<b>Port Elizabeth</b>

A few customers bought fresh bunker for bait to try for striped bass on the bay, said Sharon from <b>The Girls Place Bait & Tackle</b>. One heard about a couple of 30-inchers boated last week, and another said friends decked stripers at night around Brandywine Shoal. But striper fishing was no great shakes, of course, and the season was early for them. More anglers start to fish the bay for stripers around Columbus Day weekend. White perch, including good-sized, were tugged from brackish rivers and ditches. Some people crabbed, and the blueclaws should still be able to be trapped. Fresh bunker was stocked regularly. Eels began to be carried for stripers. Bloodworms were on hand, and a few shedder crabs were in. The supply of shedders was hit or miss by this time of season, and the crabs weren’t always as ripe as some might prefer. But that’s always an issue, unless someone raises the crabs. Fresh, shucked clams were stocked, and clams in the shell were yet to be in demand this fall. Green crabs were carried, and a few customers picked them up for blackfishing. The Girls Place, located on Route 47, just after Route 55 ends, stocks a large supply of bait and tackle. It’s the long, one-story, yellow building on the right, with plenty of parking, including for trailered boats.

<b>Port Elizabeth</b>

Crabbers at <b>Beaver Dam Boat Rentals</b> probably averaged two to three dozen keepers on Sunday, Paul said. One trapped three-quarters of a bushel, and catches were somewhat better that day than on Saturday. But on Saturday, two to three dozen were probably still averaged. The blueclaws during the weekend were good-sized, often 5 and 6 inches. Two rental-boaters remained tied for the biggest for the year, 6 ¾ inches, like previously. The year’s rental boater with the largest will win a free rental next year. Few fished on the creek, so not much was heard about fishing. But a customer preparing for duck hunting fished, landing two keeper striped bass. Stripers seemed more abundant and larger than before. Another angler caught and released two 14-inch summer flounder, undersized and out-of-season. Beaver Dam raises exceptionally large minnows for bait for fishing. They were popular for flounder fishing, before flounder season was closed, but are also great for freshwater. Anglers can be unaware that the minnows can be super for striper fishing, too, including because the baitfish are large. Customers at Beaver Dam crab and fish from rental boats towed up Oranokin Creek. The staff checks on them every hour, and if customers want a break in the meantime, they simply cell-phone the shop to be picked up.  Telephone ahead to reserve boats to ensure they’re available. Catch the Football Widows Special the next two Sundays, October 6 and 13, when Eagles football games start at 1 o’clock. Any rental boat with only women and/or children then will get a dozen free crabs, when the boat is reserved ahead. Take advantage of the Friday special: Reserve a rental boat ahead for 6:30 a.m. to 12 noon on a Friday for only $35, a great price. Beaver Dam carries everything needed for a day of crabbing, from traps, bait and nets to snacks, drinks and suntan lotion. Rental kayaks and canoes are available to paddle up the scenic creek. Beaver Dam hosts groups like scouts and family reunions, and can offer an educational day about the environment. The shop is open 6:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., and crabbing is available Fridays through Sundays. Columbus Day is usually the year’s final day of crabbing. But if weather remains pleasant, crabbing could be available afterward. When crabbing ends, the shop remains open, including for different supplies and duck hunting. Hours then aren’t guaranteed to be daily, but someone is usually on hand at the store. Customers should telephone ahead to confirm. Canoe and kayak rentals will remain available after crabbing ends, if customers call ahead, and autumn can be beautiful on the creek. <a href="http://www.crabulousnj.com/" target="_blank">Visit Beaver Dam’s Web site</a>.

Back to Top