Best Spot to Fish Stripe Bass In December
You can locate large schools of striped bass feeding heavily well into the winter months on the Beaches of New Jersey East Coast .
Is December bringing chill or warmth? Lately, it’s skewed toward the latter as we approach the end of the fishing season. However, one thing remains certain: the last chance to catch December stripers is rapidly diminishing.
Over my many years along the coast, I’ve witnessed fishing seasons conclude as early as the first week of December due to frigid temperatures dropping ocean water into the low 40s. Conversely, some years, I’ve fished right until New Year’s Eve, often wearing a t-shirt while landing that final bass of the year. So, what can we expect this December? Here are a couple of possibilities.
During the first weekend of December, following a cold Thanksgiving, I anticipated an early season end due to the arctic blast. Nonetheless, my passion for stripers compelled me to brave the frigid conditions.
Dressed for sub-zero temperatures, I faced wind chills in the 20s at sunrise, necessitating a (warm neoprene surf) top and layers of wool from head to toe. What motivated me to leave the comfort of my warm bed was the knowledge that sand eels had settled into a nearby sandbar. A short drive and walk could lead me to the last exhilarating fishing of the season.
In December, stripers are catchable from the New Jersey surf all month. Don’t let the snow on the beach deter you; small stripers continue to feed in the New Jersey surf throughout winter.
When I reached the dunes, I spotted about six other fishermen who had the same idea. We quickly encountered a sizable school of small bass feeding aggressively. With the water temperature warmer than the air, many anglers left after wading out and reeling in a few fish.
Locating baitfish, typically on the smaller side, is crucial for finding the final opportunities of the season. Lures like the (4- to 6-inch original RonZ )are effective for matching the hatch.
On this particular day, the cold air was impacting my comfort level rapidly. (Neoprene fishing gloves) were essential, as wet hands would render me useless. Ice formed in the rod guides after every cast, but the frequent bites made it worthwhile, resulting in hits or hooked fish with almost every cast.
When I returned to my truck, I removed my surf top and surf bag, revealing layers of ice formed from splashing waves. It took over an hour to warm up once again. This adventure demonstrated that it’s possible to find large schools of striped bass feeding heavily along the beach, even into the winter months.
Prepare for sub-zero conditions when surfcasting for December stripers. At this time, the water is frequently warmer than the air temperature.
Interestingly, despite the freezing temperatures, warm days can also occur, making it enjoyable to target late-season striped bass.
One of my preferred surfcasting methods this time of year involves fishing the back bays. Resident striped bass migrate from the surf through inlets, searching for a good meal and a place to shelter for the winter.
A few years ago, on a day with perfect tides and mild air temperatures, I made a day/night back-bay trip to catch striped bass. Eventually, all resident fish seek deeper holes as winter approaches, regardless of weather. In New Jersey, the back-bay striper season closes just after midnight on New Year’s. This regulation aims to protect resident bass that become easier targets as they go dormant in winter. Although some consider the rule outdated, giving bass a break from fishing pressure is likely beneficial. It also provides me a chance to regroup after a long fishing season.
After about an hour along my favorite bridge during the outgoing tide, I found the fish stacked like cordwood in the shadow line. If you’ve ever seen this, it’s like paradise; you can’t wait to cast your line upcurrent, allowing your bait to drift right in front of the fish, who are often eager to strike. These hungry fish, having missed the earlier bait, couldn’t resist a standard( paddletail) like a (Tsunami swim shad.)
For the next four hours, I caught a fish nearly every cast, with brief pauses as they occasionally spooked but then returned to feed until first light, when, suddenly, they vanished.
After swiniging by WaWa to grab that third cup of coffee and something to eat, I headed to the salt marshes and deep-water holes along the sod banks because that is where I knew the fish would be. At this time, I like fishing soft plastic swim shads deep, steady, and very slowly, and it seems that every year, this approach takes one of my better bass of the late fall/early winter. On this morning, it didn’t disappoint with a beautiful 17-pound fish for my efforts among some smaller, school-sized December stripers as well. What a night and what a day.
I really enjoy this time of the year with the peace and quiet on the water. Taking in every minute and watching nature prepare for the long winter ahead allows me to reflect on the entire year of fishing adventures and fun times I have experienced knowing that for the next few months, it’s time to rest up and get ready to do it all over again.
