Last time I checked, water temperatures and air temperatures all starting to creep towards the prime range. I have also received some scattered reports from around the state that the herring are pushing up the rivers. Even though they are on the closed list, knowing they are around means that the striped bass are definitely not far behind. Water temperatures ocean sides have broken through the 50 degree mark and are definitely showing sign of improvement. Most of the action remains in the back waters but I have seen some scattered reports of bass off the beaches and inlets. It won’t take long for the action to start. I hope you have all your prep work done.

Captain Pete Sykes of Parker Pete Sportsfishing in Belmar has the boat in the detail shop and is accepting reservations for the upcoming season. The 35-foot Donnel custom holds up to 6 passengers and will sail with as few as 4 anglers. Over the summer Captain Pete does run “open boat” trips so check out his web site or Fackbook page for more info.

I had a nice chat with Nick at Hand’s Too Bait and Tackle in Cape May the other day. They are open for the season and are carrying most of the baits you will need for some early season striper action. Nick tells me that there have been some shorts taken on clams down at the point rocks. He also tells me that some of the local 6 pack captains have been running out to really deep water and getting some nice tog on crabs. The only local party boat running right now in Cape May is the Porgy IV under Captain Paul Thompson but Nick recommends calling ahead to see their schedule. Hands Too Bait and Tackle is located at the foot of the Cape May Bridge on the ingoing lane.

The Ocean Explorer out of Belmar has been hunting up the bottom fish and doing OK on cod and ling and hopeful that as the water temperatures move up a bit, the blackfish bite will step up for the last few weeks of the current season. Call ahead as conditions dictate whether or not the boat leaves port. You can check by calling Captain Bobby Quinn at 848-565-0519.

Captain Chris Hueth on the Big Mohawk in Belmar is also resuming his bottom fishing effort effective today. Call ahead for availability would be my recommendation. I knew this stretch of good would start shaking the trees.

Starting April 13th, the 90‘ Gambler Party Boat in Point Pleasant Beach will be sailing daily everyday for bottom fishing . In the month of April, the Gambler will be heading offshore for “reservation only” Golden Tile trips on every Saturday. Cost of the tile fishing trips is $290.00 and is limited to 24 passengers. The crew is well versed on fishing in waters from 400-800 feet so don’t be afraid to sign up if you are first timer and have always wanted to give it a try. Other species you may run into on deep water trips like this include hake, rosefish, grey whiting and wreckfish. With the weather starting to ease up, now is the time to jump on a trip like this and the Gambler is the boat to get you there in comfort. You can get more info at 732-295-7569. Once again, the tile trips are reservations only. Daily bottom fishing is first come first serve.

I spoke with Justin at Fin-Atics Marine Supply in Ocean City to find out what was happening in the northern reaches of Cape May County. With construction all around the Parkway Bridge nearby, one traditional hot spot for the spring, Drag Island has been rendered silent. Justin at the shop tells me there have been short bass taken at the power plant on clams and blood worms. Perch and short perch has been the only game in town further up the Great Egg River and a few shorts down around Ninth street. Fin-Atics is carrying green crabs, shucked clams and blood worms and hoping that a stretch of nice weather will turn the dial up a bit in the area.

Captain David Showell of Absecon Bay Sportsman’s Center on the Absecon Creek is reporting that he finally got his third striper weighed in, claiming all the spring season prizes. This season it took longer than ever before. There have been some herring sightings up the Mullica River and short bass in that area as well. The most consistent bite has been white perch in the Mullica but even that varies depending on the daily conditions. Blood worms have been the bait of choice lately as the grass shrimp have gone into seclusion. Dave has noted that there has been a little action on the beach in Brigantine by an angler soaking clams. A few anglers went out to the AC Reef to take advantage of the nice days with mixed results. Some togs were taken but they put a lot of time in for little reward. There was a better bite reported south off the Wildwoods in deeper waters.

