<b>Staten Island</b>

The anglers limited out on blackfish with <b>Outcast Charters</b> on Friday, Capt. Joe said. Not great fishing, but limited, he said, and the tautog weighed up to 5 pounds. On a trip Saturday, blackfishing was slow, and the charter bounced around a lot to catch, and the fish weighed up to 5 pounds.  On a trip Sunday, blackfishing picked back up. One blackfish short of a limit was bagged, and the fish weighed up to 7 pounds. The trips fished in 50 to 75 feet, compared with 40 to 70 previously. Three throwback sea bass were hooked and released on one of the trips. Sea bass swimming that shallow this time of year seemed because of warm water. The ocean was 53 degrees on Sunday’s trip. No striped bass were seen on the trips, and Outcast will stop and fish for stripers on the way to and from blackfishing, if the fish are seen, and anglers want, though the season might’ve been getting late for stripers locally. Tuna were seen, though. Joe was unsure about the size, but had been seeing dolphins porpoise from the water lately, and these were no dolphins. Another blackfish trip was supposed to sail today.

<b>Keyport</b>

The great striped bass fishing this season locally was just about gone, Capt. Frank from the <b>Vitamin Sea</b> wrote in an email. Many of the fish migrated south, and the fall run had been spectacular, giving up some of the best fishing in a long time. Blackfishing was good at times and so-so at others. The water was 50 degrees and warmer, so the catches should last several more weeks. Experienced blackfishers limited out or came close, and 8-pound blackfish were biggest. “White leggers are a must now,” he said. Charters are fishing, and the next open-boat trips will blackfish Wednesday and Thursday. Looking ahead, the great fall striper run seemed a positive sign for the spring striper run. That could be great, too. “It seems far away … but will be here before you know it,” he said.

<b>Atlantic Highlands</b>

On the party boat <b>Atlantic Star</b>, today’s trip picked away at throwback and keeper blackfish, so far, Capt. Tom said in a phone call at 11 a.m. aboard the outing. One angler limited out, and another bagged two or three, already, and some landed no keepers yet. The trip fished at one spot, so far. “It’s blackfishing,” he said. “Some people are only feeding them.” Weather was great, and lately couldn’t be beaten, for the time of year. Forecasts looked similar for this whole week. In the past few days, blackfishing was good on Friday’s trip, tough on Saturday’s, and better on Sunday’s, not as good as on Friday’s. The Atlantic Star is blackfishing 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. daily. <b>***Update, Tuesday, 12/8:***</b> Blackfishing today aboard was pretty much like on Monday, Tom said. Anglers picked at a mix of shorts and keepers, and a couple limited out. Some bagged one to three, and some landed no keepers, but all reeled in throwbacks, at least. Two keeper cod were copped. Only two spots were fished, and both gave up blackfish.

Trips covered many miles, searching for striped bass, and the angling was tough the past few days on the <b>Fishermen</b>, Capt. Ron wrote in a report on the party boat’s website. Today’s trip began the same, searching, and finally found gannets crashing herring. A 28-inch striper was the first fish boated, and a 29-pound beauty, the pool-winner, was second. The catch also included a 22-pounder, and big bluefish were in the mix for the first time in a couple of weeks. “First good shot of the herring,” Ron said.  Tsunami shads had been catching best aboard, and if herring continue to be seen, large shads and crocodiles will work. “Plain jigs and Tsunami shads,” Ron wrote.  The Fishermen is sailing for striped bass 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. daily.

<b>Neptune</b>

Capt. Ralph from <b>Last Lady Fishing Charters</b> hadn’t seen this many striped bass, this late in the season, in the past five years, he wrote in an email. So he’s adding an individual-reservation trip for stripers this coming Sunday. Crabs will be carried aboard for blackfishing as a “back up.” Trips fished for stripers Friday and Saturday aboard, finding lots, and many were small, but the stripers were fun to catch. “You could catch them for at least 5 miles in different directions,” he said. Weighted, rubber shads in white and yellow and popper plugs angled the stripers best aboard. Jigs caught, but not as well. When jigging for stripers, try to get the lure to hit bottom, and retrieve slowly. Individual-reservation trips for blackfish will sail December 19, 20, 24, 27 and 31 and January 1 through 3, and all bait and tackle will be included. <b>***Update, Monday, 12/7:***</b> An individual-reservation blackfish trip has been added for December 16.

