Like everyone else, anglers have had to adjust to the new normal. The fishing is good, everything else is crazy. Fish are just going about their business, unaware of the crisis.
The bass bite remains on fire in Raritan Bay, there are stripers in the surf – where you can get on the beaches – and the tog bite has picked up at the inlets and on inshore spots.
And the freshwater fishing has been excellent. Again, the big problem has been access.
Capt. Phil Sciortino at the Tackle Box in Hazlet said shore anglers in Union Beach and Belford have been catching loads of bass on worms and bunkers chunks. The night bite is delivering the bigger fish.
The action has not slowed down for boaters on Raritan Bay with stripers from the teens to 30 pounds hitting shads, plugs, spoons and Mojos.
The Tackle Box offers curbside service and has a live bait machine right outside the front door.
Butch at Julian’s Bait and Tackle in Atlantic Highlands said he’s still selling loads of bloodworms even though a number of popular spots have been closed off. Anglers are finding a few places along the Bayshore and catching keeper and short bass.
Mike Pinto at Giglio’s Bait and Tackle in Sea Bright reported that more stripers were caught on the ocean side this week with worms and clams accounting for the fish. All were on the small side.
There have been some bigger bass taken in the Shrewsbury River, up to 30 inches, and they’ve been hitting shads and needlefish, Pinto said.
Boaters continue to do well in Raritan Bay on big stripers on plugs, Mojos and spoons. He said the shop has been doing a brisk curbside business on both sand and bloodworms.
Mike Gleason at Tak Waterman in Long Branch said he hasn’t had many reports from the surf, but Raritan Bay continues to be on fire. Trophy bass over 30 pounds have been caught on plugs, shads, chunks and spoons.
Ben Parker Flutter Spoons are the hot lure in the bay right now and the shop has them ready to go right from the box with upgraded hardware and custom colors.
Gleason said a better class of fish had moved into the bay just before last weekend’s blow so the fish are there.
Bigger fish are also biting in the Shrewsbury River, he added.
Bob Matthews at Fisherman’s Den in Belmar said the shop is open but it’s been quiet with the party and charter boats still stuck at the dock.
The winter flounder fishing has gone quiet in the Shark River, he said, and he thinks they may have already moved out. He did mention that a 4-pound-fluke had been caught and released in the Shrewsbury River.
The blackfishing has been pretty good in the Point Pleasant Canal and he suspects there are bass on the beach but not a lot of people are trying.
They’re in the Ocean Grove surf as I went a couple of times this week and got short fish on clams and worms. Nothing to write home about but it was good to get out of the house and feel something on the other end of a line.
John Vafiadis at the Reel Seat in Brielle reported that folks are still picking winter flounder by the Mantoloking Bridge and south end of the Point Pleasant Canal.
There has also been a marked improvement in blackfishing in the canal, at the Manasquan Inlet and spots like the Axel Carlson Reef.
He’s certain there are bass in the surf but there are no reports as beaches are all closed from Point Pleasant Beach down to Island Beach State Park.
Kyle at Fishermen’s Supply in Point Pleasant Beach also reported better blackfishing in the Point Pleasant Canal.
Green crabs and clams are both working and Kyle said pieces of Jonah crabs are also catching fish.
He also heard a few rumors of racer bluefish in the area, but reports have been scarce. It shouldn’t be too much longer before they make an appearance in local rivers and bays.
The striper fishing in the Manasquan River and Barnegat Bay is holding up very well, he said, with bass hitting small shads and plugs.
Kyle said a popular choice right now is the Dart Spinner from A Band of Anglers. Fishermen’s Supply is providing curbside service.
All of the party boats out of Point Pleasant, including the Norma K III and Mimi VI, have delayed the start of their seasons at least until May 1.
Frank at Gabriel Tackle in Brick said not much has changed since last week with the back of Barnegat Bay and local rivers producing a mix of short and keeper bass. Kettle creeks and other small plugs and shads are catching the fish. Blood and sandworms are also accounting for a lot of bass.
Flounder fishing has been decent with good reports from around the Mantoloking Bridge and the southern end of the Point Pleasant Canal.
He also reported better blackfishing at the canal and Manasquan Inlet. The freshwater fishing has also been very good in local ponds and lakes. Before heading out, just make sure there is access.
Gabriel’s is offering curbside service so call ahead and they will have your order ready for pickup.
Pete at Charlie’s Bait and Tackle in Normandy Beach said things are pretty much the same as last week with plenty of small stripers in Barnegat Bay. Small lures and shads like Al Gags and Kettle Creeks are all working.
Late in the day into the night seems to be the best time and spots around the bridges are most productive.
The weather blew out the flounder fishing over the weekend but a couple of sunny days should have them biting again at the Mantoloking Bridge.
Pete also said that he’s had a few reports on the first signs of blue claw crabs as they are starting to come out of the mud. Charlie’s is open every day from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and providing curbside service.
Ray Kerico at Grumpy’s Bait and Tackle in Seaside Park said the bass bite in the suds was just starting to take off when the beaches there were shut down.
There are still plenty of bass to be caught in Barnegat Bay and folks are getting them on worms and small plugs. There are access points around the bay, but it takes some scouting around to find them.
Grumpy’s is fully stocked with bait and is open every day 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Fishing Forecast for Northern New Jersey
Striped bass remain the hot target. Raritan Bay, the Bayshore beaches, the Shrewsbury and Navesink rivers, the Manasquan River and Barnegat Bay are all holding fish.
They’re also in the surf with worms and clams the best way to go. Do some research and find out what’s still open. The sand from Pt. Pleasant Beach to Island Beach State Park is closed.
The reports on freshwater action have also been very good lately. Check out access to local ponds, lakes and streams. Stay safe.