New Jersey & Delaware Bay - Central New Jersey Fishing Reports

Capt. Joe said the Jamaica II went in search of tog this winter. They didn’t seem to have trouble finding shorts, but had to work harder to get keepers over the rails. The sea bass also offered some action, while porgies consistently filled coolers.

Tony at Paramount Deep Sea Fishing said they saw a good number of lunker sea bass the first few weeks of December. Blackfish and porgies offered good action as well. The crew suggests using green crabs or white leggers with a low hook near the sinker for your best shot at blackfish. They said, “Patience and attention to the rod tip are key, and you need to keep steady contact between the sinker and the bottom to feel the subtle bite when blackfish are just checking on the bait. Set the hook hard, but only on the right bite.” They are also going to start looking for ling.

Tucker at the Reel Seat said everyone he has spoken to lately has been togging. Tog jigs are working well. The Belmar and Barnegat Inlet are offering good tog action. The canal is holding some too, but they appear to be slowly moving toward the ocean. It seems like the bass bite slowed down and anglers are pulling their boats out. A few striped bass are hitting SP Minnows off the beaches down south. The season looks like it's ending.

Jason at Fishermen’s Supply said a few boat anglers went out for blackfish and reported reliable action on the eastern edge of the Sea Girt and Axel. It seems like the anglers that headed toward the Garden State Reef did a lot better. He heard a lot of people pulling out their boats so not much action to speak of for striped bass further out. He heard of a few anglers catching some stripers off Dog Beach as well as the Toms River offering reliable action at night. Keep in mind that back bay, river and estuary fishery for striped bass is off limits from January 1 until March 1.

Capt. Bob on the Gambler said the beginning of December offered great striped bass action. They found nice catches of keepers on the striper grounds. He said, “Most fish were hammering shads, but flutter spoons and croc spoons also produced. The stripers were spread out up and down the beach, and we had to work for them—but those who stayed at the rail were rewarded.” He said there are still plenty of bass sliding down.

Capt. Alan of Mushin Sportfishing said his crew had a busy winter so far reeling in striped bass. They found plenty of keepers as well as some overs. They had good action on the troll.

Capt. Tom said the Norma K III wrapped up their striper trips. They had a decent season with plenty of bass hitting the decks. They have been using December to focus on blackfish. Some days have been better than other with shorts offering more action. Keepers are out there, but anglers need to put in the work to find them.

Capt. Anthony at Sligo Sportfishing said they have wrapped up their 2025 season. He noted that there are still plenty of bass to be had. He is looking forward to the spring.

Capt. John Zema at Yankee Rose Fishing said just when they thought their season was over, the bass are still biting and anglers keep calling to go out! A trip from early in December offered up a full boat limit plus many releases. Casting shads and working flutter spoons got the job done.

Frank at Gabriel Tackle said the action off the surf has been hit or miss. They heard sporadic reports up and down the island. Metal lips, gliders, and swim shads are producing. The back of the Toms River is producing plenty of bass on the outgoing tide in the first part of December. Anglers continue to find bass when heading out of the inlet. He said to find the bunker and the bass will follow. Flutter spoons and livelining is working well.

John at Betty & Nick’s said as the colder temperatures moved in, more anglers stayed home. Those who did get out reported a few stripers. He also said there were some hickory shad around as of mid-December. They are still open with adjusted hours.

Our friends at Grumpys Bait & Tackle said the striper action slowed a bit as December went on. Some anglers toughed out the cold and put in the work along the surf to find some bass. It seems like ava jigs worked well.

Scott at Yakitty Yaks Kayaks said the back bay is holding good numbers of striped bass. He even heard of a few up to 39 inches. SP Minnows and Mag Darters seem to be the ticket. He mentioned a few tog are still lingering in the back waters as well.

The crew at Hook House Bait & Tackle should be around through the first quarter of the New Year for folks gearing up and looking to hit some white perch on the Toms River using bloodworms.

Capt. Ray Lopez of Miss Liane Charters wrapped up their final trip of the year on a high note with excellent blackfish action. He sends a big thank you to all their loyal repeat customers, new anglers, and supporters who helped make the season a great one. The boat logged plenty of trips this year and had a lot of fun along the way. Capt. Ray wishes everyone a Merry Christmas, a Happy New Year, and he looks forward to getting back on the water in the spring.

Jordan at Creekside Outfitters reported solid tog action, with a good bite in deeper water on green crabs and white leggers. Fishing a mix of rigs and jigs has been the best approach. There have also been reports of smaller striped bass off the beach, though they’ve been tougher to track down.

Capt. Sam Rescigno of the Mary M IV reported slower blackfish action, with mostly short tog and the occasional keeper. Striped bass appear to have moved on for now. He wishes everyone a Merry Christmas and is currently booking trips for the New Year.

Capt. Lenny of Miss Barnegat Light finished up the 2025 season on a high note with one final striper trip. Almost everyone reeled in a keeper. Bunker was the main bait. They winterized the boat and look forward to spring.

Greg at Fisherman’s Headquarters said striper fishing has been spotty off the surf. He said there are a few fish around if you fish the cuts and pockets with diamond jigs and paddle tails. If you can hop on a boat, there is some action out of Barnegat Inlet on the LBI and IBSP side. He said he heard good reports the first week of December for stripers in the forbidden zone – where you can’t target them - about 7 miles from the inlet. For tog, try to throw some crabs, but he did say the action is getting slower as the water temperatures drop. The reef and wreck sites offer better action than off land.

Steve at Jingles Bait and Tackle in Beach Haven said no report as they were prepping for the holidays and getting ready to go on break for the winter. Steve and Carol Ann wished everyone a wonderful holiday season and they look forward to seeing everybody in the spring.