Boat in the yard? No worries, there’s always a spot for you along the rail!
There is no such thing as the December doldrums as the party boat scene keeps the piscatorial party going all year long. A wide array of opportunity awaits anglers at the rail as plenty of species are on tap for the head boats to target including blackfish, sea bass, cod, ling, porgies, pollock and striped bass. Pick your port and hop on a vessel for a 3/4-day up to 18 hours back and forth to the fishing grounds.
Here’s a rundown of your potential targets on the party boat packets as we head through the holidays and into the New Year.
Blackfish
Tog fishing burns bright through the end of December as the chew is pretty much at its peak with true whitechinners over 10 pounds in the mix during the month. Head boats will follow the bite and pick the right structures to hit while providing unlimited green crabs and clams for bait and most times with some whitelegger crabs for purchase on board. Usually lead weights and blackfish rigs can be purchased onboard if you forget to bring them or break too many off. The knowledge of the head boat captain is paramount to dialing in the latest bite as they will know what depths, type of structure and water temps are best on a daily basis. Most anglers like to set up near the stern on a head boat when togging as the transducer tends to be near the aft of the boat where the captain anchors on and reads the structure, but the bow of the boat also is a solid spot as there is less swing at the bow and that allows for a more steady presentation of bait.
Porgy, Ling, Cod & Pollock
If you’re looking to fill the cooler, the 5- to 20-mile rock piles, reefs, shipwrecks and hardscrabble structures offer up the grab bag of opportunity as larger passenger vessels continue running 3/4-day trips throughout the winter months. On tap to start are porgies which are usually littering any structure piles. A pretty liberal 30 fish limit on porgies insures you should have some fillets to bring home. Three hook dropper rigs with snelled size #4 hooks tipped with clam or squid bits will be perfect baits for the “poke chops” but pay attention to where the captain says they are staging as they aren’t always on the sea floor and could be 10 to 40 feet above the wreck.
Ling aka red hake used to be the mainstay for winter subzero heroes though they have been relatively scarce as of late, you’ll still find a few. Drop down on the bottom with a size 3/0 Octopus hook and clam to bait them up. On any inshore wreck, cod can be patrolling around the area looking to inhale those clam baits you drop down. They will also hit a hammered diamond type jig bounced off the bottom. Pollock will stage higher in the water column as many times anglers reeling their baits up to check them will get whacked by a speeding pollock. The key to the “grab bag” success on these party boat trips is to stay in dialogue with the captains and mates to find out where the fish are marking in the water column and react accordingly.
Black Sea Bass
Historically, black sea bass fishing was prime time throughout the winter months as sea bass would be offshore at the 50- to 80-mile wrecks. Regrettably, fisheries managers have us ending the black sea bass access on December 31, but that still prods party boats to run sea bass specific trips through the end of the year. Early in December, the midshore grounds of 20 to 50 miles hold humpbacks, then toward the end of the month the 50- to 80-mile wrecks in 180 to 280 feet of water attract the main schools. Most party boat trips span anywhere from 12 to 18 hours to allow for time to get out to the grounds with ample fishing time.
Large 100- to 120-quart coolers are a must bring on the long trips as you need plenty of room for the fish and the ice. A quick tip to score more sea biscuits is to rig up with a three hook dropper and when you feel one hit, set the hook then leave it down there for more sea bass to hang themselves on the other two hooks so you can be reeling in three at a time rather than one and done on the long reel up. Boats will provide plenty of clams and crabs for bait, but savvy anglers will bring their own special “juice” like Finessence to spice up the baits or sometimes will even shuck their own clams and cut out the orange tongues for prime baits to bring. To target true knuckleheads over 5 pounds, bring hammered diamond jigs to bounce off the bottom. When you’ve got plenty of fish in the cooler, it’s reassuring knowing the mates will do the dirty work and clean all your fish, just be sure to tip them nicely.
Stripers
Pick any port from Sandy Hook to Cape May and there will be vessels heading out day-to-day targeting linesiders hugging the coastline. Blitzing striper conditions occur on a daily basis and party boats will set up and drift through the schools. Jigging is the main game on the head boats with paddletail shads, ava jigs and Kroc spoons dropped down then yo-yo jigged or reeled back at a slow pace back to the surface. Mates use long-handled nets to secure any hooked fish and ensure a quick release if they are not slot keepers.
As captains drift through the schools, fishing is generally orderly as it’s an up and down type approach of fishing with the jigs though mates will steer anglers hooked up to avoid tangles. An angler’s chances and fishing time are maximized on a striper head boat as generally the chew is close to the inlet port and the run is not long to get in on feeding stripers. Rods should be stout and not over 7 feet to allow for muscling a fish and steering it into the net; anything over 8 feet in length will be cumbersome to jig with and to jig with efficacy.
There’s no reason to lament that your boat is winterized or your fishing buddy pulled the boat for the season. Great opportunity is offered up by party boats up and down the Jersey Shore as the seasoned captains have the knowledge, capability and ambition to get you on all the species available in the December waters.
| WHO’S SAILING? |
| Check the Report Section of The Fisherman to learn more about these multi-passenger vessels – aka head boats – running open boat trips during the month of December and into January at the Jersey Shore (*see their ad listing for more info). Of course, for a smaller “party” you can also take the six-pack route as you’ll also find listed by port starting on page.
NEPTUNE Last Lady Fishing Charters: 732-988-8907* BELMAR 100’ Golden Eagle: 732-681-6144* BRIELLE Big Jamaica: 732-528-5014* POINT PLEASANT Gambler Fishing: 732-295-7569* BARNEGAT LIGHT Miss Barnegat Light: 609-494-2094* ATLANTIC CITY Osprey Fishing Fleet: 516-449-3255 SEA ISLE CITY Starfish Boats: 609-263-3800 |
