SUMMERTIME STRIPERS

Striped bass fishing in Jersey is only a spring and fall thing, right? Wrong. Locals know that resident stripers will bite all through the heat of the summer, its just a matter of knowing where and what to throw at them to get hit. Generally speaking, low light hours and dark hours are the prime […]

Striped bass fishing in Jersey is only a spring and fall thing, right?Wrong. Locals know that resident stripers will bite all through the heat of the summer, its just a matter of knowing where and what to throw at them to get hit. Generally speaking, low light hours and dark hours are the prime times to target bass. The turf will be the backwaters as well as the bays. During sunrise times, back bay sodbanks provide cover and offer perfect ambush points for stripers to stick it to baitfish. Fish outgoing tides through the winding backchannels.Set up with a lighter 7-foot Shimano Terramar rod, matched with a 2500 Quantum Iron spooled with 30-pound Power Pro and in your lure arsenal, you want to hit the topwater scene first with Stillwater Smack-It poppers, Zara Spooks and TA poppers.As well, an assortment of rubber baits should be on hand such as Zoom Super Flukes and Fin-S fish tipped on a light ¼ to ½ ounce jighead. Night shifters in larger bay areas will employ the use of live eels to get whacked by a resident bass, many of which are in the 12 to 20-pound class.The key is to work bridge abutments and bulkheads, drifting by with a fishfinder slide rig consisting of a ½ to 2-ounce egg sinker, 100-pound Spro Barrel Swivel, 30-inch section of 40-pound Seaguar Fluorocarbon Leader and a size 5/0 Mustad Octopus Circle hook. Hook an eel through the bottom lip and out one eye and let it bounce along the bottom, up and over rocks and humps, where bass will be waiting to pounce upon it.If you exercise due diligence and fish around the high tides coinciding with sunrise or after nightfall, no doubt you can be into many “ghost stripers” without having to wait for the fall run.[vc_row][vc_column][vc_media_grid element_width='6' grid_id='vc_gid:1485876128429-956a0435a2a0f25f6c84919907eacd12-3' include='5639,5642'][/vc_column]" target="_blank">

BONITO AND SPANISH MACKS IN THE SURF

In the last week, the Jersey surf has turned into bizarro world and has resembled Florida more than the Garden State. With 76 to 80 degree surf water temperatures sitting on New Jersey, an influx of pelagic speedsters have moved into the area waters from roughly Barnegat Inlet up to Sandy Hook. Bonito and Spanish […]

In the last week, the Jersey surf has turned into bizarro world and has resembled Florida more than the Garden State.With 76 to 80 degree surf water temperatures sitting on New Jersey, an influx of pelagic speedsters have moved into the area waters from roughly Barnegat Inlet up to Sandy Hook. Bonito and Spanish Mackerel have come close enough to catch from the beach as confirmed reports of landed bonito and Spanish came from Manasquan to Long Branch this week. I just got off the beach yesterday and landed my first ever Jersey Spanish, and bonito were blowing up right amidst all the daytime swimmers, it was absolutely nuts.To start, a medium action rod roughly 7 to 9 foot is a good start to effectively launch 1 to 2-ounce metal lures out past the breakers. I’ve been using a Shimano Teramar TMS-70M matched with a Quantum Iron 30 spooled with 20-pound Power Pro braid, uni to uni knotted to a 5-foot section of 20-pound Yo-Zuri Fluorocarbon leader then tied directly to the lure. Most of the schools are just outside of casting range, so you need every piece of gear lined up on your side for maximum castability and range.With all the small peanut bunker and rainfish inundating the nearshore waters, match lures with the same profile to cast out. Deadly Dicks, Crippled Herrings, Williamson Gomoku jigs, and tail less Ava 007 jigs all have been working effectively. The key is to cast out as far as humanly possible, let the lure sink for a three count, and begin reeling in as fast as you can ripping the lure up in the top 5 feet of the water column. Generally blindcasting is the modus operandi, but keep your eyes peeled for both species to be vaulting out of the water. If you do spy a jumping bone or Spanish, immediately run to the area and begin casting as they will stay in a localized area for a minute or two before moving on to chase down another bait pod.[vc_row][vc_column][vc_media_grid element_width='6' grid_id='vc_gid:1485876128429-956a0435a2a0f25f6c84919907eacd12-3' include='5628,5626'][/vc_column]" target="_blank">

SURF SHARK CHUNKING BAG

With all the hubbub of sharks and rays in the summer surf, night time excursions demand that you are organized and prepared with all your gear to seamlessly streamline the after hours chunking process. You need to be ready to address any situation that arises when battling sharks and rays that can reach up to […]

