Daily Fishing and Outdoor Report

Bite Alert! 11/18/15 .

Below: "I coulda sworn I just saw a ..."

Bite Alert! 11/18/15 ...

Below: Check out this"Recent Weigh-ins" burst of bass and bluefish hitting the LBI Surf Fishing Classic scales. It's finally time to start seriously chuckin' chunks. Yes, that's a clean sweep for "bunker." It also seems that mid-Island is seeing some striper sweetness. I was wondering why so many folks were hitting the beach as the day went on. Word get's out kinda quickly.

The onshore winds might be helping the cause be busting up the bunker balls. I'd be interested in hearing what any kept bass have in their bellies. Yesterday a kept bass -- non-Classic -- had crabs. That's to be expected with the current surf conditions. Also, here's Joe H.'s insider info:

Joe Handley Jr

As a fisherman, I always examine the stomach contents of fish I keep for the table. This pig of a striper was obviously eating someone's discarded bunker chunks including one that gut hooked him after he broke the guys line. That tail section still had a perfectly placed, non rusted Gami circle hook in the stomach! In case you broke this fish off, his last meal was a copper colored as needlefish if you were wondering.

I was working off-Island so I missed the brisk -- not really a blitz -- action. I'll be doing a dawn patrol tomorrow, though sticking with artificials -- though upping the ante by using plugs Tom White made for me -- graced with the words, "If Found return to Jay Mann."

By Friday, despite nasty wind forecasted, I might even break out the bait stick -- which, in my case, is simply a longer surf rod rigged with fish finder rig and a cool circle-hook set-up a buddy gives to me -- with a sinker another buddy makes for me. Sometimes it's good being me.

I really don't have a meat stick: one of those fat and rigid 10-foot rods that can cast 12 ounces without moaning out loud. I don't mind going with lighter sinkers and letting the current take the bait where it can settle in -- unless the side sweep gets so bad the rig ends up on the beach. Then I reel it in and go the hell home.

Boat bassing is going to continue to get blasted by winds, ruining ocean runs. The bay is still holding cells of larger stripers. You need to know the ropes/locales if going after bay bass. It's tough just pulling up at any old point and begin bassing. Obviously, holes and the edges of channels are logical choices -- unlike spring when the flats hold more fish.

Below: Just North ...

Travis Hackal added 2 new photos.

4 hrs
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Seen some nice bunker blitzes today...

Event Time	Weigh-in Time	Angler	Catch	Weight	Length	Girth	Catch Location	Bait
Today, 5:30 PM	Today, 5:59 PM	Brendan Craig	Striped Bass	23 lbs. 4 oz.	40 in.	22 in.	North Beach	Bunker
Today, 5:01 PM	Today, 5:15 PM	Diana Canellis	Striped Bass	11 lbs. 3 oz.	32 1/2 in.	15 in.	North Beach	Bunker
Today, 4:30 PM	Today, 4:45 AM	Merle Van Liere	Striped Bass	13 lbs. 12 oz.	34 in.	16 1/2 in.	Haven Beach	Bunker
Today, 4:04 PM	Today, 3:30 PM	Kurt Horensky	Striped Bass	20 lbs. 7 oz.	37 in.	21 in.	Haven Beach	Bunker
Today, 3:45 PM	Today, 5:20 PM	Donald Ingling	Striped Bass	15 lbs. 1 oz.	34 in.	18 1/2 in.	North Beach	Bunker
Today, 3:30 PM	Today, 4:37 PM	Ed Youse	Bluefish	14 lbs. 13 oz.	35 in.	19 in.	Brant Beach	Bunker
Today, 3:00 PM	Today, 5:00 PM	Mike Gowen	Striped Bass	14 lbs. 11 oz.	36 in.	17 1/2 in.	Surf City	Bunker
Today, 3:00 PM	Today, 4:50 PM	Vince Orzel	Striped Bass	22 lbs. 9 oz.	37 7/8 in.	21 in.	Surf City	Bunker
Today, 3:00 PM	Today, 4:00 PM	Marie Rhubart	Bluefish	11 lbs. 2 oz.	31 in.	17 in.	Brant Beach	Bunker
Today, 2:10 PM	Today, 3:00 PM	Jonathan Hille	Striped Bass	24 lbs. 3 oz.	40 1/2 in.	21 in.	Ship Bottom	Bunker

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Below: Gorgeous New Van Staal VS X-Series Spinning Reel ... and a tad pricey at $900-ish. Oh, this isn't mine. The photo keeps popping up on my Facebook timeline. Kinda nasty thing to do ... or not.