<b>Belmar</b>

Striped bass fishing on the ocean limited out on unders and cracked some big bluefish Friday with <b>XTC Sportfishing</b>, Capt. Scott said. Then the trip blackfished a little, cranking them in. A striper trip Saturday on the ocean hooked lots of throwbacks, a couple of keepers and some big blues. That trip also then blackfished a little, landing the tautog. The stripers and blues on the trips were pasted on jigs and rubber shads.

Capt. Mike from the <b>Katie H</b> ran a friend’s charter boat Saturday, and the trip scored well on blackfish, he said. Just under a limit of the tautog to 6 ½ pounds, including a 5-1/2-pounder and other sizable ones, were creamed. Weather was beautiful, and this weather can’t be beaten for December.

Blackfishing was a little pickier the last few days than before, and the fish bit in spurts, said Capt. Pete from <b>Parker Pete’s Fishing Charters</b>. But good-sized blackfish to 10 pounds were claimed aboard, and even bigger were lost. “Couldn’t get them off the bottom,” he said. Though the fishing was pickier, it’s good. Striped bass fishing was good every day, on jigs and rubber shads. On some days, the stripers were bigger, and on some, were smaller. Action was phenomenal, especially for the time of year. Fish now, Pete said he couldn’t reiterate enough. Fishing’s been great, and so has weather, and winter’s going to be long, he said. 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.

Was a good weekend of fishing, and weather was great, Bob from <b>Fisherman’s Den</b> wrote in an email. Some top-notch striped bass and blackfish angling was pounded. Boaters had the best of any fishing, but surf fishing for stripers served up some hot spots. Island Beach State Park was especially good for the surf fishing, but the angling flared up at places in Monmouth County. Stripers in the surf, mostly schoolies 24 to 30 inches – sometimes larger were mixed in – swiped plugs and metal. Blackfishing was satisfying to many boaters, and more blackfish 10 pounds and larger were seen at the shop than in past years this early in the season. Grab a rod and head out, he said.

From the start, fishing was super Saturday on the <b>Miss Belmar Princess</b>, an email from the party boat said. “Plenty of keepers, throwbacks and slot fish with some big blues mixed in,” it said. On Sunday’s trip, fishing was slower than during the past week, and plenty of fish were marked. “They just did not want to cooperate too well,” it said. “We ended up with some nice blues, keeper stripers, throwbacks and slots.” On today’s trip, fishing was good, overall. “At times, we had some real good drifts, and we ended up with some keepers, throwbacks and slots,” it said. Weather looks great for the week, and take advantage of the great fishing and forecast. The Miss Belmar Princess is fishing for stripers and blues 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. daily.

Plenty of striped bass were smashed Friday on the <b>Golden Eagle</b>, a report on the party boat’s website said. “Plenty of keepers, bonus fish and a lot, a lot of fish released,” it said. “You could catch all you wanted.” Sometimes the fish bit as soon as an angler’s line hit the water. Run Off hammered jigs, Run Off crocodiles, and swim shads caught. On Saturday’s trip, fishing was good. “We had keepers up to 25 lbs., bonus fish, lots of fish released and a lot of bluefish,” it said. On Sunday’s trip, fishing was slow. “We caught some bonus fish, a keeper, and some shorts,” it said. Plenty of stripers were around, “but they just didn’t want to bite,” it said. Boat traffic was incredible for December. Weather’s been beautiful on the water for December, and that’s supposed to continue for the next week. The Golden Eagle is fishing for striped bass and blues 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 or 3 p.m. every Saturday, Sunday and Tuesday through Thursday. Striperthons are sailing 6 a.m. to 3 or 3:30 p.m. every Monday and Friday. Heads up: Holiday gift certificates are available for three trips for the price of two. In other words, get three trips for $125.

<b>Brielle</b>

Big sea bass, a good catch, jumbo porgies “and a nice mix of cod and pollock” were shuffled aboard a 14-hour trip that fished mid-range Sunday on the party boat <b>Jamaica II</b>, Capt. Ryan wrote in an email. This was the eleventh trip this season aboard that caught 50 cod or more. On this trip, some of the cod “were no slouches,” Ryan wrote. Dave Thomas from Paterson heaved in a 29-pounder, and Young Park from Howell hauled in a 28-pounder, almost tying for the pool. “A pair of beauties,” Ryan said. Frank Pogue from Trenton was high hook, limiting out on large sea bass that weighed a total of 48 pounds, and catching 24 big porgies, three cod to 14 pounds and two 10-pound pollock. The water was warm, and the good fishing should continue. Twelve-, 14- and 18-hour trips are fishing for sea bass, porgies and cod. Blackfish trips are sailing, and a special cod trip will fish December 28. Reservations are required for the cod trip. See the <a href=" http://www.jamaicaii.com/component/option,com_eventcal/Itemid,33/" target="_blank">schedule</a> online.

