With all the great reports and internet buzz about the great fall run on the NJ shore, I had to make it back, if only for a day, to see for myself. Heading straight out from work on Thursday evening to complete the drive, I was able to be out before dawn today. Conditions: blue sky, high temp in the low 50s and water temp about the same; sporadic bird activity but nothing close to shore except some cormorants patrolling the wash. Wind was from the S/SW at about 5-10 mph. Moderate to heavy surf with clear water. No bait was visible in the water.
I had considered a different location at the shore, maybe Long Beach Island, due to the accounts describing very heavy fishing pressure at Island Beach State Park lately. Nevertheless, IBSP is a long time favorite of mine and I figured, being a weekday, the crowds would be tolerable. This morning in Seaside Heights, they were. Beautiful morning and a tolerable number of anglers. I didn’t see a fish caught. After breakfast, I headed into the park and spent most of the day around Area 10 and 23. A23 was very crowded, the thickest I’ve ever seen. I didn’t even consider walking to the jetty as there were parked cars as far as I could see looking down the beach toward the jetty. I was able to squeeze in and fly fish a bit but, had folks been any closer, I would have grabbed a spin rod or gone elsewhere. I just don’t care to FF when it’s that crowded and the wind is blowing. There were also a ton of boats just off the beach in this section (see photo). Not sure how the boat guys did. I didn’t see them catching much when I paid attention. After hanging out a couple hours up to high tide, and seeing no fish caught by any beach anglers (and I watch with binos), I decided to head north. I like to fish the upper park when the tide is going out and there are often fewer fishermen. To my surprise, I had the maintenance shed section virtually all to myself. On my second or third cast, I got a bass and thought, “okay, it’s game time and I’m all alone!” Alas, it was the only strike I got and, after another hour of casting practice, I decided to call it a day about an hour before dark. The one bass I caught was the only fish I saw brought up on the beach today and I watched hundreds of guys throwing bait and lures all day. Maybe it went off somewhere at IBSP today but I checked much of the park and didn’t witness it myself. Anglers I’d talked to reported mostly poor to no fish caught (one fellow said there had been some good fishing at A23 early this morning).
Disappointing considering all the buzz. The salt season is over for me but, with the relatively warm water temps, it wouldn’t surprise me if good fishing continues well up to Christmas.
I had considered a different location at the shore, maybe Long Beach Island, due to the accounts describing very heavy fishing pressure at Island Beach State Park lately. Nevertheless, IBSP is a long time favorite of mine and I figured, being a weekday, the crowds would be tolerable. This morning in Seaside Heights, they were. Beautiful morning and a tolerable number of anglers. I didn’t see a fish caught. After breakfast, I headed into the park and spent most of the day around Area 10 and 23. A23 was very crowded, the thickest I’ve ever seen. I didn’t even consider walking to the jetty as there were parked cars as far as I could see looking down the beach toward the jetty. I was able to squeeze in and fly fish a bit but, had folks been any closer, I would have grabbed a spin rod or gone elsewhere. I just don’t care to FF when it’s that crowded and the wind is blowing. There were also a ton of boats just off the beach in this section (see photo). Not sure how the boat guys did. I didn’t see them catching much when I paid attention. After hanging out a couple hours up to high tide, and seeing no fish caught by any beach anglers (and I watch with binos), I decided to head north. I like to fish the upper park when the tide is going out and there are often fewer fishermen. To my surprise, I had the maintenance shed section virtually all to myself. On my second or third cast, I got a bass and thought, “okay, it’s game time and I’m all alone!” Alas, it was the only strike I got and, after another hour of casting practice, I decided to call it a day about an hour before dark. The one bass I caught was the only fish I saw brought up on the beach today and I watched hundreds of guys throwing bait and lures all day. Maybe it went off somewhere at IBSP today but I checked much of the park and didn’t witness it myself. Anglers I’d talked to reported mostly poor to no fish caught (one fellow said there had been some good fishing at A23 early this morning).
Disappointing considering all the buzz. The salt season is over for me but, with the relatively warm water temps, it wouldn’t surprise me if good fishing continues well up to Christmas.