With all the hubbub of sharks and rays in the summer surf, night time excursions demand that you are organized and prepared with all your gear to seamlessly streamline the after hours chunking process.You need to be ready to address any situation that arises when battling sharks and rays that can reach up to the 200-pound mark from the suds. Nothing is more deflating on a fishing outing than not having the gear and tackle you need in a moment’s notice to be in the game. Here’s a good start to getting your chunking bag together properly.Carry all your stuff in an easy, mobile backpack fashion, and know where every single part is in each pouch. Fill a backpack with Plano 3600 boxes. In those boxes go a bunch of terminal tackle. My checklist includes, but is not limited to: Size 6/0 to 10/0 Gamakatsu Octopus J or Circle hooks Size 10/0 to 11/0 Gamakatsu Big River hooks Extra spool of 50-pound Power Pro Braid Skeins of 40 to 80-pound Seaguar Fluorocarbon leader and Triple Fish monofilament leader 3 to 6-ounce Pyramid sinkers Braid friendly Fishfinder slide clips Size #4 three-way swivels with sinker clips 150-pound Spro Barrel Swivels Wire shark rigs, Surfstrand 100-pound wire AFW Size 1.3 crimps AFW Crimpers Weighted Bunker Snag Promar Glow Sticks 1 Quart bunker oilYou’ll need to have easy access to sharp tools to cut some braided line here, trim a tag end there, as well as to chunk that bunker and make your cuts clean. When the end game comes, keep your fingers away from the teeth of that shark maw and use the pliers.Nail Clippers Cuda Chunking Knife Cutting Board Scissors AFW Needle Nose pliersThe added accessories that seal the deal for a successful shark or ray outing include:Headlamp Wiring gloves Metal sand spikesAssemble all this gear together and you’ve got a pretty good jump on not only targeting surf beasts, but landing and releasing them safely back into the water.[vc_row][vc_column][vc_media_grid element_width='6' grid_id='vc_gid:1485876128429-956a0435a2a0f25f6c84919907eacd12-3' include='5613,5615'][/vc_column] " target="_blank">

BIG GAME SURF RAYS

When you witness some hapless angler chasing his rod and reel into the surf, then coming out of the waves, exasperated, soaking wet and empty handed, you know the cow nosed rays are in town. As the heart of summertime is upon us, big game rays are hanging in the Jersey surfline, stealing rod and […]

When you witness some hapless angler chasing his rod and reel into the surf, then coming out of the waves, exasperated, soaking wet and empty handed, you know the cow nosed rays are in town.As the heart of summertime is upon us, big game rays are hanging in the Jersey surfline, stealing rod and reel set ups and providing some white knuckled fights both day and night.Usual suspects include the mobile cow nosed rays which come through in packs of hundreds, wide 7 foot wingspan butterfly rays, sting whipper southern stingrays, bold bull nosed rays and pan-bodied roughtail stingrays. Its best to beef up your tackle when surf fishing for the beasts.Start with a Shimano 12 foot Tiralejo rod, matched with a 14000 Shimano Ultegra reel spooled with 50-pound Power Pro braid. Next, a general sharking rig is used, consisting of 80 to 100-pound monofilament leader and a size 10/0 Gamakatsu Octopus or Big River hook tied off of a three-way swivel with sinker clip and 3 to 5-ounce Pyramid sinker. A stout Anglers Mate metal push foot metal sand spike is needed to root down the rod into the sand and to prevent a ray taking off with your gear.Baits can be relatively simple, consisting of fresh bunker, mackerel or bluefish chunks.Cow nosed rays will come cruising through the surf breakers during the middle of the day, many times sparking the “shark alerts” as their wingtips breaching the waves are oft mistaken for shark fins. The other rays like the butterfly, southern stingray and roughtail ray are usually night predators, feeding through the tides when the sun goes down. Any battle with a ray will be an arm burner as they will make runs, using their brawn and strength to rip off line, then root down and suck the sand when you try to get them in the landing zone of the undertow.Always have another angler there to leader the fish and pull it up onto the sands, avoiding any whipping tail if possible. A pair of long AFW needle nosed pliers or an ARC Dehooker are needed to dislodge the hook and a quick release back into the surf follows.[vc_row][vc_column][vc_media_grid element_width='6' grid_id='vc_gid:1485876128429-956a0435a2a0f25f6c84919907eacd12-3' include='5595,5596'][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][block_title style='column_title' inner_style='inline_border' title='Gear Used'][/block_title][vc_row_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width='1/4'][vc_column_text]
Shimano
Tiralejo Surf Rods
The new Shimano Tiralejo Surf Spinning Rods are made with the all new Shimano C4S blank construction which utilizes high modulus blank and wraps 4 outer layers of 90 degree graphite. The C4S construction is a unique design.View[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width='1/4'][vc_column_text]
Shimano
Ultegra XTD Reels
Shimano Ultegra XTD Surf Spinning Reels are designed for the serious surf caster. These surf reels provide consistent long-casting performance and Shimano X-Ship for improved durability even under the heaviest loads.View[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width='1/4'][vc_column_text]
Power Pro
Moss Green Braid
PowerPro braided Spectra fiber with Enhanced Body Technology (EBT) gives you awesome handling performance on any reel. Unlike the older style braided lines, fishing with PowerPro is as easy as fishing with monofilament.View[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width='1/4'][vc_column_text]
TackleDirect
Pyramid Sinkers
Pyramid Sinkers are often used in the surf or in situations needing your bait to hold in heavy current. The pointed edges help prevent your bait from rolling away with the current, and typically buries itself in the sand for an ideal hold.View[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text}]" target="_blank">

