Even with Valentine’s Day approaching, I am definitely not feeling the love for the weather or the recent fishing reports. The fishing around New Jersey has been slow, with few anglers getting out for anything other than ice fishing.
The tog fishing is fizzling out as the water temperatures continue to drop. A few boats have gotten out and found some cod on deepwater wrecks, but the nearly constant wind has stifled much of that fishing.
Ice-fishermen are in their element, however. Fishable ice can be found all the way into South Jersey, and fishermen are connecting with pickerel, perch, crappie, and even some pike and walleye.
One of the most popular ice-fishing destinations is Lake Hopatcong where Laurie at Dows Boat Rental said, there is still plenty of ice out there, 12 to 14 inches in some of the coves and probably 8 inches or so on the Main Lake. The Knee Deep Club’s second ice fishing contest is set for this Sunday, with the third contest set for March 1, 2015, ice conditions permitting. Some nice perch were pulled from the lake this past week, along with some crappie and pickerel. Al Moretti’s pickerel hit the scales at 4 lb 2 oz, along with Scott King’s two pickerel weighing in at 3 pounds and 3 lbs 5 oz.
Best Bets for the Weekend
If you’ve been holding out for better saltwater reports or some open freshwater ponds, it might be time to break down and give ice-fishing a try. Just be sure the ice is at least 4 inches thick, and never fish alone. Live shiners will be the best bet for action, but using small jigs can be a fun way to target panfish.
It’s also a good time to organize your gear and send in rods and reels for repairs or just some general maintenance.