There’s some light at the end of this winter tunnel.
This coming Monday, March 1, brings the opening of striped bass season in rivers and bays and the start of winter flounder fishing.
The water is still pretty chilly and expectations aren’t high for early season action, but at least there’s an opportunity to go fishing. Tackle shops have stocked up on clams and worms for those ready to test the waters.
Before we go on, a quick reminder: There’s still time to weigh in on the 2021 fluke season. Size and bag limits are the same as last season — three fish at 18 inches — but opening day and the length of the season are yet to be decided.
There are two options. Option 1 is opening day on May 22 and closing on Sept. 19. Option 2 has the season opening on May 28 and closing on Sept. 28.
Option 1 gets you fishing sooner while Option 2 has you fishing longer, with an additional three days in the season. A later closing also offers a chance at some bigger September fluke.
Comments are due by noon on Friday, Feb. 26 and can be submitted to: NJMarineFishPublicComment@dep.nj.gov.
Include your preferred option and the state and county you fish in or from and the what kind of angler (shore, boat, party boat owner, etc.) you are.
The decision will be announced at the March 4 N.J. Marine Fisheries Council Meeting.
Rick Hebert at Tackle World in Rochelle Park said the store will have bloodworms in stock by this coming Tuesday. The shop has been busy getting ready for spring and the shelves are fully loaded.
Hebert said the ice is still in place in local ponds and lakes but the recent rain and warmer temperatures have made for questionable conditions. Make certain it’s safe before venturing out.
Phil Sciortino Sr. at the Tackle Box in Hazlet said they are ready for the openers and will have worms and clams in the shop this weekend. He’s already had reports of stripers caught and released near Jersey City.
The store, Sciortino said, has loaded up on inline circle hooks which are now required when fishing for striped bass with bait.
Mike Pinto at Giglio’s Bait and Tackle in Sea Bright said he expects the store to return to regular hours by the second or third week of March. Currently the shop is open on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to noon and by appointment.
Mike Gleason at Tak Waterman in Long Branch said they are all set for spring and he’ll be out exploring for bass in the Shrewsbury and Navesink rivers next week.
Anglers, he said, were a bit spoiled last year as the water never got too cold, but this year is a different story. It may take some time to warm up and get the fish biting.
The shop, he added, is fully loaded with freshwater tackle, including earthworms.
Bob Matthews at Fisherman’s Den in Belmar said they are all geared up for the 2021 striper and winter flounder seasons as the less-than-stellar blackfish season winds down.
The only boat still sailing for tog out of the marina is the Ocean Explorer and bad weather has made a mess of the recent sailing schedule. The boat did get out on Wednesday and managed to bring a decent mix of keepers and shorts aboard along with a few ling and a cod. Capt. Quinn will be sailing this weekend and the blackfish season closes on Sunday.
Matthews said they will have blood and sandworms for the bass and winter flounder openers and hopes to have clams as well.
Warmer weather holds the key to success for both these species, he said. Some sunny days are needed to heat the shallow water in rivers and bays. In the Shark River, the warmer water on the outgoing tide usually gets the bite going.
The Den will have a limited number of rental boats in the water.
Lastly, Matthews wanted to remind anglers to get their comments in on the fluke season and renew their saltwater registration at the N.J. Div. of Fish and Wildlife website. He said word has been passed that there will be greater enforcement of the saltwater registry regulation this year.
Ryan at the Reel Seat in Brielle said that with the exception of the white perch bite in the Toms and Metedeconk rivers, there isn’t much going on. The staff at the shop has been busy spooling reels and stocking shelves in preparation for the spring rush.
Kyle at Fisherman’s Supply in Point Pleasant Beach said they will have clams, worms and chum in stock for stripers and winter flounder. Based on the water temperature in the Manasquan River, which has yet to hit 40 degrees, he said the fishing will probably get off to a slow start.
The Norma K III and the Mimi VI out of Point Pleasant Beach will resume blackfishing on April 1. The limit for the month-long season is four fish.
Ray Kerico at Grumpy’s Bait and Tackle in Seaside Park said they are ready for the spring openers with clams, blood worms, sand worms and all the tackle you’ll need.
The white perch have been biting for a while in the Toms River and he expects some stripers to be taken soon. The water down there, he said, did not get that cold this winter.
He’s also planning another big spring sale to take place in mid-March.
Bill at Absecon Bay Sportsmen in Absecon Bay said folks continue to do well with white perch in the Metedeconk and Great Egg Harbor rivers. He hasn’t heard of any stripers yet, but imagines there will be reports of some caught relatively soon.
Fishing Forecast for New Jersey
White perch in rivers to the south offer a decent chance to catch some fish this weekend, although the forecast does not look all that promising.
Come Monday, backwater stripers and winter flounder are back on the menu. Chilly water will likely mean a slow opening for both, but at least there’s something else to fish for. If you haven’t done so already, get the gear out and make sure you’re ready to go.
