I am really sorry that i haven't kept up with my reports. I have been fishing nearly every day since the last report and it has been fantastic. We caught stripers every trip. The average size was around 39" which is 20# plus!.

I spent the entire month of November up the bay chunking and the fishing could not have been better. Most folks who fished with me this year caught the biggest striper they have ever caught. We had a load of fish over 40#, and many more in the 30's as well as plenty of 20# + fish. I guess I could post the pics of all the trips but truthfully, there are just too many and I would not want to leave anyone out. The highlight of the year was on Nov.23, Black Friday. We had 9 stripers that day but the clincher was the one that Mike McCall caught. Now Mike had never caught a striper in his life and the 5th fish of the day was his. The fish hit and tore off line as it ran away from and then toward the boat but I finally gaffed the fish. The fish weighed in at 66lb. and was 54" long with a girth of 30".. That's a heck of a first fish! It is also the largest reported striper caught on the East coast this year and the largest that I know of weighed in Cape May ever!

Compare it to the other fish in this picture , some of which were 38# and you can see what a fish this was. Needless to say, it caused quite a stir. I presently have no more dates open this year but the fantastic drum and striper fishing will begin again in the middle of April so be sure to make your reservations for the best dates available. I do hope that you and yours have a Mery Christmas and a Happy New Year. By the way, I will be at he Raymarine booth at the New York, Atlantic City, and Boston Boat shows so feel free to stop and say hi.

Fish Species: Stripers
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66lb. and was 54
66lb. and was 54




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About The Author: Captain Steve Bent

Company: Free Spirit Sportfishing

Area Reporting: Egg Harbor NJ

Bio: The captain has been fishing the New Jersey waters for 34 years and has been chartering since 1978, He has been honored by being chosen to be a member of Raymarine Electronics Pro Staff. In addition, he is a contributor to The Fisherman Magazine, and the Northeast Angler, and gives seminars in NJ and PA on the techniques and experiences of saltwater fishing. This Winter, He was honored to be chosen to be a speaker at the Saltwater Sportsman Magazine Fishing Seminar here in New Jersey as well as being a member of Suffix Line Pro-Staff, Quantum Fishing's Pro-Staff, Navionics Charts Pro- staff, and a member of the Cape May County Charter and Party Boat Association.

609-926-9017
Click Here For Past Fishing Reports by Captain Steve Bent