New York Metro &
New Jersey

December 3rd, 2004

Thanksgiving

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<Editors note: due to the holiday last week this report didn't get posted.  Here is is...next week's Fishwire will be the last of the season...>

Okay… No rant this time around. Just a quick fishing report and a “Happy Thanksgiving” from all of us at Reel-Time. Of course, for many, Thanksgiving is an opportunity to spend time with the family while consuming a tremendous amount of food. It’s a time for big, post-gorging naps enjoyed on the couch in front of the TV while a hot fire cracks and spits in the fireplace. But even more so than that, it’s traditionally been a time of spectacular striper fishing. In many areas, this weekend marks the peak of the striper run. It’s generally the time where things come to a “massive clouds of birds and ravenous boiling stripers” climax. At the risk of sounding like a bad commercial, I’m going to say that above and beyond all of this, it’s a time to be thankful of what we’ve got…

With that being said, I’m sure regular readers notice that I complain a lot about fisheries management, politics, poaching etc... I’m aware that I tend to paint a picture that the glass is half full most of the time. Yea, I do believe that there are a tremendous amount of problems, and it’s all of our responsibilities as users of the resource to become educated and address them, but the fact of the matter is that in these days of fishing we’ve all got it pretty good. Talk to anyone who fished prior to, and through the striped bass moratorium and they’ll tell you how tough it was. Thanks to the forward thinking folks in the late 80’s and early 90’s, we’re really lucky to enjoy the striped bass fishing we have today. And how about those albies? They were never around in the numbers we’ve had them in the past few years. And way back when, you didn’t have skippies, bluefin and other pelagics coming close enough for small boat folks to get legitimate shots at them. That’s a direct result of the fact that rivers and estuaries around harbors and inlets have cleaned up to the point where there’s enough forage to make it worth while for the predators to come in.

Yea, there are a lot of folks out there who seem to want to turn all this around, hypocrisy is rampant, conflict of interest exists in just about every fishery management council, and management agencies seem to be totally incapable of doing the job they’re tasked to do, but we really do have a lot to be thankful for these days… Certainly more so than folks did 10-years ago… And not just on the fishing front. Let’s all think about that this week as we stuff our faces subsequent to throwing long perfect loops to breaking fish… And try to keep in mind those soldiers over in Iraq who can only dream about fishing, or more so, spending time with their family… May God protect them…

For us, right now, life is good! Be thankful...

Now… let’s get on to the reports:

The whole coast of New Jersey was just downright crazy this week as clouds of birds and breaking fish were abound from South to North. Still lots of peanut bunker around, and most expect for things to get even better once the herring arrive. Let’s just hope the weather doesn’t get too bad. More of the same in the New York Metro area. One angler reportedly had a 50-pound fish on a flyrod. Raritan Bay didn’t hold the amount of quality of fish it had last week, but a short boat ride and you could find them out towards Sandy Hook. Over on the other side, Jamaica Bay held less fish than what was available on the outside, but they tended to be quite a bit larger than the schoolies west of the Marine Parkway Bridge. Along the western South Shore, pods of birds were here and there, and if you were ambitions enough to move from pod to pod, you could find a pod with some real cows. On the North Shore, again, there were schoolies all over the place. It was very possible to get a fish on every cast. Out east, there was a downturn over the weekend, but on Monday the fishing got really good again. Lots of gannets and gulls diving on peanut bunker and spearing. The herring have shown in force as well. It looks like last year’s late season inshore bluefin run was no anomaly, because, while no one hooked up, they seem to be around again. Make sure to get those HMS permits and check to see if the angling category is still open if you plan to target them.

We still have quite a bit of fishing in front of us if the weather holds. Next week will be the last of this year’s reports. Go get it while it’s good!

And don’t forget to email me your own reports. Tight lines all.

Tight Lines!

