<b>Atlantic Highlands</b>

Boaters fishing a little way off the beach clobbered striped bass and blues, lots, said Jimmy from <b>Julian’s Bait & Tackle</b>. That wasn’t just farther south but was locally, as far north as off Sandy Hook Point, at least. Bunker still schooled sometimes, and Raritan Bay was loaded with them Saturday. Blackfishing was good. Ling and cod, some, were cranked in. All baits are stocked.

No trip fished today on the party boat <b>Atlantic Star</b>, Capt. Tom said. Only about four anglers showed up at the marina in the day’s forecasts, though Tom expected to sail on the daily trip for blackfish. Other boats seemed to report they wouldn’t sail, maybe the reason for few anglers. But rain wasn’t supposed to fall until later in the day. On Monday’s trip, some of the tautog were caught. Tuesday’s trip “didn’t do much,” he said, and wind blew, tough conditions, somewhat difficult for feeling a bite.  On Wednesday’s trip, blackfishing was better, okay, not great, but the anglers caught. One angler only landed a bunch of throwbacks. The rest bagged one to five blackfish, and none limited out on six. Friday’s weather looks good for fishing, and the day’s trip is expected to sail. Saturday’s wind might gust to 25 or 30 knots, too strong to sail, but if forecasts change to 25 or 30, that’s fishable. “We can live with that,” he said. Sunday’s forecasts look good. The Atlantic Star is blackfishing 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. daily. No trip will fish on Christmas, but the daily trip will fish on New Year’s Day. January 3 will be the final trip, and the boat will go on winter break afterward.  <b>***Update, Friday, 12/18:***</b> Seas were a ground swell from southeast, though the swell wasn’t forecast, on today’s trip, Tom said aboard at 11 a.m. in a phone call. The swell was against north-northwest wind, and rain fell, and this was probably the crummiest day in a long time! he said. Not much bit in the conditions, and if forecasts for gusts to 30 knots hold up for Saturday, there will be no need to fish that day. Sunday looks better, probably the day to jump aboard.

Aboard the <b>Fishermen</b>, Wednesday was another great day of fishing for striped bass and blues, Capt. Ron wrote in a report on the party boat’s website. Birds working the water were seen right away, but the fish were finicky, tough to catch, at first. “Had readings from hell,” he said, but the fish weren’t biting what anglers offered. The trip bounced around, inshore and offshore, looking for fish that would bite. The catches finally turned on, and were good. Biting stripers and blues swam several miles of water, and rubber shads and jigs caught them, like recently. A 31-inch striper won the pool, and several caught were 28 to 29 inches, and slot-sized stripers hit, so all anglers left with fish. Bonus tags allowed the slots to be bagged.  On Tuesday’s trip, weather was nasty, in wind blowing a steady 30 knots, gusting stronger, though forecasts called for 20 to 25. But who cared, because the fish bit! All anglers left with an under striper and a slot, and bluefish were fought. Many of the stripers were 28 inches or larger, and a 31-incher won the pool. This was December 15, and the water was still 52 to 54 degrees. “I might have to cancel my vacation this year,” Ron said. Still, don’t wait long to jump aboard, he said. No report was posted for Monday, and today’s trip wasn’t expected to fish in the rain that was forecast. Weather looks good Friday through the weekend, and the Fishermen is sailing for striped bass 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. daily.

<b>Neptune</b>

Not “limit” fishing, but good blackfishing, was whipped Wednesday on the ocean with <b>Last Lady Fishing Charters</b>. The tautog weighed up to a 9-pounder and included a few other sizable. Individual-reservation trips for blackfish will sail next Thursday and December 27 and 31 and January 1 through 3.

<b>Belmar</b>

Ocean striped bass fishing still beat good catches, said Capt. Pete from <b>Parker Pete’s Fishing Charters</b>. The fishing was great Wednesday and good Tuesday. Lots of slot bass swam, and big, chopper blues also bit. “So, makes for a nice day,” he said. Blackfishing tugged in an excellent catch Wednesday aboard, on the ocean. Many of the anglers limited out, and the fish weighed up to a 12-pounder and included other big. Blackfishing’s good when conditions are right, and the fish still bit in shallow water. Pete expects to fish into the new year. Don’t have enough anglers for a charter? Contact Parker Pete’s anyway, about individual spaces available on charters. Visit <a href=" http://www.parkerpetefishing.com/" target="_blank">Parker Pete’s website</a> to subscribe to the email blast to be kept informed about the spaces. Look for the place to sign up on the right side of the page, where it says Join Our Newsletter.

