By Eddy Gonzalez—

PERTH AMBOY — What a week ! All the local piers were packed seems like fish are everywhere and a nice assortment to boot. Spots and cocktail blues are dominating the action off the piers using a small piece of worm or a small piece of fish bites make spots a easy catch. Peanut bunker been doing their dance along the piers with cocktail blues giving chase and weakfish underneath. Some of the old salts using a small treble hook snag them then live line them with great success. While others use spearing and poppers or small lures with just as good results.

This week quit a few nice looking fluke were brought into the shop caught on spearing and killies so they’re still plenty to be caught by season’s end, September 28th.

Weakfish action also been doing well the best in years caught on peanut bunkers worms and squid the regulations are 13’’ 1 fish per person.

So where are the porgys ?

Porgys normally start coming in the second to third week of September reports of monster porgys are coming in from the second rock pile by the 20 can high lo rigs and fresh sand worms been doing the trick.

Sea bass though not common to have great size locally have been caught at the rock piles and wrecks as well with a few keeper size.

Stripers – schoolies been making their runs, the night shift has been catching them on worms. shcoolies = throw back, using circle hooks ensure a safer release.

I recently overheard someone say if the striper fits in the pan they’re taking it. My response was remember we fish because we enjoy it the thrill of the hunt the action of the fight the relaxation of the water the hope of catching the big one. We all have our reasons why we love the sport so much for me its therapeutic. In this day and age were not fishing to survive ( if you are then inquire about government assistance because man you’re in trouble) We fish to relax to getaway for awhile and most of all have fun. Taking undersize fish is wrong and fines are not cheap. Giving away shorts is not any better than keeping it yourself. It’s a touchy subject but one that needed to be addressed.

Saturday September 15th 9:00 am to 12:00pm was Perth Amboy’s annual fishing derby.

Fall is the time to catch the big striper that everyone dreams of so make sure you got your gear setup for some hardcore fishing. Perth Amboy piers and beaches have proven in the past to provide 30+ lb stripers. I ‘myself have caught a few of them. Many local novice assume when it gets cold out it is done. Wrong, this is when it starts. Right through to December 31st. Black fish starts November 16th. Just so you can get an idea this year the marina are allowing boats to stay into November so the boaters can capitalize on the action. I can’t wait!

Remember before your next trip stop in American Pride Bait and Tackle, 211 front St. (732)486-8396, a new website with a online store is currently in the works stay tuned for more updates were you heard it first The Amboy Guardian.