It was a good news, bad news kind of week.
The good news was that there was plenty of thick ice on lakes and ponds throughout the state and the hardwater fishermen were ecstatic.
The bad news was that there was plenty of thick ice on rivers and bays and the saltwater guys were stuck at the dock.
You can’t make everybody happy.
Phil Sciortino Sr. at the Tackle Box in Hazlet said Raritan Bay is iced in and there’s absolutely nothing going on.
Capt. George Bachert on the Angler out of Atlantic Highlands, who was hoping to get a few more blackfish trips in after the deep freeze, finally decided to call it a season. The Angler was the last boat sailing out of Atlantic Highlands.
The mercury finally did move above freezing and a few blackfish boats were able to sail on Wednesday.
Capt. Bobby Quinn aboard the Ocean Explorer out of Belmar reported finding nice conditions offshore with flat calm seas.
He was fishing in water 90 to 140 feet deep where the water temperature ranged from 39 to 43 degrees.
The fish were coming up as soon as they started fishing but the bite never really got going. He said they picked fish at each drop, catching up to four keepers and plenty of shorts, before the eels and other pests started to become a problem.
His plan is to head offshore for the next couple of days in search of more and bigger tog.
Bob Matthews at Fisherman’s Den in Belmar said with the exception of the few blackfish boats still sailing, The Capt. Cal II and the Skylarker among them, it’s very quiet at the marina.
There may be some short bass in the surf still, but he hasn’t heard of anyone giving it a try in the fierce cold.
Dave Arbeitman at the Reel Seat in Brielle said that blackfishing is about the only thing going on right now. The shop is operating under winter hours now open Thursday, Friday and the weekend from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Catherine at Brielle Bait and Tackle said it’s pretty quiet there as well but they’ve been selling live killies to the ice fishermen. They also have plenty of green crabs for the toggers.
She did add that the Big Jamaica, Jamaica II and Paramount have scheduled offshore wreck trips out of Bogan’s Basin this weekend for ling, porgies and cod.
Capt. Matt Sosnowski of the Norma K III out of Point Pleasant Beach reported that it was good to be back on the water after sailing on Wednesday.
The blackfishing was decent with the pool winner in excess of 10 pounds. He ran into a lot of current and advised those planning on coming down to remember their heavy sinkers. Green crabs are provided but if you want white leggers, you’ll have to bring your own.
Capt. Kenny Namowitz on the Mimi VI, also out of Point Pleasant Beach, reported it was pleasant out on the water on Wednesday with some nice tog coming over the rail. He’s going to be sailing for blackfish through January.
With the fishing a little slow this time of year, Brian Stensland at Fisherman’s Supply in Point Pleasant Beach is reminding folks to come and check out the new inventory that is coming into the shop almost daily.
Frankie D. at Grumpy’s Bait and Tackle in Seaside Park said the shop is busy but it’s mainly due to rod building and reel repairs.
Matt at Tony’s Bait and Tackle in Manahawkin reported it’s the same story there. He said there’s a steady stream of people coming in getting their gear ready for spring.
Bill at Fin-Atics in Ocean City said the ice is still very thick there and it’s just starting to move with the recent thaw. There wasn’t anything going on fishing wise and, between the cold and snow, Thursday was his first day in the shop since the New Year.
The folks having all the fun right now are the ice fishermen and women.
Steve at Garden State Bow & Reel in Stockholm said everyone is having a ball with all of the ice around.
The first ice is usually the best, he said, and the fishing at Pompton Lake, Lake Wawayanda, Lake Hopatcong and all of the private lakes and ponds in the area has been terrific.
Anglers are catching bass, perch, crappie, pike and bluegills on a wide range of baits including shiners, Swedish pimples, mousies and jigs.
Laurie Murphy at Dow’s Boat Rental on Lake Hopatcong reported that there is 10 to 12 inches of ice covering the surface and some nice pickerel and yellow perch have been caught in Great Cove and at Nolan’s Point.
The Knee Deep Club will be holding their first ice fishing derby on Sunday, Jan. 21 and it seems safe to say the ice will last that long.
Ron at Fins and Furs in Newfoundland said the ice fishing has been excellent with good reports on musky and walleye at Greenwood Lake. Shiners have been the go-to bait.
Ryan at Tackle and Field in Wanaque reported good ice fishing pretty much everywhere. They’re getting walleye, perch and crappie at Monksville Reservoir and Pompton Lake.
Again, shiners, mousies and jigs are catching the fish. With the amount of ice around, Ryan expects it to last until February at least.
Cheryl at Newark Sinker Company said she hasn’t received many catch reports as yet, but there are people fishing Budd Lake and Tilcon Lake and she expects they’re catching perch, pike and pickerel.
Not an ice angler herself, Cheryl said she will be at the Garden State Outdoor Show in this weekend. Now in its 35th year, the show runs Thursday through Sunday at the New Jersey Convention and Exposition Center in Edison.
Fishing Forecast for New Jersey
The best chance to catch fish this weekend is through the ice. Ice fishing requires a certain expertise, specific equipment and a taste for the cold. It may not be everyone’s cup of tea.
However, if you ever wanted to give it a try, now’s the time as the ice is thick, especially in the northern and western parts of the state. Do a little research and check in at your local bait and tackle shop.
Blackfish are still biting for boat anglers and party boats in search of tog are sailing out of Belmar and the Manasquan Inlet.
For those looking to get their fishing fix indoors, visit the Garden State Outdoor Show at the New Jersey Convention and Exposition Center in Edison this weekend.