New Jersey Fishing Report - January 14, 2021

 

This time of year, it’s helpful to keep expectations in line with the calendar. It’s winter and fishing is slow.

There have been better reports on blackfishing but it’s still hit or miss. On the   bright side, the weather has been outstanding for the middle of January.

While this week’s sunny skies and warm temps haven’t’ helped the ice fishing, the freshwater guys have been doing pretty well with bass, trout, crappie and perch.

You just have to take your fun where you can find it.

Rick Hebert at Tackle World in Rochelle Park said the better tog reports are coming from boats fishing south of the Manasquan Inlet and as far down as Cape May.

He did get a report of some ice at Lake Hopatcong but it’s been skim ice everywhere else. Fishing has been decent in local lakes and ponds for largemouth bass and crappie.

Phil Sciortino at the Tackle Box in Hazlet said it’s been quiet there with just a few guys fishing frozen bait on Sandy Hook with not much luck. Traffic has been light so he hasn’t been getting many reports.

Mike Gleason at Tak Waterman in Long Branch said the blackfishing has been up and down. He fished aboard Long Shot Charters out of Highlands on Tuesday and there was just one keeper after a hard day of fishing.

But just the day before, Capt. Chris Bauer saw the biggest tog of the season come aboard at 12½ pounds.

Gleason said the freshwater fishing has been good in the local ponds for crappie and perch.

Bob Matthews at Fisherman’s Den in Belmar reported that there are still a few bass in the surf to keep die-hard anglers interested. There’s not a lot of stripers around but on these nice days, it is something to do.

Matthews said the blackfishing is slow but a few of the boats out of the marina are fishing daily and some nice tog are being caught.  He also mentioned that the Big Mohawk is sailing again after the sudden and tragic passing of Capt. Chris Hueth.

Capt. Steve Spinelli of the Skylarker out of Belmar has been filling in at the helm of the Ocean Explorer and putting together a decent catch of blackfish on most days. The boat limited out on Tuesday with the pool winner at about 7 pounds.

He said there are mackerel around, but no one seems to be fishing for them. Capt. Spinelli also had reports of stripers off Lavallette and a few were taken on the troll.

Capt. Pete Sykes on Parker Pete’s Sportfishing out of Belmar has been togging nearly every day with some trips providing excellent fishing and others not so much.

There have been limits with fish up to 9 pounds. Capt. Sykes will be sailing for tog through the end of January.

Ryan over at the Reel Seat in Brielle said all he’s hearing about these days is blackfishing and the reports have been less than consistent. It’s a spotty bite depending on the day.

The Reel Seat’s winter hours are from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and Sunday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

For those in search of cod, jumbo porgies and pollock, the Big Jamaica out of Brielle is running offshore trips every weekend.

Kyle at Fishermen’s Supply in Point Pleasant Beach also reported up-and-down togging.He’s finding more action in freshwater, catching largemouth, crappie and perch in local ponds and lakes.

Kyle said he’s also been trout fishing in rivers and streams farther north. Trout Magnets have been working for him with spinning gear on very light jig heads. He’s using ones that are 1/64^th of an ounce. He suggested waiting until the day warms up before hitting the water as iced up guides can be a problem.

Capt. Matt Sosnowski of the Norma K III out of Point Pleasant Beach said blackfishing was tough on Monday but bounced back on Tuesday. Rigs and jigs were both working with green, mud and white legger crabs all catching fish. A few anglers had their limits while others got two or three.  Some ended up with just shorts.  The pool winner went about 7 pounds. The Norma K III is sailing every day for blackfish and reservations are required.

Capt. Kenny Namowitz on the Mimi VI out of Point Pleasant Beach has been blackfishing to the south of the Manasquan Inlet and reported better fishing. Vinny Mattina took the pool on Wednesday’s trip with a 12-pound, 9-ounce tog. Capt. Kenny will be sailing for blackfish through the end of the month. Call ahead for reservations.

Scott at Grumpy’s Bait and Tackle in Seaside Park said anglers are still finding a few bass along the beach but it is slow going. The staff is keeping busy servicing reels and tending to the shop’s expanded online business.

Capt. Dave Showell at Absecon Bay Sportsmen Center said the white perch bite was good all weekend in the Mullica and Great Egg Harbor rivers and local tributaries. Blood worms and grass shrimp are the go-to baits.

Chris Baliban at Tight Lines Bait and Tackle in Somers Point also reported excellent white perch fishing in the local rivers. The blackfishing is not as good, but boaters are picking some nice ones in deeper water, about 100 feet.

Jeff at Hands Too Bait and Tackle in Cape May said the blackfishing has been decent with Reef Site 11 among the better spots. There haven’t been a lot of limits, he said, but some nice fish are being caught.

Fishing Forecast for New Jersey

Blackfishing has been inconsistent at best but there have been some good days and most boats are getting their share of keepers. If you’ve been thinking about a tog trip, the weather forecast for the weekend looks favorable. Call ahead as reservations are usually required.

Freshwater anglers are finding more consistent action on crappie, perch and largemouth bass in local ponds, lakes and rivers. Have fun.