For New Jersey anglers who participate in the sport of surf fishing, the fall mecca is unquestionably Long Beach Island. The Ocean County barrier island offers 18-miles of vastly different locations in which to hook up, from the jutting beaches of Barnegat Light to the rocky shallows at Holgate. In between, bars and jetties trap baitfish in a virtual underwater highway that is invaded by bass season after season. It is no surprise that the state’s largest surf fishing tournament also takes place on the island, which doles out tons of weekly prizes, plus a grand prize of $1,000 for the largest bass weighed in between Oct. 10 and Dec. 6.

If you want to get in on this exciting fishery this season, you still have plenty of time – and the best point at which to start your quest for a monster striper in the suds is at a local tackle shop. While you may not get wind of a secret spot that’s been producing, don’t worry – you’ll get plenty of tips that can help you discover your own honey hole. Additionally, all of the island’s shops serve as sign-up ($30) and weigh-in stations for the tournament.

Where To Fish

Recently, we visited Oceanside Bait and Tackle in the island’s Brighton Beach section (it is located, quite conveniently, right across the street from Kubel’s Too bar and restaurant) to learn a few tricks before the season begins. First and foremost is the fact that the run doesn’t begin in earnest until the ocean water temperature falls to 62-degrees or below. As this article is being written on Oct.10, the water temperature at Surf City, the island’s mid-point, is still around 68-degrees. And while there have been ample amounts of baitfish in the suds – a mullet run in Surf City last week stretched nearly four blocks long – anglers hoping to hook their first bass of the season only found blues chasing the bait. The occasional striper most certainly can be hooked in warmer water, but the height of surf fishing season as not yet begun. One lucky angler, however, did weigh in a 27-pounder the first day of the tournament, however.

When fishing a place like Long Beach Island, anglers should keep in mind that there is a sand bar about 30 to 50 yards off the shoreline in most locations. Likewise, Shore towns such as Belmar, Spring Lake and other places where significant beach replenishment projects have taken place, also have bars. The key in fishing these locations is to cast your lure or bait offering between the shoreline and the breakers out at the sand bar, a location known as “the pocket.” While some die-hards actually don wetsuits and wade beyond the breakers and fish from the bar itself, this practice can be chilly and somewhat dangerous during the lifeguard-less off-season. The bass don’t usually hang out on the bar itself, as they often chase baitfish that have gotten caught in the slough between the beach and the sandbar. When beginning to surf fish, choose a beach where you may have swam or surfed during the summer so you’ll have a general idea of where the water is deeper and where the sandbar begins to appear.

While some locations – such as 6th Street in Barnegat Light or the shore at Holgate – are legendary for the catches they have yielded over the years, tournament-winning bass have been taken from all over the island. The streets near the Surf City-Ship Bottom border are known for some catches, as well as the rocky jetties of Harvey Cedars and Surf City. The Spray Beach surf has also yielded its share of trophies over the years. The key is not tying yourself to one beach, instead choosing to explore the different jetties and bars across the island – and across the New Jersey coast as a whole.

What To Throw

There is no magic bait or lure when it comes to surf fishing. This isn’t fluke season, where Berkeley Gulp or squid strips generally guarantee a hit with every drop. Most beginning surf anglers – and many experienced sharpies – will use whole clam baits hooked to simple striper rigs. A striper rig can be purchased at any tackle shop and consists of a three-way swivel with a large baitholder hook and a heavy-duty snap attached where you can add a sinker. Think of a fluke rig on steroids. Depending on the conditions, generally a 4- to 6-ounce pyramid sinker will do the trick when casting into the suds. Hook your clam at the foot, its most meaty portion, and rehook it a few times to make sure it won’t slip off easily once it’s cast into the water. After casting, place your rod in a stake in the sand and wait for a strike. If, after 15 to 20 minutes, you haven’t had a hit on your bait, switch it up with a new clam – by now, its juices have been washed out. Also, consider moving locations if the next cast doesn’t result in a hit either. Use a similar technique with bunker chunks, including the head of the bunker, which has proved to be a good bait. In all fishing attempts (whether using bait or an artificial lure) you should connect a leader to your main line using a swivel. Generally, 30- to 50-pound leader material is recommended.

Some anglers, of course, prefer to cast artificial lures. There are many, many plugs available at local tackle shops – far too many to list here – but topwater plugs are a local favorite of Jersey Shore anglers, especially those on Long Beach Island. Plugging on the island is often the best way to hook up at night, according to the folks at Oceanside. The best type of night to fish is a clear night with a bright moon. Casting a dark-colored plug will create a shadow on the water that will surely elicit a strike from a prowling striper. Smaller plugs, such as poppers, work well. The Chub Creek poppers are local favorites, and their increased amount of movement through the water most definitely helps attract the bass. Bombers are also one of the area’s most prominent and widely-used artificial lures, and Needlefish plugs have a good reputation as well. Fish Bones lures – made by an Ocean County local – are also highly regarded and are becoming more popular year after year.

With many variations on how to fish the surf, there are endless possibilities and combinations of techniques and equipment to hook up. While that’s a good thing for a magazine such as this, it can sometimes seem daunting for an angler about to embark on a surf fishing outing at the beginning of the season. But, like in most sports, keep it simple to begin with – a clam, rig and rod – and get a feel for the beach. Who knows, you may just end up nabbing the tournament winner. •