Tom Melton

1 month ago | thefisherman.com | Tony Salerno |Charley Soares |Scott Newhall |Tom Melton

A spot that promises some of the first Peconic stripers of the season. Many years back – and I mean many years back, when flounder fishing was sensational during the spring inside the Peconic Bays – I recall one particular trip in late March. It was a chilly cloudy day with rain at times that would turn to snow and then rain again. To make matters worse, it was blowing pretty good from the bone chilling east.

2 months ago | thefisherman.com | Charley Soares |Scott Newhall |Tom Melton |Matt Broderick

“Be careful out there. I can hear them breaking from here.” Ernie was changing the oil on the inboard marine bass boat I helped him build four years prior. This was the third weekend we were blown out of a planned hunt for dolphin-sized bluefish off the west side of Nomans. The week prior to making those plans Ernie’s deckmate, Ed Joaquim boated a 19-pound, 8-ounce blue on a homemade Linesider popping plug there.

Oct 21, 2024 | thefisherman.com | Scott Newhall |Tom Melton |Matt Broderick |Jim Hutchinson

Bet big on stripers making their way below Atlantic City at some point this fall into winter. The bite will come for Atlantic and Cape May counties, it’s just a matter of when.  Some 20 years ago the Cape May Rips and Delaware Bay sloughs were the very best place to be in November for those searching for jumbo striped bass on big water.  Gradually, fall migration patterns have changed, and those areas simply haven’t fished the same.

Oct 21, 2024 | thefisherman.com | Tom Melton |Matt Broderick |Jim Hutchinson |Nick Honachefsky

The last good push of stripers will come during the month of November. It’s a clear morning and the winds are light out of the north. The air temperature is a cool 50, making for a desirable day on the water. Stripers have been moving west for a few weeks, and the stocks are running through. There are definitely still a lot of fish to be caught as they make their final 2024 western run. The season closes in a little over a month, so this may be your last push at catching them.

Oct 21, 2024 | thefisherman.com | Matt Broderick |Tom Melton |Jim Hutchinson |Nick Honachefsky

A series of lures and techniques will work from the boat for stripers this fall. Boat fishing for striped bass in the Northeast is a highly rewarding and traditional experience for anglers. Striped bass are known for their almost picture perfect looks, hard fighting ability and availability throughout the fall months. They do offer a challenge, and using the right lure is essential for success.