Ocean striped bass fishing was outstanding for boaters, if they fished the right place, said Dave from <b>The Reel Seat</b>. The fish popped up anywhere from Mantoloking to Island Beach State Park, and boaters trolled the bass on Mojos and bunker spoons, and often popper-plugged and jigged the fish on Tsunami shads and Run Off crocodiles. The stripers foraged on adult bunker, peanut bunker, herring and butterfish. The boaters didn’t really grab the bass on bunker snagged and then livelined for bait, because that wasn’t really successful. The stripers ranged from 22 inches to 25 pounds, and bluefish 10 to 15 pounds were in the mix. Surf-fishers nailed stripers like crazy, mostly toward Seaside Park and Island Beach, and also fought blues. The anglers fished rubber shads, popper plugs and metal-lipped swimmers. Blackfishing was pretty good for boaters. The fish bit in shallow, 40- and 50-foot depths, because the ocean was warm or 53 or 54 degrees. Sea bass fishing was great offshore, and Dave joined a trip on a Point Pleasant Beach party boat that limited out on the fish Wednesday. Nothing was heard about tuna fishing, or nobody reported trying for them anymore this year.

<b>Point Pleasant Beach</b>

<b>***Update, Tuesday, 12/8:***</b> Striped bass, mostly slots, occasionally larger, were still bagged form the ocean on the party boat <b>Gambler</b>, Capt. Bob said. A few bluefish 10 to 15 pounds were axed on the trips. Most of the striper migration seemed to push south, like off Island Beach State Park. Anglers aboard hooked the bass on Krocodiles, but also on rubber shads and Ava jigs with or without tails. The stripers fed on a large variety of bait, including herring, peanut bunker, rainfish and butterfish. The first of the year’s <a href="https://www.zerve.com/TheGambler/JumboSea" target="_blank">Offshore Jumbo Sea Bass Trips</a> will sail on Wednesday, December 16. Afterward, the trips will fish every Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday. Reservations are required for those outings, and click the link for info. Anglers can also telephone the boat for reservations. Bob hopes stripers are still around then, and if they are, trips will striper fish on the days the sea bass trips aren’t sailing. Trips are currently sailing for stripers and blues 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. daily.

<b>Seaside Heights</b>

Mid-sized striped bass and blues chased bait into the beach, and the epic fall run of the surf-catches continued, a report said on <b>The Dock Outfitters</b>’ website. Small surface swimmers and popper plugs were best lures. Cut bunker and clams “fall just behind that,” it said. Boaters on the ocean trolled bigger stripers and blues. “This bite still has a lot of steam left, so keep on trucking!” it said. 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>Barnegat Light</b>

The morning until 11 o’clock gave up good fishing for striped bass and blues Saturday on the <b>Miss Barnegat Light</b>, a report on the party boat’s website said. Afterward, the anglers picked at the fish. On Sunday’s trip, the fishing was tougher. Lots of fish rolled along the surface at times, and loads were marked, “but the fish weren’t chewing,” it said. Heavy boat traffic didn’t help. Because of the amount of fish, and great weather, trips will jig for stripers and blues 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. this Saturday and Sunday.

