I know just because I didn't find them doesn't mean they're not here. While the boat anglers basically crush the first push of big fish we wait for something to happen on the beach. No doubt there's a fish caught here and there for those putting their time in but this morning it was all quiet.
Started before first light a few hours into the outgoing. North wind probably over 10 with a sweep from left to right. No signs of life near and far and the fall changes in the beach have just pulled sand out to a flat sloping beach that doesn't hold a lot of structure or bait or fish. With the fly rod I realized I was fishing in a foot of water and if I had any shot I'd have to get past that first bar. So I moved.
As I went north the north wind hit the beaches differently than only a few towns to the south. The swells were bigger and the mist of the crest of the waves sprayed to the south. While it looks calm in the
pictures it was chugging pretty good. The wind is supposed to die off today and swing to the southwest which isn't normally good to get the bait and any bass around closer to the beach. When the boats started to show the bulk of them headed to the Shrewsbury Rocks or out to the 3-mile line. I always found good sand eel bites out in the deeper water and lower in the water column. I got a Facebook
throwback when I opened it up and I remember this day. I was alone in the Jones and found that "Acre of Bass" we always dreamed of. I was alone in both the boat and on the water. Birds over bass for hours. I took along my binoculars this morning because it's that time of year. Driving around and looking a lot more then casting and retrieving. I didn't see anything except for a pilot whale patrolling the bar.
There was a few anglers out but most of the parking lots were empty. I thought by going north I would eventually find something that motivated me to put some time in but that didn't happen. We all
know there's a few hot spots right now, on the boats between New Jersey and New York, and on the beaches and boats off of Eastern long Island. The million dollar Jersey question is where will the fish hit land if and when they do. Will Monmouth or Ocean County get the first shot? Last year we had the first
October 14, 2023push of big fish the second week of October. We also had bunker, adult and peanut, while this year everyone is talking about sand eels. I've always thought the majority of the fall run has one predominate bait, peanuts or sand eels, almost like they alternate.
It's been over a month now since my bud Bob Popovic's was critically injured when he was struck by a motor vehicle. He continues to fight the fight with the love, support, and prayers from family and friends. 30 plus days is a long time and he has had good days and bad. During my retreat back home I