<b>Port Elizabeth</b>

Calm wind and seas were good for boating in past days, unlike strong wind and rough seas prevalent this season, and striped bass were decked from the bay, said Sharon from <b>The Girls Place Bait & Tackle</b>. Catches were heard about from places including off Reeds Beach, at the stakes at Fortescue and sometimes even from shore at Fortescue. Lots of dogfish biting were a nuisance for boaters. Fresh bunker, the popular bait for stripers in the bay in fall, began to be scarce, typical for the time of year. Netters begin to stop sailing for the menhaden this late in the year. But the shop should have bunker until the store is closed for a winter break. Two-hundred pounds of fresh bunker was stocked Saturday, and bunker was unavailable Sunday from suppliers. The bait was stocked again Monday, and the shop’s supplier said bunker will continue to be available. Lots of stripers were boated on the ocean off places like Ocean City, Sea Isle City and Wildwood. The fish there were usually trolled on Mojos, bunker spoons and Stretch lures. Sometimes striper catches were heard about from the ocean surf. A friend was into a bite at Whale Beach at Sea Isle City from shore. Another angler bagged a striper from shore at Townsend’s Inlet. Not a lot was heard about blackfish, but one or two customers reported not catching the tautog well from ocean jetties anymore, saying the fish seemed to migrate to ocean wrecks. That’s usual for the time of year, and green crabs are stocked and were sold for bait for blackfish. Baits stocked also include bloodworms. Sea bass fishing was reportedly good offshore. The shop will be open through Sunday, December 20, and will be closed afterward for a winter break. The Girls Place, located on Route 47, just after Route 55 ends, carries a large supply of bait and tackle, and is the long, one-story, yellow building on the right. It’s on the way to the bay.

<b>Money Island</b>

At <b>Money Island Marina</b>, boats being pulled from the slips for the season was much of the activity this weekend, Bruce said. A couple of boats sailed for striped bass during the days, but no catches were heard about. The shop is asking that boats that aren’t fishing be removed from the slips by next Tuesday. If boats are still fishing, they can stay in the water. The store is no longer carrying fresh bunker for bait for striper fishing. One of the bunker boats was pulled from the water two weeks ago, and another stopped sailing for bunker for the year, moving on to other business. Business at the marina will slow during winter, but Bruce is on hand at the shop year-round. Heads up: Reserve a boat slip now for next year, and lock in 2015 rates. The marina features a boat ramp, boat slips, dry-dock boat storage, a fishing dock, gas, bait and a few items of tackle. A 12-foot aluminum boat with a 6 h.p. outboard is available to rent to fish the creek. The rate is $40 for 3 hours and $80 for a full day.  

Back to Top