BEST FISHING OF THE SEASON GOING ON RIGHT NOW

The fall run is on and fish are gorging on food to fatten for the winter. There’s no better time to score with bass and blues than now through year end.

Bluefish fans will have a lot to cheer about as fish of all sizes can be found in inlets, just off the beach and the nearshore hotspots. Here’s a few tips to put slammers in your cooler.

WATCH THE BIRDIE!
Birds are key to fishing success this time of year. As baitfish pour out of the back bays and flee south along the beach predator fish ambush frequently. Flocks of sea birds flying excitedly over a water location, diving down and screaming signal the melee. They’re picking up baitfish and bait pieces as bluefish literally slam into the balled and hapless forage.

If you’re in a boat, search for the working birds, follow them and cast into the mix or work the edges with a metal lure such as a Hopkins, Kastmaster or Krocodile. Bucktails too. Drifting just downflow from the action will ensure it comes to you, not away from you. You are virtually guaranteed hookups when fishing under working birds.

But you don’t have to fish from a boat to cash in on this action. Often this time of year surf fishermen witness outrageous feeding blitzes well within casting distance from the suds. The trick is to keep an open eye for bird play when you hit a beach.

And jetty fishermen won’t be disappointed. Bluefish will move into inlets with the incoming tide and hold just outside as the outflow carries baitfish to them. Often, blitzes will erupt all along an inlet’s structure enabling anglers to participate in the action.

OTHER METHODS
For all their cooperation it’s sometimes necessary to chum up or troll bluefish hits. The deeper water locations are usually more productive when chumming, so plan your trip as to where and how to ensure maximum success.

HOT SPOTS
Although no one can predict from day to day where bluefish blitzes will erupt, several locations are traditionally productive. Often the traditional bass hot spots will also produce bluefish. Don’t neglect such places as Flynn’s Knoll, Romer Shoals, the clam beds or the edges of Ambrose Channel. Even if blues aren’t there you will quite likely get some linesider action---and that seldom disappoints!

The Shrewsbury Rocks, Barnegat Ridge and all inlets are also worth exploring. Don’t overlook the Klondike, the Rattlesnake, and the Farms, all popular bluefish hangouts.

HOT TOP
A little know secret exists on the north jetty at Barnegat Inlet. While many anglers pursue flatfish in the summer and then bass as the fall progresses slammer blues from summer through fall can often be found on those rocks. Boat anglers should work the spot in the summer and hit it periodically in the fall for really exciting bluefish action.