Party boats have been releasing sea bass for a long time, but they get to keep them Sunday as the season re-opens with a 12 1/2-inch minimum and a bag limit of 15 for the rest of the year. Every bottom fishing boat will be targeting sea bass Sunday.
The ocean was alive with bunkers today, but not with stripers. I joined Dave Catalane on his Boston Whaler from Manasquan, along with Ed Sattelly of Pittsburgh, as we chased little tunny on our way north. The weekend fleet converged on every sighting, but I got one casting a Crippled Herring. We fished a large concentration of bunkers off Deal without a hit, but saw two bunker explosions while there.
Bob Correll of Bay Head had good news from his local surf as anglers there reported sand eels on the beach at daylight. Correll got there much later, but still caught lots of snappers and a couple of hickory shad on a Deadly Dick and teaser while also adding a 24-inch striper.
The Fishermen from Atlantic Highlands had lots of jumbo porgies plus small tog, a couple of flounder, and even a fluke.
Jumbo blues offshore were tough today. The Golden Eagle from Belmar reported having to work hard for a few blues up to 21 pounds on Run-Off Hammer jigs.
The Queen Mary from Point Pleasant also sought those big blues and read lots of them -- but "they weren't hungry."
Caot. Stan Zagleski sent the following from Elaine B. II out of Bahrs in Highlands.
Seabass legal starting tomorrow!!!!
October 21, 2017
We sailed with some of our veteran EB II regulars on a flat calm ocean and had a very easy day with good action and limits for all on a single spot. It does not get any easier than that!! Dave Brink, Middletown, NJ, took the pool with his largest of 21 legal sized blackfish he caught today. John Vanderstad, Pompton Lakes, NJ, kept only the one largest of his 18 legal sized togs. The guys also had some porgies and triggerfish once again to add to their coolers.
SEABASS can finally be kept starting tomorrow and they will be a welcome addition to the coolers to go along with the blackfish, porgies and other species we are allowed to keep!!!!! Sailing DAILY 7:00 AM. See you in the morning.
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