POMPANO FROM THE SURF

Whenever I hit the Cape Canaveral, Florida area, I always find time to break out the surf gear and target the silver ghost of the shore – pompano. Pomps can be found on both coasts of Florida and up the entire Eastern Seaboard to the northernmost range around New Jersey. Pompano can be targeted in […]

Whenever I hit the Cape Canaveral, Florida area, I always find time to break out the surf gear and target the silver ghost of the shore – pompano.Pomps can be found on both coasts of Florida and up the entire Eastern Seaboard to the northernmost range around New Jersey. Pompano can be targeted in the surfline with relative ease and as they travel in packs of a dozen or more, when you get one hit, chances are the other rods will go down too. Surf rods and reels for pompano fishing can generally be lighter in makeup, with enough power to still be able to cast weights up to 3 ounces. I generally use an 8 foot medium action rod, such as a TICA or St. Croix matched with a 5000 Shimano Sustain reel. Spool up with 30-pound Power Pro braid. Pompano rigs can generally be of the Hi-Lo variety, made of 30-inch section of 30-pound Seaguar Fluorocarbon Leader, a 50-pound Spro Barrel Swivel, two dropper loops spread 12 inches apart looped with size #1 Mustad Baitholder hooks or 1/0 Gamakatsu Octopus hooks and a 2 to 3-ounce bank or Pyramid sinker on the overhand loop end. Bells and whistles are welcomed for pompano, as fluorescent yellow or chartreuse beads or pill floats fixed above the hook attract fish. Pomps will cruise the low tide sloughs and bars, as well as hang just outside the outer bar, and though they will chomp all day long, the best bite seems to be around daybreak to around 10 AM, then from around 5 PM on into dusk. The real key is to understand the right water conditions to fish. Tropical shaded, blue-green, semi-stained water is prime coloring, as the fish like to have a little bit of roil to stir up the bottom to feed on natural prey like crabs, clams and worms in the blurry waters. Usually light 5 to 10 knot easterly onshore winds and 1 to 3 foot surf is enough to create a little bit of whitewater as the waves push over the bars on the lower tides. Best baits for pomps are fresh clams, shrimp and above all – mole crabs, aka sand fleas. While pomps are common along the Mid-Atlantic, last year’s late summer was incredible as pomps to 3 pounds were being hooked in the surf regularly by Jersey anglers. Let’s hope that trend continues![vc_row][vc_column][vc_media_grid element_width='6' grid_id='vc_gid:1485876128429-956a0435a2a0f25f6c84919907eacd12-3' include='5584,5583'][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][block_title style='column_title' inner_style='inline_border' title='Gear Used'][/block_title][vc_row_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width='1/4'][vc_column_text]
Shimano
Sustain FI Spinning Reels
The Shimano Sustain FI Spinning Reels are ideal for bass to small billfish. It's designed to handle a variety of fishing challenges that you can throw at it. They are known for light rotation and refinement.View[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width='1/4'][vc_column_text]
St. Croix
Mojo Surf Spinning Rods
Scientists. Those guys want to take credit for everything. Well, while they're sitting around patting themselves on the back about ibuprofen, we'll keep making the world a better place by developing new rods.View[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width='1/4'][vc_column_text]
Power Pro
Moss Green Braided Spectra
PowerPro braided Spectra fiber with Enhanced Body Technology (EBT) gives you awesome handling performance on any reel. Unlike the older style braided lines, fishing with PowerPro is as easy as fishing with monofilament.View[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width='1/4'][vc_column_text]
TackleDirect
Bank Sinkers
Bank Sinkers are typically preferred for bottom fishing applications, where its tapered hexagonal shape will help to prevent it from becoming snagged in wrecks, reefs, hard bottom, and other structure.View[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]" target="_blank">

SUMMERTIME STRIPERS

BONITO AND SPANISH MACKS IN THE SURF

SURF SHARK CHUNKING BAG

BIG GAME SURF RAYS

Shimano

Tiralejo Surf Rods

Shimano

Ultegra XTD Reels

Power Pro

Moss Green Braid

TackleDirect

Pyramid Sinkers

POMPANO FROM THE SURF

Shimano

Sustain FI Spinning Reels

St. Croix

Mojo Surf Spinning Rods

Power Pro

Moss Green Braided Spectra

TackleDirect

Bank Sinkers