Well, it’s a great feeling to be back writing the weekly South Jersey fishing reports which signals the start of our fishing season in coastal New Jersey. I hope all our readers had a great winter and we enjoyed seeing some of you at the boat shows. The temperatures in our bays have begun to rise with longer daylight, and the stripers have started to respond. Most are in the schoolie size, but there have been reports of a few 30-inch fish being landed. Bloodworms and clams on the bait front, and soft plastics and slowly worked plugs for anglers looking to use artificials. white perch and winter flounder have also been cooperating for anglers fishing via land and boat. I stopped at one of the local marinas and only saw two boats in, so it seems most are still getting ready for the season. This will change with better weather and temperatures ahead.
Fishing Report For Southern New Jersey
Capt. Bill’s Landing in Point Pleasant Beach reported some schoolie striped bass being caught along the Metedeconk River south to the Toms River. Most have been caught around dusk on soft plastic, bloodworms, or slowly worked 3- to 4-inch swimming plugs. There also has been some winter flounder hitting from the Manasquan River and in the Point Pleasant canal.
Norma K III in Point Pleasant Beach has been ready to fish, but the weather has not cooperated as the past weekend had some severe gusts with chilly temperatures. The vessel will be looking to head back out this upcoming weekend for Ling and Cod with departure times at 730 a.m. Once the blackfish season opens on April 1st, the boat will be sailing every day from 730 a.m. to 230 p.m.
The Gambler out of Point Pleasant Beach is back in the water and has started doing bottom fishing trips. The crew will be sailing every day, except for Wednesdays for the next several weeks.
The MIMI VI out of Point Pleasant has been busy performing winter maintenance on the vessel, but the skipper anticipates starting trips for the April 1st blackfish season opener. They will be target Tog on some of Capt. Kenny’s choice wrecks.
Jersey Hooker Outfitter in Brick had a few anglers stop in with good information on back bay striped bass biting from the Toms River and Manasquan River. Most of the bites have been around the bridges and some of the “up-river” spots on bloodworms and small Yo-Zuri Crystal Minnows.
Charlie’s Bait & Tackle in Normandy Beach has been reporting some decent striped bass fishing in the Toms River from Ocean Gate area to Island Heights. It seems the best bassing has been on Mag Darters, small poppers, and bloodworms. As far as winter flounder goes, it’s been relatively a slow pick with the recent dip in the temperatures. This upcoming weekend should show an uptick with the temperatures approaching the mid-60s. The Route 37 bridge, Mantaloking Bridge, and mouth of the Toms River have been the hot spots for the winter flatties.
Grumpy’s Bait & Tackle in Seaside Park reported back-bay fishing still going strong as the calendar approaches April. There are lots of small striped bass around and anglers targeting winter Flounder have had a decent pick. The shop is fully stocked with bloodworms for your floundering and bass needs. The shop has been stocking the shelfs with a variety of striped bass tackle from Maja Rods to S&S Bucktail Mojos.
Jersey Buoyz out of Forked River will start to target Tog in the coming weeks and will also be after bluefish once they make their way into Barnegat Bay.
Lacey Marine in Forked River had similar reports of white perch and winter flounder picking up on bloodworm rigs near the mouth of the Toms River and along some of the stretches of land towards Berkley Heights. Striped bass have been mixed in, but most are in the 15- to 20-inch range. Barnegat Bay has been relatively slow on reports, but a few diehards have hooked up with striped bass along the Long Beach Island (bayside). The shop will have their annual Spring Prep day (Sat – 3/30) loaded with specials and deals from Interlux, Petit, and many others.
Creekside Outfitters in Waretown reported the schoolie bass hitting bloodworms from Berkley Heights area on the Toms River and around the Route 37 bridge. There has been some decent white perch in the Toms River on bloodworm and grass shrimp. Some boats have had success working chum pots near the mouth of the Toms River for winter flounder. With Oyster creek shut down, it has been relatively slow on the west side of Barnegat bay.
Reel Reaction Charters out of Waretown and Barnegat Light has officially started the season, and will be targeting back bay striped bass and bluefish through April. In addition, there are some weekend Tautog dates available during the month of April.
Fisherman’s Headquarters in Ship Bottom reported anglers working artificial baits are picking up small striped bass around some of the sedges and bridges mid-island. Plugs in the 3- to 5-inch range are catching. Lure such as the Yo-Zuri Crystal Minnow, Rapala X-Rap, and Kettle Creek paddle tails rigged on a plain jighead. winter flounder fishing has been a pick from Beach Haven to Barnegat Light, with better reports towards the Toms River. Some areas in Beach Haven West are picking up white perch on Grass Shrimp during the evening tides.
Ocean City to Cape May have been reporting schoolie striped bass in most of the back bays with the fish more active as you head further south. There have been a few random bluefish caught, but nothing in terms of mass yet. Bloodworms have been the go-to baits for most of extreme south jersey.
South Jersey Fishing Forecast
The best bet for the weekend will be to target winter flounder as a few days of 50s to 60s should have these flatfish bathing off any of the muddy flats that occur in our estuaries. Working any of these areas with heavy chum should do the trick, but anglers can also use cat food, corn, or whatever secret baits they have. Striped bass fishing should get even better as the water begins to warm, and bait become more active in the bays. Although most of these fish are of the smaller variety, they still put a nice bend in the rod. This is your last weekend to get the tog or blackfish gear in order as Monday (April 1st) has anglers allowed to keep four white chins a day for the rest of the month. Good Luck Be Safe, and Tight Lines!
DO YOU GIVE REPORTS FOR SURF FISHING ALONG THE DEIAWARE RIVER BETWEEN NJ & PA. REOUND NATIONAL PARK AND IF NOT CAN YOU SUGGEST SOMEONE WHO DOES,
It would be great to see a report on the Delaware River just like Tom mentioned above!
Thanks!
Delaware River report will be like every year – Asians catching and keeping 30-40 Striped bass of all sizes