South Shore Sam here. The ocean is speaking, and if you listen closely, she's telling us that the fall run is in full swing. The air is crisp, the water is cooling, and the bass are on the move. It's a time for patience and observation, for reading the water and understanding the subtle shifts that signal a hot bite.
The Ocean Beach Scene
The surf has been the main event. We've seen a steady push of fish moving west along the beaches, and the action has been best when the water is a little stirred up. The early morning and late evening tides have been most productive, with bass of all sizes feeding tight to the sand. The primary feed has been sand eels, and the fish are keyed in on them. Small tins, bucktails, and swimming plugs that imitate sand eels have been the ticket for consistent action on slot-sized fish.
For the bigger fish, you'll need to find the bunker schools. There have been some incredible blitzes, with bass in the 20- and 30-pound class chasing adult bunker. In these situations, larger offerings like big paddletails, metal-lip swimmers, and topwater plugs are drawing the attention of the larger fish. It's a classic fall pattern, and it's happening right now.
The Inlets and Bays
The inlets are fishing very well, especially on the outgoing tide. The bass are stacked up, feeding on the bait being flushed out of the bays. It's a great time to throw heavier bucktails, darters, and bottle plugs to get down in the current. The key is to keep your lure in the strike zone as long as possible.
The bays are still holding fish, but they are more scattered. You'll need to cover a lot of water to find them. A good pair of binoculars is your best friend. Look for bird activity, and you'll find the fish. It's a run-and-gun game, but the rewards are there for those who put in the time.
Sam's Synopsis
This is the time of year we wait for. The fishing is excellent, but it's not a given. You need to be methodical, pay attention to the conditions, and be willing to adapt. The fish are here, and they are feeding. Respect the ocean, fish hard, and enjoy the ride.
The Ocean Beach Scene
The surf has been the main event. We've seen a steady push of fish moving west along the beaches, and the action has been best when the water is a little stirred up. The early morning and late evening tides have been most productive, with bass of all sizes feeding tight to the sand. The primary feed has been sand eels, and the fish are keyed in on them. Small tins, bucktails, and swimming plugs that imitate sand eels have been the ticket for consistent action on slot-sized fish.
For the bigger fish, you'll need to find the bunker schools. There have been some incredible blitzes, with bass in the 20- and 30-pound class chasing adult bunker. In these situations, larger offerings like big paddletails, metal-lip swimmers, and topwater plugs are drawing the attention of the larger fish. It's a classic fall pattern, and it's happening right now.
The Inlets and Bays
The inlets are fishing very well, especially on the outgoing tide. The bass are stacked up, feeding on the bait being flushed out of the bays. It's a great time to throw heavier bucktails, darters, and bottle plugs to get down in the current. The key is to keep your lure in the strike zone as long as possible.
The bays are still holding fish, but they are more scattered. You'll need to cover a lot of water to find them. A good pair of binoculars is your best friend. Look for bird activity, and you'll find the fish. It's a run-and-gun game, but the rewards are there for those who put in the time.
Sam's Synopsis
This is the time of year we wait for. The fishing is excellent, but it's not a given. You need to be methodical, pay attention to the conditions, and be willing to adapt. The fish are here, and they are feeding. Respect the ocean, fish hard, and enjoy the ride.