The bite was on! an email said from the party boat <b>Miss Belmar Princess</b>. Wednesday’s trip pasted striped bass and jumbo blues on the ocean along the rocks from Long Branch to Highlands on crocodiles, jigs and swim shads. Some drifts fished better than others, but action was slapped all around the boat the whole time. Sometimes eight to 10 fish were hooked at once, and sometimes one or two were. Plenty of birds worked the water, and bait schooled, and fish were read. More than 30 stripers, including bonus-tag bass, were bagged, and all the blues were tackled that anglers could want. Some anglers limited out on blues. The trip’s fishing was great, and weather now is amazing for December. The crew hopes the fish stick around another week or two. The Miss Belmar Princes is fishing for stripers and blues 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. daily.

Conditions were good most of the trip, and blackfishing was decent Monday on the <b>Big Mohawk</b>, the party boat’s Facebook page said. “Guys had limits and there were shorts in the mix, too,” it said. Tuesday’s trip was by reservation, instead of the usual open-boat, and weather was breezy, but blackfishing was good. “Guys had limits,” it said, and a blackfish just under 10 pounds won the pool. On Wednesday’s trip, strong southerly current flowed, making blackfishing difficult at some places of the boat. Some anglers caught well, “while others did not have a solid bite,” it said. No trip fished today, because of forecasts for wind and, at times, heavy rain. Friday’s daily trip for blackfish will sail, at the usual time from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday’ s trip will depart at 6 a.m., and Sunday’s and Monday’s will sail at the usual time. Reservations will be required for Tuesday’s trip, leaving at 6 a.m.

Striped bass and bluefish were dragged from the surf at Seaside and Island Beach State Park on metal, plugs and white rubber shads, Bob from <b>Fisherman’s Den</b> wrote in an email. At other beaches, in Monmouth and Ocean counties, “there have been scattered fish … a good thing for this time of year,” he said. Anglers fishing on foot at Shark River Inlet yanked in blackfish and sundials, “many anglers keeping large numbers of the sundials,” he said. Boaters from Belmar scored great on blackfish on the ocean. Many big were weighed, and 10-pounders were common. Shark River’s winter flounder fishing was exceptional. Dredging equipment stored at the marina made parking and access to the river a little tough, but with fortitude, anglers could find areas to the fish the water. “The small boaters and kayak fishermen have been doing very good – you see more this year than in past years,” Bob added.

<b>Brielle</b>

<b>***Update, Friday, 12/18:***</b> Excellent fishing was plumbed for giant sea bass, huge porgies and “a nice smattering of (cod) on some trips,” Capt. Ryan from the party boat <b>Jamaica II</b> wrote in an email. Get the sea bass before sea bass season is closed beginning January 1. Catches on Wednesday and Thursday aboard included Dave Thomas from Paterson’s limit of giant sea bass, 28 porgies and two cod, John Dougherty from Princeton’s limit of sea bass, 18 porgies and two cod, Alex Pisani from Trenton’s limit of sea bass, 22 porgies, six ling, two cod and a pollock and Helen Crane from Camden’s limit of sea bass, 26 porgies and two cod. Blackfish trips are sailing 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. every Monday, Tuesday and Thursday when no offshore trips are fishing. Offshore trips will run for sea bass, porgies and cod for 12 hours at 5 a.m. this Sunday and Wednesday and December 27 and 29, for 14 hours at 3 a.m. December 26 and 30 and for 18 hours at 1 a.m. December 31. A special cod trip will fish 2 a.m. to 5 p.m. December 28.

<b>Point Pleasant Beach</b>

On the <b>Norma-K III</b>, blackfishing improved on Monday, not great, but better than during the weekend, Capt. Matt wrote in a report on the party boat’s website. The anglers picked at good-sized and throwbacks, and Pete Talervi from Trenton won the pool with an 11-1/2-pounder. “Pretty sure everyone went home with a few fish today,” Matt wrote. White crabs caught best, but green crabs grabbed a few. “We have both white and green crabs on board,” he said. No trip sailed on Tuesday, and on Wednesday, blackfishing began slowly aboard. The boat was moved to a new area, and keepers and shorts were picked. No ball of fire, but some life, he said, and a 7-pounder won the pool. The Norma-K III is blackfishing 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. daily. Magic Hour Ling and Cod Trips are sailing 3 to 9 p.m. every Saturday. Gift certificates are available for Christmas.

