A belated Happy Easter and Passover to our readers. I was able to get out on Easter morning and got into some small Striped Bass on 4-in poppers, but I’m still waiting for the big girls to arrive. Tog fishing has been hit or miss due to the big swell over the last week, but some big fish to 13 pounds have been landed on jig and green crab. Unfortunately, the season ends for Tog in T-minus 5 days, so get those green crabs and get out there. The movement Bluefish has been the big news the last few days and it’s almost like we need the “breaking news” widget in the lower part of our screens for tracking them. As of the latest, they have been caught as far north as Brigantine. I don’t know who is more concerned: anglers tracking the Blues or a child tracking Santa during Christmas time! It is only going to get better, so stay positive and be ready. The state of New Jersey has finalized the 2019 Fluke season with it basically being the same rules as last year from May 24 to September 21st.
Fishing Report For Southern New Jersey
Capt. Bill’s Landing in Point Pleasant Beach had good reports of Striped Bass still hitting Mojos, Tsunami swim-shads, and poppers in the Raritan Bay. The local bays have mostly short Striped Bass, but are a blast on light tackle especially during the night tides. There has been some Winter Flounder around, but you definitely have to put in a lot of time. The shop’s dock put in a second gas nozzle to their high-speed dispenser, which will make fill-ups a breeze.
Norma K III in Point Pleasant Beach was back in the water this week after some maintenance and the boat has been togging over the last few days. The fishing was a little sluggish, but some anglers were able to pick up keepers at a few spots. The biggest fish has been in the 6-pound range and the boat will be sailing every day.
The Gambler out of Point Pleasant Beach reported some nice weather over the past few days and the vessel has been Striper fishing with a handful of fisherman each day. The boat didn’t catch a lot of Stripers, but the ones they caught were up to 33 pounds. The boat will continue sailing for Stripers and the skipper feels it should get better as the water temperatures begin to trickle in an upward pattern.
The MIMI VI out of Point Pleasant has been finding keepers to 8 pounds at some of Capt. Ken’s choice spots. The bite has been tough and a little slow, but the crew has found a way to put some meat in the coolers. The vessel will be sailing the next few days with good weather, and it’s best to call the skipper for times and bookings.
Jersey Hooker Outfitter in Brick had a “breaking news” report of Bluefish starting to make their way up into the Brigantine waters which means it shouldn’t be long until they hit the Manasquan River. Striped Bass fishing has been spotty along the beaches, but the Raritan is still red hot as anglers have been playing mostly catch and release on 20 plus pounders the past few weeks.
Charlie’s Bait & Tackle in Normandy Beach reported some Striped Bass picking up clam and bunker off of the surf. The back bay has had a good number of small Striped Bass, especially around the bridges on soft plastics and plugs. The shop did receive some new PS Resins PV Minnows in stock and they are perfect for Striped Bass and Bluefish.
Grumpy’s Bait & Tackle in Seaside Park reported some decent surf outings for anglers fishing the beach. Most of the action was on bait and it seems that the bass starting to get a little bigger. The back bays are still producing Stripers almost every night from the local docks. There have been a keeper or two boxed, but it’s been mostly shorts. The surf temperatures have worked there way to over 50 degrees and the shop thinks it’s going to start happening.
Jersey Buoyz out of Forked River was up at the Raritan recently and got into some Striped Bass action with diving gannets. The crew did a few wreck trips catching Tog and Cod on some of the skippers favorite wrecks. Capt. Jay informed us that they have some dates available for Striped Bass and Bluefish in May.
Lacey Marine in Forked River reported some Striped Bass hitting from the sod banks near the inlet and also along some of the back lagoon on Tsunami 5 inch split-tail minnows worked slowly in the current. There has been a decent bite during the night time at the Route 72 bridge and some bass caught at the outflow. Tog fishing continues to improve from the area’s reef sites, but anglers are having to wait out the bite with the mornings offering better hookups. No Bluefish as of yet, but it shouldn’t be long.
Creekside Outfitters in Waretown reported Bluefish showing up off of Sea Isle, but it won’t be long until they show up in Barnegat Bay. There has been some short Striped Bass hitting along the sedges with bloodworms. Blackfish have been hitting Green Crabs on the Little Egg and Garden State South reef sites. Winter Flounder have still been hitting worms at the mouth of the Toms River. Blue crabs have also been making their appearance around the Oyster Creek area, especially along some of the lagoons.
Reel Reaction Charters out of Waretown and Barnegat Light got out a few times this week with mixed results. Backbay bass were a little on the finicky side on poppers and clam, but the charter ended the trip catching Tog at one of the local reef sites. The skipper was able to get out with his son to some of his choice wrecks during the middle of the week with great conditions. They had their 8 fish Tog limit up to 7 pounds before noon. The skipper has some dates left for striped bass, and has started booking bay Fluke trips for the start of the season towards the end of May.
Fisherman’s Headquarters in Ship Bottom reported White Perch fishing is still going in the back lagoons of Beach Haven West and further south. Anglers using fresh or live grass shrimp are doing best. Owner Gred Cudnik worked a catch-n-release trip in the Raritan and his clients had some nice fish on flies and soft plastics. Our local fishing has been good, but better at night for Stripers, especially around the Route 72 bridges. Tog fishing has been good, but you have to put in your time. Some of the local charter captains have had some decent outings with fish up to 6.5 pounds.
Ocean City to Cape May has been the hotbed on the Bluefish bite as of the latest reports from anglers and shops from Wildwood to Brigantine. Anglers have been getting them on plugs, poppers, and small metals worked quickly towards the surface. Striped Bass are starting to work their way close to Cape May and anglers are getting them on both bunker chunks and clams. Tog fishing has been pretty good at some of the wrecks in the 50 to 75-foot depths on clam, green crab, and white crabs. Anglers working the local jetties have been picking up keepers on green crabs and also thawed shrimp. Weakfish to 7 pounds are starting to show in the back bays around the docks and sod banks.
Fishing Forecast For Southern New Jersey
The best bet for the weekend will be to either fish out front or along the jetties for tog if the weather cooperates. The bite has been fair, but there has been some better fish caught weighing over 10-pounds. In most areas, Green Crab is working but don’t rule out clam or shrimp. Striped Bass fishing should steadily improve and anglers working the Cape May area are scoring on bunker chunk. It seems those Delaware River spawners are starting to move out and up the coast. Bluefish should start to invade the entire South Jersey area by the start of next week, so be sure to have plugs at the ready if you fish from the Manasquan to the southern end. Good Luck, Be Safe, and Tight Lines!