Numbed fingers on many hands worked several varieties of reels as anglers heaved against the attached rods. The cold, moist air of the open ocean on a late fall day wrestled with the warming sun as the fisherman focused on the deed at hand. It’s New Jersey deep sea wreck fishing at its finest, as seasonal changes make for an active fishery and busy fishing.
Seasonal changes elicit a variety of responses in the citizenry of our Atlantic. As some fish move following the warmer temperatures of southern waters other fish migrated inshore from the continental shelf or vice versa. This complex autumnal dance plays out every year to the delight of those willing to brave the elements.
Wreck fishing, is more accurately called bottom fishing. The type of angling done is simple; it requires the dropping of bait deep to the benthic regions of our inshore and offshore areas. It’s referred to as “wreck fishing” in a not inaccurate nod to the many shipwrecks off the New Jersey coast, but it doesn’t stop there. Because of the intricate matrix of geological structures, seasonal water patterns, and human intervention both intentional and accidental a myriad of structures populate the sea floor off our coast. It is said, “Nature wastes nothing” and this is quite evident in the biomass settling and habitation of any and all structures that make it to the bottom of the sea.
It is as simple as plants and animals finding shelter and homes in structure, but in the Sea everything is on something else’s dinner menu. As structures become more and more occupied, the things that predate on the tenants of those structures increase. When the effluent from the many rivers in our state and surrounding area flow through and about these structures they deposit rich nutrients which spike the biomass bloom. Established structures off our coast literally teem with life.
In a very successful attempt to capitalize on Nature’s structure squatting, the state of New Jersey has a program of man-made reefs and distribution of durable materials to make these reefs. Since 1984 this program has monitored the biomass off our coast and the construction of artificial reefs. The New Jersey artificial reef program maintains 15 major reef sites which consists of over 1200 patch reefs , quite literally dump sites where everything from sunken ships to construction debris is placed to provide structure for biomass population. This program has been enormously successful both commercially and recreationally.
The State and Federal government sets bag limits in the number of fish on can take and the size of the fish that can be harvested. By sensible management of the stocks many species have rebounded from prior overfishing in our waters. Healthy stocks of Sea Bass, Red Hake (known as Ling), Blackfish, Scup (known as porgies) and Pollock exist in our wrecks, and formerly depleted stocks such as Cod and whiting are rebuilding. Wreck fishing or the New Jersey coast is very good and getting better.
November 1st was the reopening of Black Sea Bass season in New Jersey. The Black Sea Bass, Centropristis striata, is a angler’s favorite for its delicious flesh and spunky fighting capabilities. These fish can get up to 8 pounds, but locally two to three pounds are tops. Black sea bass aren’t the only residents of New Jersey’s reefs and wrecks that are sought after. Another species that occupies a similar biological niche is the Red Hake, or Ling. It’s a smaller cousin of the Atlantic Cod and is also fine table fare and a fun fish to catch. Whether you call it Ling or Red Hake it is the Urophysis chuss, it can get to over 10 lbs, but half that size is considered big here in New Jersey. The State’s record Ling was caught last year out of Manasquan, Bill Watson of Landsdale PA caught a 12 lbs 13 ounce fish that is also the International Game Fish Association (IGFA) all tackle record. These two species make up the majority of the New Jersey wreck anglers catch, but are far from the only ones. Cod, Haddock, and Pollock are also members of the Gadiformes the taxonomic order which also includes our Ling. All three are can be much larger than either the Ling or Seabass.
The most common way to go wreck fishing is to pay the fare on one of the many party boats in New Jersey. These ships run anywhere from 70-125ft and sail out of any number of harbors. They are staffed with mates who will tend to your angling needs and sort out snags and snarls as well as rent/sell you rod/reels, tackle and food. The captain will pilot you to a drop site where he will maneuver his boat and typically drop anchor(s) to hold you over the prospective wreck or reef. The angler then drops his bait to the bottom and the action begins.
For the occasional angler renting equipment is fine, but most of the paying customers bring their own tackle. A typical New Jersey wreck rod is 6-7 feet in length with a medium to fast action in either conventional (reel on top) or spinning set up (reel on bottom). Drops to the wrecks can be very deep depending on where your captain takes you so a reel that has a capacity of over 100 yards of line is common. Fishing lines, called main lines, can be either Nylon or one of the super braids which are most common these days. The object is to get your line to the bottom and hold bottom so typically heavy sinkers are required.
The art of wreck fishing is usually in the terminal tackle commonly referred to as the “rig”. The rig is a construct of a heavy stiff line called a leader with a barrel swivel to attach it to your main line, hooks, and something to attach to the sinker. There are many “recipes” for rigs some of them targeting specific species. Baits are attached to the hooks, and the rig, bait, sinkers and all are dropped to the awaiting fish.
Wreck fishing is most enjoyable when you’re prepared for it. It is an outdoor activity in a potentially hazardous environment. The most avid of wreck anglers will wear commercial fishing bibs (overalls) and slickers (rain coats) of PVC coated durable fabric and layers of warm clothing underneath. During periods of warm temperatures you can take layers off, but if you don’t have them you run the risk of hypothermia or worse. Water proof or highly resistant foot ware is also advisable for cold, wet feet make for a long miserable trip. Hats are a must to keep the weather off you and the heat in your head. Water temperatures this time of year are usually in the 40’s and the fish and bait are cold and wet which provides fodder for the endless argument of gloves versus no gloves. You can’t handle fish with gloves on, and the wet and cold make for misery. Most find some fashion of compromise, but the mates and sharpies (hardcore anglers) generally don’t bother because the top rail on the boat is almost always heated.
You’ll want something to bring your food and drinks to the expedition and to bring your catch home, coolers are perfect for that. The typical sharpie load out is a cooler with refreshments, a tackle bag with rigs, fishing tools and sinkers, and a rod combo or two. They get to the boat early to pick out the best spots, as its first come first serve to the rail.
Trips typically leave around 6 am and can be half day (back by 1 pm or so), ¾ day (back by 3pm or so), or full day (back by 5-6 pm or so) depending on the target species and schedule. Most party boats have websites which can tell you recent fishing news and schedules as well as what to wear and bring. Always check out these sites when you can. It can be a long day on the water so plan accordingly.
Comments