The gale forecast, including rain, posted for Monday has resulted in most party boats cancelling their trips. The Point Pleasant fleet had poor striper fishing to the south, but there were better reports to the north. The Golden Eagle from Belmar reported being in the heaviest bird action of the season with "insane" jigging for blues plus keeper and short bass. The Sea Hunter from Atlantic Highlands had good action with short bass.Â
Mark Roy found nothing at all in Raritan Bay's 43 degree water temperatures, but went out to Between the Channels with his Release Me from Raritan Marina to catch a 29-inch bass and four shorts.
Joe Melillo reports from Castaway's Tackle in Point Pleasant that Gerald CeCe released seven short bass from dark to first light this morning at Mantoloking. I fished in that area at dusk to plug a 25 1/2-incher on an SP Minnow while three smaller bass got off.Â
Jay Russell plugged two shorts and lost another Saturday night in Spring Lake.