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00:00On this week's World of Saltwater Fishing, bundle up, because we're going to Atlantic City, New Jersey, to chase striped bass in the back bays during winter.
00:09It'll be a cold one, at least for me.
00:24George Bovarumo's World of Saltwater Fishing. Big fish don't stand a chance.
00:30Big fish. Big fish. Big fish. Big fish.
00:51Our travels took us back to Atlantic City, New Jersey, a favorite spot of ours.
00:55We've done our Saltwater Sportsman National Seminar Series here for decades.
00:59We've done a number of fishing shows, not only in Atlantic City, but throughout the entire Jersey Shore.
01:05And here we are, all ready to go, a cold, rainy, drizzly November, at least by my standards,
01:12to hook up with Brian Williams to chase striped bass in the back bays.
01:17It's been going on about 15 years now, and my range, I'd say, is pretty much from Atlantic City down to about Sea Isle in the back country.
01:23And if it's in the ocean front, we could be running anywhere 30 miles either way, up the coast or down the coast.
01:30And then offshore maybe to about 15 to 20 miles, depending on where the fish are.
01:33New Jersey has a wealth of fishing opportunities, everything from the canyons all the way to back bays.
01:39And what I really appreciate about the back bay environment, it's sort of similar to what I would see in my home waters of South Florida or Southwest Florida's Everglades.
01:48You're in a nice, remote, relatively quiet environment with a lot of great scenery, and you could get out of the wind in many places.
01:57And the best thing about that is when you have these striped bass in there, they're all there for the taking on topwater plugs, as well as soft plastics.
02:06And that was our plan.
02:07We met Brian Williams on a dark and drizzly and cold morning.
02:23We had the Apex Mako, which is a brand new bay boat for the company, powered by a Mercury V10 400 horsepower outboard.
02:31We were all set to go to some of his spots and fish both the shallows, as well as some of the edges of the deeper channels in his big, gigantic maze of back bays.
02:42He took off in this very dark morning, and you feel that light drizzle just hitting you.
02:46I had a spot I knew that they'd be sitting at first light on that stage of the tide.
02:50And so we set up there and waited until it got just light enough to throw those topwater lures, and they were there pretty much as soon as we started throwing.
02:58Keep consistent twitches.
03:01When you get about there, leave them behind and catch them on the next chance.
03:03Oh, there we got them on that time.
03:08Took them a while to get on that one, didn't it?
03:14You can go ahead and lead them over towards me, George, and I'll take care of them.
03:17It'd be my honor.
03:19Putting up a little resistance right now.
03:23So different.
03:23It's like arsenic.
03:25Exactly.
03:27There it is.
03:29Coming your way.
03:31First, you hooked the first one, you wedged the finger off, Scott.
03:38There we go.
03:40All right.
03:41All right, take a look at them.
03:43I'm liking it.
03:44I guess I hooked him pretty good.
03:55You hooked him pretty good.
03:56He actually wedged his mouth open.
03:58One hook down.
03:59Now, it's important, George, to get the hooks out quick on these fish, handle them as little
04:04as possible to assure that we can have these fish for future generations with the way things
04:09have been going.
04:10I'm with you.
04:10I'm with you.
04:11That is a beauty.
04:13I like it.
04:19Here we are, at least by my standards, drizzly, cold New Jersey.
04:23And in November, that's where Brian, he's put us on a fish.
04:27Let's get him back in the water.
04:28All right, go ahead.
04:33Yes.
04:35I always want to take your time, Revive, and a lot of times a good thing to note is when
04:39they got a good kick and you see that dorsal fin sticking up like that.
04:42Good job, George.
04:45Get back out there.
04:46Get another one.
04:48George, Fovaromo's World of Saltwater Fishing is proudly brought to you by Penn.
04:53Let the battle begin.
04:55Mako.
04:55You'll find them where the fish are.
04:57Bass Pro Shops and Cabela's.
04:59Your adventure starts here.
05:01Mercury.
05:02George, we'll be right back.
05:05With the cold, misty rain ending and the striper bite beginning to warm up, we push deeper into
05:10the marshes in pursuit of an all-out blitz.
05:13I'm fishing with Brian Williams out of Atlantic City.
05:18Solid ice during our travels.
05:21And how do I keep my diesel truck warm?
05:23There you go.
05:25The Startron.
05:27About every third fill up.
