<b>Port Elizabeth</b>

Nobody was heard about who fished the bay, because of weather, said Sharon from <b>The Girls Place Bait & Tackle</b>. The nor’easter lasted from about Wednesday to Friday, and strong northeast blew through the weekend. Today and yesterday were the first days with fishable weather. This coming weekend, the third weekend in October, is traditionally when the season’s first migrating striped bass might show up in the bay. A storm the size of this last one could have triggered the fish to start swimming south to local waters. Fresh bunker, a bait to fish for them in the bay, started to be stocked again Monday, becoming available from suppliers then. Bunker boats couldn’t sail in the weather previously. 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>Newport</b>

<b>Beaver Dam Boat Rentals</b> was closed because of the storm, though the shop was supposed to be open Friday through Monday, Linda said. Monday was Columbus Day, traditionally the final day of crabbing at Beaver Dam. But crabbing will be available this coming Saturday, because last weekend was a wash out. Plus, crabbing wasn’t bad. Someone crabbed off the dock during the weekend, catching fairly well. Customers crab from rental boats towed up Oranokin Creek, running past the shop. 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. The boats should be reserved ahead. Customers also fish on the boats, and did recently. Three keeper striped bass were landed lately, and that was unusual. Lots of small stripers schooled around, fun to catch and release. White perch roamed the waters. Though Saturday will be the final day of crabbing, the store remains open afterward, including for supplies, rental kayaks and canoes that should be reserved ahead, people who launch their own boats and duck hunters. Duck season will be opened Saturday.  Autumn weather is beautiful for kayaking and canoeing the scenic creek. Minnows will continue to be available, and Beaver Dam raises especially large ones. They can be good for striped bass bait, though anglers might be unaware, and can be especially productive for freshwater fishing in fall and winter, like for chain pickerel in lakes. Christmas special combos will be available, like different combos of crab traps and gear, like towels, knives and so on. They’re great for the crabber or angler in the family, instead of one more tie! Linda said. Photos will be posted on the shop’s Web site, and the store will try to give the info to be posted on this site.  <a href="http://www.crabulousnj.com/" target="_blank">Visit Beaver Dam’s Web site</a>.

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