Weakfish theory..

[Reel Class]

We've been jigging the spikes along the beach in September/October since the mid 90's and it's still as good now as it was years ago, but the fish are generally smaller now.

What has changed IMO is the summer and early fall fishery in the bays/rivers where weakfish are virtually non-existent. Some years they do show down here in Barnegat Bay and into the Metedeconk and Manasquan Rivers, but for the most part, if you put time in, you catch squat

My big question is where are all these weakfish we see along the beach every early fall coming from if they weren't inside? They've always been tough to figure out when they're in down cycle, like now, but who knows?

[SharkHart]

I specifically targeted bigger weakies on a 2 week stretch in spring and did better then I thought. And yes I did ti all at night, high hook was about 5 fish on night. The Tiderunners now ranged between 4 to 8 lbs with most around 5 lbs. This comming spring I am expecting a solid run. What is great is the low amount of anglers not fishing for them, and of the newer anglers dont even know about weakies and the amazing days of the past. With stripers dwindling it will become popular real fast once again.

[bulletbob]

Originally Posted by SharkHart

I specifically targeted bigger weakies on a 2 week stretch in spring and did better then I thought. And yes I did ti all at night, high hook was about 5 fish on night. The Tiderunners now ranged between 4 to 8 lbs with most around 5 lbs. This coming spring I am expecting a solid run. What is great is the low amount of anglers not fishing for them, and of the newer anglers dont even know about weakies and the amazing days of the past. With stripers dwindling it will become popular real fast once again.

I appreciate your sharing...Just as in the 80's when there were few stripers to be had, they WERE caught by guys that targeted them.. It was just more effort.. Weaks and stripers both feed at night very often . When the numbers of stripers were real low, it was the night time fisherman that caught them.. There are still some good weaks around. You just won't catch the big tiderunners on an ava 27 during the day anymore.. At least not many... Night time with worms or small live eels???.. I would bet a lot of guys would be surprised.... I hope to prove it this coming year... bob