What a tough April! It’s been a colder than average month and anglers are seeing the effects on on a variety of our fisheries. Striped bass are hitting a variety of baits, but it’s been mostly short fish as the migratory fish are not here yet. The good news is that we are getting some weakfish in a variety of areas—and some of these fish have been approaching 7 pounds. Bluefish are another story. The last few years, South Jersey had bluefish hitting the back bay areas by the April 10, but this year they have yet to show. Water temperatures play a role on most fisheries, but bluefish are almost solely guided by the mercury. It seems that our temperatures are finally on the rebound based on the latest 10-day forecast. This should help the push some fish into the bays and make for a great upcoming week.
Southern New Jersey Fishing Report
Fisherman’s Supply in Point Pleasant reported that the soft plastic bite has been on for schoolie Striped Bass. Most of the bay and bridge locations have good quantities of schoolie bass. Swimshads and paddletail baits have been catching lots of fish in the 16- to 22-inch range. There are a few keepers to 30 inches being caught, but the majority of fish are smaller. The headboats are doing well on blackfish, and some fish over 8 pounds have been boxed. The Raritan is red hot on Striped Bass with many anglers running up to catch Stripers to 39 inches. A good portion of these fish have been on the troll with plugs or mojos.
Capt. Bill’s Landing in Point Pleasant Beach had similar results as last week with short Striped Bass being caught from most locations. Soft plastics, plugs, and small metals are all working with similar success as fresh baits. Tog are hitting green crabs at the inshore wrecks, but you have to sort through the shorts to box your limit.
Norma K III in Point Pleasant Beach reported that the tog fishing improved over the last few days with some keepers approaching 6 pounds among the shorts. Anglers are finding equal success on the usual Blackfish rigs and green crab tipped jigs. The boat is running daily for Blackfish, but call ahead to be sure no cancellations due to the weather.
The MIMI VI out of Point Pleasant has been running for Tautog and Cod with some nice fish coming over the rail. The boat has a few Open Boat trips over the next four days. Capt. Ken recommends calling to reserve your spot. Green Crabs and Clams are included and the trips run from 7am to 4pm.
Jersey Hooker Outfitter in Brick said that Winter Flounder have been caught in the Manasquan River and Barnegat Bay on bloodworms by chumming heavy with clams. Schoolie Striped Bass are being caught from most bay locations with lights and around bridges on soft plastics, bloodworms, and clam. There has been no word on Bluefish as of yet.
Grumpy’s Bait & Tackle in Seaside Park had a good amount of anglers catching small Striped Bass along the surf. A variety of baits and lures were doing the trick from Bunker and Clams to small metals and shads. There were reports of a few nicer fish being caught on Bunker chunks. The ocean temperatures are still hovering around 50 degrees with the back bay a few degrees warmer, especially on the outgoing. Anglers are also catching some weakfish at some of the warmer spots in the bay and most of these fish are being caught on pink and white soft plastics.
Lacey Marine in Forked River reported schoolie striped bass still slamming a variety of baits in Oyster Creek along with White and Bubblegum colored soft plastics. Weakfish have been around hitting similar soft plastic presentations in some of the deeper holes. The shop will be running a special Open House this upcoming Saturday from 7am to 6pm and there will be a variety of door prizes and giveaways. Tony Maja, and some other tackle and boat supply representatives will be on hand, so stop by.
Super Chic in Barnegat Light will start running trips by the start of the Sea Bass season which is only a few weeks away and the crew is also gearing up for the Spring Striper run. Capt. Ted did say he has some openings, so give the boat a call.
Creekside Outfitters in Waretown had similar results as last week with Striped Bass hitting clams, bloodworms, and soft plastics up Oyster Creek. There has also been some Winter Flounder caught to 19 inches in the same areas. The shop reported that the bay temperatures have been in the low 50s which is slowly the bluefish from showing up. Weakfish are biting at the creek mouth from 2 to 5 pounds, but you need to get out at night to have success.
Tony’s Bait & Tackle in Manahawkin mentioned that the dusk White Perch bite in Beach Haven West has been on fire. Live or fresh Grass Shrimp have been the ticket. Small striped bass are practically all over our bays and water temperatures are allowing artificials to be very productive. Blood and sandworms are still very effective and anglers have been picking up some weakfish at the Oyster Creek outflow. A few crab pots are in the water, but not much on the blue claw scene as its still very early.
Riptide Bait & Tackle in Brigantine reported slower fishing off the beaches with only short Striped Bass being caught. Anglers are also catching short bass on soft plastics and Bloodworms behind some of the casinos in Atlantic City. Angler Willie Lakes weighed in a small Drum that was caught off the sod banks in the back. There still has no word on bluefish in the usual backwater spots.
Fin-Atics in Ocean City reported school Striped Bass hitting Z-Man’s and Bass Assassin soft plastics tipped on 3/8 and 1/2 oz plain jig-heads. There has been some White Perch caught in the Tuckahoe and Great Egg Harbor rivers on small minnows and live grass shrimp. The rock jetties and inshore reef sites have been getting some nice tautog using green crabs and clam. The shop wanted to remind that the Tog season closes 4/30.
The Avalon and Stone Harbor area reported small Striped Bass and Bluefish being caught off the backwater jetties and bridges. Bass Assassins and other small soft plastics in the chartreuse color are working well. There also have been some reports of Herring in the back-bays.
Peace Token Fishing Tackle in Cape May Courthouse reported smaller Striped Bass hitting mostly clam and bloodworm baits from the bridges and jetties. The surf has only seen a few small Stripers as it’s been somewhat slow. There were a few 1 to 2 pound Bluefish reported, but these fish were mostly in the backwaters. Tog fishing off the rock jetties has been slowly getting better as the warm has begun to warm up.
Hands Too Bait & Tackle in Cape May reported short Striped Bass around the jetties, rock piles, and off the Cape May beaches. No word on any bluefish, but anglers are catching puppy Drum in the shallow areas of the Delaware Bay. Blackfish have been very cooperative at most reef site locations on green crab and clam.
South Jersey Fishing Forecast
The best bet for this weekend is go to for tautog from the jetties and inshore reef sites and based on the reports anglers have been catching tog up to 8 pounds. If you have the chance jump on a party boat or recreational vessel, then definitely “do it” as the season closes on April 30. Some of the inlet jetties have Tog and can be targeted using fresh Clam or Green Crab. Striped bass is another option, but most of coastal South Jersey has only short Stripers. The majority of the keepers are up in the Raritan, but this will change once the ocean starts warming. Our back bays from Seaside to Cape May are choked with small bass. Bloodworms, Sandworms, Clams, or Bunker work well when targeting these fish, and I recommend staying around some type of structure such as bridges, jetties, or rockpiles. Soft plastics have been very hot on back bay bass as the water has warmed up just enough to make them more active. The temperatures look to really start heating up through this weekend and into next week, which should help the bite and get some fish moving. Good Luck, Be Safe, and Tight Lines!
Coming from PA for a short visit over moms day… Will have only a few hours to make some casts in OC. Thanks for the reports!!!!