Above: The winter flounder bite has been great. The author caught these on a recent trip with his family.
The pandemic has now directly affected the fishing scene, as most shops in New Jersey are either closed or offering curbside pickups. Thankfully, most of our South Jersey shops are offering curbside pickups for anglers as bloodworms have been lights out for Striped Bass. Many of the shops reported good action on the outgoing tides and if you can couple that with evening or bridge structures — It’s a home run! Many anglers I spoke too this past week via text or phone told me they are awaiting the Tog season opener, but anglers looking for charters or headboats will have to call around as most are not running due to the current situation.
Here is this week’s rundown:
Creekside Outfitters in Waretown said they are delaying the store opening, but may be able to do some curbside orders. Liza said it’s best to call the shop and leave a message. Winter flounder are being caught in some of the deeper holes along with striped bass around the bridges.
Reel Reaction Sportfishing out of Waretown / Barnegat Light scouted a few areas from Forked River to Long Beach Island and the skipper found keeper winter flounder along with some striped bass. Depending on the number of anglers (four or less) and with the cabin being off-limits as a “social distance” precaution, the boat will be running charters for the month of April for tautog or bay striped bass.
The Super Chic out of Barnegat Light is booking trips toward the end of April for tautog and striped bass along with sea bass for May. It’s best to call the boat for details on the trips and dates for the upcoming season.
Fisherman’s Headquarters on Long Beach Island had another week of good reports of Striped Bass from the area bridges. Some of the bass have been up to 28 inches, but most are in the 18- to 24-inch range. Kayakers have done well with the Yo-Zuri Crystal Minnow and soft plastics, while land fisherman working bloodworms have scored well. The shop is offering curbside pickup for bait and tackle.
Absecon Bay Sportsman in Absecon reported another shipment of bloodworms just arrived from Maine. Dave said he is selling half-flats for Striped Bass as they have been ravenous in the back from Bass River to Tuckahoe. The shop is offering curbside pickup for customers, but it’s best to call ahead. White perch fisherman are still finding them on grass shrimp, but they have been found closer to the saltwater as compared to up the rivers.
Offshore Bait & Tackle in Atlantic City had some positive reports of striped bass being wormed up along the tidal waters in the back. Most of the bass have been in the 18 to 24 inches with an occasional keeper and the bait of choice has been bloodworms.
Fin-Atics in Ocean City reported that the shop will not be offering regular store hours, but to call if anglers need tackle or bait as the owner will work to get it to them. The owner said there are plenty of striped bass around with the best action being at night.
Badfish Charters in Ocean City scouted a few areas in the skinny waters and found some feeding stripers on soft plastics. The skipper is projected to run trips in the coming weeks.
Sea Isle Bait & Tackle in Sea Isle will be closed for regular store hours, but is offering scheduled curbside pickups. The shop said to email: Seaislebaitandtackle@gmail.com or place orders on Facebook or Instagram messenger. Fishing remains good in the back with most of the action occurring around the bridges during the night tides. Anglers working small plugs, soft plastics, or live bloodworms are scoring with consistent success.
Avalon Hodge Podgein Avalon will remain closed until further notice, but they said to check their website or call the shop. Anglers are catching Striped Bass in the local bays, especially on the outgoing tides.
Jersey Bait & Tackle in North Wildwood will remain closed, but they said to contact the shop via Facebook or to call the store for pickups. Striped Bass fishing is pretty good for schoolies along parts of lower Wildwood and Cape May for anglers throwing artificials.
Peace Token Fishing Tacklein Cape May Court House told us that the storefront will be closed until further notice.
Jim’s Bait & Tacklein Cape May posted on their Facebook that due to the virus the shop will remain closed. If anglers need re-spooling, especially for big game setups, they are using the time to get it done. It’s best to message them via Facebook to arrange a pickup/drop-off. On a positive note, striped bass have been very cooperative in the Cape May backwaters.
Greenhorn Outdoorsin Bridgeton has bloodworms and tackle for curbside pickup for striped bass and perch, but the shop remains closed to customer traffic. It’s best to call ahead or send them a message through their Facebook page. The shop owner did say there are plenty of striped bass around and white perch have been hitting in Fortescue. It should be any day for keeper striped bass to arrive in that area.
South Jersey Fishing Forecast
The best bet for this weekend will be to continue to get outside and fish as the mandatory “stay at home” has to be hitting the limits for some people. There’s only so much housework or yard work one can do. striped bass, winter flounder, and white perch are still the main choices or opportunities for most anglers. The best locations for striped bass have been around our area’s bridges. Winter flounder seem to be a bit more spread out, but if you can find some muddy areas adjacent to 8- to 10-foot depths, you should be in the right location. Bait preservation may be the issues, but most shops are offering “take-out tackle” or “curbside” pickups. Most of our tackle shops are doing the best they can in this crazy new world. Good Luck, Be Safe, and Tight Lines!