Water temperatures are finally in the low 50s and the bass are in full swing.
From the Raritan Reach, Sandy Hook rips, Romer Shoals, Flynn’s Knoll or wherever you were, the birds were working. Bass have been plentiful but mostly shorts, with a mix of small blues. Jigs are producing mostly shorts, while the bigger fish are being caught on clams. Hundreds of anglers were out this weekend in pursuit of a trophy bass, an International Game Fish Association (IGFA) record, a cow, a mount for above the fireplace. Is it possible to land such a fish in our backyards? With regulations and the enormous amount of peanut bunker and bait fish concentrated in our waters, it is highly possible that we could see many big contenders in the years to come. Why else would there be so many boats out there?
Capt. Bob from Bob’s Sandy Hook Charters had Fred Sr., Fred Jr. and Chuck, giving them the time of their lives jigging, working plugs and poppers. Everybody got their limit plus a bonus fish; they released over 30 other bass shorts and legal fish as well as a few blues to 8 pounds. All fish kept were between 30 and 36 inches. Little Fred Jr. had a day with his dad he will never forget.
Capt. Joe aboard Irish Ayes from Shark River had Hotrod from NJSaltwaterfisherman. com, his dad Hotrod Sr., his son Jeff, and Bob G. This crew had their fair share of blues. With more blues than they knew what to do with, they did mange to troll a few keepers for the box and a day full of action and good times.
Aboard Capt. Ron Fisherman, the boat was filled with anglers enjoying plenty of action with blues and bass – biggest were 21 and 23 pounds. Capt. Ron hit the bass real strong, all on jigs. Bass were coming over the rail fast and furious, with keepers in the double digits.
Capt. Greg aboard the Golden Eagle had an excellent trip, with more stripers than blues on jigs, and over 20 keeper bass came home, with throwbacks being counted into the high double digits. Blues up to 10 pounds were mixed in with the stripers. A bit chilly, but the crowd loved it. Golden Eagle will be sailing every day (weather permitting) for stripers, departing at 7:30 a.m., and Friday nights and Saturday nights 7:30 p.m. to 2:30 a.m.
Capt. Joe Bogan aboard the Jamaica II had a 14-hour sea bass trip. Plenty of action and plenty of keepers mixed in, up to 4 pounds. Sharpies caught limits; others caught 10 to 20 keepers. They also had a few big porgies and some keeper taugs.
Capt. Ron Sr. aboard the Island Girl III had an excellent trip. The Nuzzolo brothers Chris, Ritchie and Carmine had a great day jigging while chasing birds in the Raritan Reach. They played catch and release with over 20 shorts and two keepers caught on clams.
The bass reports should get bigger and better from here. Fish on.