I have been receiving quite a few positive fishing reports from some of our local experts and fishing captains that I would like to share. They are proof positive that there is some truly good fishing action hereabouts between summer and the arrival of the striped bass.

Andy Tonnesen at Tony’s Bait and Tackle reports a couple of his customers had a good day recently on bluefish and false albacore on the North Barnegat Ridge with blues to 15 pounds and albacore to 5 pounds. Trolling feathers, preferably white or green, worked the best on the albacore while the blues went for anything. Andy also says the action in the bay for panfish is very good right now. Mike and Vinnie Facchino were fishing with their dad off Beach Haven in the bay and ended up with 36 blowfish, along with some kingfish, porgies, bluefish, and sea bass. They were anchored up chumming with clam chum and used clam and shedder crab for baits. Scott Albertson at Scott’s Bait and Tackle in Mystic Island weighed in a 16-pound striped bass that Frank Cavallaro captured on clam at Deep Point at the mouth of the Mullica River last Saturday.

On Sunday, another bass was reported in the same area that was just short of being a keeper. Scott says the crabbing up the Mullica is good with jumbo crabs showing up all the way up the Bass River under the New Gretna Bridge.

Captain Steve Purul of “Reel Fantasea Fishing Charters” out of Barnegat reports his fishing has been a mixed bag, with action on 1-5 pound bluefish and an increase in striped-bass activity. He says the bay waters are loaded with bait fish such as peanut bunker, mullet, spot, spearing, bay anchovies and more. This bait has meant catches in the bay and inlet of big blackfish, triggerfish, spot, blowfish and more.

Jeff Bauer, mate on the Carolyn Ann III out of Barnegat Light reports good bottom fishing for sea bass, porgies, blackfish and triggerfish along with a good showing of fluke over 3-pounds. Many of their recent pool winners have been triggerfish. Robin Dennison took honors one day with a 4.5-pounder while Dave Tomkins had the pool winner last Saturday, also with a 4.5-pound fish.

Captain Dave DeGennaro of “High Flier” Charters reports doing very well on the false albacore offshore. One day he came up empty-handed on bluefin tuna and mahi but had non-stop action on albacore and skipjack. While these fish are not much for table fare, they are great action, especially on light tackle. When he locates a school of these fish, he likes to bait up 10-pound spinning rods with fresh spearing and has a ball.

When fishing in the bay, Dave has scored on weakfish with live grass shrimp and shedder crab. Also coming into his chum slick are big blowfish, kingfish, small bluefish, porgies and small sea bass. He likes fishing from the BB Buoy off Waretown to the 42 Buoy in 7-8 feet of water. He uses lots of clam chum and fresh clams for bait.

If it’s fall in southern Ocean County, there must be striped bass fishing contests coming up. The “Granddaddy” of surf fishing contests is the 56th annual Long Beach Island Surf Fishing Contest sponsored by the local chamber of commerce along with local businesses, especially bait and tackle shops.

This year’s running features the usual array of daily, weekly, session and grand prizes. You even receive prizes for paying the $30 fee to enter the contest. I entered last week at Oceanside Bait and Tackle and got my free hat, button and coupons for a car wash and slice of pizza. The contest runs from Saturday, Oct. 9 through Dec. 5.

Participating bait and tackle shops where you can sign up include Barnegat Light Bait and Tackle, Surf City Bait and Tackle, Fisherman’s Headquarters, Oceanside Bait and Tackle, and Jingles in Beach Haven.

On Oct. 9 there will be a free “Super Surf Casting Seminar” for anyone signed up for the tournament. To register for the seminar, call the Chamber at 609-494-7211, ext. 100.

In conjunction with the tournament, Valerie Zak at Oceanside Bait and Tackle will be holding her second annual LBI Surf Classic Pig Roast. Starting at 3 p.m., this block party is free to all who entered the tournament at her shop. Others are welcome to attend the festivities for a $15 fee. Val promises a good time for all, with live music, food and beverages, raffles and some guest speakers. I went last year and had a great time chowing down on some delicious food.

Then the boaters’ striper tournaments kick off with the Red Men’s annual Striped Bass Tournament based in Tuckerton. Dedicated to the memory of Robert R. Suralik Sr., the tournament will run from Oct. 22-24. There will be a captains’ meeting on Oct. 21 at 7 p.m. at the Lodge. The fee is $60 per boat, and there is a bluefish category. Additional information can be obtained by calling the Lodge at 609-296-1956 or going to the website at www.tuckertonredmen.com

Jim Hutchinson

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