February, it’s been said, is the longest month of the year for anglers.
It’s always been a bit of a quiet time, but this year has been especially cruel, mainly for the saltwater guys. Cold, nasty weather and poor fishing has cut sailing days and hurt participation. There just haven’t been a lot of fish caught.
The freshwater guys, however, welcomed the frigid temperatures as they provided the best ice season in years. Seesawing mercury and recent rain have left some soft spots, but it’s still holding in the northwest part of the state.
Steve at Garden State Bow & Reel in Stockholm reported there is still 9 inches of ice at Lake Hopatcong and it has been good fishing for perch, bass and pickerel. The crappie fishing, he said, has fallen off just a bit.
He also heard of some landlocked salmon caught at Lake Wawayanda, pike at Budd Lake and walleye at Highland Lakes. He heard there were big blue gill being caught at Ryker Lake, but had no luck himself over the weekend.
Ken at Tackle And Field in Wanaque said it’s been a good ice season but the rain over the last couple of days has had an impact. He said the ice was honeycombed in places at Greenwood Lake.
Still, there are perch being caught there as well as at Lake Hopatcong. He also received reports of perch and walleye at Pompton Lakes.
Ron Tucci at Fins And Furs in Newfoundland said there is still ice in his neck of the woods but participation has been down this week. Most of the fishing is taking place on private lakes and ponds and he didn’t get many reports in the way of action.
The fishing is still tough on the saltwater front but there were a few bright spots.
Bob Matthews at Fisherman’s Den in Belmar reported that Capt. Bobby Quinn on the Ocean Explorer had a pretty good trip earlier this week with the best fishing he’s had in the last couple of outings.
Capt. Quinn’s Ocean Explorer is one of the few boats still sailing and he took advantage of Tuesday’s clear weather to head offshore.
The wind was light and so was the crowd, but those that showed up had good fishing, especially in the first hour or so.
Capt. Quinn found perch, cod, pollock and blackfish. High hook landed two keeper tog and a cod along with a bunch of short blackfish. There were also some keeper pollock mixed in with the shorts. His next trip is planned for Friday and he hopes to sail the weekend as well.
Greg Bogan at Brielle Bait and Tackle said the Paramount sailed out of Bogan’s Basin over the weekend and, while the fishing wasn’t great, the folks aboard managed to catch some ling, blackfish, cod and pollock.
Both the Big Jamaica and Jamaica II plan on sailing offshore trips this weekend.
He also said a few anglers fished the Manasquan Inlet with Sabiki rigs and caught some sea herring.
Bogan also reported a few trout caught in the Manasquan River as well as in Spring Lake.
Capt. Matt Sosnowski on the Norma K III out of Point Pleasant Beach hasn’t sailed for the last few days but is planning on blackfishing this Saturday and Sunday weather permitting.
Ray Kerico at Grumpy’s Bait and Tackle is Seaside Park didn’t have much to report in the way of fishing, but said the shop is gearing up for the show season and will be at Surf Day on Feb. 17 at Brookdale Community College.
The shop plans on stocking worms and clams starting March 1 for the bass and winter flounder anglers.
Joe at Tonys Bait and Tackle in Manahawkin said it’s been very quiet there but the shop does have bait for those ready to try for white perch.
Justin at Fin-Atics in Ocean City said it’s been equally somber there with not even the die-hard perch fishermen coming by. He’s pretty sure they will show with the first warm weekend.
Fishing Forecast for New Jersey
The fishing remains far from spectacular but there were a few good signs from the saltwater guys. Cod, pollock, ling and some tog were caught in the last week by the offshore boats so it might be a sign of improving conditions.
There’s still ice around as well, but there’s warmer weather on the way along with rain, so it’s uncertain how long it will last.
One thing that is certain is that it’s flea market season and two will be taking place this weekend.
The Hi-Mar Striper Club will be holding its annual event this Saturday, Feb. 10 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Middletown VFW Post 2179 on Route 36 in Port Monmouth.
Admission is $5 per person and includes free entry to the seminars and a ticket for a chance to win door prizes.
The Saltwater Anglers of Bergen County will be holding their annual flea-market at the Hasbrouck Heights VFW in Hasbrouck Heights on Sunday, Feb. 11. Admission is $5 and children under 12 are free and doors open at 9 a.m.
In addition to a wide variety of salt water gear, there will be door prizes, refreshments and a 50/50 raffle.