At the moment, fishing is a great option for anyone looking to get some fresh air while avoiding crowds. Of course, if you have any symptoms, or have been exposed to anyone who has displayed symptoms or tested positive for COVID-19, please stay home, and definitely don’t visit your local tackle shop.
We are still in the grips of the global coronavirus pandemic. There is no better way to “social distance” than to get out and fish. There are lots of schoolie striped bass at most of the bridges from Toms River south to Cape May. The outgoing current has been the better bite with the temperatures hovering in the low 50’s. White perch fishing continues with anglers reporting catches from Toms River, Beach Haven West, and parts of the Mullica and Tuckahoe rivers. Almost all of the shops I spoke too are practicing active cleaning and sanitizing door handles—so don’t be afraid to pick up bait and hit the water.
Here is this week’s rundown:
Creekside Outfitters in Waretown said they are opening full time this Saturday, March 21st. Striped Bass are hitting bloodworms, soft plastics, and plugs in the bay. The shop has bloodworms and other live baits for striped bass. Lacey Marine in Forked River reported good striped bass action from the Toms River area especially towards Route 9 and also along the bridges. Barnegat Bay has had a slow bite on Winter Flounder, as there are just not too many anglers going for them.
Reel Reaction Sportfishing out of Waretown / Barnegat Light splashed the boat this weekend and the skipper will be running some scouting trips throughout the next two weeks. The boat has several April tog trips scheduled, but there are dates. The boat is running everyday throughout April.
The Super Chic out of Barnegat Light has taken advantage of the mild weather days to continue to work on the boat for the upcoming season. The boat is projected to be running by the first week of April.
Fisherman’s Headquarters on Long Beach Island had good reports from Great Bay and parts of Barnegat Bay. The key has been to fish around structures (bridges) which is best during the outgoing tides. Small soft plastics, plugs, and even saltwater flies have been working for anglers. The shop has some nice deals on MagicTail trolling gear.
Absecon Bay Sportsman in Absecon reported grass shrimp being the hot baits for White Perch, but they are starting to move closer to the bay. Bass fishing has been getting better every day with bloodworms providing most of the action. Fish are also being caught on soft-plastic shads, grub tails, and Gulp.
Offshore Bait & Tackle in Atlantic City had solid reports of anglers working the back bays and rivers to find non-stop action on soft plastics. The shop is open full time and has some new Tsunami gear for the season.
Fin-Atics in Ocean City reported good action from our back bays, as fish seem to be all over with the best action occurring on the outgoing tides and near the bridges. The west side of the bay has very good bites on soft plastics, but make sure your working the exit points of the tidal creeks or sod banks.
Badfish Charters in Ocean City has been scouting schoolie striped bass in the backwaters and they are definitely around as they have been hitting soft plastics tipped on jigheads. The boat has trips available over the next few weeks.
Sea Isle Bait & Tackle in Sea Isle had reports of bird play off Strathmere and anglers picking up schoolie striped bass on bloodworms from Brigantine to Ocean City. The back is where the best action has been, so plan on using 3/8oz jigheads tipped with 4- to 5-inch soft plastics.
Avalon Hodge Podge in Avalon has been vigorously stocking shelves for the store opening on March 27. The shop owner did say there is consistent action on striped bass for anglers throwing soft plastic Fin-S and Zoom lures.
Jersey Bait & Tackle in North Wildwood was still busy getting the shop prepped for the season.
Peace Token Fishing Tackle in Cape May Court House still has bloodworms in stock for Striped Bass and White Perch as spots behind Wildwood and Cape May are producing. The shop has lots of deals on rods and reels for the 2020 season.
Jim’s Bait & Tackle in Cape May has been selling bloodworms like hotcakes as the bite has been on in the back from Egg Harbor south to Cape May. Most of the action is on Striped Bass to 24 inches, but there has been a few 30-inch keepers mixed in. The dogwoods are beginning to bloom, which means the Drum will be here soon, but finding clams has been tough.
Greenhorn Outdoors in Bridgeton received a new shipment of bloodworms for anglers targeting White Perch and Striped Bass. The Cohansey River has been the spot, but fish are starting to move closer to the Delaware Bay. The shop is open 7 days a week, so stop in and get the latest intel.
South Jersey Fishing Forecast
The best bet for this weekend will continue to be “practicing social distancing” and fish the local back bays for Striped Bass during the early morning and evening tides. The outgoing has been producing much better life than the incoming tides. White Perch are around, but have started moving out of their wintering holes. Anglers will have to search closer to the salt line to find feeding perch. Grass Shrimp still remains the bait of choice for perch, while bloodworms in the mainstay for Striped Bass. If you have the gear and can stay warm, this is a great time of year to splash the kayak for these backwater Striped Bass. Good Luck, Be Safe, and Tight Lines!