Although Fall 2024 does not officially arrive until Sunday, September 22, there are already subtle indications on Long Beach Island that it is closer than one might imagine. These telltale signs include less traffic on Long Beach Island (in fact, the red lights at the north end are already turned off). There are fewer lines at area restaurants and businesses. While most of the days have been sunny and mild, evening temperatures have already started to drop with low 50’s and even the 40’s becoming common.
In some minds, a more obvious indication of impending autumn is the increase in 4-wheel vehicle activity on the island’s roads along with an increase in surf rods on roof racks and the front of pickup trucks.
Speaking of these signs of fishing interest at this time of the year, pre-dawn traffic can be a formidable sight. Route 72 leading to the Long Beach Island Causeway will have a noticeable increase in vehicles during those early dark hours. Cars and trucks will be coming from the west across the pines, with others making their exit from the southbound Garden State Parkway. Once the cars and trucks manned by eager anglers reach the Island, many turn north and others southward, anxious to be the early angler that catches the fish.
Take a ride by area bait tackle shops and note the number of vehicles parked outside. One might think the folks at Surf City Bait and Tackle, Fisherman’s Headquarters, or Jingles Bait and Tackle are giving things away.
There is something free after all. There will be a free exchange of fishing tips and tall tales taking place. With the impending arrival of striped bass to area waters, and the start of the 70th annual Long Beach Island Surf Fishing Classic drawing near, novice and veteran surf anglers alike recognize true fall is just about here.
Those afore-mentioned businesses are also official stations for the Classic. Anglers can register for the Classic, and then return to weigh in their entries for the contest. If these entries happen to be winners, the prizes will then be available at the same location.
The Classic has seen its changes over the years. Originally called the Striped Bass Derby, when only striped bass catches earned prizes, the Classic now has five categories of species. These consist of striped bass, bluefish, kingfish, blackfish, and redfish. This has increased interest in the contest, especially early in the fall when stripers may not yet have arrived, but kingfish and blackfish are usually in good supply.
When the Derby first began back in the early 1950’s, the fishing concentration was primarily, if not entirely on the front beach with its jetties along the length of LBI. Now the South Jetty in Barnegat Light is heavily fished along with some secret spots of sodbanks on the west side of the island. There are also bayfront piers and even street ends where there is sufficient water depth that will draw attention. Although the true annual migration of striped bass has not yet begun, do not let anyone tell you that there are no bass around. There is a population of fish that remain in area waters throughout the summer. This is confirmed with occasional catches on the beach and some bayfront areas over the summer months. These fish tend to be on the smallish side, but they are around.
The official start for the 2024 version of the Classic begins on Saturday, October 5, and runs until Sunday, December 8. The contest is divided into 3-week segments with separate prizes for each segment.
The Classic kicks off with a seminar on Saturday, October5, at the Ship Bottom Fire House from 9-11am. Surf fishing experts will conduct the morning including time on the beach. Official rules and related information on the Classic can be found at www.LBISFC or any of the official weigh-in stations.