The report wrap up for 2024 was a bunch of ups and downs through the year with some shining gems mixed in with lackluster seasons. Striped bass fishing was overall pretty stellar with both a solid spring and fall run of fish, many of which were huge in the 25 to 45 pound bracket class. Fluke fishing was kind of lackluster again this year with a solid shotgun start to the season fizzling out to a “meh” conclusion. Tuna fishing took a while to get going but when it did by late Fall, man the giants moved in to absolutely break back and rods as fish up to 700 pounds were all close to shore. Bottomfishing was always a good bet as blackfish, sea bass, porgies and ling provided action depending on the time of year. Now that we are in January of the new 2025 year, most fishing activity will revolve around hitting the nearshore and offshore wrecks for bottomfish such as blackfish, porgies, ling, cod and pollock. As well, striped bass are still legal to target in ocean waters if they hang around as are bluefin tuna. As always, don’t forget to register for the mandatory NJ saltwater fishing card at http://www.nj.gov/dep/saltwaterregistry/.. As well, one regulation to note is that for January 1 to February 28, blackfish regulations change to a 4 fish bag at 15 inch minimum size.
RARITAN BAY
About the only action for stripers through December in the R-Bay was out near the mouth at spots just outside Romer Shoal, West Bank, and off Sandy Hook Rip where there remained blitzing schools of bass on sand eels, herring mackerel and peanut bunker baits. Anglers continued to jig fish through the end of the year and there’s always the chance that striper schools can still be stacking outside of the hook out at the Sticks and in the rippy areas out to the red buoy. Paddletail shads, Ava jigs and big swimming plugs will get attention from any bass still hanging in the area.
NORTHERN COAST
Consistent action on stripers stuck through at least mid-December as sand eels, peanut bunker mackerel and herring baits inundated the coastline from Spring Lake up to the Highlands with Asbury Park, Long Branch and Deal the centerpieces of hot spots along the stretch of coast. Live bunker sent down on circle hooks landed bass, as did paddletail shads and jigged metals or soft baits with leadheads. Blackfishing was solid at the nearshore reefs at Sandy Hook reef, Sea Girt Reef and out to the Shark River Reef site, but rocky rubble piles at areas like the Klondike, 17 Fathoms and the Farms that range in 85 to 130 feet of depth will hold the fish in more numbers as January wears on and the fish go deeper to find warmer waters. Historically, the Mud Hole wrecks and the 15 fathom line area ledges and wrecks were the highlight of January bottomfishing as ling, cod and pollock would hang around locales like the Oil Wreck, Lillian, Arundo and other wrecks along the Mud Hole and though ling haven’t been around in some time now, cod and pollock most certainly will be. Clam or squid baits will get you dialed into to anything feeding on the sea floor there.
CENTRAL COAST
There’s always the chance that bass will be hanging around to pursue sand eels if the eels stick around and that will only happen if we see water that’s not below 49 degrees at this time. If so, then slender metals like ava jigs or Surf Candy flies will score with stripers though most should be of the schoolie and “rat” size of 16 to 24 inches long. Fun on light tackle for sure. Blackfish should be taking the main stage as depths of 75 to 90 feet should be where they are staging in the early part of the month moving outward to the 90 to 120 foot range as the month wears on. Start bouncing around at the Axel Carlson or Garden State Reef sites to save gas and see if they are inshore, then bump out to the Mohawk Wreck, Shark River Reef and even out to the Resor Wreck as the month wears on. Bring white legger crabs to target whitechinners, but the “roasters” of 3 to 6 pounds will eagerly chomp on green crabs on one -hook rigs or tog jigs. Those wrecks and reefs may also be holding porgies, ling and cod usually move inshore to the 10 to 15 mile mark when the waters are still relatively warm in January. Bring the fresh clam baits and hammered diamond jigs from 8 to 16 ounces. If you want to try something different, the Manasquan and Barnegat Inlets always seem to find herring and even mackerel schools ushering in on the incoming tides through the month. A regular sabiki rig casted out and retrieved will hang the little tasty treats. If you’ve never pickled herring or smoked mackerel, you are in for a real treat!
OFFSHORE
Giants are among us – and have been all fall. Bluefin tuna from 250 to 700 pounds have been going ballistic off the Jersey Coast, far inshore from what we expect as they are gliding along the 20 and 30 fathom lines as close as a mile off the beaches and out to spots like the Barnegat Ridge, Tolten Lump, Resor Wreck, and Mud Hole area ridges. Most guys have been trolling ballyhoo way, way, way back in a three ‘hoo spread to hook up, but lucky anglers can find them breaching the surface to cast out huge poppers to elicit a strike. You need heavy duty backbone to do battle as fights can last 2 to 5 hours sometimes and you always have to be on top of the regulations as they can change literally by the hour. A sturdy hi-mod spinning rod rated for 200 to 300 pounds matched with a 20000 class Simano Twin Power reel will be just enough to handle them. Be sure your FG knots are tied to perfection with 100 to 150-pound fluorocarbon leader if popping, and amp up to 300 to 400-pound mono leaders if trolling. If you truly are headed offshore to the canyons, there could still be some longfin tuna hanging about in the Toms, Lindenkohl, Baltimore and more southerly canyons. Those fish can be jigged up on Hammered Diamond jigs as well as old school Vike jigs.
2024 wrapped up as a pretty fine year on the saltwater front but make no mistake, the fishing isn’t over! There’s plenty to do both inshore and offshore if you have the time and can find a boat to ride on. Many headboats in the ports still sail everyday to target bottomfish and possibly tuna species if they are around, so you have no excuse not to get out on the salt. Bundle up.