Back Bay Grab Bag

It’s October and the water temperatures in the bay and surf are holding steady at over 70 degrees! Flounder season is closed and the Striped Bass haven’t started their migration. What’s a guy to fish for? Well, in my case, live-bait for the upcoming fall run.
Armed with bloodworms, clams, small hooks and light rods, I’ve been fishing the bay in search of Pinfish and Spots,





but I’ve had a blast catching all sorts of fish the last few days.
Kingfish, Blowfish and Porgies are around in decent numbers and fishing for them is a great way to pass the time until our Striped Friends reappear. It’s also a great way to introduce children to fishing, which is another one of the hats I wear.




Three afternoons each week, I take out 5 kids from the Boys & Girls Club of Atlantic City. Most have never been on a boat and have a great time on The Rosie. Lately, we’ve been fishing while the bay is alive with fish that are great sport on light tackle. The bite can be fast and furious at times and that’s just what you want when taking kids fishing…they’re easily bored when the fishing’s slow.






Find a nice creek or channel that has 5-10’ of water and throw an anchor over. Chum isn’t necessary, but I’m sure it couldn’t hurt. The rig is very simple…1 size # 6 hook off a dropper loop with a 4” leader and a small weight. Baiting up with small pieces of Bloodworm or Clam is all you need. Sabiki Rigs will also catch when tipped with very small pieces of bait or just jigged.

Mixed in with the smaller fish are some really nice sized Porgies and while fishing, you could always throw a line over with a frisky live bait to entice something bigger like a Weakfish or possibly a Striped Bass.


Tautog (AKA Slippery Bass or Blackfish) are also in the bay. Try fishing near a bridge or a sod-bank with deep water nearby. Green Crabs and traditional wreck fishing rigs get the job done on those tasty, hard fighting fish. Bring lots of crabs, because the Tog’s ability to frustrate anglers with their quick hits and bait stealing is legendary.


The bay is alive this time of year, and more than just fishing, you’ll be catching.

Best,
Capt. Bob Paxson
Atlantic City Light Tackle
See you on the water,

Capt. Bob Paxson
Atlantic City Light Tackle
www.aclighttackle.com