Terrific Trout Fishing, Bluefish Show Up in Force
Northern New Jersey Fishing Report
Water temperatures are starting to hover in the 50s in the front, and it’s even possible to find the high 60-degree readings in the back, which leads me to believe that we are on the cusp of something really good, fishing wise. Now if Mother Nature would just take the hint and get with the program, we could be ready to launch another fine angling season. Most of this week’s report is good news. More fish and a wider variety to target but we will lose one species to closure (temporarily) at the end of the month. Blackfish season closes next week but not to worry, fluke season is visible on the horizon. So if you have not yet gotten your tackle box in ship shape, now is the time to focus. Let’s see what the On the Water scouting team has to say about fishing in their areas.
Right out of the gate, I spoke Burt at with Efingers Sporting Goods in Bound Brook to get a feeling for the fresh water scene. Burt said that the walleye bite had started at Lake Hopatcong in the dark with Rapala Lures and live shiners being the best presentation right now. He also told me that customers have been reporting nice catches of shad in the Delaware (Water Gap) by anglers using darts and small spoons. All of the local stocked rivers and lakes are also still producing nice creels of trout and Burt echoed my feelings that the state has done a great job a building up that fishery.
According to Max at Pride Tackle in Red Bank, the fun is starting to locate itself in the Navesink River. There have been reports to fish up to 29 pounds at the shop. That fish was taken on the chunk. There have been reports of nice ling and blackfish out front but remember, blackfish closes come the end of the month. There have also been reports of runner blue fish in the area so be sure to pack some wire leaders and metal if you are heading out that way. If you get a chance, stop by Pride and check out Max’s collection of fish art. You never know what is going to turn up at Pride.
The fishing is definitely starting to pop in the Point Pleasant area according to Ron at Fishermen’s Supply. He told me the fly guys have been having some fun at Dog Beach just off the inlet with bass up to 30 inches. Blues are moving up the river chasing adult bunker in the areas. Metal and rubber shad could get you a blue up to 7 pounds and a bass if you are really lucky. Ron heard reports of really good fishing in Long Beach Island. Bass, blues and yes, weakfish on the beach front. I would think clam and or fresh cut bait if you can get it for the first two and bloodworms for the weakfish. This is not the first report of weaks in the area but it’s nice to have that rumor confirmed. Also, the gang at FS is having a free seminar Thursday at the shop on the fine points of fishing the Point Pleasant Canal. It starts at 7.
The waters are heating up in the Toms River or at least that is what I have been hearing. So I contacted George at Go Fish Bait and Tackle at the river. Blues up to 8 pounds have been chasing bunker, metal and the occasional black bomber since last weekend. There have been reports of weak fish at the power plant and also, now take note of this, red fish. I had suspected they would show up early but this surprises even me. Out front, there have been some good days trolling and jigging striped bass. And George told me that Forge Pond is still the hot spot for perch. For flounder, George told me to head to the mouth of the Point Pleasant for your best shot at a couple of keepers but that bite seems to have slowed down. They have fresh clams at the shop and I was reminded to remind you about their new line of Canyon Reels which just came in. When you stop by the shop, make sure you check out the pictures of the massive 12-pound trout George hooked up with last week. Lunker just does not do it justice.
In Passaic, the place to hit for fishing information is definitely Meltzer’s Sporting Goods in Garfield. I chatted with Dan at the store this week and he told me that the weather was holding some anglers back of late but that this weekend looked good. The state’s stocking program has been going strong even with opening day come and gone and those braving the cold have been rewarded with some trophy catches if they are good and at the very least, a few trout for the frying pan. Anglers in the Pequest River have had good days using Gulp Garlic Power baits. As have those fishing Shepard’s Lake and the Passaic River. Lake Hopatcong, farther to the east has been showing real strong with some walleye and a hybrid striper there and there. Live baits like shiners seem to be the best baits lately.
I had the opportunity to speak briefly with Fred at Long Branch Bait and Tackle about the state of angling in the area. He told me that weather has been keeping the local count down a little of late but there were fish in the area. Mainly stripers on clam and blues on just about anything but top water lures. Access to the local beaches, according to Fred, is hit or miss. You can thank Miss Sandy for that. There is still a curfew on the beaches of Sea Bright that goes into effect when the sun goes down. So take note of that.
The Reel Seat in Brielle is one of the top shops in the area and I can testify that they know what they are doing! Owner David Arbietman and his staff love the sport and it shows. When I spoke with John at the shop this week, he was all hyped up on the local bite turning on, hopefully for the rest of the season. Blues and bass are all over the place. Racer blues can be had in the inlets, out front and even migrating to the back waters chasing adult bunker. John recommends using metal like a Hopkins or a swimming plug like a Bomber for some great action on 6 to 8 pound blues. Or cut bait. Stripers present a little more of a challenge as they are still a little sluggish and prefer their meals served up to them in the form of clam or cut bait. There have been some spotty catches of ling and cod when the boats can gfet at them and the blackfish season was good until the last week when weather shut many out. Hopefully the last week will see better water so the charters can have their way with them again. There have also been some early reports that tile fishing in the deep waters has started off. Once again, weather has played a major factor with the tiles. John reminded me that the Reel Seats’ Beginners only Tile trip still has a few seats left for those who want to learn the art of deep fishing. The trip is on the Voyager Charter boat on June 4th. Included in the price is a seminar at the Reel Seat on the Sunday preceding the trip. If you have ever wanted to chase these deep water beauties, then this is your chance. You would be hard pressed to find someone better than these guys at putting you on the fish!
Best Bet for the Weekend
The weather will be the deciding factor as to what I can recommend based on our conversations with our scouting team. Blackfish have moved in close from all accounts so that would be my number one preference. The season closes at the end of the month and does not reopen until July with a limit of one even then. There are weak fish in the area so that would be my second preference but I would mix them in with some striped bass fishing. Water temperatures almost everywhere we have looked is poking it’s head through the 50 degree mark, making it go time for both. On the fresh water scene, trout and shad (if you are near the Delaware are my primary targets with possible some walleye mixed in. Perch and pan fish may also be an option but there has not been much talk of them. Getting back to the salt water, the runner blues are here. If you have been itching for a fight, now is the time to have at it before they slide farther north. And this batch, in my opinion, are some of the better eating blues as they are lean and mean and haven’t been feeding on menhaden for too long which tends to give them a stronger taste. Great for the smoker. There is plenty of action available but it is spread all over the place. The back bays are the surest bet but action on the front side is not out of the question. Most of our contributor shops are loaded with bait and unloading new tackle even as you read this. Whichever option you decide on, please stay safe out there. You only get so many days in the game, spend them wisely. See you on the incoming.