Hold on, spring’s coming.
That’s all I can offer since the fishing is pretty limited right now. The best things going on are the offshore porgy bite and the ice fishing.
Unfortunately, the latter took a bit of a hit with the recent rain and warmer temperatures. There are still some blackfish being caught, but it’s been up and down with the season coming to close at the end of the month.
Fishing Report For New Jersey
Bob Matthews at Fisherman’s Den in Belmar said he’s been thinking spring lately. With the exception of blackfishing aboard the Ocean Explorer, there’s nothing much going on at the marina right now.
The shop is open every day getting ready for better weather. Winter flounder season opens March 1.
Capt. Bobby Quinn on the Ocean Explorer said the tog were chewing pretty well on Monday, at least compared to Sunday.
He fished in 80 to 100 feet of water and there were a good number of shorts caught along with a handful of keepers. There were also a few cod in the mix.
The weather went foul on Tuesday and Capt. Quinn was uncertain when he would be sailing next.
Capt. Pete Sykes of Parker Pete’s Sportfishing out of Belmar is currently booking spring striper trips and will be at the Edison Boat Show this Saturday giving his bucktailing for fluke seminar. The following week he’s at the Greater Philadelphia Outdoor Show in Oaks, Pa., Feb. 23 to 26.
Eric Bunz at the Reel Seat in Brielle said it was quiet there with the exception of the offshore porgy bite.
He did say the shop will be holding a slow-pitch jigging seminar aboard the River Queen, located at 800 Ashley Ave. in Bogan’s Basin in Brielle at 10 a.m. on Feb. 23. The technique, which originated in the Far East, is rapidly gaining in popularity among anglers here.
Greg Bogan at Brielle Bait and Tackle said the Big Jamaica has been doing very well with jumbo porgies on its offshore trips.
Capt. Howard Bogan said last Sunday’s trip was the best of the year so far with limits on porgies along with some ling, cod and hake. The Big Jamaica will be sailing again this Saturday at 1 a.m.
The shop is holding another rod building seminar on Feb. 25, 27 and March 1.
Capt. Jeff Gutman on The Voyager out of Point Pleasant Beach also reported excellent porgy fishing last weekend. The day started off well then really picked up in the afternoon with loads of double and triple headers. Along with the porgies, there were a couple of dozen ling and a haddock.
He’s sailing for porgies this Sunday at 1 a.m. It’s his last trip before the Voyager heads to the shipyard.
Pete at Charlie’s Bait and Tackle in Lavallette is waiting for his first report on white perch. He’s heard of a few guys trying in Oyster Creek, but there’s no word of anyone catching anything yet.
Frankie Z at Grumpy’s Bait and Tackle in Seaside Park reported hearing of a few white perch caught in the Toms River. He also heard of a few small bass in the river as well. The shop will have blood worms in stock come March 1.
Grumpy’s is heading to Surf Day, sponsored by the Jersey Shore Surfcasters, this Saturday at Brookdale Community College in Lincroft. Frankie said they will have lots of new rods and tackle along with some special deals.
Ron Tucci at Tackle World in Rochelle Park said that ice fishermen have been doing very well with trout through the ice at Green Turtle Pond. Beyond that, all he’s heard about are the offshore porgies.
Steve at Garden State Bow and Reel said the ice fishing is holding on despite the warm spell. In fact, he said, it’s been extremely good, with anglers catching everything there is.
There’s lots of trout at Silver Lake and Green Turtle Pond and crappie are being caught in most local lakes and ponds with the afternoon fishing the best. Landlocked salmon are also biting at Lake Aeroflex, Lake Wawayanda and Tilcon Lake.
Steve said all of the usual baits are working depending on what you’re after.
John at Tackle and Field in Wanaque said he hadn’t heard much in the last couple of days as the warm spell left some open water in the local lakes and the ice around the edges was getting thin. There’re some cold nights ahead, so he expects participation to pick up.
Laurie Murphy at Dow’s Boat Rental at Lake Hopatcong reported some open water in the main lake, but the ice is still 7 to 10 inches thick in the coves. Perch, pickerel and crappie continue to be caught.
Fishing Forecast for New Jersey
This is the last weekend to go blackfishing before the season closes on Feb. 28. The fishing is a little slow, but it’s the last chance for tog until April 1.
If you’re a beach angler, you might want to head over to Brookdale Community College for Surf Day, presented by the Jersey Shore Surfcasters.
Surf Day offers a full day of seminars, including one by On the Water editor, Jimmy Fee, on why bucktails and needlefish are such great producers of striped bass. There will also be table after table of everything a surfcaster will need when it’s time to hit the beach. The show is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
There’s also the New Jersey Boat Sale and Expo this weekend at the New Jersey Exposition Center in Edison. Among the seminar speakers is Capt. Pete Sykes of Parker Pete’s Sportfishing. He’ll be talking about bucktail strategies for big fluke.