There’s no quit in the striped bass lately. One might expect the fishing to slow down at this time of year, yet the fish just keep on biting. While they’re not everywhere, anglers are finding them in big numbers in Raritan Bay and in the surf, mostly south of the Manasquan Inlet. At the same time, tautog fishing looks to be gaining steam, just not at a pace that’s making everyone happy.

Northern New Jersey Fishing Report

Rick Hebert, at Tackle World in Rochelle Park, says the striper bite remained strong in the channels in Raritan Bay. Most of the fish are in the 20-to-26 inch range but there are loads and loads of them around. Togging remains a bit tough, he says, but appears to be improving. He says the streams up north are running well, but he’s not sure if folks are taking advantage of the good conditions, even after winter trout stocking.

Capt. Phil Sciortino, at Tackle Box in Hazlet, says the boats in Raritan Bay are going crazy on the stripers. The bass are still feasting on sand eels and will likely stay as long as the bait does. He also reported an improvement in the tog fishing with the boats out of Atlantic Highlands and Highlands landing some double-digit tog.

Mike Pinto, at Giglio’s Bait and Tackle in Sea Bright, says he’s heard of the stripers up north and down south, but the surf there has been very quiet. There’s a random fish caught here and there, but nothing to shout about.

Mike Gleason, at Tak Waterman in Long Branch, says there’s still plenty of bass in the surf hitting Ava’s and Tsunami and Bill Hurley Sand Eels. He’s getting mixed reports on the tog fishing.

Bob Matthews, at Fisherman’s Den in Belmar, says the much colder weather hasn’t discouraged anglers. He says he’s fishing the Ocean County surf at dawn and participation has been strong. Matthews said bass of various sizes are being caught along the beach. Sunrise has been good along with the incoming tides when the bait and bass can make it over the sand bar. The start of the outgoing has also seen fish caught. The boats targeting stripers out of the marina are also doing well fishing to the north. Matthews said the tautog boats out of the Shark River Inlet are sailing every day, weather permitting, and the fishing has been good. The Ocean Explorer saw a 13-pounder come over the rail on Sunday.

Capt. Pete Sykes, of Parker Pete’s Sportfishing out of Belmar, says the striper fishing remains insane in Raritan Bay. Charters are finding all the action they want along with fish to take home. There’s no telling how long this bite will last, so Capt. Sykes suggests if you want to get in on the action, contact him through his website. Sykes says there are some spots available for Friday night’s offshore black sea bass trip. His last trip out saw limit catches of jumbo sea bass and dinner-plate porgies.

Ryan, at the Reel Seat in Brielle, says striper fishing on the beaches south of the Manasquan Inlet. All of the action has been on sand eel patterns. From what he’s hearing, the tautog bite has been a little slow on the offshore pieces.

Dylan at Fisherman’s Supply in Point Pleasant Beach, says the striper fishing on the beach from Mantoloking south to Seaside Park has been lights out. The fish are hitting in the wash or just off the beach and most are on the short side.  Again, the action is all sand eel imitations.

Capt. Matt Sosnowski, of the Norma-K III out of Point Pleasant Beach, says the tautog are biting, but you have to work for them. He says last Sunday’s trip saw a decent catch of tog mainly on rigs. The anglers that moved their baits around did the best. On Monday, for whatever reason, the tog favored jigs with a teaser hook. The pool winner was about 6-pounds. Wednesday’s trip saw even better fishing with several limits around the boats on both green and white legger crabs. The pool winner went 7-pounds. Capt. Sosnowski says that while the fishing hasn’t been great, it’s getting better. The Norma-K III is sailing every day for tautog and there are openings for upcoming trips. Call ahead as reservations are required.

Capt. Kenny Namowitz, of the Mimi VI out of Point Pleasant Beach, says the tautog fishing has been better on his recent outings with limits, and some double-digit tog. Anglers are limited to 15 per trip so reservations are required. There are a few openings on the upcoming schedule.

Frank Giacolone, at Gabriel Tackle Co. in Brick, says there is a good tog bite in the ocean and Point Pleasant Canal. Tautog are being caught at the Manasquan Inlet as well. He added that there are stripers and blues in the canal on eels and Kettle Creek shads. The stripers are also hitting swim shads and eels at the bridges in the Manasquan River. He, too, says the striper fishing in the surf remains good with Ava Jigs and teasers are the way to go.

Pete Kupper, at Charlie’s Bait and Tackle in Normandy Beach, says anglers were catching bass in the surf there all day long on Tuesday. The fish ranged in size from 22-to-42 inches but the majority were on the small side. The bite has been good on all the Brick beaches, he says, down to Island Beach State Park. Bill Hurley Paddle Tails have been the favorite, but Tsunami Sand Eels and Kettle Creek Swim Shads are also working.

Tom, at Dock Outfitters in Seaside Heights, says the bass fishing on the beach has been good nearly every morning. The fish are mostly between 24-to-26 inches and all on sand eel imitations.

Scott, at Grumpy’s Bait and Tackle in Seaside Park, says the action has been good every morning as well. He says Tuesday morning was especially good. Sunrise is the best and the bite slows down as the day goes on.  You can, however, still pick bass throughout the day.

John Bushell, at Betty and Nick’s in Seaside Park, says it’s the same there. Early morning and a dropping tide are the ideal conditions, but sunrise is key.  There are tons of small bass around, he added.

Northern New Jersey Fishing Forecast 

Stripers in the surf on the southern beaches is the best bet for this weekend, as long as the weather cooperates. There are loads of fish around hitting early in the morning on sand eel imitations.

On The Water Social Media