Southern Ocean County fishing zones

[Asbury Park Press]

Surf fishing has slowed down quite a bit due in a large part to the cold water temperatures that are turning off both bathers and fish. Once in a while a school of small striped bass will pass through, but larger ones are few and far between. Dock Outfitters did weigh in a fat 41.4-pound striper for Todd Callan. Callan caught this fish at Island Beach State Park and reported his father lost one even bigger. The fish was stuffed with bunker. Otherwise small fluke and some spurts of kingfish are being picked up on the beach. Grumpy's Bait and Tackle recommends using clams for the kingfish and short bass but Gulp bait for the fluke. In the bay there are schools of small weakfish along with quite a few snapper blues. Crabbing has been very productive. "Sea Devil Fishing" out of Point Pleasant reports excellent fishing for big bluefish on jigs in the ocean.

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