Following our last report, the offshore storm “ retrograded” and so did the fishing. However, the Blues are in the Wasque Rip pretty solidly now as well as random locations along East Beach on Chappy. The area in front of the Dyke bridge has been active for the last two days, for instance.
The Breach has been on and off for Blues. But the overall trend is great . I bailed out from work right after lunch today to fish the Rip on the dropping tide and found around eight others who had the same idea. Four blues in the 5 lb class on the beach in fifteen minutes for smoking this evening. Everyone there had multiple fish. Not a blitz, but nice consistent action with someone with one on at almost any given time. The fish are down a bit in the water column—tin works good such as Hopkins. Kastmasters, Hammers, etc.
Meanwhile, there are more consistent reports of Stripers. The Bass seem to be averaging right around the legal size of 28 inches. There aren’t many real small fish for the second year in a row. This is disturbing for the fishery of the future.
There are Piping Plovers and other birds of concern nesting all over. Please respect the signs, roped off areas, and always drive slowly on the beach while watching the buggy tracks for birds. Violations will shut down beach access for all of us.
