Fisherman's Headquarters

Greg at Fisherman’s Headquarters reported seeing bay anchovies in the water, with beach temperatures holding in the mid-60-degree range. Offshore, sea bass fishing remains strong when weather conditions allow, with the Garden State North and South structures producing good action. Jigs, clams, and squid are all getting the job done. For land-based anglers, blackfish are providing the best action, with green crabs and sand fleas producing around the inlet and jetties. Surf fishing has slowed somewhat, and mullet have been scarce lately, but anglers are still finding smaller blowfish, croakers, and kingfish along the beaches. In a surprising catch, a 52-inch striped bass was landed while targeting kingfish using a small bait on a size 1 hook, a reminder that you never know what might grab your next offering!

Greg at Fisherman’s Headquarters said striped bass were showing some promise around LBI just before the storm. Emmett and Paul worked metal-lip plugs around Barnegat Inlet and found a few bass willing to strike, with mullet also moving through the area. A handful of other striped bass reports came in, giving Greg hope that the fall surf bite is close to kicking into gear. Bluefish were also prowling the area before the blow, although Greg expects many of the summertime species to have already made their exit with the changing conditions. He’s hoping a few blowfish and kingfish stick around a little longer while anglers wait for the fall striper action to really get rolling.