December 2024 Fishing Reports

[Sudsy]

9 hours ago, BillHoo said:

any confirmed sightings?  kinda warm for them". no?

Not that I've heard but it should be soon

[RatWhacker X5]

18 hours ago, MC55 said:

It's time to put a bow on this disappointing season.  Have only been able to find 4 fish since the end of November.  Lowest catch total for me over the past 10 years topping out at 99 fish with stripes.  A disturbing trend has been the size of the fish I have landed.  Over the past 5 years the percentage of fish 28 inches or larger has gone from 3% in 2020 to 53.5% in 2024.  The decline of smaller fish to me is a bigger warning sign of what is instore for the future.  I hope this is just an off year and thing bounce back next season, but I can't say I'm very optimistic.  Anyway, I still have the sickness and will still be out there next year pounding the water no matter what.  Wishing everybody a Merry Christmas and a Happy & Healthy New Year.  See you all next spring!

IMO.....the majority of larger fish are schooled off-shore...nothing to hold them near-shore anymore..it was a disappointing season in SOC.

[nam1969]

19 hours ago, MC55 said:

It's time to put a bow on this disappointing season.  Have only been able to find 4 fish since the end of November.  Lowest catch total for me over the past 10 years topping out at 99 fish with stripes.  A disturbing trend has been the size of the fish I have landed.  Over the past 5 years the percentage of fish 28 inches or larger has gone from 3% in 2020 to 53.5% in 2024.  The decline of smaller fish to me is a bigger warning sign of what is instore for the future.  I hope this is just an off year and thing bounce back next season, but I can't say I'm very optimistic.  Anyway, I still have the sickness and will still be out there next year pounding the water no matter what.  Wishing everybody a Merry Christmas and a Happy & Healthy New Year.  See you all next spring!

You would have broken 100 if it were not for @DeeMonee taking a couple of your below the border fish! With all my medical challenges, this was a lost year for me, but I was grateful to the Man upstairs for getting me through things. I savored the few times I was able to fish. Still facing a couple of medical issues, but I hope to have a more productive 2025. Merry Christmas to you and the family and the same to all SOLers.

[bill cunnane]

Wishing everyone here and your families a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.  May 2025 be filled with many productive fishing trips, new memories and most of all Health to all. 

 

[Lou T]

On 12/17/2024 at 1:44 PM, BigNick said:

This is true.  

 

If it is, there are a few bird brains in need of treatment

[Lou T]

On 12/16/2024 at 8:57 PM, JimK said:

This is the more typical fall migration route.  The last couple of years have been anomalies.   

 

I disagree!!!

[Lou T]

Went in the back today; knocking on some residents doors, but nobody was home... 

[Potato Caboose]

South Jersey inlet barron. Hung in to fish some shadow lines from a bridge. Nada. Haven’t been there in few years but no signs of small bait used to see there. 
 

Not gonna find predators where there’s nothing to eat

[RussB]

Late report from Friday December 20: three of us fished ocean county for three and a half hours in the AM, 2 fish landed at 24" and 26". I was the odd man out unfortunately, but nice to see fish.

[Sudsy]

Anyone out there today is either the most dedicated fisherman ever - or flat out nuts

Pretty much the same thing either way

[DeeMonee]

Haven’t given up. Limited outings and skunks since earlier this month. Finally broke the skunk with a lucky 26” schoolie on a swarter with numb fingers this past weekend.

Looking forward to warmer temps later this week.

[hobobob]

4 hours ago, Sudsy said:

Anyone out there today is either the most dedicated fisherman ever - or flat out nuts

Pretty much the same thing either way

Pussay!!

[bdowning]

Happy holidays to all !

 

[RatWhacker X5]

Wishin' y'all a Merry Christmas and a Fishy New Year...

 

[Sudsy]