The months of November and December are a special time of year for fly fishermen at the Jersey Shore because it means one thing--big bass and blues on the fly. It's when our annual migration run is under way and trophy-sized fish are caught from the beach and the boat.

Water temperatures will drop into the fifty degree range through November and into December and push bait and fish south. These dropping water temperatures will stimulate bass and blues to gorge themselves on bait in preparation for the journey and winter ahead. Blitzes are common, gulls and gannets are prevalent, and any closely emulating feathered imitation can throw is not refused.

When you look at New Jersey's 127 miles of coastline there is one beach location that definitely stands out as tops at this time of year--Island Beach State Park located off of exit 82 of the Garden State Parkway. This 9.5mile stretch of barrier beach is a virtual paradise of undisturbed maritime wilderness overspread by rolling dunes, tidal marshes, lush vegetation, and diverse wildlife.

Stripers (above) and bluefish will put on the winter feed bag along the shores of New Jersey from October through December as they migrate south.

The Island's natural beauty draws many fly fishers to this location but its claim to fame is a reputation for consistently producing trophy fish throughout the year. Big bass, alligator blues, reel-screeching albies, tide-running weakfish, and doormat fluke are the mainstay of the diverse species found here.

But in the late fall the Island really comes alive as big bass and blues come over the outer sandbar and trap baits along the beaches. On any giving late-fall day you can run into a blitz of truly epic proportions. Add to this the ability to be mobile with a 4x4 sport-utility vehicle along 9 miles of beach and the surf fly fisher is primed to go.

The Island
The Island is divided into three management zones: the Northern Natural Area, the Central Recreation Zone, and the Southern Natural Area. The north zone is limited to beach fishing only. The central zone has inshore fishing and bay fishing but it's restricted during the summer when the area becomes the Park's bathing area. The southern zone provides year-round access for ocean or bay fishing.

An aerial view of Island Beach State Park.

As you enter the Island and pass the tollgate, the first access to the northern-most beaches of the Park is the Short Road on your left. As you travel approximately one mile you can see the next parking area by the Maintenance shed. This lot holds twelve cars. As you travel further and into the central zone there are two large parking lots that hold 900 and 950 cars, respectively.

Once you pass these areas you will find parking areas designated from Area-1 through Area-23. These will be in the southern zone and located on the east side of the road. In each of these areas, walking the short distance over the dunes to the beach is relatively easy.