We are exactly two weeks from the official start of spring and the conditions are definitely showing a noticeable upgrade. Ocean water temperatures are still hovering around the 40-degree mark but skinny water in the back is benefitting from sunny days and higher air temperatures, especially on the low tides. More than a few local shops have not only open their doors but have also weighed in some nice back water striped bass. So far it looks like bait anglers are having the best success but I am sure that will change as the waters start to percolate. Remember to renew or get your Saltwater Registry for NJ before you hit the water. My understanding is the CO’s are going to be more vigilant than ever this year. It’s free and you can register at http://www.nj.gov/dep/saltwaterregistry/index.html. So let’s take a look at what is going on.
I chatted with Rusty at Off the Hook Tackle and Marina in Cape May and while they aren’t exactly open yet, they are keeping busy. The next two weeks they have seminars on Deep Water Fluking and Back Bay fishing at the shop but both are sold out. They do have an upcoming seminar in April on Sharking Techniques that has a few seats left. Give them a holler if you are interested.
The Gambler Party Fishing boat and their crew is hard at work getting ready for their first trip of the season come April 1st. Check them out at the Somerset Saltwater Fishing Expo this weekend if you are interested in getting additional info. The Gambler is scheduled to start hunting for blackfish on April 1st from their berth in Point Pleasant.
A year ago this time, Zubacks Marine in Morgan was scrambling back from the devastation brought on by Hurricane Sandy. One of the hardest hit facilities in the, Zuback’s lost a substantial portion of both their Raritan Bay and Cheesequake Inlet slips and spent a long time rebuilding both installations. The gang there did a yeoman’s job and is ready, willing and able to once again, meet all your fishing and boating needs. Stop in and check them out if you are in the area.
If putting fish in the freezer is your goal, I recommend that you head over the Belmar and board the Ocean Explorer and let Captain Bobby Quinn get you out on the water. Lately, the reports I have been getting tell me that they have found the winter home of some various serious cod fish. They are also putting the occasional ling in the cooler. Weather permitting, the Ocean Explorer sail daily. I would recommend visiting their web site or calling ahead.
Captain Dave Showell at Absecon Bay Sportsmen’s Center has weighed in his first three keeper stripers of the season by anglers who also claimed his annual “bounty” on the first fish of Spring. No indication what they were caught on but two of them same from the Mullica River and one came all the way from the area around the Oyster Creek Power Plant. Dave Reosh and Frank McGinley had a banner day in the Mullica recently fishing for white perch. They boated over 70 fish and only kept those breaching the one pound mark. Bait of the day was blood worms and Absecon Bay has them in stock.
If you are going to the Somerset Show this weekend, be sure to stop by and meet Captain Pete Sykes of Parker Pete Charters. Pete tells me the boat is headed for the yard and will be ready for charter duyty come early April. If you are looking for a comfortable, class ride for almost any kind of fishing, the Parker Pete, a custom 35’ Donelle is one of a kind. And I say that from personal experience because I have fished from it.
I had a chance to chat with Tom Wolf of Jersey Tackle in Brick this morning to see if they are stirring from a long, hard winter sleep. The crew at Jersey Tackle was busy stocking the shelves and getting their wares ready for the Somerset Saltwater Expo this weekend but expect to open the shop on semi-regular hours next week. Tom tells me that they have been taking bass in the back, mostly shorts with a few nice fish. The Power plant has been the Hot Spot. No pun intended. The Toms River has been the place for perch; most anglers are using grass shrimp or bloodworms if you can get them. He also told me that there are good signs for winter flounder all over the bay but with the water temperatures at 40 degrees, not much action. Stop by the Jersey Tackle Table at Somerset and check out their new line of UV Glow bucktails, jigs and glow lures.
I put a call into to the gang at Fishermen’s Supply Co In Point Pleasant Beach to see if anything of note was taking place in the north. Jason at the shop told me that they have been working non-stop trying to get ready for the upcoming season and put all the new products on the shelves. Locally, the head boats that are venturing out have been targeting cod at the 40-50 mile mark and been having some good results. The ling catch has tailed off a bit according to Jason. In the back, the best fishing has been in the Oyster Creek with small stripers and an abundance of white perch. Fishermen’s Supply will also be at Somerset Saltwater Expo this weekend in aisle 200. Stop by and give them a once over.
I spoke with Tackle Box Joe Loretti at Harry’s Army and Navy in Robbinsville to get the low down on the any fresh water action around the state. Believe me, if you are a skinny water angler, Harry’s should be on your favorites list. Joe tell me that the hard core bass anglers are using shiners now as it is pretty much the only bait, real or artificial that is getting the job done. Find “clean” water has been a problem with some of the cold snaps we have been getting. Most anglers are spending time scouting. A few are trying the Delaware, looking for an early run of striped bass or even a few shad. It happens according to Joe but he thinks we are a week or so away. Joe reminded me that next week, Harry’s is having its spring season fishing sale. Starting on Thursday, March 20 and running through the whole next week. Joe has assured me that there are some real sweetheart deals to be had in this sale.
Best Bets for the Weekend
It looks like the weather for Saturday and Sunday will warm up a bit and that’s a good thing. Water temperatures, always a key factor this time of year, will remain rather chilly. The best action inshore will be way back in the tidal tributaries. Even though herring are out of bounds, the striped bass don’t seem to know that and will show up. Look for the best action around tide changes as the water that heats up in the shallows will attract the best baits. Perching has been off the wall in almost all of the regular haunts. Most of the perch fishermen I know are picking up a lot of short bass to test their ability. The water is still very cold so fish everything slow. And if it’s still too cool for you, head on up to the Saltwater Fishing Expo in Somerset. It is one of the last shows of the season and also one of the best. Many of the top shops in the state will be there as a whole host of manufacturers and dealers. Time to get all you ducks in a row, the real action could break out any day now. Whatever you choose to do, please stay safe out there. The waters are colder than they look, even on warm days. You only get so many days in the game, spend them wisely. See you on the incoming.