The past week saw rather cold temperatures in the morning, but midweek nightly lows rebounded to more seasonable 60’s. The temperatures play a huge role as the bay temperatures have started to climb and this helped the Striped Bass and Bluefish bites. We are finally hearing and seeing Bluefish being caught along the south Jersey beaches and inlets. This is great news as many anglers have been awaiting their arrival. These fish are easily targeted by throwing plugs, poppers, metals, and bunker chunks. The Blackfish season did end with some decent catches from Seaside to Cape May and some of the white-chinned Tog topped 16 pounds on the scales. Anglers will have to wait until the second season opens in July. The good news is that we are only 22 days away to the start of the Summer Flounder season.
Here is this week’s rundown:
Fisherman’s Supply in Point Pleasant reported short bass in most locations in the backwaters and around the bridges on the Manasquan and Barnegat bay. There were some promising reports of Striped Bass to 39 inches hitting soft plastics, plugs, and pencil poppers. Most of the action was from kayaks in the Raritan bay, but anglers are starting to see better bites with the warmer weather. The shop has a full line of Hobie kayaks, so stop in and get suited up in your future “yak”. The head-boats finished out the Blackfish season strong banging Tog to 7 pounds at the inshore wrecks along with keeper Cod. The Bluefish have yet to show, and it seems as everybody is raring to go for these Spring racers. Jason thinks this upcoming weekend and week may have some big Blues show in the Manasquan.
Capt. Bill’s Landing in Point Pleasant Beach reported that the back of Manasquan River had some smaller Striped Bass. There were adult bunker on the beach and south of the Manasquan Inlet which bodes well for the spring Striper run. The shop did not receive any reports of Bluefish over the week.
Norma K III in Point Pleasant Beach reported good blackfish through the close of the Tog season along with Ling and keeper Cod. The boat will be focusing on Ling and Cod in the 100- to 200-foot depths and departs every day at 730AM. The past few days saw small Cod and big Ling as the pool winners have been nice Ling.
The MIMI VI out of Point Pleasant finished out the Tautog season strong with some nice keepers to over 6 pounds that hit the coolers. The boat will be running open boat trips for Cod/Ling and for Striped Bass once the run big.
Jersey Hooker Outfitter in Brick said Winter Flounder were still hot and heavy in the bay and Manasquan River. The Point Pleasant canal had quite a few bites on schoolie bass and a handful of Weakfish have been caught in the 2- to 5-pound range. Blue crabs have started coming out of the mud.
Grumpy’s Bait & Tackle in Seaside Park had good reports from Ocean beach to Island Beach State Park on Striped Bass to 29 inches. They had a few small keeper Striped Bass hit the shop’s scales. Most of the bites occurred during the dusk and evening hours on Daiwa SP minnows, swim shads, bucktails, and fresh clam or bunker. Surf anglers did report a few adult bunker in the wash, and several whales were putting on a show as they fed on Bunker offshore.
Lacey Marine in Forked River reported short Striped Bass along the Oyster Creek outflow on small plugs and soft plastics. The season closing Tog bite was very good at the Garden State North and South reefs with fish to 15 pounds being boxed. The shop did receive a few reports of Bluefish to 10 pounds, but these were sporadic. Weakfish are still being landed between the BI and BB, and at the mouth of the Oyster Creek outflow on pink and white soft plastics.
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 Striped Bass off Long Beach Island on clam with a couple hitting the scales to 13 pounds. There are still schoolie Striped Bass off the beach and inlet area. Anglers have been getting nice Weakfish on Al-Gags and Kettle Creek soft plastics near the mouth of Oyster Creek outflow to the BI buoy. Blue crabs are slowly beginning
Tony’s Bait & Tackle in Manahawkin reported small Striped Bass in the bay and around the bridges with an occasional Weakfish. White Perch are still going strong in Beach Haven West on Grass Shrimp and the store is loaded with fresh shrimp.
Riptide Bait & Tackle in Brigantine reported the 1st keeper Striped Bass hitting the scales at 29 inches and 8 pounds in which Joe Neild collected the shop’s $50 gift card. There was some action on short fish in the backwaters of Brigantine for anglers drifting bloodworms and throwing soft plastics. The shop is loaded with fresh shucked clams, salted clams, bunker, and bloodworms. The waters are starting to warm and the shop received word that some Bluefish were caught south of Ocean City.
Fin-Atics in Ocean City reported Bluefish biting from the surf Avalon southward and some being caught on the troll in the Cape May and Delaware waters. The beach in Ocean City had some action on Striped Bass, Sea Robins, Blowfish, and Kingfish which was weighed in at the shop. There wasn’t a lot of fish caught, but enough action to keep the rod bent. All the fish were reportedly caught on Bloodworms.
The Avalon and Stone Harbor area had confirmed reports of 8- to 10-pound Bluefish showing up along the beach in Avalon which is great news for the rest of coastal New Jersey. Small Striped Bass are still being caught in the backwaters and lesser amounts along the surf.
Peace Token Fishing Tackle in Cape May Courthouse reported some Striped Bass hitting the surf, but most have been shorts. The Delaware Bay is producing a decent amount of Drum on clam baits and Bluefish have been hit or miss.
Hands Too Bait & Tackle in Cape May reported Drum being caught on clam from anchored vessels in the Delaware Bay. The Drum have weighed up to 50 pounds and have also been caught off the bay beaches. Bluefish are around, but more of the Taylor-sized blues to 5 pounds. There have been some Striped Bass caught off the beaches, bay, and inlets, but they have been on the short size.
South Jersey Fishing Forecast
The best bet for this weekend will be to target both Bluefish and Striped Bass as our area is finally seeing some warmer bay temperatures. Anglers should look for more and more fish moving into the areas and should target the warmer, outgoing tides. Sedges, marsh creeks, and areas that are adjacent to deeper channels should be targeted for these species. Tidal flats with muddy bottoms will usually hold baitfish and gamefish during the warmer tidal cycles. Depending on your target, soft plastics, small metals, and plugs are great starting points for finding feeding bass and blues. Another area to work this time of year are most of our inlets and jetties which will also hold some feeding fish during the ebb tides. Remember, Spring is all about finding the warmer water. Bluefish are currently being caught from Avalon south to Cape May, but they should quickly move up into the reaches of Atlantic and Ocean counties. Good Luck, Be Safe, and Tight Lines!