Striper fishing has continued into mid-December, even for flyrodders. Usually, flyrodders put their rods away for the year in late November or early December as water temps dip below about 48 degrees. However, this year, water temps haven’t gone done as fast as previously, so those of us who still are flailing the water with flies are connecting. The fish pictured below were caught on the Tiderunner out of Cape May during the week of December 11-16. On Thursday, two of us caught 9 bass in 3 hours. Fish were caught on small chartreuse clousers, larger bunker flies, and some jiggies. The ocean has cooperated, even on the foggy days of midweek, although the fish have virtually all been schoolie sized. Will this weather hold through New Years?
Bass continue to be caught in the Rips on spot, clam, eels, and jigs. The ratio of keepers isn’t great, although the action is good considering the fact that Christmas is only a few days away. Reports of keepers being caught from the sodbanks are coming in, although there doesn’t seem to be much bait in the back bays.
18 hour offshore trips for sea bass, cod, pollock, and tautog/blackfish on the Starlight Fleet’s Atlantic Star will continue through the winter. See the Wildwood party boat page of this website and call for reservations. Also, regular and open charters for bass in the rips can be made via the party boats advertised on the Cape May Times fishing pages. Some will probably sail into January if the weather cooperates.
Photos courtesy of Capt. Ray - Tiderunner