REPORT FROM THE Fisherman magazine..

[RAMMFISH66]

From Ortley to IBSP, a run of fish “busting water all over the place” had social media accounts ablaze and casters running for plug bags. As of late Wednesday afternoon, at least one 40-pound class fish was brought to Creekside Outfitters that was caught south of the lighthouse on a livie, though surfcasters looking to score big are watching the weather with anticipation; NOAA forecast has winds out of the southwest on Thursday turning northwest through Friday which hopefully lowers water temps and triggers the bait movement. With a little light northeast on Saturday morning, it could provide the first good shot at coastal bass by boat or by beach of the 2017 season. The Fisherman’s weekly reports this week have more reported Stripers in the 20- and 30-pound class on the Raritan Bay, while South Jersey back bay reports are coming alive as well for light tackle anglers tossing jigs and plugs. Monster bluefish aboard the party boats in Central and North Jersey, while sheepsheads continue to impress anglers from South Jersey down along the Delaware Coasts. Of course the big news on Sunday, October 22 is the reopening of the NJ/DE black sea bass fishery – if you haven’t called your favorite boat to book your first trip, better hurry as it we’re expecting a busy opener!