Fall Season An Economic Boost For Local Charter Captains, Bait And Tackle Shops At Jersey Shore

By Cleve Bryan

SEA ISLE CITY, N.J., (CBS) -- Captain Joe Hughes's charter fishing business out of Sea Isle is kicking into high gear for fall striper season.

Stripers, or striped bass, are some of the biggest salt water fish you can catch along the Jersey Shore.

While some live in the marsh year-round, a large number migrate through this region as water temperatures drop.

"I view Thanksgiving as the high season, the peak of the run. A lot of people wrap it up after Thanksgiving but the reality is that it lasts much longer," says Hughes.

Not only is all striper season a boost for local charter captains, but bait and tackle shops all along the Jersey Shore say the next few months are a big part of their business.

"Striper fishing is the reason we stay here after September," says Mike Cunningham, owner of Sea Isle Bait and Tackle.

Cunningham knows it can be intimidating for people to start out fishing, but he says most stores give good advice to keep customers hooked.

"You don't have to spend a million dollars either, you talk with a good tackle shop employee and they'll point you down the right road," says Cunningham.

For updated fishing reports and tips on striper fishing you can visit their websites CaptainJoeHughes.com and SeaIsleBaitandTackle.net.