<b>Toms River</b>

Pretty much 8- to 10-pound blues were angled from the surf, said Dennis from <b>Murphy’s Hook House</b>. They were socked Monday and Tuesday on metal and bait, and a few striped bass, nothing great, he said, were eased from the surf Tuesday and Wednesday. A customer today released a throwback striper in the surf, saying no other surf-fishers were seen. A couple of boaters said they’d fish the ocean for stripers this weekend. The bass seemed to migrate south from locally. Some were heard about from off  Long Beach Island, but most of the migration seemed far south off the state. A couple of anglers blackfished at Point Pleasant Canal, reporting okay catches, not bad, at all. They used crabs for bait, and none are stocked at the shop anymore this season. Along the south end of the canal, winter flounder were reeled in on nightcrawlers. Sandworms were no longer available this season. A few tried for flounder on the Toms River, but no catches were heard about. The flatfish should be there, and nightcrawlers were also fished for them. One person crabbed around the river, nabbing three of the blueclaws, surprisingly. Water was relatively warm, 47 or 48 degrees. Gift certificates are available at 15 percent off to 30 percent off. The shop’s hours will be reduced beginning Monday to 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

<b>Seaside Heights</b>

Things were quiet, but big bluefish were fought from the surf on tackle including metal, Daiwa SP Minnows and bunker chunks, said George from <b>The Dock Outfitters</b>. Striped bass were still picked from the beach in early mornings and in the dark, and he heard about most catches on clams and bunker. Most of the action was had from Lavallette to Island Beach State Park that he heard about. A buddy sent a photo from the buddy’s boat trip on the ocean off Sandy Hook, farther north, that bailed 18 stripers from 24 inches “all the way up,” George said, to a 24-pounder that was bagged. Lots of reports talked about winter flounder nabbed from rivers including Toms River and Shark River. Mostly Shark River was talked about, where the catches were good. The Dock Outfitters, located on Barnegat Bay, blocks from the ocean surf, features a bait and tackle shop, boat and jet ski rentals, a café and a dock for fishing and crabbing.

<b>Forked River</b>

Boaters who locked into striped bass were heard about from south of Barnegat Inlet, around Harvey Cedars, said Kyle from <b>Grizz’s Forked River Bait & Tackle</b>. Lots of throwbacks, but some keepers, were mentioned. One customer bagged a 30-incher there Sunday. Good blackfishing was talked about in the past week, and no locations were reported. Frozen baits including clams are stocked. Killies are on hand, because they could still be potted in warm water. 

<b>Barnegat</b>

From an edited email from Capt. Dave DeGennaro from the <b>Hi Flier</b>: “Perfection! All that W and NW (wind in the forecast through Sunday) is going to flatten out the ocean. We can cruise north to south all we want, in calm water, looking for birds and fish. I say fish instead of stripers, because there's a big body of gator blues that invaded our area. I think it's fine, because they mix well with the bass, and offer great sport on any tackle. They might not be anyone's choice for the table, but it's hard to beat for sport. Especially at this size. These are legitimate 10- to 18-pound blues. Most of the bass we had on our last few trips were in that 24- to 28-inch slot, and we had a few over 28s. We have the bonus tags for everyone on board to keep one of these fish, if you like. There's been lots of birds and readings, allowing us to break out the 10-pound spinning gear. If that slows up, we always have the trolling gear, but only if you guys want to troll. There's a lot of opinions in that arena. Some guys ‘do not want to troll’ under any circumstances, and some want to catch by any means possible. I understand both sides, and usually approach it as: We’ll always try to cast or jig lures with the spinning and conventional outfits first. Or snag and drop bunker. But if none of that is working, and we don't have the readings or birds to make us feel like our effort might get rewarded, then we troll. Lately, that's been working well. The smallest Tony Maja spoons, No. 1 size in chartreuse. Umbrella rigs and Mojos. They're all hooking up. The good thing is that I haven't had to put out the heavy bunker-spoon rods with 300 feet of wire. Instead, we’ve been using our 5-1/2-foot rods with smaller reels and 150 feet of wire. We're fishing tighter to shoreline, so these rods are perfect, and they don't beat you up as much. Water temp is still hanging in the low 50 degrees, and the air temps for the weekend look like 30 to 40, more normal for this time of year, but still not bad. After that, we go right back to 50s, with some 60s, next week! We’re going to keep sailing every day available, as long as the fish are here, and the weather stays like this. Sailing 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday through Sunday. Open-boat or charter. Three people max. All fish are shared. Don't be afraid to call last minute. I often sail with a partial crew, and you can get on board right up until go time.” In other news, the Hi Flier just launched a new line of fishing shirts, in short sleeves, long sleeves and sweatshirts. Psyquatic is the Hi Flier’s brand name, and the first two designs are just off the press, ready for Christmas. “All quality garments and knockout graphics that are worth a look,” Dave said. See <a href="http://www.psyquatic.com" target="_blank"><b>www.psyquatic.com</b></a>.

