Manasquan Inlet Report - October 30, 2007

[Capt. Ed]

Hi All,

Decided I needed a few hours of mental health time.

Hit the Manasquan Inlet at around 12:30PM. The idea was to try to find any species breaking water.

For those fishing the Pt. Pleasant Canal, I saw folks on the way out and in catching small Blackfish up and down the canal. No one spot looked better than another. There were a lot of people on the west side of the canal between the #11 and #12 escape ladders. The water was 61 degrees F on the ebb and flood tides.

OK, as soon as I hit the Col Regs line, I turned right (south) and immediately was in a small fleet of 10 boats picking away at Bluefish. I caught one (1) and that was enough. What is funny is that this was the last time I saw a boat all day until I got back into the lagoon where I was approached by three kids Trick or Treating in their boat. Pretty cool!

After catching and releasing the Bluefish, I decided to head east as fast as I could make way.

Why?

The ocean was flat and 65 degrees. I figured maybe I would luck into some Bluefins heading south.

Well, I ran at WOT all the way out to the east side of the Mudhole and then back toward Asbury Park. NOTHING on top!

That is right. Ran for about 2 hours covering about 80 nautical miles and no fish on top; no birds; and no life on the pots. The only thing out there was warm water (69 degrees F).

So, to recap ...

1. The water is still warm!
2. The water is warm all the way out to the Mudhole and beyond!
3. No fish breaking water except right outside the Inlet (small Blues in 1-2 lb. and 3-5 lb. schools).
4. Very few boats out.
5. Water was crystal clear.
6. Wind was light and shifted a lot, even in the 3 hrs. I was out.
7. Small Blackfish are all over the Pt. Pleasant Canal.
8. Very little bait in the rivers.
9. Funny to see Trick or Treaters in a boat.
10. Small crowd on the Paramount. Bottom fishing was not good as they all gave me the thumbs down when I asked.
11. Nothing beats hitting the Mudhole in less than a 1/2 hr.
12. What a great day!

Good luck out there folks. Fall fishing looks to be on target for the Winter (LOL)!

Capt. Ed

[CapBob]

Capt ED,

Good report........long time no hear....you have returned like the great pumpkin

[Capt. Ed]

Hi Capt. Bob,

I am awaiting the charters on your boat if the weather and fish decide to cooperate.

I will email you again soon about this.

I hope all is well!

Ed

[IrishAyes]

Nice report Capt Ed, as always.   

[Bucktail]

Although that report doesn't give me much hope for striper jigging this Thursday , it definitely gave me a good chuckle!

Two questions:
1.  Were the trick-or-treaters in costumes?
2.  Did you give them any treats?

[Capt. Ed]

Hi Bucktail,

1. Trick or Treaters were dressed in customs!
2. I asked them if they wanted some fishing lures and they laughed as they went on their way.

The yalso had a big sign that read, "Trick or Treat." Come to think of it they had a loud horn for the small boat they were on.

Very entertaining.

As for the Stripers, I would guess that people will have a better shot in the rivers as the water is much cooler (61 vs. 66) than in the ocean.

The wind was blowing SE for a bit. That always chills the water a bit.

Good luck,

Ed

[wink_man]

Nice report, sorry you didn't have more action. Your observations in the canal, pretty much sum up what the blackfish fisherman have told me there, lots of people fishing for them, and they say you have to catch over 100 shorts to get a keeper. I hear there's keeper stripers in the canal, but I think it's more rumor than real, as I haven't witnessed it nor heard it from anyone fishing the canal. I may mosey over there tomorrow morning, as I have a new rod to try out, and want to see what type of distance I can get with various weight lures.
Garry

[Capt. Ed]

Hi Wink_Man,

I am skeptical about the reports of Stripers in the canal as well.

I have good info about some being caught off the railroad bridge, which makes sense to me.

Congrats on the new poles! Hope they catch well for you.

Coffee soon,

Ed

[wink_man]

Hi Wink_Man,

I am skeptical about the reports of Stripers in the canal as well.

I have good info about some being caught off the railroad bridge, which makes sense to me.

Congrats on the new poles! Hope they catch well for you.

Coffee soon,

Ed

Hi Ed,
     I've heard the same about the railroad bridge, and from reliable sources who are cathing them(mostly on white plastic shads), but alas, they are all shorts. Hopefully bigger fish will be there soon. Only have one rod to try out, tried to get another today, but the tackle shop man decided to be a roofer, and was up on the roof, so he told me they're not going anywhere, and to stop back tomorrow, so if I go to the canal, I'll swing by there on my way home.
Garry

[Luna Sea 5]

nice report capt. Ed.

[bowguide]

nice to hear from you again Capt Ed ..Good report

[Hotrod]

Hi Capt. Bob,

I am awaiting the charters on your boat if the weather and fish decide to cooperate.

I will email you again soon about this.

I hope all is well!

Ed

Count Me and Rod SR. on this one
soon, since I was laid off this week.



Great report Ed.  They are one of a kind

[TurboDan]

If there are reports from the RR bridge, they have to be recent.  The currents there this weekend were so strong that nobody was anchored up near the bridge.  Drifting would have been impossible, if not downright dangerous.  A few boaters found themselves revving their engines to keep control.  Amazing what the moon can do!

I can't wait to get out this Thursday.  Hopefully I can catch my first ever striper (have some 4oz Storm Shads ready to go) and break the recent skunking streak.  I just gotta catch something before I start my more successful run for winter flounder in March!

[ped579]

Great report as usual Capt. Ed.

I was out late morning for high tide and the birds were crashing all over the place off Lavallette and Ortley beaches and the boats were right with them.  Nice to see but they were out about 1/8th to 1/4 mile off the beach to far for any beach action.

I will be out again tomorrow as well, again in the mid morning leading up to high tide.  I will post my report later.

Happy Catching

Paul