With the weather beginning to feel more like our typical Spring, the fish have begun to respond with much more action reported this week from most tackle shops up and down the coast of New Jersey. Striped Bass, White Perch, Winter Flounder, Cod, Blackfish, and even some Bluefish are starting to bite with consistency. It’s all systems go, just keep the warmer temperatures coming! It looks like our Fluke season is officially set with a start date of May 25, but this year will we be able to fish through the majority of September. Sea Bass remains to be seen, but hopefully the federal & state decisions will be hashed out in the next few weeks. The ocean temperatures have been in the mid-40’s, but they are starting to trickle up which can only spell more fish for the coming weeks. And to end with more positive news, there have been a few unconfirmed reports of bigger Striped Bass in the 38- to 40-inch range being caught. If you haven’t already, now is the time to start getting the vessel back in the water.
Here is this week’s rundown:
Fisherman’s Supply in Point Pleasant reported some decent fishing happening this past week with Winter Flounder be caught with more regularity, but it is still slower than what it should be. Anglers fishing the last 2 hours of outgoing tide are boxing their 2-fish limit with most of the keepers ranging from 15 to 17 inches. The back bay Striped Bass fishing has been very good from Point Pleasant southward to Barnegat. Most of the fish have been in the low 20’s in terms of inches, but there have been some fish taping out to 30 inches. 1/2 oz to 3/4 oz jig heads tipped with white soft plastics or small Yo-Zuri Mag Darters have been doing the trick. The beach did have some good news on the beachfront with plenty of short fish 18 to 24 inches being caught on soft plastics and plugs. There have been some rumors of bigger fish caught north of the shop from anglers who have their boats in the water. Party boats have been reporting decent catches of Ling, Cod, and Blackfish. The shop does have some major seminar action happening in the weeks ahead, so check out dates and times on their Facebook page.
Norma K III in Point Pleasant Beach reported a decent improvement in the black fishing with pool winners ranging from 5 to 7 pounds. There has been a decent amount of life on the structures with shorts and keepers hitting baits. The crew feels as the water temperatures begin to warm then it should really turn on. The boat is sailing every day for Blackfish and they have both green crabs and clams aboard.
The MIMI VI out of Point Pleasant is officially back in the water and running trips for a variety of bottom fish. They have some open boat days from Friday to Sunday and will be leaving the dock each day at 7am for Blackfish and Cod.
Grumpy’s Bait & Tackle in Seaside Park reported good back-bay action with fish being more active in the morning and evening on smaller plugs and plastics. The Toms River has been giving up a good amount of short Striped Bass and White Perch. Winter Flounder have also been caught from Mantoloking to Forked River on clam or bloodworm. The surf scene got some good news with a few fish being caught on fresh clam and artificials. It should only get better as the temperatures start to become for Spring-like. Blackfish and Cod have been very cooperative this past week with most private and party boats boxing keeper fish.
Super Chic in Barnegat Light reported that the vessel is ready to go for targeting Blackfish and will most likely start targeting Sea Bass around May 15th depending on when the season officially opens. Currently, the season length and bag limits are not set, but Capt. Ted is still booking charters and will work around any last-minute changes to the season.
Creekside Outfitters in Waretown reported hot bites along the Oyster Creek outflow and mouth of Oyster Creek for Striped Bass. Most of the fish have been taking white soft plastics and Yo-Zuri Mag Darters held in the current. Some evenings have produced 20 to 30 shorts, so there are a lot of fish in there. Winter Flounder has been doing alright for the anglers that are trying and it has been better on the ebb tides. Clam and Bloodworms have been working with equal success on both bass and flounder.
Tony’s Bait & Tackle in Manahawkin had good news on the White Perch bite coming alive in Beach Haven West with a decent amount of reports coming into the shop this past week. Anglers fishing a few hours before sunset have been absolutely banging the perch. Winter Flounder bites have been steady, especially around the mouth of the Oyster Creek outflow. Small striped bass are scattered throughout our bays from Toms River to Mystic Isles, and basically if you hit a bay spot there should be fish.
Riptide Bait & Tackle in Brigantine reported still no legal Stripers brought into the shop, but there is a decent amount of smaller Striped Bass in the backwaters. The ocean temperatures were around 45 degrees this past week, but with warmer weather through this upcoming weekend the temperatures should tick upwards and produce more biting fish. The shop is stacked with salted clams and some jumbo Bloodworms and the shop is still offering two $50 gift cards for the first legal Striper caught in Brigantine waters and weighed in at the shop.
Fin-Atics in Ocean City reported some decent “diving gannet” action occurring off the beaches near the boardwalk in Ocean City, and it seems to be happening from Atlantic City to Stone Harbor. The shop has heard that it has been mostly big Bluefish, which is a great sign. Along with small Striped Bass, there have been some small 2- to 3-pound Bluefish in the backwaters. Most of the creeks have been giving up a fantastic White Perch bite, especially if you throw grass shrimp or small minnows. Blackfish have been good with keepers coming from some of the reef sites and the keepers have ranged from 3 to 6 pounds.
Sea Isle City to Cape May locales are still reporting a good quantity of schoolie Striped Bass, but the White Perch bite has blown open with quite a few being caught in most of the feeder Creeks in South Jersey. There has been some nice Tog caught outside, especially on some of the rumble and structure off the Cape May-Delaware reef sites. There has been some small Bluefish hitting metals along the Delaware Bay and Cape May beaches, but the action should only pickup as the temperatures warm. Weakfish should be around any day now, so keep throwing those pink and white soft plastics.
South Jersey Fishing Forecast
The best bet for this weekend is to either get your boat in the water or get your surf gear ready, because the bite is happening. Small striped bass are still best from the Toms River to Mystic Island, and I’ve received word that some of the bridges in these areas are “absolutely loaded” with schoolie bass. Casting small 3- to 5-inch swimming plugs or ½- to ¾-ounce jigheads tipped with soft plastics up-current and slowly working the baits should produce some action.
If you want Blackfish or Cod, jumping on a head-boat will almost be a sure-bet as most boats have been catching and keeping with good regularity. Surf fisherman should work some of the beaches, especially near Seaside, Point Pleasant, and the Manasquan Inlet as confirmed reports of Striped Bass have surfaced. Clam baits or artificial plugs and plastics should do the trick to put them on the end of your line. I’m thinking that next week may be the start of the bay Bluefish invasion and my fingers are crossed, so stay tuned on this one. Good Luck, Be Safe, and Tight Lines!