Striper season is kicking off strong along New Jersey’s back bays, with quality reports stretching from Cape May to Raritan Bay. If you can’t get on the water just yet, there’s still plenty of entertainment to go around this weekend. The Asbury Park Fishing Show is this Sunday and the Saltwater Expo is starting on Friday at the Edison Center. Drop by the On The Water booth to say hello at the Edison Show!
North Jersey
Nick at TAK Waterman in Long Branch says the bay is starting to heat up with reports of small resident bass and winter holdovers coming in almost daily. He said some keepers were caught last night, but all on the smaller side. From here, the only way to go is up!
Bob from Fishermen’s Den in Belmar had solid reports of winter flounder recently. The fishing has been slow due to erratic weather, but sunny, warmer days should help to improve the bite. They’re not seeing many stripers yet, but good reports are coming from Ocean County. Bob said freshwater has also been good with lots of customers catching perch, pickerel, catfish and black crappies. Trout stocking season is also on the way and customers are getting antsy, so stop in to grab what you need before it’s gone.
Paul from The Reel Seat in Brielle says their local backwaters are full of schoolies, and bass ups to 35 inches are being caught on artificials like the Yo-Zuri Mag darter, Yo-Zuri twitch bait and soft plastics like the No Live Bait Needed paddletail shads. Paul said back bays and rivers have been the most productive locations so far due to the warmer water temperatures.
Frankie at Grumpy’s Tackle in Seaside Park reported lots of stripers in the bays and rivers, with most fish going on artificial soft plastics and bloodworms. Frankie says some quality white perch are even being caught near the rivers using bloodworms. Stripers are also being caught in the open water of back bays, with anglers trolling SP minnows to help locate fish before casting at them. Flounder fishing been better when the sun is out, and the key to success is clam chum. Next weekend, Grumpy’s is hosting a blowout sale and several seminars right at the shop (and next door). The event will include a presentation with pertinent fishing information from Shell E. Caris, a bucktail seminar from Stan Gola of S&S Bucktails, and even a kayak seminar. Don’t miss out!
Kyle at Fisherman’s Supply Co. in Point Pleasant Beach said most anglers are catching bass in bays but close to the tidal rivers. He says the tide doesn’t seem to matter, whether incoming or outgoing people are catching fish. Some small bass moving into Point Pleasant Canal, but a majority are in the rivers around bridges. Striper are biting during the day and night, and most fish are coming on 4- to 5-inch plugs such as Rapala X-Raps or small Yo-Zuri Mag Darters, or by jigging with Bass Assassins and ZMan soft plastics. Blood worms are working, but more fish are being taken on artificials. There’s even been flounder action in the river but clam chum is a must if you plan to put fish in the boat. Kyle reminds us that this Sunday, March 21 marks the beginning of state trout stocking, so many freshwater spots will be closed to fishing.
North Jersey Fishing Forecast
New Jersey back bays are heating up and soon enough, larger bass will arrive around the rivers and begin moving into open water within the bays. Right now, temperatures remain inconsistent and relatively cold which makes the fishing tough, but winter flounder and white perch are sticking around to keep things interesting for anglers who want to target something besides schoolie bass. Freshwater fishing will continue to improve, but trout stocking will have some of the ponds shut down this weekend, so plan accordingly. Stay safe and tight lines, out there!
I love your reports, however, I think the striper bite is a little closer. I’m hearing it’s 50×50 artificials and blood worms, with the worms being hands down the better of the two in the dark