05:30Make sure I add this.
05:32It stabilizes the fuel.
05:35And during that highway driving, it just makes everything really run that much more smoothly.
05:40And as I mentioned, in the wintertime, it keeps it warm.
05:43As for me, I think a big cup of coffee will keep me warm.
05:46That'll be my Startron.
05:48And we were back at it.
05:49I'm sharing the bow with Brian.
05:51He's firing out mostly to the left with his top water.
05:53I'm firing out pretty much straight ahead and to the right with mine and just trying to pull
05:58more bass.
05:59And as far as precision casting, you're trying to make that plug land right between the spaces
06:05in these weeds and work it through them all the way out.
06:07Now, when you're working a top water plug, at least in my opinion, and you have a follower,
06:15don't stop and pause.
06:17You keep that plug working at the same attitude.
06:20Keep working, working, working it, having that fish follow.
06:23If anything, speed it up just a little bit and tighten up that left to right movement,
06:28that walk the dog style to make that bait look like it got panicked.
06:32And sometimes that's a triggering mechanism to draw a fish in a strike in a top water plug.
06:40Just keep fishing, cast right at him.
06:42Double up.
06:42Cast right where you left the hole in the water.
06:45All right, come in behind.
06:47Coming over top of you.
06:48Coming this way now.
06:49Get out of your way.
06:51Swim around this side now.
06:53There we go.
06:53All right, let's get one more out of it.
06:58I'm going to be greedy here.
07:00Let it come down and come off the hook.
07:06Trying to be greedy.
07:10You doing all right back there, Brian?
07:12I'm good.
07:12I was hoping I would get a, take advantage of maybe one or two that happen to be following mirrors up in there.
07:26You're ready to go.
07:27Excellent catch.
07:29Excellent.
07:31Now let's get back to it.
07:36So here we are making our cast, trying to get right to the edge of the marshes.
07:41I took a shot and went to the right side of those grasses, landed perfectly well right alongside of the marshes.
07:48I'm working that top water plug out.
07:50Bam, bam, bam, bam.
07:52Here comes a follower right behind it.
07:54Boom.
07:55Short hits it.
07:56Keep it at plug in play.
07:57Comes up again.
07:58Boom.
07:58Short hits it again.
08:00Got these boils coming.
08:01About the third time, it just pounced on it.
08:04Committed.
08:05Pull that plug down.
08:06I wound.
08:07I'm on a striped bass again.
08:09There you go, buddy.
08:11Come on, don't go under the boat on me, buddy.
08:15Come on out.
08:16Come on out.
08:18Man, where do you get that extra strength from?
08:24Come on, George.
08:24Tell your fish to pick the side with better lighting.
08:29Oh, he's like what?
08:30Farhead hook now?
08:31I think so.
08:32No wonder.
08:32This will be fun.
08:33I'll try to ease him here without that thing pulling on you, you know?
08:37Yeah, he's going to give us a couple problems here.
08:39I know.
08:40Let's be careful.
08:41We'll try our best.
08:43Twist a little.
08:44All right.
09:01All right.
09:01Boy, that was a great fish.
09:02Right on that outside there, the big smash on it.
09:06We're good.
09:07Oh, yeah.
09:08Let's get back out there and get another one.
09:08All right.
09:09Striped bass represent the backbone of the coastal recreational fishery in Mid-Atlantic
09:14through New England waters.
09:15In aggressive feeder known for their tenacious fights, striped bass spend their adult lives
09:20in the ocean and migrate into brackish and even fresh waters to spawn each spring.
09:24However, certain stocks also winter within deep bays and sounds, seeking warmer waters
09:29and abundant forage.
09:31Best bet, maintain the cadence of a topwater lure even when the bass is short-striking it.
09:36They'll eventually commit if the lure's rhythm remains intact.
09:40And ArtByPasta.com from Catch the Canvas rendering.
09:43Catch the Canvas, baby.
09:45George Poveromo's World of Saltwater Fishing is proudly brought to you by Simrad.
09:50Rapala holds the world record for world records.
09:56Suffix, always use the best line.
09:59Starbright Boat Care Products, blending technology with performance since 1973.
10:04George, we'll be right back.
10:07It's Dick and Moose Striper Fishing at its finest.
10:11Once we'd wear out some fish, we'd head to the next spot for some new players.
10:15I'm deep into the Atlantic City, New Jersey area back bays with Brian Williams.
