New Jersey Fishing Report
The good news is that there’s only four weeks until striper season opens in rivers and bays. The bad news is that striper season is still a month away.
Until then, blackfish, cod, white perch and freshwater species will have to keep anglers happy. It’s also show season so that helps to fill the days until it’s time to wet a line.
Rick Hebert at Tackle World in Rochelle Park said all he heard in the last week was some freshwater action and there wasn’t even a lot of it. There was a short period of safe ice in the northwest part of the state last week, but it ended quickly.
Capt. Phil Sciortino at the Tackle Box in Hazlet said they are getting ready for Back Bay Day this Saturday where there will be a large quantity of the popular plugs available. The shop will also be holding a storewide super sale with discounts of 30 to 50 percent on the entire store. Doors open at 7 a.m.
Mike Gleason at TAK Waterman in Long Branch said the few people that are still fishing are looking for crappie and largemouth. Gleason said they’re busy restocking the shop and getting ready for the spring shows. TAK Waterman will be heading to the New England Saltwater Fishing Show in Rhode Island from March 8 to 10 and the Saltwater Expo in Edison from March 15 to 17.
There are still a few tog boats, including the Big Mohawk and Ocean Explorer, sailing out of the Belmar Marina but everything is weather dependent. The Ocean Explorer plans on heading out over the next couple of days while the Big Mohawk is playing it day by day. Check the websites for updates.
Ted Imfeld at The Reel Seat in Brielle said there are still a few guys blackfishing and they’re catching a few tog here and there but it’s picky. He also said there is freshwater action around. Imfeld said to come on into the shop as there are special sales on jigs and a new shipment of tilefish rods.
Kyle Tangen at Fishermen’s Supply in Point Pleasant Beach said it’s been really quiet this past week. Panfish and largemouth bass are the primary targets lately. The folks still blackfishing are finding mostly small tog. Tangen said the shop is preparing for Surf Day at Brookdale Community College on Feb. 17 where they will be offering great deals on selected items. He also advised anglers to get some X-Raps, a favorite bass lure, ahead of the spring striper opener on March 1.
Capt. Danny Gregory on the Norma K III out of Point Pleasant Beach said he’ll be sailing for blackfish this Friday and Saturday and then that will be it until March. He’s planning a couple of cod trips for then so check the website for exact dates.
Capt. Kenny Namowitz on the Mimi VI out of Point Pleasant Beach reported and an up-and-down week on the tog grounds. The last good catch aboard the boat was last Thursday. Capt. Namowitz said they still plan on sailing through February weather permitting.
Dennis Palmatier at the Hook House in Toms River said folks are catching white perch in the Toms River but that fishing has been a bit slow. Anglers are getting more stripers as bycatch. He heard he perch fishing has been much better in the Mullica River. The reports have been better for freshwater fishing as well. Palmatier said he should have bloodworms in stock by this weekend. The Hook House is open Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Ray Kerico at Grumpy’s Bait and Tackle in Seaside Park said it’s very, very quiet there. There was a lot of traffic over the weekend at the store’s annual winter sale and he said there are still deals to be had through this weekend. Kerico said he heard the wardens are writing a lot of tickets for out-of-season stripers caught in the Toms River.
Paul at Fishermen’s Headquarters on Long Beach Island said the perch fishing in the Mullica River is very good right now. Jig heads with twister tails are working as grass shrimp and blood worms are still in short supply.
Liza at Creekside Outfitters in Waretown said she hasn’t much in the way of fishing reports but said the store will be open Saturdays and Sundays through the end of March and then it will be open full time.
Carl at Tackle Direct in Egg Harbor Township also had good reports on white perch fishing in the Tuckerton area, but that’s about all he’s heard.
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Best Bets for the Weekend
The forecast for the weekend looks favorable for a change. Party boats are still sailing for blackfish, ling and cod. There’s white perch in the rivers to the south and good freshwater action for crappie, pickerel and largemouth bass.
You can also mark your calendars for the upcoming spring shows. The Hi-Mar Fishing Flea Market and Seminar Series is on Feb. 10 in Port Monmouth, Surf Day is Feb. 17 at Brookdale Community College in Lincroft, the Asbury Park Fishing Show is March 3 at the Berkeley Oceanfront Hotel in Asbury Park and the Saltwater Expo is in Edison, March 15 to 17.