New Jersey Fishing Report
It would be nice to report that it was a great week of fishing but I can’t. Winter made its presence known in a most demonstrable way with high winds, cold temperatures, heavy surf and even a taste of snow. Participation fell off a cliff.
From Sandy Hook to Cape May, boats that were still in the water stayed tied to the docks. There were only limited windows for the party boats to get out and they mostly found a just a pick of tog. Only the truly dedicated gave the surf a try.
Mark Fuduli at Tackle World in Rochelle Park said it’s been very quiet with the only reports indicating slow blackfishing and the occasional trout taken on nightcrawlers and pink worms in local lakes and ponds. Rivers and streams are running very high, he said, and participation is way down.
The Tackle Box in Hazlet is running on winter hours and it’s best to call ahead to make sure someone is in the shop. The Tackle Box will definitely be open on Feb. 4 for Back Bay Day. There will be a big supply of the popular plugs along with a plenty of special offers throughout the store for the Third Annual Super Sale.
Mike Gleason at TAK Waterman in Long Branch reported a slow week there with the weather shutting everything down. He did say the shop just received a large shipment of Swagger Bait Co.’s metal-lip swimmers. Gleason added that there will be another big plug announcement on Feb. 1.
Johnny O. at Fisherman’s Den in Belmar said the blackfish boats, including the Big Mohawk and Ocean Explorer, have been stuck at the dock for last couple of days but plan on heading out on Thursday. The Capt. Cal II is done until spring.
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Capt. Pete Sykes of Parker Pete’s Sportfishing out of Belmar hasn’t been fishing but busy working on the latest addition to the Parker Pete fleet, the former Atlantic Star out of Atlantic Highlands.
Ted Imfeld of The Reel Seat in Brielle said he didn’t hear of any fish caught this week as nobody has been fishing. Like everybody else, he hopes that’s going to change.
Vinny at Fishermen’s Supply in Point Pleasant Beach said that with the exception of a few blackfish and a striper or two caught on the beach, there was little to report. Most of the action was taking place in freshwater, but even that took a hit this week with the tough conditions. The shop, however, now has a full line of the new Nomad Squidtrex lures. The lures, which range in size from ¼ of an ounce to 21 ounces, offer vibrating action and squid scent and can be used in water from two to 1,200 feet deep.
Capt. Danny Gregory on the Norma K III out of Point Pleasant Beach last sailed this past Monday when he found a pick of fish, both keepers and shorts. He’s planning on sailing on Thursday but it looks like Friday will be iffy with a storm coming. The Norma K III sails every day at 7:30 a.m. for blackfish weather permitting.
Capt. Kenny Namowitz of the Mimi VI out of Point Pleasant Beach is planning to blackfish on Thursday as well. The Mimi VI will be sailing for tog through February.
The Hook House in Toms River will be open this weekend and has blood worms in stock for those interested in targeting white perch in the rivers.
Scott Thomas at Grumpy’s Bait and Tackle in Seaside Park said they heard rumors of bass in the surf still hitting plugs. He also had a more definitive report of stripers being caught on mullet off the beach. Other than that, it’s been quiet. The folks at Grumpy’s have been busy remodeling the shop ahead of the big storewide sale on Jan. 27 and Thomas said they will now have room for new lines of merchandise coming in for 2024.
Liza at Creekside Outfitters in Waretown said it’s been quiet there as well with participation way down due to the lousy weather. Creekside Outfitters is now open on weekends only from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
John at Tony’s Bait and Tackle in Manahawkin said it was a quiet week there with no reports of any action coming in.
Jared at Fishermen’s Headquarters on Long Beach Island said there wasn’t a whole lot going on with most of their customers having pulled their boats for the season. There were some stripers caught in the ocean about a week ago, but that came to an end with the arrival of the wintry weather. Tara at Tight Lines Bait and Tackle in Somers Point said that between the snow, wind and cold there hasn’t been anyone fishing this week and no word of any fish caught.
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Best Bets for the Weekend
There’s no getting around it, it’s going to be a tough weekend to fish with snow, wind and freezing temperatures in the forecast. It’s a good time to tend to tackle, change hooks and hope for warmer weather. You can also mark your calendars for upcoming flea markets and fishing shows.
The Hi-Mar Flea Market will be Feb. 10 in Port Monmouth and the Asbury Park Fishing Show is March 3 at the Berkeley Oceanfront Hotel in Asbury Park.