Surf report 10/17/21:

[AndyS]

Wow, been a long time since I posted a N.J. surf report !!! Enjoying my new digs, about 30 mins. to the beach, 20 miles, closer if I leave from work. Fished a stretch in Seaside Park- S. Ocean and 2nd Ave to be exact, easy parking and great access. It's a long sandy beach with no jetties to be seen, just the amusement rides off in the distance. This was kind of a shake down since it's been so long, got a new set of Frogg Tongs, not bad, kinda heavy, boot foot, much heavier than my freshwater waders with stocking foot and separate wading shoe but I can't wear those on the beach or they would fill up with sand. The waders are kind of rubbery inside so I loaded them up with baby powder, no leaks so far. Put together a new surf bag, the usual stuff, I mostly throw SP Minnow and a teaser.
Funny thing around this time of year, the Westerlies start to kick in, that would signal the end of my tuna trips and time to start surf fishing. Always tried to book tuna Sept 15, Oct, 1 and Oct. 15 because I knew that wind shift was coming and why fish 90 miles offshore when the fish are hitting the beach. Don't get me wrong, had some wild memories of those late season cold fronts coming through at the canyons, like waterspouts and hail !
So tonight I actually did catch one fish, a giant Blueback Herring that hit the teaser, thought it was a small bluefish at first. Hopefully we get a great fall surf season, gotta put in my time. I saw what looked like a pod of porpoise out a ways just before sun down, they were too small to be whales. Also stopped in a tackle store Gr***ies, wow, great place, loads of tackle !!
Hope to have more reports in the coming months, some of my best nights on the beach I had snow in my headlamp (I mostly fish at night) If anyone is from out of state or travels far to go surf fishing I have the spare room if you need to spend the night, just let me know, Island Beach State Park is near also, there were a few vehicles driving down the beach today.
Looking over the logbooks all that bait should coming pouring out of the inlets any day now.

[Brewlugger]

Nice Andy. Its been hit or miss for me on small bass lately. Low light or night has been the time. Last year November and December was very good. Great to hear you are back on the surf scene.

[SplitShot]

Wow! Andy with a Surf Report! I love it.... looking forward to more reports from you

[Joeblowv1]

Ha funny,

We had a similar day yesterday.

Except I started out at a fleamarket (Columbus Farmers market) some dude had a new Shimano "Speedmaster" 10'6" for 100$ that I picked up. What he was doing with a bunch of brand new Shimano gear about 60-100$ off retail price was none of my business. I decided to treat myself to the rod and 2 5$ plugs (a smaller mag darter, and SP minnow) as I had been surf fishing with a Hurricane Rod/Penn Fierce that I got for around 20$ at a fleamarket two years ago.

I stopped at the same tackle shop, got a new reel for my new rod $$$

Nice guys in there I like the shop, but my dad is a surf fishing old timer so he prefers a different small shop down the road. I dropped off an old freshwater pole to get some new guides on it, they said they don't typically do re-builds, but the pole was given to me by a friend who was killed in a car accident shortly after giving it to me so they're making an exception.

I was at IBSP, nothing major but TONS of bait and small fish in the water. Saw lots of little fish jumping around me. Definitely saw a pod of dolphins out about 100 yards or so out. Only got one VERY small blue on a mullet rig about 10" (didn't even know I had a fish on)

My old man picked up a skate, and my uncle 2 dogfish. But lots of small bites, and things snagging our bait without hooking up - good sign for the next few weeks.

Two quick edits - for anyone curious I showed up on the beach around 5 - fished until about 8. If anyone has not been yet, Burger 25 in toms river on the way "in" to the Seaside area. (I'm coming from Trenton) is pretty cheap, and pretty damn good if I do say so myself.



Seen some of your other posts, Welcome back to NJ

[jigmup]

Miles of bunker from bay head to asbury with pods of porpoise mixed in

[NJ219bands]

Caught and released a snapper this evening in the Manasquan surf on a one oz Cabela’s metal, then caught, tagged and released a windowpane flounder. False albacore were caught on the end of the inlet jetty with epoxy jigs. Spear fishermen killed blackfish. Bait was near the beach.

[Joeblowv1]

Originally Posted by jigmup

Miles of bunker from bay head to asbury with pods of porpoise mixed in

I think thats the issue right now all bait and minimal bigger fish lol. So much bait in the water makes you think why would they would even want my bunker chunk / plug.