Action on the Island will continue through November and until surf water temperatures drop to around 45 degrees and below. Usually we don't see our biggest bass until after Thanksgiving as these trophies or cows migrate south.

There are a variety of baits that are present in November and December and the key is to have the bait move along the beach for fish to be on the beach. If the bait moves south on the outside of the outer bar than beach fishermen will be left watching the action from the sand. You'll be able to look out and see rods doubled over the gunwales of boats and only wishing and hoping for some action.

Fish will pin schools of bait against jetties, however fishing from them is sometimes a dangerous proposition. Wear Korkers or cleated soles to keep from falling.

Have an assortment of flies that imitate different baits with you when you hit the New Jersey shore.

Peanut bunker, adult bunker, bay anchovies, spearing, sand eels, and sea herring are the main baits that will make their presence known at the end of the season. The presence of sand eels in the wash is a guarantee that fish will hold in the area. If sand eels come onto the beach our season usually extends well into December. Sand eels along with sea herring will make up the bulk of the baits that remain towards the end of our season. By December only isolated pods of peanut bunker are found here and there while bay anchovies and spearing are no longer in the surf.

Clear, cold water intermediate striper lines will be your workhorse lines along with a 300 grain line for fishing in deeper holes or faster rip currents. The coldwater intermediate lines are designed to coil much less in your stripping basket after being exposed to the cold water or air.

FLY PATTERNS

Spearing/Bay Anchovy = Clousers, Jiggies, Simpleclones, Surf Candies, Skok's Mushmouth Sandeels = Jiggies, Flat Wings, tube flies, Deep Candies, Epoxies Peanut Bunker = Geno's Baby Angel, Popovics Baby Bunker or Banger, Slab Flies, Crease Fly, poppers, Farrar's Peanut Bunker Sea Herring/Adult bunker = Bucktail Deceivers, large synthetic Deceivers, Hollow Fleyes, Half and Halfs, Chouinard's Wideside, Bunker Flies

The Island is also home to the Atlantic Saltwater Flyrodders, the largest saltwater fly-fishing club in the state. In fact its roots are right in this area. One of the sports' most innovative and creative fly tiers today, Bob Popovics, spearheaded the revitalization of saltwater fly fishing in New Jersey during the late 1980's. Bob's Seaside Park home was the hub of the activity that brought both professionals and amateurs together again.