New Jersey Fishing Forecast

All right, enough already. I woke up to snow on the ground Wednesday and this is it. No kidding. Don’t make me call in the big guns. It’s time to start fishing in earnest and I am not going to put up with this silliness any longer. Here is my list of demands and you better take them seriously. I want the water to start a warming trend. That is priority number one. And further, I am looking for baitfish—with water temperatures hovering in the high thirties, they have been tough to find. Finally, I am looking for some calmer weather conditions so I can get out to the deep water and take one last shot at the bottom fish before we make the switch over to bass, fluke, weakfish and the other summer staples. Now that you have seen my demands, let’s take a look at current conditions and see what is going on around the state.

Let’s start off with a news flash from the Mimi IV up in Point Pleasant. I received this today and thought I would pass it along.

The Mimi VI is moving up the channel,

Channel Drive in Point Pleasant Beach that is.

405 Channel Drive, Pt. Pleasant Bch. is our new address!

An opportunity arose with the Sea Devil being sold, we got lucky, and we are now docked in that slip.

3 times as much parking, a much nicer dock, easy in and out and just 2 driveways from where we were.

We begin sailing Open Boat Blackfishing April 1, Tuesday!

7am, $65 Fare.

We are sailing Open Boat April 1, 2, 3, 4 and Sunday the 6th!

Please call 732-370-8019 for you reservation as we do not overcrowd the boat.

Thank you and we look forward to seeing you all again!!

Spoke with Ed at Team Tackle Direct. They are finally off the show circuit and concentrating on the in store inventory. He told me to remind everyone that all the new Shimano equipment including Reels and Rods for 2014 are now in stock. Stop by the store on Tilton Road in EHT or check out their web site for additional info. You might even find one of those brilliant YOUTUBE videos on there.

If you are looking for some early competitive action, stop in an see Lenny Hahn at Capt’n Hippos Bait and Tackle in Toms River and enter into his (T)Ides of March perch derby. It runs through May 15th and there are still plenty of prizes on the board. Lenny tells me that while some have been out searching for white and yellow perch, cold waters have kept the weigh-ins down. He expects that to change shortly. And Lenny reports that he has seen his first adventurers in search of winter flounder this week. No confirmation on catch but it’s a good sign. A couple of cold flounder and some white perch and you have the best spring meal you can get. Capt’n Hippo’s is open 7 days a week now—8 to 5 through Saturday and 8 to 4 on Sundays.

If you are looking for something to do next Thursday at 4 pm, the New Jersey Marine Fishery council will hold a meeting at the Stafford Township Municipal Building in Manahawkin. The Council will address fluke, porgy and sea bass limits for the upcoming season. If you want your voice heard, this is the meeting to attend. It also gives you the right to complain if your option isn’t the one chosen. Just saying.

The 90-foot Gambler Deep Sea Fishing boat in Point Pleasant is going full throttle, ready to put you on all the bottom fishing adventure you can handle. Starting April 1st, they will be sailing everyday in search of cod, ling, blackfish and Pollock. No reservations needed. Every day but Saturday that is. On Saturdays, the Gambler will be targeting Golden Tile Fish in the really deep waters. The cost for these trips is $295 and is limited to 24 passengers. Reservations in advance are a must. You can save a seat by calling now at 732-295-7569 or emailing Captain Bogan at captbogan@aol.com. As is the case in all Gambler trips, rental equipment is available.

I stopped in to chat with Captain Dave Showell of Absecon Sportsmen’s Center today. He told me that with the cold water still permeating the bays, most of the action has been up the Mullica and Great Egg Harbor Rivers. A keeper from GEH was weighed in over the weekend and many shorts have been reported in both rivers. The white perch bite has been the only consistent bite in the area. Dave told me that the Ospreys are back in the area and believes that is a good sign that the river herring will be here shortly. Even though they are closed, the arrival of the herring is generally a harbinger for the arrival of bigger bass. Absecon Bay Sportsmen’s is locked and loaded for all your bait and tackle needs, especially bloodworms which are the prime bait right now. The shop is open daily, seven days a week.

Captain Bobby Quinn and the crew of The Ocean Explorer have been hitting the water every day the weather allows them to leave their berth in Belmar. Based on the reports I have been receiving, the cod bite is going strong for them. The Ocean Explorer sails daily from Belmar at 7:30 am, weather permitting. Reservation not required.

I spoke with Dave Arbietman, owner of The Reel Seat in Brielle and he told me to invite everyone to their Reel Grand opening at the new shop on Union Ave. They are pulling out all the stops to show off the new, expanded digs. There will be deals on tackle as well as hourly door prizes. They will also have manufacturer reps available to answer all you questions. Folks from Shimano, Bimini Bay, Pure Fishing and S&S Bucktails will be around to help you with tackle questions. And for you fresh water denizens out there, Dave asked me to remind you that he is now carrying a full line of trout gear. Sounds like an event worth making a trip to see.

