Where are the keepers? Another week has passed with solid numbers of bass caught along the coast. Anglers are playing catch and release in double digits with bass just under 28 inches. Keepers are hard to come by so far.
Captain Greg on the Golden Eagle fished from Long Branch to Sea Bright and produced plenty of short Stripers with a mix of some big blue fish. No keepers, pool winner was a 12 lb blue.
From NJSaltwaterfisherman.com diehard anglers Bob G. and Capt. Joe of the Irish Ayes boarded the Big Mohawk for a day of tog fishing out of Belmar. The two managed to land 3 of the 20 or so keepers aboard.
Capt. Matt and crew aboard the Norma K III. Had continuous ling and sea bass action on an over night trip. Each drop produced a steady pick of ling and sea bass. Just about everyone went home with a cooler full.
Reports this week seem to be the same from Sandy Hook to Barnegat Light. Plenty of action but little to talk about. At this point most anglers are out of the water and winterized. This doesn’t mean that they are done fishing. Most anglers will get together and jump aboard a charter for either tog, ling sea bass and of course one last shot at a trophy striped bass. Hopefully big schools of herring will move in quickly with big bass along side them. Fish on.