The best news in this week’s report is that February is half over. It’s been a tough month and anglers are anxious for it to end.
Even the one bright spot, ice fishing, took a hit with heavy rain and rising temperatures.
We’re just going to have to bide our time until the weather and the fishing improve.
It wasn’t completely dead as saltwater anglers caught some fish, just not a whole lot.
Capt. Bobby Quinn on the Ocean Explorer, currently the only party boat sailing out of Belmar, did find some cod, perch and blackfish on his last several trips. But, he said, the fishing was slow.
He got out on Wednesday with a small crowd and found some life but it was mostly short cod and blackfish along with eels and sharks.
It was pretty much the same on his previous trips although there were a few keepers in the mix.
Capt. Quinn reported that the sailing conditions were relatively nice over the weekend, but the water has been pretty cold, a few degrees shy of 40. He’s hoping for some warmer water and plans on sailing every day as long as the weather allows.
John Bogan at Brielle Bait and Tackle said it’s been very quiet there for the last several days but the Big Jamaica and Jamaica II did manage to get out on Saturday.
The Jamaica II sailed to wrecks 30 to 40 miles out and caught some cod and pollock. The fishing wasn’t great but better than it has been. High hook had three cod and a pollock.
Capt. Ryan Bogan reported there were a handful of ling caught as well. The pool winner was a pollock around 15 pounds and the cod were between 5 and 8 pounds.
Capt. Howard Bogan on the Big Jamaica reported a good Saturday wreck trip with cod up to 18 pounds, pollock up to 20 pounds, a few limits of jumbo porgies along with some mackerel.
The Big Jamaica will be sailing to offshore wrecks every Saturday in February leaving at 2 a.m.
Jason Szabo at Fishermen’s Supply in Point Pleasant Beach said things are very quiet there as far as fishing goes but the staff has been very busy getting new inventory in for spring.
He did say that the Voyager, which docks right by the shop, caught cod on its Block Island trip over the weekend.
The bite wasn’t great, he said, but some nice fish did come over the rail.
Capt. Matt Sosnowski on the Norma K III out of Point Pleasant Beach hasn’t sailed in a few days but plans on shaping up for the weekend.
When asked if there was anything going in his neck of the woods, Grumpy himself at Grumpy’s Bait and Tackle in Seaside Park simply said it’s February, meaning not much.
The response was pretty much the same from shops down the coast.
As for the ice fishermen, deteriorating conditions put a crimp in the action.
Ryan at Tackle and Field in Wanaque said it’s been slow for about a week with rain and rising temperature making the ice on local lakes and ponds a little suspect.
Ron Tucci at Fins and Furs in Wanaque said the ice is disappearing there as well. There is still some on the big lakes, but access to the safer portions has become a challenge.
Steve at Garden State Bow and Reel in Stockholm said the only guys who are ice fishing are the adventurous ones. The ice is on the way out and things are quiet once again in the shop.
Considering the last couple of years, most of the ice fishermen he’s spoken to are grateful for the season they had and are now looking forward to spring fishing. He said a lot of the feeder streams out of the lakes will be holding perch by the end of the month.
Fishing Forecast for New Jersey
The best chance to catch some fish this weekend will most likely be aboard the few bottom fishing boats still sailing. The fishing hasn’t been great, but some fish have been caught.
Anglers unable to feed their fishing habit are likely climbing the walls right about now. One remedy might be to head to Surf Day at Brookdale Community College in Lincroft, N.J. this Saturday.
Designed for the dedicated surfcaster, the show runs from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and will feature some of the top plug and rod makers on the East Coast. There will also be a full schedule of seminars.
Tackle shops such as the Reel Seat from Brielle, Fisherman’s Supply from Point Pleasant Beach and Grumpy’s Bait and Tackle from Seaside Park will be on hand with good deals on loads of inventory.
I live in Tuckerton NJ anybody close going out for cod or tog ?