Offshore Sea Bass - need info...
 

A buddy and I want to go out within the next few weeks... Its 250 miles EACH way, so we want to make sure we hit it right... I am wondering if this fishing holds up all winter?. Tog, fluke, inshore bottom, all start out good most years but after getting hammered daily by packed head boats, charter boats,and private boats, the fishing starts to falter after a few weeks.. Seems to happen every year after the heavy pressure is applied for a while.. Didn't seem to happen as much 20-25 years ago, when I lived in NJ, but it does these days.. Lots more pressure.

Does this fishing hold up through Feb-Mar, as hot as it has been past few weeks, or does it start getting slow and picky as these wrecks get pounded, and the water gets colder?... I am not a "numbers" guy, but if I drive 5 1/2 hours each way, and take 12-13 total hours of boat ride, and spend $ 250 each on fares, tackle,gas, tolls and food, I want to bring home some serious meat for a change.. Do these wrecks hold CBass, Scup etc ALL winter, or do these fish eventually move out of range ???... I would really hate to book in late Feb, and spend $500 between the 2 of us to catch bananas, skates, and horn dogs.... I would appreciate input from guys that have spent a bit of time on the offshore wreck trips... bob

Re: Offshore Sea Bass - need info...
 

Bob, I dont have the experience to know if this level of consistency lasts all winter. One thing I have learned pretty quickly, though, is that you need to remain flexible and be prepared to move quickly if the right weather window presents itself. I was blown out a couple of times before I was able to get out today. Given your geography you may want to think about a contingency plan of being in NJ for a several day period (hoping for one nice day with boat availability) Rather than put all your eggs in one basket and committing to one single day. Just a thought.

Re: Offshore Sea Bass - need info...
 

Wish I could, but its just not possible.. As it is, we were planning on taking a friday off from work, driving down during the day, getting hooks sinkers, maybe a few " unsupplied" types of bait, and jumping on board, fishing and heading back saturday night.... If the weather is dicey, I would need to be in contact with the captain and be able to bail out at short notice if they weren't going to sail.. It is VERY difficult for me to go salt water fishing even in summer.. Just too far... Makes me want to cry,, seriously... bob

Re: Offshore Sea Bass - need info...
 

Bob The Sea Bass season is going to end, Feb 28th.

Re: Offshore Sea Bass - need info...
 

Thanks.. I wasn't sure when it ended, thought it went through March...
I will have to move pretty quickly...bob

Re: Offshore Sea Bass - need info...
 

The fishing traditionally stays good through March and often into April depending on temperatures.

However, as was already stated the season will be closing down February 28th (actually it is closed March 1st and still open on the last day of February) so in reality it is closing down right in the middle of the traditional offshore Sea Bass season.