10:19Before we get back to the fishing, let me showcase where we stayed during this journey.
10:24Resorts Casino Hotel in Atlantic City.
10:27We've a lot of history at Resorts Casino Hotel in Atlantic City.
10:30We've been bringing our Saltwater Sportsman National Seminar Series here for decades
10:34and even filmed a few of my World of Saltwater Fishing shows here.
10:38Situated on the Atlantic City Boardwalk, Resorts is a fun and friendly establishment
10:43with an 80,000 square foot casino brimming with gaming tables and over 1,300 slot machines.
10:50There's entertainment galore, luxury accommodations, meeting space,
10:54and numerous dining establishments ranging from casual fare to the premier restaurant, Capriccio's.
11:00Capriccio's is renowned for its Italian signature dishes as well as its seafood and meats.
11:06Capriccio's old-world-inspired dining room overlooks the Atlantic City Boardwalk,
11:11providing the most perfect ambience.
11:14We were treated to a 10-course dinner and a table-side visit by the executive chef himself.
11:19From appetizers to the main course and including dessert, it was simply all amazing.
11:25And on that note, let's get back to the actual fishing.
11:28Brian says, okay, the tide just slacked out right now, and these fish are going to be moving about.
11:34Let's go look for some deep water spots.
11:37He took us back to the bridge point.
11:39And he said, this is odd because normally those fish are there in the one tide,
11:43and the tide's totally opposite, but here they are, right where they should be.
11:46And he marks them out there on the simrad.
11:50So he gets in position, locks in that trolling motor, and the same deal.
11:55Just casting up current long enough to let that jig hit bottom
11:59as it's going past your boat towards the stern where we're marking the fish.
12:03So I'm thinking here, well, this is pretty tough.
12:05We got the fish here, but they got lockjaw now.
12:08And all of a sudden, bam, I get hooked up, and I'm on.
12:12All right.
12:16Brian, we got him fighting and pulling the tide, too.
12:18It feels like a good fish.
12:20Oh, yeah.
12:20Now they get their head dug in that tide.
12:22They keep going.
12:23You never know what fights harder, the fish or the tide.
12:28Like you said, it was so subtle just to get sort of pounded on the bottom a little bit,
12:34and then next thing you know, they got the hit, but it's like very subtle.
12:37And if you look at the screen now, you'll see.
12:40Oh, wow.
12:40Those fish are coming up off the bottom a little because you woke that one fish up.
12:46Here's a fish.
12:48Okay, coming in.
12:49All right.
12:59It's important to practice proper release tactics as well as angling tactics.
13:04Crush barbs can be helpful sometimes.
13:07Certain lure offerings, if you can go to single hooks, that could be helpful as well.
13:11Limit the amount of time out of the water and really take your time to revive these fish.
13:16That's very important.
13:17We have a fixed number of fish remaining right now because they haven't been reproducing strong
13:21in about seven years.
13:22So what we have now is all we have left until they reproduce again.
13:26I said, all right, hey, we fooled one of them and brought in the striped bass, turned it free.
13:31And it wasn't long after that Brian repeated the same thing and he caught his bass.
13:36You got him turned back on.
13:37All right, buddy.
13:49Oh, I love the striped bass.
13:51You got a fucking fun spot.
13:56It's that spot you can't lip them.
13:57All right, so I was busy making my drift.
14:08When and where and how did that thing hit?
14:11It's real subtle right against the bottom.
14:13But after that, that was it.
14:15Those fish didn't want to play.
14:16So he goes, okay, come on.
14:18We're going to make a run up of a creek here.
14:21It's getting towards late afternoon and if these fish are hungry, they'll see these bait pods
14:27and we'll notice them and we get right in there and start throwing top water.
14:31So hey, I'm all game for that.
14:33Mercury Performance Stats, Atlantic City, New Jersey.
14:36Seize, calm.
14:38Power, Mercury V10 400 horsepower Verado.
14:42Prop, Mercury Revolution X, 25 inch pitch.
14:46Total miles, 40.
14:48Consistent cruise, 5,200 RPMs.
14:52Speed, 42 miles per hour.
14:54Total fuel burn, 21 gallons.
14:59George Poveromo's World of Saltwater Fishing is proudly brought to you by
15:03The Florida Keys and Key West.
15:05Come as you are.
15:07ACR, the leader in marine safety electronics.