<b>Mystic Island</b>

Throwback striped bass and 10-pound blues and larger were boated on the ocean off the red tower on Long Beach Island, said Brian from <b>Scott’s Bait & Tackle</b>. That was almost all that was reported, but a few blackfished, catching 15 miles from shore. If you’ve got numbers for a wreck, go there, he said. Fresh, shucked clams, green crabs and live grass shrimp are stocked. The shrimp are popular bait for white perch in brackish rivers like the Mullica. Few seemed to perch fish, but those who did, scored well. Catch the sale at the shop featuring a 20-percent discount on many items through Wednesday.

<b>Absecon</b>

Local striped bass fishing on the ocean slowed, but the fish blitzed toward Cape May, as of yesterday, “and there were still reports everywhere else,” said Capt. Dave from <b>Absecon Bay Sportsman Center</b>. Dave trolled his season’s first on the ocean locally Sunday, a beautiful day on the water, and also hooked a 29-inch keeper and a 27-inch slot in Absecon Inlet on live bait on the outing. Schoolie stripers definitely began to show up, including a few in the inlet. Water’s been 53 degrees, and striper fishing’s not finished, by any means, he said. This has been quite a season of the angling, beginning well, slowing a time, and now finishing up with a bang. Blackfishers have been buying green crabs for bait, and inshore wrecks seemed to turn out the fish well. The tautog remained shallow, and were even still picked at jetties and bridges. Colder water had already made them depart for the deeper, warmer ocean last year at this time. In addition to green crabs, baits stocked include fresh, shucked clams and lots of eels, if anglers want to eel for stripers, like at the Cape May Rips. Fresh bunker was probably no longer available for the year. Minnows are on hand for freshwater fishing, and so were giant ones that could be used for stripers at the inlet, if more of the schoolies begin to swim the inlet. A Christmas sale is on through the end of the year, featuring at least 25-percent discounts on most items. Grab a gift certificate, if you don’t what to buy someone.

<b>Brigantine</b>

For ocean boaters, striped bass swam from Sea Isle City to Cape May, said Capt. Andy from <b>Riptide Bait & Tackle</b>. The fish didn’t school locally, and two customers bought clams yesterday to fish the surf for stripers, but no striper catches were reported from the beach. Fresh clams are stocked and should be good for the weekend. All frozen baits are carried. Sales are underway at the shop, like 15 percent off CPI surf carts and rod racks, and 25 percent off Spro bucktails. Grab a gift certificate, and get an extra 10 percent added, gratis. Order your <a href=" http://www.philadelphiaweekly.com/food/stocks_pound_cake-38412169.html" target="_blank">Stock’s pound cake</a> ahead, and be guaranteed to get it for the holidays. Karl Stock, from Philly’s Stock’s Bakery, is a Riptide customer and Brigantine angler. New Riptide sweatshirts and T-shirts are on hand. The store will be open through 12 noon on Christmas Eve.

<b>Atlantic City</b>

Anglers fishing on foot along Absecon Inlet lit into blackfish, hot and heavy, the last couple of days, said Noel from <b>One Stop Bait & Tackle</b>. They dunked green crabs for them, and the anglers also swung in ling, mostly fishing clams for them. Striped bass, stragglers, hit and miss catches, but some, were angled from the inlet on clams, cut bait and eels. They included keepers, but none the size of the stripers boated on the ocean that were like 38 and 40 inches. An occasional bluefish was wrestled from the inlet by anglers who fished for the other species. The jetty-lined inlet is located near the shop. Baits stocked include fresh clams, bloodworms, green crabs and everything except fresh bunker, because gillnetting season was closed.