Welcome aboard to Captain Mike O’Neil of the Stray Cat in the Atlantic City Area. The Stray Cat is a custom 53 foot Down-easter licensed to carry up to 22 passengers. With a fishing cockpit that has an 18’ beam and 28’ length wise, it is a great boat for those charters looking for more than a 6 pack and less than a party boat. Captain Mike O’Neil has been fishing the AC waters for as long as I can remember so you won’t find a local captain with more area experience. When I spoke to Mike this week, he has been targeting tog right now but weather has been as cooperative as he would like. The Stray Cat is geared for any time of fishing you can think of from offshore sports fishing ton inshore bottom trips. As the season progresses, be sure to check out their website or call as the Stray Cat does run open boat trips when they don’t have a booked charter. Great to have you on the scouting team Mike.

When I start getting reports that Graveling Point in Great Bay is starting to see action, then I know it is just about to break open all over the state. According to Andy at Tony’s Bait and Tackle in Manahawkin, the bite has started at Graveling Point. Ocean Temps in the bay are ranging from 45-to 50 depending on tidal flows. Anglers using blood worms or fresh clams are having the best hoop up ratios. The warmer waters around the Oyster Creek facility have also been productive. The crew at Tony’s also told me that there have finally been anglers targeting winter flounder in the bay with some success. Clam bits seem to be the best baits but don’t forget to drop a chum pot.

Any day now, we should be getting reports of the shad run in the Delaware River. To see if the time was near I called over to Harry’s Army and Navy in Robbinsville to see if their gang had heard any good news. There has been some activity up towards Lambertville according to Fran at the store, but not enough to call it a run yet. Frank also told me that the only striped bass reports he has heard come mostly at night from anglers throwing swimming plugs. Night temperatures combined with chilly water seem to be moving everything back a little. A few good warm nights should loosen things up a bit so keep an eye out for a warmer weather pattern says Frank. Once it turns on, chances it will turn on full force. In other fresh water action, Frank tells me that the trout opening was a little lackluster this year for some reason. Most of the smaller ponds and streams had decent stocking even with the recent breeding issues at Peaquest but anglers seem to be holding back a little with reports. Local ponds have been giving up some great largemouth bass, and pan fish are getting active. A few more nice days and we will be in full swing.

Tom Wolfe at Jersey Tackle in Brick was busy stocking the shelves with the new S&S Rattletails that they just got in but I did get to chat with Tony for a while about local conditions. He tells me that there has been some nice action for winter flounder at the Mantoloking Bridge up through the canal and into the river. Fish up to 17 inches have been caught by anglers using sandworms, bloodworms and mussels. Clam bits will also work in a pinch. Don’t forget to load up a chum bot to draw them in. No reports of any blackfish action in the Canal yet but there has been some striper action there, mostly shorts on clam. If you haven’t had a chance yet, stop in the shop and check out some of the custom Jigging rods the Jersey Tackle team builds in house. I can personally attest that they are some of the strongest and most versatile custom rods in the state.

Fishing Forecast for New Jersey

Looking forward, I am encouraged by what I see. The weather reports seem to have turned the corner and while recent activity hasn’t been gang busters, it certainly looks like the starting bell is about to ring. If party boat activity is any sign at all, we could be back in the swing of things before you know it. The captains I spoke with this week all seemed to be of the same mind which in and of itself is somewhat rare. Before you know it, we will be talking weakfish, drum and blues on the ocean side. If you are desperate for bottom fishing, this may be the weekend to take a run at some blackfish. Best activity is still in the deeper waters, both north and south. Winter flounder in the Point Pleasant area seems to be titling upwards and you might want to consider bundling it with some white perch fishing to fill out a menu. The beaches are quiet but the back waters are stirring. On the fresh water side, there are plenty of trout still swimming from recent stockings and warmer temps are stirring the pan fish and bass. This is the time of year where you need to put the time in but if you do, chances are your efforts will be rewarded. Time to shake the cobwebs off the equipment and do some scouting. It won’t be long now. Whichever option you choose to take advantage of, please be careful out there. You only get so many days in the game, spend them wisely. See you on the incoming.