15:10Float on boat trailers.
15:11Make it easy.
15:12Make it dependable.
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15:21Visit artbypasta.com.
15:24So we got to an area and I made several drops and didn't do a thing and same with him.
15:31So I said, okay, maybe it's like the lull time right now.
15:34So we had ordered these White House subs and I couldn't wait to get into subs as the crew.
15:42So I said, cut me a section of this Italian sub out.
15:45And I hear Brian, he goes, you guys got the cameras ready or what?
15:49I'm like, well, I've been fighting a fish here for about 10, 15 seconds now.
15:52And then everybody goes, oh, crap.
15:54Okay.
15:54I guess we got to film this.
15:56Back to work.
15:57You didn't even give me a fighting chance.
15:58Nope.
15:59We're just breaking out the subs for lunch.
16:03I thought you were going to get in position.
16:05Next thing you know, you hooked up.
16:07Subs are sitting down here and you got a striped bass on.
16:10They must have smelled that sandwich.
16:13That's the case.
16:14I'll cut up more.
16:16Go figure.
16:16Every time you really want to get fish, if it's a slow period, break out for lunch and start eating.
16:25Happens quite a bit.
16:26Must be the salooner period.
16:28When I'm in major, the fish turn off silly to humans.
16:31They got to eat.
16:31Look at that.
16:32Pretty fish.
16:34These guys dropped the subs sandwiches, picked up the cameras, and caught Brian and filmed him catching his striped bass.
16:42So that one snuck up on us.
16:43After Brian's sandwich catch, it was a full-on, back-based striper blitz highlighted by quite an unusual topwater surprise.
16:51We were working the bottom here.
16:52We came by some marks on the Simrad side scan, and we slowed up for it.
16:57Looked the jig out.
16:59Got a fish.
17:06Look at that.
17:07We didn't even need to open up a sandwich together.
17:09And dropping some soft plastics on him.
17:13Come over here to watch the show.
17:17Excellent, Brian.
17:18Pretty fish.
17:21Now, did you mark one, or is that a grouping?
17:23It's a grouping.
17:24I mean, on the side scan, I picked up a good dozen of them or so.
17:27Well, good.
17:29Man, where's that guy going?
17:31I think he's trying to head down to Florida to go visit you.
17:34Tell him to jump in the car, we'll take him home.
17:37The difference is maybe 12 feet or so, and I can't get fit, but you're on him over there.
17:42These fish holding tight pockets.
17:43I would think they're holding tight.
17:45I'm going to have you try this side next.
17:50Wow, nice.
17:51George, what's going on here?
18:08What's going on?
18:09It's not me.
18:10It's the guy back there named Brian.
18:12Talk about getting the hot hand.
18:13So the important part with these fish is to land them quick and get them back out there.
18:37I try my best to keep the fish over the sides of the boat and not bring them into boat for too long if I can avoid it.
18:43Backing like a white perch.
18:56There you go.
18:57I got him.
18:58Let's see what it is.
18:59White perch.
19:00All right, here you go.
19:03And a white perch.
19:04Incoming.
19:04Give yourself a trophy white perch.
19:07Coming around this way for you.
19:09You can whip them just like a bass.
19:11Okay.
19:11You got a decent sized bass?
19:14No.
19:16You just knew where to swim.
19:18Hey, there's nothing wrong with that bass.
19:24White perch.
19:25Here you go.
19:25Brian Williams, he is definitely a go-to guide.
19:43If you're ever thinking about coming and fishing in the Ocean City, Atlantic City area, and you like the light tackle stuff, you like a guy that's very knowledgeable and has a very good personality, easy going, he's your guy.
19:54It was my pleasure having George aboard the boat here and getting to show him my area, how we target the fish, and how we get through the winter and try to keep warm best we can during the colder months.
20:06It's just typical New Jersey fisheries.
20:09There's so many options here, and I've got to tell you, I thoroughly enjoyed this one, spending time in the back bay with Brian.
20:15Highly recommend that you do it.
20:17It's exciting action in the most beautiful setting.
20:19If you're a fan of our show, keep up with our adventures by following us on social media.
20:25I'm on Instagram at George Poveromo, and on Facebook, go to facebook.com forward slash George dot Poveromo.
20:32You can also watch our episodes at any time on YouTube at George Poveromo TV.
20:37We'll see you on the water.
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