John McMurray

New Jersey

From the Southern New Jersey area, Captain Bryan DiLeo checks in with this Atlantic/Ocean City report.  Check it out:

11/14/04 – 11/21/04

 As predicted this week was on fire through out the SJ back country. Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday were by far the best sight fishing of days the entire year, with very large schools of Bass making their way across the shallowest flats.  This week offered us light winds, slick calm conditions and water temperatures no higher than 48 degrees and went as low as 42 and this has the Bass on the move.  All the smaller Bass were nowhere to be found and replaced with trophy size migrating Bass with sizes ranging from the smallest of the week @ 29” and the largest @ 36” which was taken on top water, with sightings of fish far over 40” that could be seen lunging out of the water after schools of peanut bunker and shad (all captured on video and will be posted on my website later this month, iowafortune.com).  Water clarity was superior by far the best of the season giving us great visibility that offered my clients shots at acre size schools making their way on to the flats that could be seen up to 100 yards away.  Through out the past week the Bass were just as friendly to the fly fisherman as they were to my light tackle clients, though this week, unlike the past 3 weeks, the Bass were willing to take mostly any thing put in front of them including top water. Top water action had a big resurgence this week with the majority of the Bass taken on the surface mostly all last week. There is no experience like seeing a 36” bass explode your topwater offering in crystal clear water that is no deeper than 10” inches as it streaks off on a blistering first run in search of deeper water. The first part of the week we had good water moving through out the SJ backcountry on the waning new moon phase but as the week progressed the and the currents slowed the action towards the end of the week reflected that and that will had the Bass and the bait moving to deeper water. Mid day, high sun prime tides will descend upon us this week and this should keep good water moving through the back country with the approach of the full moon and should once again have the bass increasingly on the move as they make their journey to the ocean and southward.  As far as out front we broke in the new 32 foot SeaCraft (the latest addition to the Iowa Fortune family) in the correct fusion this weekend by getting onto some good bird action which provided my clients with giant bluefish 10 – 15lbs on topwater flies and plugs as well as hitting a few good Bass below in the 34” size range with out another boat in site. Fasten your seatbelts things are primed and ready for big action on the horizon. Happy Thanksgiving

Farther north in the central New Jersey area, the folks at Shore Catch Guide service continue to report excellent fishing both from the beach as well as the boat:

This week has been absolutely insane down here in NJ. We have BIG bass and Big Blues crashing under birds from Sun up to sun down and things are really starting to roll down here. This week has been the best bass fishing we have seen all season long with most days seeing over 100 fish for two anglers. The water is still in the mid 50's so as long as it does not get too cold we should have these fish around until just before Christmas. Today's trip with Jim Ardito saw Stripers to 25 lbs on topwater poppers and sliders as well as some 12 - 15 LB blues mixed in the match. 
 
Both Capt Jim and Capt. David have been experiencing the same action with big bass on the surface as well. Our surf guides have been doing exceptionally well down along the Ocean County beaches and this Saturday there was al all out bass blitz in the pocket of the IBSP north jetty that lasted for about 8 hours straight. I was able to get down there myself and witness over 30 fly anglers lined up on the rock bailing stripers and blues one after another as the water was literally black with peanut bunker.

Lots and lots of schoolies on the outside, with the occasional keeper in the mix.  Moving from pod to pod resulted in some anglers encountering schools of larger migrating fish.  Captain David Azar reported getting and 18-pounder by using this method.  Raritan Bay thinned out some, but still, lots of fish around.  Over on the Jamaica Bay side, there were less fish than on the outside, but if you had the patience to cast and cast relentlessly you scored with bigger fish.  The peanut bunker are still around in the back, but there seems to be much more small bait around.  Unusual for this time of the year.  The herring run should really get things going in the bay as long as the weather holds… Keep those fingers crossed.

Joe Mattioli from On The Bite Charters reports excellent fishing this week:

We have a great week of bass fishing with lots of fish from 24-30’’ blitzing bait, clousers, half & half and deceivers. Worked well using sinking lines.  There are monster bass roaming the Raritan Bay we caught a 51.1lb bass this week unfortunately it was not on a fly…  But the next one just might be!  I have dates open

Captain Frank Crescitelli from Fin Chaser Charters checks in with a report of a fantastic week:

Hey John, this past week and weekend as well as today (Monday) was what we had been waiting for. Although the fish still are spooky, the amount and the size are improving. First I had the South jersey G men up here to show em what real Striper fishing is like. Chris (handlebars) Kolodziej, uncle Kevin and Mr. C had multiple triples with Bass up to 14 pounds, then Herb Miller Sr & Jr. got in on the action along with my White Marlin teammate Butch Hartman, with catches well over 50 fish per trip! Dave Petosa and Chris Tavaglione had fish do close to the beach at Coney Island you could hear the kids screaming on the Cyclone! The other thing we probably would have heard screaming was a 20" Bass, that a 36" Bluefish munched on the way up (see photo). There are less and less Blues as the water cools, but the ones that are left are mean! Today Mark Thierfelder and Justin fished huge blitzs for Bass up to 14 pounds again, sipping on the surface like trout! It was, as crazy Eddie used to say "INSANE." Probably 30 fish again today, someday I really will keep count and probably realize that I have been underestimating all along. I don't  think I have a thumb print anymore from all the releases. Sorry if I'm ranting a bit, it's just seems we waited so long for these fish to really turn on that I'm a little giddy. At any rate a late start seems to have made way for a really great migration. Dino's Marabou Clousers in white and chartreuse, have been the ticket. The peanut bunker are here and with word of herring in Montauk, If the weather holds out, we'll be fishing until Xmas. Let's keep our fingers crossed, and hope the poachers have to have their boats out early! IT REALLY IS A HUGH PROBLEM! Well until next week, peace

