Mid Fall Reports?

[Even Steven]

Ok guys, where are they? Where are the bass, the sizeable bass? Enough with the cookie cutter 22 inchers in the back bays. We're just over 2 weeks from Thanksgiving and I've yet to read any reports from the surf of keeper rockfish. Not to say they haven't been caught or haven't been reports, I just haven't seen any personally in Jersey.

I've read (and seen first-hand) that there is hardly any bait remaining in the bays or the beaches. This can't be good, or is this normal? I would think there needs to be a large supply of bait to draw the fish to shore/keep them close? I know the spring run is usually better in terms of size, but I'm just not hearing anything at all this fall. It's really really quiet, even in the rips and such. I thought last year was a late/delayed run, but this year might have it beat. Hopefully it isn't a complete wash.

Where are they??

[earlybird]

Ok guys, where are they? Where are the bass, the sizeable bass? Enough with the cookie cutter 22 inchers in the back bays. We're just over 2 weeks from Thanksgiving and I've yet to read any reports from the surf of keeper rockfish. Not to say they haven't been caught or haven't been reports, I just haven't seen any personally in Jersey.

I've read (and seen first-hand) that there is hardly any bait remaining in the bays or the beaches. This can't be good, or is this normal? I would think there needs to be a large supply of bait to draw the fish to shore/keep them close? I know the spring run is usually better in terms of size, but I'm just not hearing anything at all this fall. It's really really quiet, even in the rips and such. I thought last year was a late/delayed run, but this year might have it beat. Hopefully it isn't a complete wash.

Where are they??



Patience...every year there is a run of keeper bass in the back bays. I've
been keeping a log since 2003 and there has always been at least a
couple weeks of good fishing. The water temps and bait supply play into
the length and quaility of the run...I've seen it last for 3 months or 2
weeks, so you just have to keep putting your time in. The only year that
never turned on was either fall of '04 or '05 (forget which one) because of
the "fire in the water". Anyway, keep at it! BTW, I'm referring to O.C.-S.I.C.

[earlybird]

Also, keep in mind that one of my best nights in back came the week
before Christmas...there was ice forming on my rod guides:D

[JerseyBrian3]

Last fall I stood on the beach for weeks watching what seemed like miles of birds working over bass saying to myself " if I only had a boat." This year I have a boat sitting in a slip next to the inlet and I keep saying to my self " if I only had some working birds over bass." Don't know how long it will be but I feel a sick out coming on.

[Noot]

Not to brag but I got a 38 and 31 inch striper on clams walking on north end of Brigantine last tuesday morning.Fished from 5:30am to 9AM today (11/5) north end-perfect conditions no fish

[RyanF]

I have been getting keeper sized fish out of the back for about a month now. Sure, you gotta fight through some shorts but I say that it sure beats the snappers and porgies youve been chasin lately!!

Temp dropped quick with this blow, might take em a couple of days to get aggressive but hopefully it stays down around 50-55 for a couple of weeks. Ill definetaly be fishing the back until it closes again this year and we might get solid action in the surf into January.

RyanF

[Even Steven]

Ryan, is the back really better than the front in the fall (referring to bays and beaches, not women :p )??

Btw, you going to be fishing at all Wed/Thurs? I'll be down working the surf, rocks, and back bays. I always welcome company if you want to meet up and wet a line.

[RyanF]

Ryan, is the back really better than the front in the fall (referring to bays and beaches, not women :p )??

Btw, you going to be fishing at all Wed/Thurs? I'll be down working the surf, rocks, and back bays. I always welcome company if you want to meet up and wet a line.

I wish but its tough for me to make it down midweek. I like the front better on the ladies but I spend most of my time in the back for the bass. It all depends, if I am fishing at night its the back 90% of the time but Ill spend a good amount of time on the rocks as well.

RyanF

[Even Steven]

It figures, as soon as I type the initial post in this thread regarding "where are the bass", most boats came home today with keepers.

[RyanF]

It figures, as soon as I type the initial post in this thread regarding "where are the bass", most boats came home today with keepers.

I think this little noreaster had a lot to do with it.

RyanF