Striped Bass Biting on the Beach
As the calendar moves towards the end of February, my mind seems to focus on different areas of the fishing world. Making sure my gear is in working order and my tackle box has all the essentials is paramount right now. If you’re a boater, now is the time to start thinking about taking the wrap off and getting a jump on spring cleaning. Beach or back bay your forte? Don’t forget to give those waders a once over. The water is still chilly, a leak becomes very noticeable very quickly this time of year. Speaking of water temperatures, this is the time of year when you should really start to pay attention to its movement. Bait tends to react to warmer water this time of year and where there is bait, there is action. And for most of us, the action is what it’s all about! At OTW, our primary goal is to help you find that action. Let’s see what our scouts have to say about the current conditions and prospects.
I have been informed that Giglio’s Bait and Tackle in Sea Bright has officially opened for business again after their visit from Sandy. They are operating on winter hours right now, which mean Saturday and Sunday. But I expect them to be back in the flow full time in the very near future. Water Temperatures in the Sea Bright area has been hovering around the forty degree mark and there has been some action on line siders. Clam has been the best option for the catch. If you are in the area, stop in and tell them Mike from OTW sent you. Giglio’s will also be at Surf Day this weekend.
With less than a week left in the winter black sea bass and blackfish seasons, you will need to put it in high gear to take advantage of the situation. Unfortunately of late, Mother Nature has been throwing up some roadblocks. Wind has been the real party killer of late but hopefully a window will open up this weekend for those wanting to sneak out. When I spoke to Captain Chris Hueth of the New Big Mohawk in Belmar, that was his prediction. And he has been on the blackfish since Sandy left and is going to try to finish the season on the same note. When the season goes on hiatus for a month, the captain told me he will switch to ling and cod. Captain Chris recommends calling ahead to check their sailing schedules.
Traditionally, this time of year found Captain Dave Showell of Absecon Bay Sportsmen’s Center, prepping for the advent of the river herring run. With that option closed, Dave has shifted his efforts elsewhere. One place is the white perch fishery. The bite has been on and Captain Dave is one of the few shops locally selling grass shrimp to assist anglers in their efforts. He is also starting a white perch month long tournament for anyone interested. When I ran into Dave the other morning at the docks, he was optimistic that the bay would be ready for the upcoming season. ABSC is one of the best stocked shops in the area.
For you freshwater addicts looking for something to do this weekend, check this out:
The NJDEP Division of Fish and Wildlife will hold its next freshwater fisheries public forum on Saturday, February 23, at Batsto Village in Wharton State Forest in Burlington County. The forum will begin at 10:00 a.m.
Anglers are invited to share their views and recommendations for the future of freshwater fisheries research and management with staff biologists. Preliminary results of the trout angler telephone and on-line surveys, as well as 2012 field sampling results, will be presented.
Anglers are invited to ask questions and comment on any aspect of the division’s fisheries management programs. By providing input, the public can help guide the development of all New Jersey’s freshwater programs and the regulations which govern them.
For more information, including pre-registration and directions, visit http://www.njfishandwildlife.com/news/2013/fshforumsouth13.htm on the division’s website.
If you are thinking about hitting the surf or suds in the Long Beach Island area, then you must swing by Tony’s Bait and Tackle in Manahawkin before you hit the water. They have live baits such as grass shrimp and night crawlers as well as salted clams and live green crabs. Action in the area has been slow but there have been reports of smaller size bass off the beaches and some nice white perch further back in the rivers. Grass shrimp has been the most effective bait for the perch. Don’t forget the shop is fully stocked and even has some nice supplies for you teaser and fly tiers. Check them out if you get a chance.
Don’t forget, this Saturday is Surf Day 2013 brought to you by Jersey Shore Surfcasters. The festivities are at Brookdale Community College in Lincroft and the doors open at 8:30 am and price of admission is ten dollars. In addition to a full line up of speakers and seminars, the vendors list has everything you can think of from A (AOK Lures) to Z (Zee Baas) and everything in between for the surf angler. Don’t forget to stop by the On the Water table. For you hardcore sand based anglers, this is the one day that must be one your schedule. Believe me, you will not come away disappointed.
I had a chance to speak with John Bushell Jr. of Betty and Nicks in Seaside Park over the weekend. For those of you interested, they are well on their way back from Sandy. The store was totally devastated but is rebuilt and John assured me that they will be up and running for the upcoming fishing season. Island Beach State Park is open for business but still a little rough around the edges. Keep an eye out for floating debris and you will be fine according to Mr. Bushell. The water temps in the area are still around 40 degrees and reports of bass off the beach get a little better every day. Clams are the bait of choice for most anglers but John told me that there has been some success with metals and even the Daiwa Salt Pro swimmers. Keep up the good work guys.
Speaking of Surf Day, I noticed that Chris Shoplock of Harry’s Army and Navy in Yardville will be giving a seminar on “SIMPLE KAYAK STRIPER FISHING: TACTICS AND RIGGING” at the show. If you are interested in this type of fishing, be sure to catch this one. I spoke to Chris at the shop this week and he told me the longer days seem to be perking up the fresh water scene. The crappie catch has been very good at Carnies Lake. Trout are on in the Peaquest still, as they have been throughout the winter. Pickerel in all the usual haunts and there has been some talk of smallies in the upper Delaware.
In Sea Isle City, the polar bear plunge blocked the beaches over the weekend but reports are out that they are open to anglers again. Reports are sketchy but if the weather holds up, Mike at Sea Isle Bait and Tackle believes they will pick up where they left off. Small to mid-size stripers off the beach have been around most of the winter months, with water temperatures barely dipping below forty degrees. Sea Isle Bait and tackle is carrying a full line of bait and all the tackle you might need should you decide to wet a line this weekend. They are operating on winter hours still so making a phone call might be a smart move to insure availability or a specific bait as you would with any shop in the area you are planning to fish. Also a good way to get an up-to-the-minute report on conditions. Just a thought you may want to consider.
It’s a tough row to hoe if you are planning fishing at the southern tip of the state this time of year. With Delaware Bay closed another week or so to striper fishermen, the front beaches are pretty much the only alternative. I checked in with the crew at Off the Hook Marina in Cape May this week, they tild me that there have been some reports of striper action off the beach in Wildwood and that most of the fish being caught are on fresh clam. Keepers have been the exception to the rule right now. There have also been some reports that perch are active further up the rivers for those looking for some table fare.
Best Bets for the weekend.
Looks like the wind and rain may lie down for later Saturday and Sunday for those of you who simply must get some water time in this weekend. Quick note for those of you looking to drop a line in Ocean City, the north end is undergoing beach replenishment and is for the most part, inaccessible. Most of the other beaches along the coast are open for business, some with reduced hours of operation. Weather has to some degree, altered the plans of many the head boats state wide, so it is advisable to call ahead for availability. With the back water kick off for striper coming up next week, make sure your Salt Water registry is up to date for the new year. You can register on line at http://www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/registryinfo.htm for free.
If you can’t make it to Surf Day, the Ocean Fire Company # 1 is holding its annual fishing flea market in Point Pleasant this weekend. Flea Markets are a good place to tighten up those loose ends in your tackle box. Whichever you choose to do this week, please stay safe out there. You only get so many days in the game, spend them wisely. See you on the incoming.