Pictured above: Matt Calabria, Hazlet, got this 37.5-inch striper in Raritan Bay on a shad soaked in Fin-Essence bunker oil.
No April Fool’s jokes here – Fishing has been pretty slow! Most boats reported a slower start to the opening of blackfish over the past week, with our southernly fleets doing better. Clam have been the best bait to use in the early season as tog prefer them after the winter. As the water warms and their mouths toughen up, crabs will be a major player. Striped bass action is still schoolies in back bays, although some anglers have had some really good action during the night shifts. Winter flounder were almost nonexistent this past week, so hopefully this fishery begins to improve as the fish come off the spawn over the next few weeks. White perch have been very cooperative for anglers fishing grass shrimp from the Toms River south past the Mullica.
Fishing Report For Southern New Jersey
Capt. Bill’s Landing in Point Pleasant Beach reported a very slow pick in terms of blackfish for most anglers who made it out into the ocean. The shop received feedback that most of the bites have been in the 30-to-60 foot ranges. Striped bass in the back bay and near the Manasquan Inlet have been more cooperative when throwing bloodworms and soft plastics. Winter flounder has been very slow for most of the back bay from Manasquan Inlet to Barnegat Inlet. The shop is fully stocked with clams and green crabs but call ahead for white leggars.
Norma K III in Point Pleasant Beach had a few nice days on the water, unfortunately the blackfish were a little slow. The crew fished a variety of spots, but only saw a few fish come up along with a couple of nice cod. Most of the cooperative fish were caught on clam bellies, but the skipper expects better fishing as the month continues. The vessel will be sailing every day for blackfish with clams and crabs, starting at 7:30 a.m. and ending at 2:30 p.m.
The Gambler out of Point Pleasant Beach has begun its tautog season with some anglers catching a few keepers, but it should get better as the water temperatures begin to warm. The ocean has been in the low 40’s. The crew will be running tog trips Thursday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m..
The MIMI VI out of Point Pleasant announced they are back to tog fishing on April 8th, and will continue through the rest of the month. Capt Ken is excited for the upcoming season.
Jersey Hooker Outfitter in Brick had anglers picking up 3-to-4 inch shallow swimming plugs as most of the schoolie striped bass have been hitting these during the evening tides. The shop recommends working these lures very slow as the fish have been lethargic on the feed.
Charlie’s Bait & Tackle in Normandy Beach has been stocking the shelves with some primo custom-made swimming plugs in preparation for the spring striped bass run. On the fishing front, anglers worked clam chum and bloodworms for a slower pick on winter flounder this past week. Striped bass have been picking up bloodworms and soft plastics over the past week during the early morning hours. All of the bass action has been in the back bay.
Grumpy’s Bait & Tackle in Seaside Park reported a few anglers trying the surf each day, but it’s been super slow with the 42-degree ocean temperatures. The back bay has been a different story with a few keeper size stripers making it to the river banks. Bloodworms and plugs have been working well in the Toms River. Winter flounder was a slower pick this past week, but some anglers were able to land two keepers after a few hours of chumming. The shop will be open every day 4:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. starting this weekend.
Jersey Buoyz out of Forked River finished the last of the detailing and prep work for the upcoming season. The vessel will start sailing for tog over the next few weeks, before switching over to striped bass.
Lacey Marine in Forked River received some reports of a few schoolies still being caught along the Toms River and also near the Route 72 bridges. Most of the action has been during the evening and anglers have been successful on bloodworms and slowly worked soft plastics.
Creekside Outfitters in Waretown had some anglers attempt blackfish, but most reported a relatively slow pick on them for the start of the season. Striped bass and Winter flounder continue to take bloodworms around the Toms River area. The artificial lure bite has been steady for striped bass around the bridges. White perch have been biting in the Toms River, Beach Haven West, and the Mullica River.
Reel Reaction Charters out of Waretown and Barnegat Light ran a winter flounder trip over the weekend, but encountered some tough conditions with cold bay temperatures. The charter was able to box a solid keeper, before changing over to back bay striped bass. The skipper does have some weekday and weekend tog dates available for the rest of April.
Fisherman’s Headquarters in Ship Bottom reported few winter flounder, not too many anglers are fishing for them or it’s just a very slow bite. Schoolie striped bass are producing from some sedges off the mainland (Manahawkin-Little Egg) and around the bridges during the evening. Bloodworms, clams, and slowly worked soft plastics are doing the best on these fish. Mystic Island down through the Mullica River are also producing a fair number of stripers and dinner plate sized white perch.
Ocean City to Cape May areas have been somewhat quiet over the past week with some cold temperatures and heavy winds. Anglers making it into the ocean had a pick on tautog from some of the inshore wrecks since the start of the season. Most of the fish have bit on clams as compared to green crabs. Striped bass fishing is still mostly just a back bay bite with resident fish slowly feeding on the outgoing tides (warmest water). Most of these fish have been between 16-to-25 inches, with an occasional keeper. Creek mouths, tidal creeks, and areas with muddy bottoms will be the best areas to target, but make sure it’s a slow retrieve as the fish are lethargic.
Fishing Forecast For Southern New Jersey
The best bet for the weekend will be to try for blackfish in the wrecks and snags with clam or green crab. Just remember, clams are the “go-to” spring bait for tog. Most of the action has been in the 30-to-60 foot depths, so be sure to work these areas thoroughly. Sometimes it may take a little while for the fish to start to chew, so be patient. Landlocked anglers have great chances to tangle with white perch and should focus on areas with freshwater influence. A float rig with a few grass shrimp suspended should do the trick and it’s also a great opportunity to get the little ones out fishing. We are still waiting for the migratory striped bass to arrive which should be next month, but there are plenty of schoolies to target. The best spots have been around structure during the start of the outgoing tides and if you can put this together with the sun going down, then you should be in business. Good luck, be safe, and tight lines!