but be sure to try eels or Deadly Dick lures with a teaser. Blackfish numbers are starting to decrease as weeks go by so head out now if you are in search of tog over 10 pounds.
Long Branch: Water temperatures are dropping fast so be ready for migrating bass as they head south during a run. Schools of sand eels were reported at the tip of Sandy Hook with a few peanut bunker schools further south. Bass bites were reported in Sea Bright, Monmouth Beach and West End. Shrewsbury River has seen a lot of porgy and blackfish catches but most are starting to get just below keeper size.
A decent bluefish bite has been present since last month but many schools are still further north. Jetty jockeys have been balancing on rocks all over this area, trying to find a perfect blackfish spot. Anglers in search of good offshore action should switch to cod and ling; many tuna poles haven’t seen water since last October.
Atlantic Highlands: Bass have been spotted off beaches in the Highlands but many of them are schoolies or just shy of 28 inches. Fresh clams are all the rage for striper fishing off any beach, but be sure to try eels or Deadly Dick lures with a teaser. Blackfish numbers are starting to decrease as weeks go by so head out now if you are in search of tog over 10 pounds.
Long Branch: Water temperatures are dropping fast so be ready for migrating bass as they head south during a run. Schools of sand eels were reported at the tip of Sandy Hook with a few peanut bunker schools further south. Bass bites were reported in Sea Bright, Monmouth Beach and West End. Shrewsbury River has seen a lot of porgy and blackfish catches but most are starting to get just below keeper size.