The nor’easter this week hindered much of the fishing in Northern New Jersey, but things are settling down for the weekend, and there will be plenty of fish to catch.
The best fishing right now is for bottom fish like tog and sea bass. The tog fishing is happening inshore, with fish to 10 pounds still being caught. Brayden from Efinger’s in Bound Brook said the waters north of Shark River Inlet are the better bet for tog fishing right now. Green crabs are working well, but white-leggers are a good choice if you’re after a big white-chinned tog.
The black sea bass fishing is happening farther offshore reported Dave at The Reel Seat in Brielle. The best way to get in on the sea bass bite is to jump on a party boat. The trips are long, usually 18 hours, but the payoff is well worth it as most anglers return to the dock with full coolers. Sea bass limits are common, and more porgies are entering the mix, reported Brayden at Efinger’s. On many trips, a handful of cod are caught as well, including a 35-pounder taken aboard the Voyager last week.
One look at the surf this week and it was clear that striper fishing was not on the menu. Big seas from the recent storm chewed away at the beaches, undoing many of the beach nourishment efforts. When the water cleans up, there should still be some good striper fishing ahead of us.
Don’t let the calendar discourage you-December can be a great month for striper fishing in Northern New Jersey. The fish, though on the small side, can arrive in huge numbers, offering fast action for both beach and boat fishermen.
There have been some stripers caught recently. The crew at True World Bait and Tackle in Bayonne reported small stripers being caught on seaworms along the Raritan Bayshore. Brayden at Efinger’s reported a few small fish being caught by boaters, but no word of keepers. Dave at the Reel Seat said he heard of stripers being caught South of Seaside Park, but most were under 18 inches.
There’s always freshwater fishing. Pickerel, one of New Jersey’s native freshwater species, thrive in cold water. Pickerel can be caught on live shiners, jerkbaits and spinners. They live in shallow ponds and rivers, and can be found around weedbeds.
Best Bets for the Weekend
The weather is looking up for the weekend and so is the fishing. Bottom fishing is your best bet. If you’ve already put your boat away, hop on a headboat. Tog fishing is a great option, but if you really want to return to the dock with tired arms and a full cooler, get on one of the offshore sea bass trips.
When the surf clears, the stripers should return. Keep your lures small and fish a teaser above them. Also, consider downsizing your tackle. These early-winter schoolies can be a lot of fun. Just be sure to release them with care so they return next spring bigger and stronger.