Absecon area bass fishing turning on!

[Guatemala Dave]

October 13, 2010, No doubt about it, the 2010 Fall Striped Bass Season has started! The last weekend weather couldn't have been any better and it did keep my busy around here. Obviously there were boats everywhere and with the warm water and perfect conditions I think most of the bass were hunkered down waiting for the cover of darkness to go on the feed. HOWEVER there were enough reports of fish caught that it was definitely worth being out there. I had to meet Bill Lake at the boat on Sunday to get him to hold this 30" spot eating striper for the camera
It wasn't the only keeper, but everyone seems to be in a hurry to get home and doesn't take time to stop by and show off their catches. Shorts still seem to be dominating, but there really isn't one spot or method that is the sure bet. The beach with clams has continued to produce and there have been some clam caught fish inside. Most of the live bait fish have been coming from the holes in the back,

Let me help you out with one more detail. When I say holes, unless it is an extremely small hole the best fishing isn't in the deep middle, but on the edges and drop offs surrounding the hole. If the spot is adjacent to a sharp undercut sod bank in 99% of the cases you will find the fish almost touching the sod. Ten feet off may let you drift by without a bite and believing that the stripers don't exist. That is why I fish with the trolling motor and full electronics all the time.

Especially on these super nice early fall days when you have to be on the water, but can't find a great day time bass bite , you should remember that the Tog are around in force and that even though you are allowed only one 14" fish, that fish will make a nice meal and give you some real fun in the capture. Mike Mangan is a tog specialist and fishes the local structures for fish like this one. This one was just shy of six pounds and that is one hell of a fight. http://www.abseconbay.com/abseconbay/Photos%202010/Fall%202010/PA110814_small.jpg
I did my part to find the fish Monday morning and made a Columbus Day exploration and pounded the banks again with the GULP and found another load of willing shorts. Still they are a load of fun so consider sneaking around with an accurate casting rod and find those ambush bass that are looking for the wayward baits all over the banks.

The best for last. Yesterday, Bill Ellis ran in just before closing time to put this big girl on the scale. A die hard clam chunker who spent a beautiful afternoon at Little Egg inlet and managed his limit of great fish. If you can't read the scale the big one weighed 28.5#. He'll be back today to try and break the 30# mark. If that doesn't make you want to get out and throw the anchor and break out the slimy snot balls, I don't know what will. Unfortunately the clam supply here in the store has dried up temporarily since the bite and anglers picked up fast. The good news is that I will be getting a double load in tomorrow to make sure I don't run out. Obviously with the big fish moving in fresh bunker will be in great demand and I should be getting the freshest of fresh Thursday or Friday and If they make a move to the beach or into the back, I'll make a run out myself to bail them with the big cast net. Any time you are on a charter with me and we get a chance to load up with the bunker I will always break out the net so we have them live or oozing fresh blood and slime to be sure the big girls get the scent.

Speaking of charters I do still have a very limited number of October days available so if you want to get an early trip together I suggest you call now. I will also be keeping a cancellation list so if you are able to go at a moments notice and want a chance to fish give me a call and if I don't have your favorite day available I might be able to get you in anyway.