Stripers, Weaks, Blues in Saltwater, Trout in Sweetwater

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but effective the beginning of May, the blackfish season goes on temporary hiatus until July 17 when it will reopen with a bag limit of one fish. Not to worry, we are only weeks away from the opening day of NJ’s number one most targeted species, the great and powerful fluke! In the meantime, there is an abundance of opportunities for both the hardcore and casual angler. To make it even better, it would appear that Mother Nature is going to cut us some slack and provide prime weather to go out and track your quarry, whatever you opt for. The best thing about spring fishing is that the bugs have not yet become a nuisance and the heat is of little consequence yet. In addition, the fish are almost always looking to replenish the weight they have lost over the winter months and seem to be in a constant feeding mode.

The spot are here. Well actually, they are still south of the Garden State, but if you really need some “striper candy”, then you should head over to Absecon Bay Sportsmen’s Center on the mouth of Absecon Creek. Captain Dave Showell has them imported from Virginia this time of year just for you. Locally, there have been reports of Stripers on the beaches of Brigantine, along with some nice bluefish of the runner variety. The local rivers have been the hot spot for the cows and are starting to give up some nice weakfish. For the non-bait crowd, white shads have been the go to lure. Bloodworms and clam for striper and weaks. You might also keep a rod rigged with some smaller set-ups if you are heading up river in the Mullica as there have been some nice perch catches of late.

Long Beach Island is open for business and the beaches are getting better every day according to the staff at Tony’s Bait and Tackle in Manahawkin. Blues from 2 to 8 pounds are up and down the beaches for anglers using either clam or metal. Swimming plugs are also producing well. Clam has also been the catalyst for the striped bass population. Many are shorts, but there have also been plenty of keepers in the mix. I understand there is still plenty of reconstruction work going on in LBI so beach access to your favorite spot can be limited according to where you are headed. Water temps in the low to mid 50s. Grassy channel has been giving up some weak fish of late with bloodworms being the best attractant. Tony’s is fully stocked with baits including fresh bunker, clams and worms for your day out around or on the water.

In Egg Harbor Township, Team Tackle Direct on Tilton Road has developed a reputation as more than just the biggest internet fishing tackle provider in the world. They also have a staff chock full of world class local anglers. And a well-stocked tackle shop. When I spoke to the reps there this week, I was informed that Absecon Island is starting to give up some nice striped bass on the north end. The Great Egg Harbor and river are the real hot spots for striped bass. Also, you might want to hit Lakes Bay for some striper or weakfish action. White or pink shads and or fresh clams are the top baits. Bluefish are all over most beaches in the 6 pound average range. Water temperatures are in the mid-fifties Oceanside and a little warmer in the back bays.

For those of you wondering, the Townsend Island Bridge on the OD reopened this week making the trip along the coast infinitely easier for those with surf gear. I got that tidbit confirmed by Carmen at Two Chums Bait and Tackle in Sea Isle City. He also told me that there is plenty of action around even with the closing of tog the other day. Bass, Blues and black drum fish are all showing up in the area. Clam (which Two Chums has in the fresh and salted variety), is the bait of preference. There are also weak fish in the back bays along with small blue fish. And Carmen also told me local commercial crabbers are real excited by the activity they are seeing in the blue crab world. So much so that Two Chums have launched their fleet of rental boats early so their customers can take advantage of the early run.

I got the chance to speak with Ed Bronstein of Fin-Atics Marine Supply in Ocean City this week. The north end of OC, one of my favorite striper spots is in the middle of a replenishment program and it can be a task just finding clean water for fishing. They are also trucking sand in to the south end of the island to fix some of the eggs Sandy laid on us. Based on that bit of info, I would think the best opportunities in the area would be in Corson’s Inlet and the middle of the Island. Ed told me that there has been a mix of stripers and blues in the area with the blues being in the 2-6 pound range and the striper mostly in the smaller range with plenty of keepers in the blend. The back bays have also been producing nice striped bass. Give the two new fishing piers on the Rte. 9 causeway a try for some laid back action. Clam has been the best bait. Ed also told me he heard some good reports on weak fish action in Ludlums Bay, He has also been hearing whispers about the occasional black drum fish in the Corson’s Inlet area. White perch on bloodworms has been going strong in both the Patcong and Tuckahoe Rivers. All in all, things are looking pretty good in America’s Finest Family Resort.

