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Date: November 12, 2021 Body of Water: Barnegat Light, New Jersey - Surf and Outlet Moon Phase: First Quarter (waxing) moon Tide: High at about 2 PM Boat: None, shore fishing With: Alone Target: Stripers Time: 2 PM - 4:30 PM Conditions: Post- very heavy thunderstorms and generally overcast (but increasing sunshine); about 60 - 65 degrees F; ESE wind > 10 mph; water temperatures in low 60's (?) and heavy, dirty surf Having safely delivered my mother back to her home in Virginia, but unable to cope with driving all the way home immediately, especially given the likely presence of migrating stripers along the New Jersey shoreline, I diverted my path to the coast and started poking around. I'd done just a little bit of research, and I figured that there'd be a shot at some fish somewhere around Barnegat Light and outlet. My "plan" was to move from south to north, probably staging myself for the next full day, and probably near Island Beach State Park. Route 72 finally terminated on Long Beach Island, and I had my choice of off-season access points. I could hear the surf pounding as I got out of my car; the surf was way up, here on the edge of Surf City, New Jersey. I took a look at the conditions; a few bait fishers were scattered about in both directions, but the surf was so heavy that I declined to put on waders. There was no way I needed to be in that washing machine! Still, I walked to the water's edge and bounced from sand point to sand point, casting a sand eel/diamond jig and hoping for some good luck. After a half hour or so, I decided to look elsewhere and headed north. I stopped at the local Surf City tackle shop, and picked up a few more diamond jigs in return for some unenthusiastic information. In summary: Surf over bay, bait (bunker) over lures, north over south. I continued north. I could have accessed the beach at a number of points, but declined to do so given the heavy surf, and finally stopped at Barnegat Lighthouse State Park. After some quick reconnaissance, I grabbed my rod and returned to the walkway along the outlet channel. There were lots of birds (gulls, terns, cormorants and pelicans) working over bait here at the edge of Barnegat Bay! Although the birds were active, I never saw any fish disturbing the bait, which appeared to be tiny rain-bait. Multiple boats chased the birds, but I never saw them hook up either. I was joined by a few other casters, and many folks were fishing just inside the bay. One happy guy walked off the rocky pier with a small tautog, and I spent as much time just watching birds and boats as I did casting, especially since the most intense activity was mid-channel and out of reach. I switched from the diamond jig to a Hogy epoxy jig to try to match the smaller bait, but it didn't really matter. I knew I wasn't going to stay here; Island Beach State Park beckoned from across the cut. I could see vehicles moving on the beach and I knew folks were surf fishing over there. I hit the road again. What do I have to say about this? I didn't find any biting fish, but I was reasonably in the game. It took most of the day for me to wind down from the intense driving over the previous couple of days, but it proved to be enjoyable and productive, enough. I landed in a good spot for the next day's effort, and I was dead asleep by 7 PM. Pondering the questions of core essence and finding meaning in unexpected ways
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