December’s chill or December’s heat? As of late it’s extra the latter relating to ending up the fishing season, however one factor is for certain: the final window of alternative to catch December stripers is closing quick.
Over the numerous years residing alongside the coast, I’ve seen seasons finish the primary week of the month after brutal chilly dropped the ocean water temperatures into the low 40s. On different seasons, I’ve fished proper up till New 12 months’s Eve in a t-shirt whereas catching that final bass of the yr. So what’s going to this December convey this yr? Listed here are a pair prospects.
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It was the primary weekend in December and because the Thanksgiving vacation, the climate had been very chilly. It felt just like the season was going to finish early with the arctic blast, however I used to be nonetheless in striper mode, so I used to be nonetheless going fishing.
I equipped for sub-freezing climate. The wind chills at dawn had been within the 20s, and that meant breaking out the heat, neoprene surf high plus loads of layers of wool from head to toe. The factor that made me get out of a heat mattress had been the sand eels that I knew had dug right into a sandbar not very removed from my home. With a brief drive and stroll, there was an excellent probability I used to be going to search out the final motion of the season.
(Photograph by Tom Lynch)
After I walked over the dunes, I might see about 6 different fishermen who’d had the identical thought. Positive sufficient, we discovered a fairly good measurement college of small bass feeding closely. Because the water was truly hotter than the air, most of the guys didn’t keep lengthy after wading out and catching a couple of fish.
I don’t know what temperature it takes for saltwater to freeze however I can inform you on at the present time it was occurring fairly rapidly. Neoprene fishing gloves had been a should as a result of in case your palms obtained moist, you had been finished. Ice was forming within the rod guides after each solid and retrieve, however the fish and motion was all price it as we had successful or a fish on each solid.
After I obtained again to my truck and took off my surf high and surf bag you would see the layers of ice from the splashing of waves that froze stable to me. It took over an hour to heat again up. It goes to indicate that this you’ll find massive faculties of striped bass feeding heavy out entrance on the seaside even properly into the winter months.
My fishing membership, the Berkeley Striper Membership, runs a enjoyable intra-club occasion each December with groups competing in a tag-and-release match, and it at all times logs some nice numbers of fish tagged. We normally obtain a few of our greatest suggestions with these striped bass being recaptured, permitting us to trace their yearly motion up and down all the East Coast.
And as chilly as that journey was you may also discover the precise reverse this time of the yr with summer-like situations that make it an actual pleasure focusing on late-season striped bass.
One in all my favourite varieties of surfcasting is fishing the again bays proper round now as resident striped bass will are available from the surf by way of the inlets and begin searching for meal and someplace to hunker down for the lengthy winter.
The tides had been simply good for slightly day/evening back-bay journey a couple of years in the past with little wind and gentle air temperatures. Sooner or later, late within the season, the resident fish will transfer into the deeper holes to winter, whatever the climate. In New Jersey the back-bay striper season closes simply after midnight on New 12 months’s. The explanation behind this regulation was to guard the resident populations of stripers that go dormant within the winter, making them straightforward targets for fishermen trying to snag them. It may be an outdated and outdated rule, however giving the bass slightly break from fishing stress might be factor. It additionally provides me an opportunity to regroup after a protracted, onerous fishing season.
I made my method to my favourite bridge about an hour into the outgoing tide, and certain sufficient the fish had been stacked appreciated cordwood within the shadow line. When you’ve got ever seen this, it’s like heaven. You possibly can’t wait to make that first solid up present to permit your presentation to comb proper in entrance of the fish. Typically, they won’t hesitate going after the lure. These fish are very hungry as many of the bait has been lengthy gone, so throwing a normal paddletail like a Tsunami swim shad is irresistible to them. The chicken’s eye view watching actually provides to the expertise.
For the subsequent 4 hours, I caught fish after fish with some breaks within the motion once they spooked infrequently. However they’d hold transferring again into the realm trying to feed till first mild and like somebody hit a swap they disappeared.
After swiniging by WaWa to seize that third cup of espresso and one thing to eat, I headed to the salt marshes and deep-water holes alongside the sod banks as a result of that’s the place I knew the fish can be. Right now, I like fishing mushy plastic swim shads deep, regular, and really slowly, and it appears that evidently yearly, this method takes one in every of my higher bass of the late fall/early winter. On this morning, it didn’t disappoint with a gorgeous 17-pound fish for my efforts amongst some smaller, school-sized December stripers as properly. What an evening and what a day.
I actually get pleasure from this time of the yr with the peace and quiet on the water. Taking in each minute and watching nature put together for the lengthy winter forward permits me to replicate on all the yr of fishing adventures and enjoyable occasions I’ve skilled figuring out that for the subsequent few months, it’s time to relaxation up and prepare to do it over again.
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