<b>Ocean City</b>

Striped bass boated from the ocean were still heard about the last couple of days, said Bill from <b>Fin-Atics</b>. A 42-incher was weighed-in that was trolled yesterday at the Cuma Lumps. The catches were heard about including from off Sea Isle City this week. Bluefish were also hooked from the ocean, and fishing currently was like in November, and Bill never saw the water so warm this time of year. Was pretty amazing, he said, and stripers have been caught in January during some years, but anglers froze for that. This January will probably be warmer. Fewer anglers were around currently, probably because of Christmas approaching. But more might be seen after the holiday. Stripers, smaller than in the ocean, as usual, still bit in the back bay, on outgoing tides. They usually would’ve stopped, but the bay and ocean were probably 53 degrees, both about the same, an unusually high temperature. The water actually warmed, and that’s uncommon this season. It’ll probably cool in colder weather forecast for a moment now, but warm back up, in warmer days forecast for soon afterward. Blackfish were still picked at places like ocean jetties and similar structure in the bay. Not a lot were, and few anglers tried for them. Blackfishing on ocean boats was okay. Sea bass fishing was good, but farther from shore, in 120-foot depths to 140-foot. That’s where bigger sea bass swam. No fresh bait was stocked for the moment, and plenty of frozen bait was carried. Fresh bait might be carried again after Christmas, if there’s demand.

<b>Sea Isle City</b>

Trips aboard will next fish Saturday and Sunday, said Capt. Joe Hughes from <b>Jersey Cape Guide Service</b>, affiliated with <b>Sea Isle Bait & Tackle</b>. Ocean striped bass fishing was good this week. All reports he heard said so, and Joe’s trips whacked the catches during the weekend, covered in the last report here.  His trips then mostly jigged the fish, and trolled some. Two or so bluefish were also landed on the outings.  Keep up with Joe’s fishing on <a href="http://captainjoehughes.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Jersey Cape’s Blog</a>. Annual traveling charters to the Florida Keys will fish from Christmas to Easter. See <a href=" http://www.captainjoehughes.com/page3.html" target="_blank">Jersey Cape’s traveling charters Web page</a>.

<b>***Update, Friday, 12/18:***</b> A couple of weather days prevented boating during the week, but striped bass fishing was excellent on the ocean, when the vessels sailed for the fish, said Mike from <b>Sea Isle Bait & Tackle</b>. Many of the stripers were 25-inch to 35-inch schoolies, but a fair number pushed 50 inches. Maybe 1 in 20 was larger like that, but some large were around. Most anglers trolled the stripers, but jigging for them improved a lot the last couple of weeks. Sometimes the fish responded along the water surface, so lures like poppers were fished for them. Sometimes the fish bit subsurface, so lures like Fin-S Fish or Sassy Shads tied into them. Back-bay striper fishing was good, and customers bought eels and spots at the shop to liveline for them. The high hook landed 18 during the weekend. A couple of stripers, not a lot, bit in the surf. But a couple did, so that was good, and a 25.7-pounder was weighed-in from the beach. The angler put in time, clamming for the fish. An occasional striper seemed out there. Ocean blackfishing probably was yet to kick in fully yet, in Mike’s opinion, because of warm water. Blackfish were still hooked in the back bay, and those fish were yet to migrate to the ocean, though they usually would, during most years. They usually depart colder water in the bay for warmer water in the deeper ocean by this time of year. Customers currently limited out on the tautog in the bay multiple days in a row. Anglers could be in for good fishing in January, better than usual, for blackfish, and stripers could still be around, because of the water temperature. A new party boat in town’s been steaming farther from shore for sea bass, and the catches were great this weekend aboard. Most anglers limited out, and a bunch of 10- to 15-pound blues were bombed aboard, and a mix of other fish including a few ling, cod and pollock were toggled in. Three more of the trips are slated, Mike thought, before sea bass season is closed beginning January 1. Anglers can contact the boat or the shop for info. In addition to live eels and spots, baits stocked include fresh clams and green crabs. Fresh bunker might no longer be available, because gillnetting season was closed.

