Fish On
Even with the bad weather, the fishing continues
RON NUZZOLO
There's been plenty of serious fishing going on. Just before the rain, snow and gale-force winds last weekend, many anglers were squeezing in a few last trips for the year. Bait fish continue to remain just offshore from Sandy Hook to Barnegat Light, and alongside the bait are your choice of fish. From striped bass and gator-size blues, even the migratory and mighty bluefin tuna are patrolling the waters just offshore. There is so much bait in the water, anything is possible. Anglers are still fishing through huge numbers of short bass, with just a few keepers to keep it interesting.

Member MGM from NJSaltwaterfisherman. com headed out on the Sea Hunter just before the storm. The story was the same: find the birds and start jigging. The Sea Hunter and the Gambler shared similar reports. Plenty of bass, but few if any keepers. This is a good time to try out a few different lures and jigs.

Tog fishing on the Big Mohawk from Belmar has been bringing in full fares. Our good friend Fishing Dude and his buddy John caught a few keepers for the dinner table, while most fares did the same, with plenty of bottom action.

Capt. Matt on the Norma K III mixed it up for ling and blackfish. Capt. Matt squeezed one in before the storm. He has a few good inshore wrecks he likes to target and does extremely well. Capt. Matt had a steady pick of some big ling and nice-size sea bass. Pool winner was a 5- pound whopper ling.

Capt. Jeff on the Voyager took a run as well before the storm. The Voyager had a night trip for sea bass that was a little slow. A few big sea bass up to 6 pounds and a 9-pound pollock took the pool. Porgies were slow to bite, with too many bergalls and dogfish taking the action.

Fishing is never predictable, but the past few weeks have seemed that way. Now is the time to pick a day and get one last trip in. With all the bait that's been around, a record fish is possible in many different categories. Fish on.