Striper Report for Raritan Bay

[Sailfish Rick]

Fished Raritan Bay today mostly on Romer Shoal and Romer Lighthouse. We caught a few dozen short bass only 18 - 22 inches and one nice one at 34 inches. Clams was the bait of choice. I've been searching the bay and down the beaches for working birds to no avail. No breaking fish for jigs anywhere to be found. This time last year was amazing. Hopefully the fish are still working their way from Mass and RI. If anyone finds these jig fish please let us know when they show.

Thanks!

[GlennSr.]

Welcome to the Barn, thanks for the report. What you say is true. I've been on the look out for a good blitz with nothing to show. The bassing has been ok but pretty calm compared to an all out wild ride. I'll give you the heads up if I ever see anything and you can do the same G-Man on 68. Good luck.

[Mr.Crab]

No birds today either but we had good action early at Romer on till the tide change. I got two w/ one keeper. Then we went east towards NY. Clam was boat working and stripers were there in force. By far the best day I had this fall.
A good sign that you'vd found the mother load is when you see the capt. looking at the fish finder mouth the words "Holy $***" ($@@t)

[Chris Gatley]

we fished many of the channels because like you all said - there are no birds and fish. here is my report from my site. video and pix on my site too. www.ardentangler.org (http://www.ardentangler.org). more video to be put up tomorrow

11/15
Originally today, I was suppose to fish with George and Kathy from the Sterling Harbor Tackle shop in Wildwood, NJ. Like other days this week, we were to learn the finer things about Butterfly Jigging Striped Bass. The NOAA forecast called for 4-6 foot waves out front so we cancelled. Rather than fishing eels, they elected to tend to shop duties. My backup plan was to fish with Al Ristori and my friends in Walt Neuman and John Korn.
Eel fishing was good today. We managed to boat 14 bass and boy did we miss quite a few. The bite was great right off the bat but slowed in a hurry. In all, another productive day of eel fishing the deeps.
When in Widlwood or Cape May - stop in and check out Sterling Harbor. Butterfly Gear can be ordered online:
www.sterlingharbor.com (http://www.sterlingharbor.com)


i hope the birds and bass get here in big numbers soon. i wanna jig fish with my customers!!

[Sailfish Rick]

Thanks for the feeback guys. Jigging for bass has always been a favorite of mine and i have always looked forward to this time of year.

Chris - I've been hearing alot about the Ardent Angler and the butterfly jig recently. I'll have to read up on it and give it a try. Thanks and hope we all find an acre of birds and splashing bass soon!

[Sterling Harbor]

Chris, After checking out the videos on your website, I was so looking forward to learning the finer things about Butterfly Jigging Striped Bass, instead of tending the shop (tending to mounds of office work) and was looking forward to meeting you. Heard many good things about you in the shop over the past few years, and I was really looking forward to this trip. Glad you had a good day eeling for the Striped ones. We can hopefully reschedule for a future trip. If all goes as planned we will be Butterfly Jigging in Southern waters this winter, and will keep you posted on our progress.

[Chris Gatley]

Sounds good Cathy - I will be down fishing the rips with Stalker Charters on Dec 16th. It has come to my attention that the party will start midday friday as us Yankees are coming south and crashing in on Bob at the Ugly Mug for some food. I will try my hardest to get in and say hello.