Reel-Timer David Plimpton checks in with this report:

Hi John: Was out with the Sunrise three mornings last week before work, Plum Beach and beach off Coney Island. Birds and bass. Schoolies mostly. Saturday more of the same, though windy and bleak. Sunday was out all day - chasing birds off Coney Island and then off the Beeach at Riis Park. Larger stipers and some blue fish. Many fish. Flat water, no wind -- a day you file for future reminiscence.

Western Long Island

Acres and acres of schoolies on the North Shore. Captain Robin Calitri reports a fish on every cast this week. The bluefish have thinned out tremendously. On the South Shore bigger bass could be found under the birds, but most pods are holding schoolie sized fish.

Eastern Long Island

David Blinken from North Flats Guiding reports several spectacular days in Montauk this week. According to David the herring just arrived and with them big stripers. Just look for the gannets and run and gun. David also reported bluefin in the vicinity, but they’re still not thick enough to target them.

From the Beach, Reel-Timer John Papciak checks in with this report:

I did not go to Montauk this weekend. I'm sitting in a chair at the barber shop, watching my son get a much-needed cut, when the cell phone goes off. Its a fishing buddy saying he heard Montauk to Georgica blew up, and how many did I get? I guess he was a little disappointed the hear that I (usually in on the buzz) was totally out of the loop here. Maybe next weekend.

I did however do a late tide on the backside of Jones Bch over the weekend. The run n gun open beach stuff is fun, but so unpredictable - it only suits the lucky (me), or those with nothing else to do all day (sometimes me). And how many times do you find the fish, but heave to endure a tease as the fish stay 2 casts out the entire day? I much prefer when the fish and set up, based on tide and bait, and this is a late season thing holds well enough to call it a Nov pattern. Anyway, 3 misses and one bass of about 10 lbs on a large black deceiver. Then another 3 on darters to about 16 lbs. (yes, I put the fly rod down when it seems futile and a longer cast is required) No bait that I could tell, but it has getting close to be herring time. I think we have a couple more weeks of this.

I think he’s right… Farther west, Salty Flyrodder Joel Filner checks in with this report:

All one needed to be successful this weekend catching fish is to not
be where I ventured to the shore. Everywhere else there were fish on
the fly, on the lure, on the bait, and in the water. A very
frustrating weekend, especially as I could not take Friday to fish
and had to work. The reports from the beach were all so positive, and
most importantly, a date with Amanda was fixed on the schedule.
Sitting in New York working, and hearing that the beaches were
hopping again especially after last weekend's spectacular failure
made the drive out on Friday evening one full of anticipation. Fished
Saturday morning my usual Shinnecock beaches that were filled with
fish all week, only to find them barren and watch the surf casters
pack up and head east. The weather was balmy, a moderate northeast
wind, and no fish. East was where they were and remain. From the
village through Bridgehampton, from Mecox to Sag Main, to Napeague,
to Ditch Plains, all were successful spots on Saturday. Sunday, as I
was scheduled to sail with Amanda the ominous call at 6:15, reporting
that the wind was up, the mist was rising and the ocean a bit
aggressive. She would go out and call us after scouting the water. We
took off to Shinnecock just for the perversity of the activity,
watching the wind out of the east, the misting rain, the big surf and
no fish. The second call was not promising so we packed it in, hoping
for another day. The third call an hour later, broke my heart, with
the news that the wind shifted and it might be okay to go. But my
partner went back to the city to put the cookies back into the jar
for another day, and the time frame would delay us even more. So I
grumbled about the house all day preparing for Thanksgiving and
listen to all the Honey do for the upcoming weekend. Of course today
when I must return to work there will be fish and calmer seas as well
as an available charter. Bah Humbug. and other expletives deleted.

We’ve all been there Joel. That’s it for this week… See you on the water.