Mike Cunningham was on fire when I spoke with him the other day. Mike owns Sea Isle Bait and Tackle. Having recently weighed in two 16-pound tog at the shop, he was of course, sad to see that season come to a halt. But he was excited about the fact that there were opportunities in the area to load up on almost every other local species. Bass and blues were the best target off the beaches and inlets with the occasional weak fish moving in the mix. Best bait for the beaches has been fresh clam. He said that the anglers in the back were having a bit more success with weakies and recommended using a Bass Assassin or similar bait in pink or white. Additionally, there have been strong catches of blow fish in the area as well as some nice silver-bellied king fish. So make sure your tackle box has some simpler small rigs. Bloodworms seem to be the best available bait with water temperatures holding constant in the mid-fifties all over the place. There have been some catches of black drum in the inlets and beaches as well. Clam is the ticket and most of the drumfish of late have been of the puppy variety. Remember, the minimum size on black drum is 16 inches with a bag limit of three per angler per day. Mike also told me he has some big plans for the shop this summer so stay tuned to this channel.

This time of year, I need to remind myself that there are just as many fresh water anglers out there but living on the bay sometimes clouds my mind when it starts to light up in the salt. That’s when I give a shout out to Tommy Pagliaroli at the Sportsmen’s Center in Bordentown. He always sets me straight on the freshwater action. This week, Tom pointed me towards the Delaware River for striped bass and shad action. And the trout bite is still strong along with the state’s stocking program. Lake Hopatcong and the D and R Canal from Lumberton down have both been giving up huge stocked rainbow trout. Tom suggested rooster tails or Mepps Spinners. He is also having great success using some of the new BIO EDGE ® products on his baits. I haven’t had a chance to try them yet but if they are good enough for Tommy to recommend them, I am certainly going to give them a try. If you looking for crappie, the hot spot has been Lake Assunpink in Jackson. And the pickerel bite has been strong in Oakford Lake. Like the saltwater bite, conditions are prime for pretty much any species that floats your boat according to Tom, so have at it!

Finishing up this week, we head south to the Cape. I heard from Matt at Jim’s Bait and Tackle in Cape May who informed me that the bite has been good weather permitting of course, for stripers in the area with fish up to 50 inches being caught. The ferry jetty at Higbee has been giving up both blues and stripers on plugs. North Wildwood beaches, especially the north end has been active with stripers and blues with most anglers using clam as their primary bait. There are some nice puppy drums being caught there as well. Matt also let me know that there have been some silver bellied kingfish caught on bloodworms. And the real surprise has been the arrival of blowfish in decent numbers, something this writer hasn’t heard of in the area in quite some time and most definitely not this early. Blood worms will work well on these puffers. The weak fish bite has been a little quiet in the area but I personally wouldn’t rule that option out.

Best Bets for the Weekend

The board is wide open this weekend as I see it. Striper, weakfish, blues and even some good eating blow and king fish are on the menu. Yes, tautog is now closed but there is plenty to fill the void. If the salt is too far away for you, then pick your closest freshwater pond on stream and chase some trout, striper, crappie, pickerel or shad. All of those are more than viable option. And yes again, I know you have yard work to get to. So do I. But this is, some of the best fishing time of the year. Nice temperate weather, no bugs and plenty of fish just waiting for you to play with them. Whichever option you should choose to go with, please stay safe out there. We lost one of the better ones this week Sea Tow Captain David C. McAuliffe out of their Absecon Island operation. A fund has been established for the family at www.giveforward.com, if you get a chance, check it out. Our most sincere condolences go out to the family of Captain McAuliffe. Things can go bad real fast on the water even for those trained to work in the worst of conditions and tasked with helping others for a living. You only get so many days in the game, spend them wisely. See you on the incoming.