2020 striped bass pics

[NJ219bands]

Caught, tagged and released two striped bass with a Bomber and teaser rig on a Monmouth County jetty tonight. Biggest was 20”. Missed a third hit. Five other fishermen were nearby. Great start to the 2020 NJ striped bass ocean fishing season. I may return tomorrow evening.

[ALK11]

Always nice to come away with some fish as a reward for putting up with the cold.

[Brewlugger]

I went out Friday afternoon and got a 25 inch Bass on a SP and a small one on a mag darter but it was a slow grind overall. This morning I got one in the dark right away but didn't get anything after that. The fish and bait are there but they weren't biting for me today.

[MudCat08]

Nice fish guys. Proves that stripers are still chewing this winter season!

[Brewlugger]

I gave it one last try this morning. Got nothing in the dark and got bumped on a Vision eel at first light but that was it for me. Still fish to be had and they were at every location I tried but they weren't really chewing. To sum it up it was a good year for numbers not so much for size with the biggest being a couple around 28 inches and the best quality fish I saw was around the Mullet run. Surf fishing isn't what it was but I'm still passionate about plugging out front. There's nothing like getting slammed on a quiet beach at night. I met some really good anglers this year and I would like to shout out my man Jim Bones, I could always count on you to be out there grinding.

[NJ219bands]

Caught, tagged and released my 30th striped bass since October at Manasquan Inlet tonight with a green Bomber long A15. Only had one hit in 2.5 hours of casting in the 40 knot nor’wester gale. Saw five other fishermen catch nothing. I may continue night plugging until I get no hits in a few trips. Hoping to get a few fish tag returns this year.

[MudCat08]

You're a truly dedicated angler, Nj219Bands. Not many will have the tenacity to fish through 40knot wind and come out on top with a fish. 👍

[WhaleFart]

Great reporting.

I fish the surf exclusively and it was another year of countless short fish. I probably caught near 250 fish on the beach with almost all being under 28". Fall on the surf is certainly different then what it use to be, we get if lucky a 1 - 2 week window of large fish that are within reach from the beach. the big blues that were once a day saver in September and October are a thing of the past. I hope with improved regulations that the surf will return to what it was because at this rate its not looking great.

[Gerry Zagorski]

Just spoke to a guy in the gym today who was talking to a guy at tackle store that works in Port Newark and on his lunch break yesterday, he had 13 of them...