Surf report 10/17/21:

[AndyS]

Wow, been a long time since I posted a N.J. surf report !!! Enjoying my new digs, about 30 mins. to the beach, 20 miles, closer if I leave from work. Fished a stretch in Seaside Park- S. Ocean and 2nd Ave to be exact, easy parking and great access. It's a long sandy beach with no jetties to be seen, just the amusement rides off in the distance. This was kind of a shake down since it's been so long, got a new set of Frogg Tongs, not bad, kinda heavy, boot foot, much heavier than my freshwater waders with stocking foot and separate wading shoe but I can't wear those on the beach or they would fill up with sand. The waders are kind of rubbery inside so I loaded them up with baby powder, no leaks so far. Put together a new surf bag, the usual stuff, I mostly throw SP Minnow and a teaser.
Funny thing around this time of year, the Westerlies start to kick in, that would signal the end of my tuna trips and time to start surf fishing. Always tried to book tuna Sept 15, Oct, 1 and Oct. 15 because I knew that wind shift was coming and why fish 90 miles offshore when the fish are hitting the beach. Don't get me wrong, had some wild memories of those late season cold fronts coming through at the canyons, like waterspouts and hail !
So tonight I actually did catch one fish, a giant Blueback Herring that hit the teaser, thought it was a small bluefish at first. Hopefully we get a great fall surf season, gotta put in my time. I saw what looked like a pod of porpoise out a ways just before sun down, they were too small to be whales. Also stopped in a tackle store Gr***ies, wow, great place, loads of tackle !!
Hope to have more reports in the coming months, some of my best nights on the beach I had snow in my headlamp (I mostly fish at night) If anyone is from out of state or travels far to go surf fishing I have the spare room if you need to spend the night, just let me know, Island Beach State Park is near also, there were a few vehicles driving down the beach today.
Looking over the logbooks all that bait should coming pouring out of the inlets any day now.