<b>Wildwood</b>

Great striped bass fishing was crushed Tuesday on the ocean with <b>Fins & Grins Sport Fishing</b>, Capt. Jim said. Lots swam the water, and he was surprised, after the angling was slower during the weekend. On Wednesday, striper fishing was outstanding again on the boat. Thirty-some were landed, and the several anglers kept six around 40 inches apiece. Fifteen stripers pulled off the hooks. None of Wednesday’s trip’s stripers were “overs” or 43 inches or larger, but were up to 41 or 42 inches, a sizable fish. Tuesday’s trip’s largest was 38 pounds, longer than 43 inches. On Wednesday’s trip, stripers schooled right off Wildwood among lots of bunker. But lots of boats filled the water. Jim imagined they caught a few, but he sailed the boat away from other vessels, found his own bunker pods, and caught there. Trips aboard trolled for stripers with Stretch 25 and 30 lures, Mojos and bunker spoons. Once stripers were located, like at birds working the water, the anglers cast bucktails to catch. Bunker schooled everywhere, and Jim saw no other baitfish on the trips. Whales swam and breeched along the water. No trip was expected to fish today in forecasts for rough weather. Space is available on trips expected to sail Friday and Sunday, and Saturday is booked. Fins fishes every day, and reservations aren’t required but suggested. Telephone for availability.

<b>Cape May</b>

Dynamite fishing for striped bass was boated from the ocean toward Cape May and Wildwood on Tuesday and Wednesday, said Capt. George from the <b>Heavy Hitter</b>. He ran no trips for stripers since the weekend, but talked with boaters who caught the fish Tuesday and Wednesday. All the bass were trolled then that George knew about. Nothing was heard about striper fishing on Delaware Bay, and everybody seemed to take advantage of the ocean fish. Charters on the Heavy Hitter picked up good striper fishing on the bay throughout the weekend, covered in the last report here. Sea bass fishing was good, 30 miles from shore. A friend mopped them up Sunday. Fishing for stripers and sea bass is on, George said. Telephone if interested.

Blackfishing wasn’t so great, was spotty, said Capt. Paul from the party boat <b>Porgy IV</b>. But some of the tautog were around to be caught. The fishing aboard was good Thursday and slow Friday and Saturday. On Sunday’s trip, a bunch of better-sized, including three that were probably heavier than 9 pounds apiece, were bagged. On Wednesday’s trip, father and son Ed and Kevin Olbrich from Pittsgrove totaled 12 bagged. Kevin Moran from Cinnaminson that day limited out aboard. But some of the trip’s anglers bagged one or none. Some places on trips didn’t hold much of any fish. The ocean was warm, and blackfish weren’t “moving.” Paul explained in a past report that when water becomes colder, blackfish usually “move,” and some bigger usually show up. When the water is warm, if blackfish are caught from a piece, other blackfish don’t move in and replace them. Paul couldn’t know whether blackfishing will pick up when the ocean becomes colder. The Porgy IV is blackfishing at 8 a.m. daily. No trips will sail on Christmas Eve day and Christmas, but the trips will resume daily afterward.

<b>***Update, Friday, 12/18:***</b> Trolling cashed in on striped bass, good catches, from the ocean off Hereford Inlet to Cape May Rips, said Nick from <b>Hands Too Bait & Tackle</b>. Tackle including Mojos and Stretch lures sacked them, and sometimes cast jigs, swim shads and pencil poppers did the job. A couple of customers eeled the bass in the rips. Chunking bunker for stripers had caught well in Delaware Bay. West wind now that can rough up the bay would probably prevent boating there a moment. But west wind, even if strong, can be good for fishing on the ocean. Land often protects the ocean near shore from being roughed up by wind from that direction. Not many stripers hit in the surf, but one customer checked-in a 20-pounder from the shore, and released a 30-pounder on the trip. The surf-caster snagged bunker and livelined the baitfish to catch. Peanut bunker, adult bunker and herring schooled the ocean. Blackfish were angled along structure like jetties, even if cold water usually shoves the fish to deeper, warmer water in the ocean by this time of season. Water was relatively warm currently, but good catches of blackfish were boated on the ocean at places like Cape May Reef. Sea bass fishing was hot 35 miles from shore in depths like 120 feet. Fresh clams, eels and green crabs are stocked. Fresh bunker might no longer be available, because gillnetting season, the usual way that suppliers land the baitfish, was closed beginning December 15. But seine-netting and castnetting is open through December 31, so there is a way for suppliers to gather bunker, if they’d like. Bunker will be carried if some can be found from suppliers. The shop is carrying snagging hooks, and Nick is suggesting to anglers who want fresh bunker that they boat the day before fishing to snag the menhaden for fresh bait. Fresh bunker is the popular bait for Delaware Bay’s striper fishing in autumn. Frozen, vacuum-packed bunker is stocked.

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