October 29th, 2011. I can't believe Striper Season is already here! It's been a busy month even if I haven't been fishing much. the weather and the water have been warmer than normal so there hasn't been the striper action I've been hoping for. I did make my first charter last Wednesday with Dave Morris. He had been chomping at the bit to get on the bass but the conditions finally came together and I called the trip. Unfortunately his crew backed out so he came down alone and we found a great day. A bit windy and we were at the new moon in the middle of a "King Tide" that made conditions a little difficult but we did find the fish and I put the first keeper in the boat. Dave stayed busy with a steady stream of fat "Shorts" that couldn't quite break the minimum. Total was 13 bass to the boat with a dozen swimming for another day. If you want to get in on this kind of fishing give me a call. It will only get better thru November, but the days are filling up. I do have a couple holes next week and the weather report is good, After that the calendar is pretty full so you will have to act soon.

Today we are in the middle of a classic "Blow Out" with North East winds and rain pounding the area. That is the reason I've been able to find time to sit down and spend a couple minutes writing this report, Another chance to push my Facebook Page now easy to find at www.facebook.com/abseconbay It is really easy for me to update the page and if you are my "Fan" you will get my updates right on your news feed and I'll make sure you know where the fish are. But back to today. Overall the fishing has been a little slow and I have to blame that on the weather, most important the water temperature which was at least 61 degrees everywhere Wednesday and the weather which has been a bit on the rough side and we haven't seen any real volume of bait in the back bay since Hurricane Irene. There was a great mullet run and I filled my tanks with some fat fingers. They were equal favorites with Wednesdays fish along with the Spot.

I'm sure by now you know that the Spot didn't leave their southern haunts for a summer vacation on our coast so I've been forced to "Import" my supply, but I have great suppliers and I do have plenty and more on the way so if you want a couple, a dozen or a couple hundred to fill a pen, just stop by they are ready to go. The same with eels. I'm ready for the blitzes to come. No need to order ahead just bring a bucket and take home all the slimy critters you want. The surf clam supply looks good and I should keep the cooler filled up so there is no need to reserve them. Fresh Bunker has been the one tough bait to come up with, the rough weather seems to have kept them outside pretty far off the beach out of reach of the small local netters and even the big bait boats haven't been consistent. Hopefully after this blow there will be some northern schools on the way south and help out the availability.

Overall even though the fishing has been off to a little slower than normal start there have been some great catches. One of the best by Corky Higbee with this 46# Bass out of Little Egg Inlet last weekend on 10/23 The warmer than normal water has made for some good "Poppin" actually on the shallow flats at high tide. If you try this you will have to put your bait right in the grass where the stripers are ambushing bait. Most of these fish are short scoolies, but keepers are around just keep throwing your lure at the best targets you can find.

Whatever happens remember that the BEST IS YET TO COME so check out your cold weather gear and get ready for some fantastic fall fishing.