In Ocean City, Fin-Atics Marine Supply has resumed it full week schedule just in time for the spring run. When I spoke to Ed Broadstein at the shop, he told me that the cold waters have been keeping the fleet tide to the dock and sitting by the fire for the most part. But better fishing is on the horizon according to Ed. The best fishing has been up the Greater Egg Harbor River. The white perch bite has been strong and there have been some keeper bass mixed in with mostly short school sized residents. As the herring arrive and the waters warm, Ed believes it will only get better. Right now, one of the prime spots in the Ocean City area, Drag Island, is accessible by boat but land based angling there is a no go for the time being. Construction on the bridges in the area has limited access to a number of the regular spots.

Don’t forget, next Saturday, April 5th, marks the opening day of Trout Season in the Garden State. To assist you in your quest, the NJDEP Division of Fish and Wildlife will be holding its annual Pequest Trout Hatchery and Natural Resource Education Center Open House this weekend, March 29 and 30. More from the NJDEP announcement:

The open house, which runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, offers a range of activities suitable for everyone from novices to experienced lovers of fishing and the outdoors.

The event features family friendly activities and conservation exhibits, focusing on fishing, hunting and wildlife in New Jersey.

Activities include:

• The Hog Trough — a giant mobile fishing tank holding thousands of gallons of water and loaded with monster trout and warm-water game fish. Professional fishing demonstrations in the Hog Trough are scheduled throughout the day, with tips for anglers on casting methods, lures and effective fishing techniques.
• Children ages 8 to 16 can try their hand at trout fishing before the season opens in the Fishing Education Pond, with expert instruction by staff and volunteers from the Wildlife Conservation Corps and Trout Unlimited. Children under 8 can try catching trout in the Kiddie Fishing Tank. All fishing equipment will be provided.
• Beginner archery and shotgun ranges will be set up in fields on the hatchery grounds. Certified hunter education instructors will offer instruction and ensure a safe experience.
• Inside the Natural Resource Education Center, Division of Fish and Wildlife staff and representatives from conservation organizations will be on hand with exhibits and information on the work being done to protect our natural resources. Wildlife artists, carvers and taxidermists will exhibit their artwork and offer items for sale.
• In addition, a Sportsmen’s Flea Market will offer deals on fishing and hunting equipment, outdoor gear and many other items. Food vendors will be available or you can bring your own lunch and enjoy one of three picnic areas located in the 4,000-acre Pequest Wildlife Management Area.

The Pequest Trout Hatchery utilizes state-of-the-art techniques for trout stocking throughout New Jersey. Wells in the Pequest Valley provide a constant flow of cold water necessary for the rearing of trout.

Please note that there have been changes to stocking locations and numbers this spring due to trout production reductions necessitated by the need to manage trout that have been affected by a common cold water fish disease.

None of the trout being stocked this spring have the disease. Trout that contracted furunculosis had to be euthanized. Others may have been exposed to the bacterium that causes the disease but were effectively treated. Trout that will be stocked have tested negative. For more information on the spring trout stocking program, including the in-season stocking schedule, please visit: www.njfishandwildlife.com/trtinfo_spring14.htm

Stocking information is also available through the Trout Stocking Hotline at (609) 633-6765.

For more information on the Open House including a schedule of events and directions, call (908)-637-4125 ext. 100 or visit: www.njfishandwildlife.com/peqoh.htm

A fishing license and trout stamp are required to fish for trout for anyone 16 or older. Children under 16 and New Jersey residents 70 years and older can fish for free. Licenses and stamps may be obtained through license agents statewide, found at www.njfishandwildlife.com/agentlst.htm.

They can also be purchased online at www.nj.wildlifelicense.com.

Best Bets for the Weekend

Early weather forecasts indicate rising temperatures under cloudy and rainy skies. Water temperatures will remain in the low 40’s so if you must fish, look for flats that heat up a little faster this time of year. That is where the bait will be and the bass won’t be far behind. Match the hatch is good advice most time but crucial this time of year. Swim baits, darters and slim profile swimmers retrieved slowly give you the best shot at action. Fishing bloodworms can be expensive this time of year but keeping them low might be a great way to snare a keeper. In any event, I have mentioned some alternatives if the weather turns o the down side. I am confident that we are on the cusp of a warming trend, so this will probably be your last opportunity to tune up your gear before the light turns green. Whatever road you choose to take, please stay safe out there. You only get so many days in the game, spend them wisely. See you on the incoming.