From Sandy Hook to Cape May the 2008 fishing season is winding down with a healthy fall run of striped bass and hungry blue fish. Anglers enjoyed bass in early spring and then again in the fall. Big blues kept every angler sharp, confident and on their feet.
Fluke fishing was decent with plenty of action and plenty of shorts to pick through to make a limit. Weakfish however did not show numbers in the Raritan as in past years but did show up in Barnegat Bay.
There was no shortage of bait in the Garden State, the shore line was a buffet loaded with schools of sand eels, bunker, rain fish and spearing for all to feast on.
2008 was a great year for Blue Fin Tuna and Mahi Mahi which showed up early. Big Blue Fins and Mahi Mahi picked up the slack in the canyons where the Yellow Fin tuna was a disappointment. In place of the yellowfin it's cousin the Long Fin and Sword Fish made a few big appearances in the canyons along with the occasional White Marlin to tangle with.
2008 also had a good number of Makos and big Threshers and even a few sightings of White Sharks patrolling our inshore reefs.
Offshore wrecks have been producing all kinds of action from giant sea bass and porgies to a great black fish season along with coolers full of ling.
Hopefully we can all fish a little easier with lower gas prices going into the 2009 season. Now its time to clean and tune up your rods and reels, straighten out the tackle box and replenish what was lost or stolen by a big blue fish. I will return in January in hopes that big migrating schools of mackerel come in close enough in 2009 for a winter run.Thank you all for a really great season and thank you Rod for hosting an awesome gathering place for us to unwind.Happy Holidays.
Fish On!
