Striper Action in Late Season Speed Mode

Right on schedule and, if things play out as during the past couple of late autumn/early winter periods, expect striped bass to still be pounding on the mojos, umbrella rigs, bunker spoons, diamond jigs, weighted plastic shads and live lined via an in-line circle hooked bunker, as they continue their migration down the coast.

So far this fall, it’s been the proverbial “lights out”, “epic”, “effingwild” and other various descriptions of the bite. While “over” (read: greater than 31 inches, the max length for the mandatory 28-31 inch one fish limit) jumbo sizes to 50 pounds-plus dominated the catches into mid-November. It’s since been a mix of sizes, from that striper of a lifetime to the keeper length slot fish and, for those in possession of one, the 24 to less than 28-inch “bonus tag” bass.

If you neglected to apply for the free bonus tag, well, if you snooze you lose. However, no worries if fishing on a party boat or charter vessel, as the captains of these usually have tags available. This enables you to keep a striper in that size range, and it doubles the take if you’ve been lucky enough to catch one that fits in the skinny 28-31-inch three-inch slot.

Not to be overlooked is the percolating surf action that is getting better by the day, particularly from Island Beach State Park south to Cape May. To be sure, it will hit boiling status soon, and the suds are providing good to excellent shots at bass. Plugs, poppers, metals (AVA style jigs), bucktails, plastic paddle tails (the NLBN in Green Back and Hell Yeah Yeah Butter especially deadly), fresh bunker chunks...all are putting bass on the sand.

Oh: unless on a party or charter vessel (you’re covered), remember to have your free 2024 Saltwater Registry in possession. The DEP’s Fish & Wildlife’s marine conservation officers are checking. Trust me on this! Also, in the striper bite mayhem, keep in mind that the distance limits out front to pursue bass is three miles. Beyond that, if checked and you have stripers in possession, you’ll have to deal with the state and feds. That ain’t a pretty picture. Just sayin’.

To learn more about this frenetic Yule Month fishery, tune in to Saturday’s Rack & Fin Radio 7-8am on 97.3 ESPN FM or 973espn.com. (Podcast on WPG Talk Radio, Spotify, Apple, and YouTube.) Host Tom P. talks about the rod-bending linesider mayhem with Capt. Scott Newhall of Time Out Charters in Absecon, a 25 year veteran on the central and south Jersey striper beat.