There’s a bit of light at the end of the tunnel.
New Jersey’s state parks will reopen this Saturday, May 2, at sunrise.
In making the announcement on Wednesday, Gov. Murphy said all county and municipal parks will be allowed to reopen at the same time. Those decisions will be up to local officials.
All social distancing requirements remain in effect.
That’s good news for anglers cut off from their favorite spots, especially those who fished Island Beach State Park, which has been closed since the first week of April.
Sandy Hook, however, remains shut until further notice as it is a federal park.
There is still a long way to go before New Jersey’s recreational fishing returns to normal, whatever that is, but it’s a start. Let’s hope the fish cooperate.
The bass continue to cooperate with folks fishing in Raritan Bay. Capt. Phil Sciortino at the Tackle Box in Hazlet reported stripers up to 40 pounds in the bay hitting live bunker, shads, SP Minnows and on the troll with spoons and Mojos.
Bunker chunks and worms are also taking bass from the bayside beaches. Sciortino also said there were reports of a few more blues around but that bite has yet to really turn on.
Joe Julian Jr. at Julian’s Bait and Tackle in Atlantic Highlands said he had good reports of big bass in the Reach Channel on live bunker, clams and on the troll.
He also heard of some small blues around but no word on the gators as yet.
His curbside business is going okay, he said, but he’d like to get the customers back in the store.
Mike Pinto at Giglio’s Bait and Tackle in Sea Bright said there are some nice stripers coming out of the Shrewsbury River with a lot of the fish in the teens.
He hasn’t heard much in the way of winter flounder, but did report a few fluke being picked up in the rivers. There were also reports of a few small blues around but it’s still only a trickle of fish.
Mike Gleason at Tak Waterman in Long Branch said he and his pals are still doing well with big bass in Raritan Bay. Ben Parker flutter spoons, Tsunami shads and plugs are all working.
A large bluefish, about 14 pounds, was also among the week’s catches.
Gleason said the bass fishing in the Shrewsbury River has been good and that small stripers are being taken in the Long Branch surf on bait and small paddletails.
The ocean temperature seems to be stuck just below 50 degrees and a bit of warming should improve that bite.
Tommy Palmasano at Fisherman’s Den in Belmar has been doing a brisk business in green crabs for guys tog fishing at the Shark River Inlet.
Unfortunately, blackfish season closes Thursday, April 30, in wind and rain. All of the party and charter boats that target them missed out due to the virus. It was a good month of blackfishing, too, with plenty of action in the Point Pleasant Canal, at the inlets and inshore spots.
Eric Bunz at the Reel Seat in Brielle said the bite on schoolie bass has been good in the Manasquan River and at the Mantoloking Bridge. Kettle Creeks and other small plastics with a 1/2-ounce jighead have been very effective.
Bunz also commented on the good blackfishing and said a number of toggers at the Axel Carlson and Sea Girt reefs have had the added bonus of keeper cod. The cod have been hitting clams and jigs.
He hasn’t received any reports of blues in the Manasquan River but suspects they’re close. A commercial netter he knows came up with a bunch of them in his net this week.
Blowfishing, he added, has been pretty good in Barnegat Bay and there are enough around to get a meal together.
Finally, Bunz said there’s word of bluefin in the area of Triple Wrecks and he believes that fishery is on the verge of opening up.
Kyle at Fisherman’s Supply in Point Pleasant Beach said the winter flounder bite picked up this week in Barnegat Bay with the fish hitting both worms and clams. Chumming was a must, he added.
He’s heard rumors of bluefish around, but has yet to see a fish at the shop. There are plenty of schoolie bass in the Manasquan River, he said, and a few in the ocean. He said guys bait fishing in the surf for bass have also come up with a few early fluke.
There have been boats trolling along the beaches in search of stripers but he hasn’t heard much in the way of results. He, too, heard the talk of bluefin and said the shop sold a decent amount of ballyhoo this week.
Gary at Capt. Bill’s Landing in Point Pleasant Beach said he got a report of small blues in the Point Pleasant Canal and winter flounder in Barnegat Bay.
Capt. Bill’s fuel dock is open from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Gary said there’s been a good amount of boat traffic heading out of the inlet when the weather cooperates.
Frank at Gabriel Tackle in Brick reported that the short and keeper bass by the Mantoloking Bridge and in the Manasquan River are keeping folks busy. Small plugs and plastics will do the job.
He’s also had reports of winter flounder, bluefish, and blowfish in the Manasquan River.
Pete at Charlie’s Bait and Tackle in Normandy Beach said there are still plenty of short bass in the bay hitting bait and small lures. The winter flounder bite slowed down a bit, but there are still fish to be had.
Access has been a problem for anglers looking to fish the bay there, but that should ease with the opening of the state parks.
Sheldon at Grumpy’s Bait and Tackle in Seaside Park said it’s still all about the bass in Barnegat Bay hitting worms and small artificials. He also reported small blues in the bay.
Things should pick up at the shop this weekend with the opening of Island Beach State Park. Grumpy’s announced that it will be getting more fresh bait in for the weekend and is servicing customers curbside.
The opening of Island Beach State Park was great news for John Bushell at Betty and Nick’s Bait and Tackle in Seaside Park. Located just outside the park, traffic at the shop has been sparse since it closed.
Anglers have been doing well with small bass and blowfish in the bay, he said. There are a few bluefish around, but the bite has yet to equal past years.
Fishing Forecast for Northern New Jersey
The news of the opening of New Jersey’s state parks was a bright spot in a bleak fishing picture for Garden State anglers. Hopefully, it won’t be long before party and charter boats will be allowed to sail.
It’s been a tough spring but at least there will be more access, especially around Barnegat Bay. Schoolie bass, winter flounder and blowfish are all good targets.
The freshwater fishing has also been excellent, and with favorable weather in the forecast, it’s a good weekend to hit local ponds and lakes.
Stay safe.