Bunker always bring the bass
 

Not much has been about the bunker we have around this fall.We have gone many years without a fall bunker run. Last year we had bunker in Raritan Bay in Nov. The fishing was good.This year it is even better with adult and pea nut bunker on the menu.Nothing better than throwing top water plugs or having the option of live linining.In 2001 the bass ran all the way up the Raitan River into Highland Park. Everyday for two weeks i took my charters up there and we crushed the stripers on top water plugs.It was all bass and they were chasing peanut bunker.

I believe our striper fishery is healthy and this run proves how many bass are around. Bass are rolling on top and are visible to the naked eye.Not only is Raritan Bay on fire but the ocean run is very good also.If there is no bait there are no stripers. It is that simple. I still believe in conservation and think it is a good thing to keep a smaller slot fish. It should be in the limit not by bonus tag.From Long Island the Hudson River to the west end of Raritan Bay to Asbury Park there are Bass.This is some run so get in on it and have some fun.Take your children and wife and enjoy the calm waters of Raritan Bay.:)

Re: Bunker always bring the bass
 

Well said, period.

Re: Bunker always bring the bass
 

Excellent read Capt. Sal. Thanks for sharing!

Re: Bunker always bring the bass
 

Yes sir!! The fall bass fishing is in full swing right now and it appears to be one of the better fall runs I've seen in many years.

Grab your stuff, jump on one of our sponsor boats and go.... It doesn't get any better then it is right now.

Re: Bunker always bring the bass
 

i know i will probably get bash for this comment. but i think the bass stocks are far from healthy. up in the raritan bay the fishing might be good but for us shore guys and spots farther down the coast the striped bass fishing has been far from steller. livelining and trolling are accounting for lots of big bass. but we are still taking to many big fish. i hope i am wrong and the good bass fishing move down the coast. just my opinion guys!

Re: Bunker always bring the bass
 

The past three days Seaside has been Red Hot with Big fish? Yes, Too many Big fish are being taken, but that's what the rules have become. It's total Bullshit in my opinion also!:mad:

Re: Bunker always bring the bass
 

One slot is enough for me and my wife.If the limit was ten some people would do it!

Re: Bunker always bring the bass
 

Yes.we need practice catch n release.

Re: Bunker always bring the bass
 

I don't think the stocks are in trouble...The 2014 studies to assess juveniles and measure breeding sucess would indicate that as well. Just google Striped Bass Survey.

Re: Bunker always bring the bass
 

Jerry, I hope they are correct.

Re: Bunker always bring the bass
 

Today as I left work, at the Union County Courthouse complex in downtown Elizabeth, I ran into some bunker in the river under Rahway Avenue (right outside the jail). This isn't the first time I've seen them here.

How cool would it be to see some bass chasin them??

Re: Bunker always bring the bass
 

I hate to admit it but I remember when the limit was 10 fish 18 inches

In the seventies everybody was taking big fish all over the place totally wiped them out and then we had to wait for the stocks to rebuild makes absolutely no sense to take these big bass now

History is just going to repeat itself

Besides the fact that these bass are feeding on bunker absolutely taste like crap they taste like bunker you are what you eat


Captain Brian

Re: Bunker always bring the bass
 

Wasn't until the federal ban on fishing for them commercially was put in place that the stocks got rebuilt. Pushing the Bunker reduction boats out helped too.

Re: Bunker always bring the bass
 

Respectfully disagree, had striped bass for dinner tonight that were feeding on bunker on Tuesday and it was delicious!!

Re: Bunker always bring the bass
 

Thanks Capt Sal, enjoy reading your posts and hearing your perspective. We were catching them on poppers last trip out and it doesn't get any better than watching a bass blow up on top water:)

Re: Bunker always bring the bass
 

I released 9 big fish today on circle hooks and saw the boat next to me gaff one after another with 4 guys on it. regulations aside they will be the same people saying where did all the stripers go.

Re: Bunker always bring the bass
 

Re: Bunker always bring the bass
 

Ortley, Seaside, further south to IBSP are red hot right now. Agree that too many big fish are being taken, but respectfully disagree that the stocks aren't healthy.

Re: Bunker always bring the bass
 

First of all you can never compare the ocean run of striped bass to the Raritan Bay run. The migratory bass you will catch are heading South towards the Chesapeak.The bass we are catching in Raritan Bay are mostly of the Hudson strain. Since you posted on this the bass fishing has exploded off Seaside and further South.It is early yet and i would think the best is yet to come for south Jersey.

Re: Bunker always bring the bass
 

Ah Charter memories.

I had a night time blue fish charter. 3 people same family and household. Nice 5-7 pounders were are be bailed. We were chumming and the school held to the boat.

After the first dozen are boxed I asked them to think about C&R as they could not possibly eat all that they already have. NOPE was the answer. Eventually their arms got tired. Over a hundred pounds of blues. with likely 3/4 of it will end up in the garden.

Moral of the story- people get crazy when the bite's on. Especially the infrequent fisherman.

Re: Bunker always bring the bass
 

Striped bass are now spawning in the Hackensack, Passaic and Raritan rivers. Don't put all your money on the Hudson, things are changing as the rivers get cleaner.

Re: Bunker always bring the bass
 

Andy - Do you think the Dam removals are helping too??

Re: Bunker always bring the bass
 

They have been spawning in the raritan forever but not in big numbers. Caaught many tiny bass in Johnson Park for 50 years.Not enoughto make a dent. Years ago we caught sea run brown trout in Raritan Bay. They came from the Raritan. Giving awaway my age!