New Jersey Fishing Report for 3-12-2015

Slowly, but surely, the saltwaters around New Jersey are coming alive. The water is still cold, but it’s warming quickly, and the fishing is warming up too.

Cod and ling fishing is pretty good for the party and charter boats making the run. Brayden at Efinger’s Sporting Goods in Bound Brook reported one six-pack charter boat out of Point Pleasant found the motherlode of cod, catching 60 keepers and releasing twice as many shorts.

The bays and beaches are quiet, but the water temperature is climbing ever-closer to that magic 42-degree mark when spring striper fishing turns on. Just this week, Brayden said, the bay water temperature jumped nearly 10 degrees to 39 degrees.

Cold water is keeping the bite quiet in South Jersey’s backwaters as well reported the crew at Fin-Atic’s. They expect the white perch to begin biting soon as warm afternoons perk up the water temp.

Dave at Absecon Bay Sportsman heard a report of a few perch and short stripers being caught in the Mullica River. “Shows that at least something is warm enough to wriggle out of the mud,” Dave laughed.

Best Bets for the Weekend

The last big show of the season is taking place next weekend (March 20-22), the Saltwater Fishing Show in Somerset. No hunting, no freshwater, no sham-wows, just saltwater fishing exhibitors at this one. Whether you want to catch a seminar, buy some gear or book a charter, you’ll find what you need at the Saltwater Show.

Another event this weekend is at Scott’s Bait and Tackle in Mystic Island. Stanley Gola, maker of S&S Bucktails will be at the shop talking about how to get the most out of fishing bucktail jigs, whether it’s for fluke, sea bass or stripers. Fishermen can also buy some S&S bucktails for 20% off at Scott’s on Saturday.

The forecast shows rain this Saturday, but fishermen venturing out should head for the warmest water they can find if it’s stripers their after. Bloodworms are a tough-to-beat bait this time of year. If you’re hitting a river, like the Mullica or Great Egg, pack some small hooks to target the white perch that are also running this time of year. Brackish water white perch are some of the best-eating fish you can find in New Jersey.