Chasing albies, bonito and Spanish mackerel by pedal or paddle.
There’s a certain electricity in the air when late summer transitions into early fall along the Jersey Shore. The ocean waters come alive, with gulls screaming overhead, and bait balls churning just beyond the breakers.
For kayak anglers willing to brave the surf and pursue speedsters on light tackle, this is the moment we live for. False albacore, bonito, and Spanish mackerel invade our waters, the adrenaline rises and the chase begins.
Late summer into early fall is the prime time to chase these “funny fish” and it comes on the tail end of fluke season in late September, and just before the stripers start showing up in October, filling a hole in our waters where there isn’t much else to target. Thankfully, these fish are an absolute blast to catch, and when they’re around, you’ll find us chasing them as often as possible from the kayak!
The Chase Is On
Getting to the fish is half the battle. These pelagic predators often roam just outside the surf line, on out along nearshore wrecks, and well into the deep, which means surf launching your kayak is part of the game. Line up your launch near an inlet or open stretch near known structure. It’s not a bad idea to go out with a friend or two. Checking the numerous Facebook groups is a great way to find someone experienced to head out with, or join a club such as The Tupperware Navy (tupperwarenavy.org).
Surf launches come with risks, as it’s the most common way people flip when kayaking. Ideally you’re looking for waves under one foot with a decent duration, but we’ll launch in up to 2-1/2 feet, as long as the swell duration is good. It’s essential to choose your launch window wisely, and wear a PFD!
Look for a good cut or rip where the swell is the smallest and watch the sets. When you’re ready to go, commit, and commit hard. I tether all my rods, and stow all hooks. Make sure everything is out of your way so you can get out quickly. Once you’re past the breakers, rig up fast, because the battlefield opens up.
Target Species
False albacore and bonito don’t just roam randomly, they follow the bait, and the bait stacks up near the structure. Along the Jersey Shore, there are plenty of spots to target these fish. Inlets and pockets such as Barnegat Inlet north, and the jetties like those found in Monmouth County are prime spots for these baitfish to get pinned to. Same can be said for areas outside of Atlantic and Cape May counties, from Absecon Inlet down to Poverty Beach in Cape May.
Nearshore reefs like the Sandy Hook, Axel Carlson, and Sea Girt are also mostly in range for kayak anglers, while natural structure as found at the Shrewsbury Rocks also provide ideal turf for baitfish like sand eels and rainfish to get attacked from every angle. Truth be told, you may find some of your best luck along the backside of the outer bar, just out of range for the frustrated surfcaster. Keep an eye out for birds working low or surface busts from bait. These speedsters are notorious for blitz-style feeds. Drifting silently within casting range and intercepting the school without motors spooking them is where kayak fishing truly shines.
These fish are selective, especially albies, but the right offerings can produce explosive strikes. The key is speed, flash, and accuracy. When we’re on the hunt, there are a few notable staples kept in the onboard crate of tackle, with the first choice always a resin jig. These jigs are made of an epoxy resin with a lead core and mimic small baits extremely well. Hogy has dominated the market for a long while, but other contenders such as Joe Baggs resin jigs or the Game On Exo jigs are great options as well. They come in a variety of sizes and colors, and can be reeled in at top speed, or retrieved slowly with a twitch, and everything in between.
| COASTAL KAYAK CLASH |
| If you’re a kayak angler that loves a challenge, if you like to fish for a variety of saltwater species and you have a bit of that competitive edge, you’d be doing yourself a disservice if you didn’t sign up for The Fisherman’s Coastal Kayak Clash (CKC).
A season-long tournament that pits you against your kayak fishing peers and that requires a healthy dose of planning and preparation, as you navigate a seven-month season, with the goal being to lead as many as seven species categories – including hardtails like albies and bonito – to net the grand prize. You’ll have plenty of competition too, as a growing movement of yakkers have hitched their wagon to the Clash, seeing it as the ultimate challenge for the multi-species angler that chooses a kayak as their main means of piscatorial passage. Point your camera-phone at the QR code to enter and win The Fisherman’s CKC going on now through November 30. |
Small metals like Deadly Dicks or Diamond Jigs are extremely popular as well. People also have success with soft plastics such as Zoom flukes or Albie Snax. Just keep your tackle on the light side, with 20- to 30-pound fluorocarbon leaders. And ditch the terminal tackle wherever possible (read: tie direct).
All that is left for you at this point is to hang on and enjoy the sweet sound of screaming drag.
Fishing from a kayak for pelagic species like false albacore, bonito, and Spanish mackerel is an unmatched experience because it puts you right on the water, close enough to feel every ripple and surge as you chase down blitzing fish. Unlike a boat, a kayak allows you to move with stealth and silence, drifting into feeding schools without sending them scattering. The low profile and quiet approach make you part of the environment, not just an observer, and every strike feels more intense when you’re just inches above the action.
It’s raw, immersive, and deeply connected to the ocean in a way that boats simply can’t match.
The authors are co-owners of Yakkity Yaks Kayaks (njkayaks.com) in Seaside Park.