<b>Barnegat</b>

<b>***Update, Tuesday, 12/8:***</b>  From an email from Capt. Dave DeGennaro from the <b>Hi Flier</b>: “I had a two-man charter yesterday (Mon) and the striper fishing was great. We broke the inlet around 7:30 AM, made the left, and ran as far as the Bathing Beach before we were into some good bird play and a small fleet of boats. Casting lures into frantic working birds produced no hits for almost 45 minutes. It looked fishy, it even sounded good as the birds were in full ‘squawk’ but no bent rods, and only scant readings on the machine. I put out our two shorty trolling rods, they're only 5'6" and have 150 feet of wireline instead of the normal big sticks with 300 feet. I chose the smallest Maja spoon, a chartreuse #1 size and an umbrella rig for the other. The spoon hooked up immediately before I could even set the other rod out. It went like that for the next hour where whichever lure you let out first would have a fish on before you could get the other rod set. Of course we would rather be casting lures with the lighter spinning tackle but this was working.  I got a call on my cell from (another charter captain). He said: ‘Head south back to the inlet … and hurry!’ We reeled in and throttled up for Barnegat Light. As we got closer we saw stripers swirling on herring right outside the surfline. All the surfcasters were hooked up. We threw Tsunami Shads and poppers for two hours on 24 to 28 inch fish. The water temp is still 50/51 degrees, the long range forecasted air temps are ridiculous for December. We've been fishing in sweatshirts to start and sometimes T-shirts by late morning. The marine weather continues to be kind with light velocity winds all the way thru the weekend. Fishing Open Boat or charter this Thurs, Fri, and Sat, Dec 10, 11, and 12. 6AM to Noon. Three people max. All fish are shared. We have tags for each of you to keep a slot fish (24" to 28") if you would like. I always bring the trolling gear if we need to target some bigger fish for the cooler, too. I leave it up to you guys. I'm going blackfishing on a friend's boat tomorrow (Wed, Dec 9) and will probably be out of cell range from 7AM to 1PM. Leave me a message and I will get back to you as soon as we are back in cell range.”

<b>Mystic Island</b>

For boaters fishing for striped bass on the ocean, Friday “was one of those should have been there days,” a report said on <b>Scott’s Bait & Tackle</b>’s website. Stripers then were trolled off Atlantic City on Mojos, umbrella rigs and Stretch 25 and 30 lures, and were hooked on bunker snagged and then livelined for bait. On Saturday, ocean boaters fought bluefish. “Yes, bluefish was the word of the day,” it said.  On Sunday, striper reports were mixed, it said. Some boaters caught stripers to the north, and some caught them to the south. But the best reports came from south of Ocean City that day. Striper fishing surely isn’t finished for the season. Tons still swam to the north, though many were smaller than the stripers boated there earlier this season. “It’s just South Jersey anglers getting their turn,” the report said.

<b>Sea Isle City</b>

Fishing was great, said Capt. Joe Hughes from <b>Jersey Cape Guide Service</b> and <b>Sea Isle Bait & Tackle</b>. With Dean Trevlin’s group of four anglers, 25 striped bass to 25 pounds were trolled aboard Sunday. With Matt Cahill and wife Saturday, 15 or 18 stripers to 20 pounds were trolled aboard. Both trips angled the fish on the ocean on umbrella rigs and Mojos, and the bass foraged on bunker and blueback herring. One bluefish was in the mix, on Saturday, and just a couple of blues were landed among the stripers so far this season aboard. Blues were boated among stripers farther north in the state, and could still migrate south to local waters. The ocean was 49 to 50 degrees, and Joe doesn’t see the striper fishing ending anytime soon. 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>Wildwood</b>

For <b>Fins & Grins Sport Fishing</b>, striped bass fishing on the ocean Sunday was the best Capt. Jim saw in years, was fantastic, he said. The trip aboard limited out on unders, and released 22 that were just shorter than the 43-inch “over” size. The hooks were also pulled on 13, great fishing. The trip would troll, get on the fish, and then jig. Bunker schooled as thick as could be, whales swam, and the ocean was alive. Striper catches were heard about from Atlantic City to Cape May that day. One big bluefish 12 or 13 pounds was also landed with Fins. The boat did no blackfishing in past days, but blackfishing is available aboard. Fins fishes every day, and reservations aren’t required but suggested. Telephone for availability, and weather looks good in the near future.

<b>Cape May</b>

Fishing for striped bass limited out on unders to 40 inches Sunday on the ocean with Dave Stackhouse’s charter on the <b>Heavy Hitter</b>, Capt. George said. The fish were trolled off Corson’s Inlet, and probably eight or nine more were released aboard. Some boaters landed slot stripers that day, but no slots showed up on the Heavy Hitter. The stripers were all 29 to 40 inches on the boat. On Saturday aboard, Joe Deveto’s charter also trolled stripers to 40 inches on the ocean. The fish bit in the morning that day, and the angling slowed afterward, when the tide changed. The stripers on both trips swam underneath birds working bait along the water. Though both of the trips trolled the bass, a friend bucktailed stripers on the ocean this weekend, when the fish swam all around the friend’s boat. No bluefish were hooked on the Heavy Hitter, George said when he was asked for this report. Another striper trip was supposed to fish today aboard.

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