So where are the real sea bass?f fri 7 sat report

[Togfather2530]

Went fluking in the navesink and shrewsberry river friday. Managed 4 keepers to about 21" between the 2 of us. Wonder rig with killie and a jighead with gulp was our presentation. We didn't catch that many fish but the keeper ratio was good.

Saturday I had plans to catch a decent amount of sea bass before the limits reduce. I was optimistic after reading some reports since the season opener and haven't been able to get out yet. Finished the day being rather disappointed with it. Started out hitting some hard bottom areas in the scotland area trying multiple drops then fished the fisherman buoy area trying about 6 or 7 different areas there and then headed south more and tried 3-4 more drops east of the SHR. fished 35- 65' feet of water. At every drop there was immediate life but nothing but rinky dinky juvenile pathetic fish nibbling. At the fisherman's there were a few respectable charter guys and plenty of private 250K$ boats with triple outboards on them seemingly being content bouncing around and catching these dinky fish. I fished this way as long as I could keep my friend content (1/2 day) before having to give up and go fluking. Talked to another guy who worked the rattlesnake area somewhere last Thursday and had 4 keeps out of 100. If this is what it is then its a fishery for an 8 year old lol. Im not looking for any specific spots but what is the deal? 17 fathoms? 100' of water? shallower or deeper? How much fuel does one need to waste and how far does one need to go to catch 10 lousy 121/2" fish? I don't mind running if its not a goose chase. My idea of "excellent" sea bass fishing is occasional double header 15" fish lol. After all what the hell is the point of the high low rig. Also why would there be hardly any bigger fish but tons of juveniles? After a day of that nonsense I felt bad for the charter boats out there. Any insight would be appreciated. Also with all this talk on here about this fully recovered fishery at 240% I have to say Im beginning to wonder an awful lot. I did not see very many good reports of off shore bottom fishing this winter at all.

[Togfather2530]

Any insight or thoughts would be much appreciated guys, Thanks

[Joey Dah Fish]

Try using a jig avoiding more of the smaller fish. There’s plenty of keepers out there.

[Togfather2530]

Thanks Joey for your thoughts and suggestions. I am pretty experienced at bottom fishing. I did jig a 47 and hopkins for quite a while with no luck in bigger fish. I’m not seeing it. I’ve been on enough good sea bass trips to know it shouldn’t be that hard.

[Joey Dah Fish]

I’ve been out a few time it was very good with good quality fish. Changed to fluke

[Togfather2530]

Thanks Joey. . Hopefully others will have some insight on depths and their recent findings. Maybe the “real” fish are picked off already. I can’t see that considering the regulations we’ve had in recent years and the season just started a few weeks ago. A 12 1/2” sea bass doesn’t have much meat on it.

[frugalfisherman]

Sea bass has been open a couple of weeks. The bigger fish have been picked off these areas.

[porgylber]

I was out on Thursday and our charter had no problem putting together a good catch. We were in 90 feet of water, due east of the Highlands. I’d guess about 5 miles. There were plenty of shorts, but the big boys were still there, with a bonus appearance of some slob ling! Good luck!

[Flygaff]

I was out there on Thursday. Lots of small fish. I caught 63 Sea Bass, 2 skates, a robin and a dog. only 6 keeper SB.

[hammer4reel]

we jig fished yesterday . had well over 100 sea bass moving around looking for marks.
fished in 90' of water

as you said lots of little fish.
would have been an east limit keeping 12 1/2" fish .
we opted for keeping only fish 14" or better and kept 16 for the three of us fishing.

Fish were feeding HEAVILY on blood worms, every fish we caught was bloated with them to the point I was surprised they even hit the jig.