Southern New Jersey Fishing Report
Ospreys, earthquakes and eclipses!! Although we weren’t in the path of totality with moon and sun at least our fishing emerged from the dark conditions of last week to brighter pastures. Most of the webcams are showing the arrival of the migratory ospreys and these avian predators feed mainly on fish, so you know what that means!! Striped bass fishing was better in the shallows and along some of the bridges in Atlantic, Ocean, and Cape May counties. Bloodworms, jumbo bloods, and clams have been working on these fish which range from 20 to 30 inches. Cape May and Delaware Bay beaches are starting to see some larger specimens in the 34 inch range, so the run has definitely begun in parts of extreme southern New Jersey. Togging took a hit last week with lots of rain and tough sea conditions, but the bite rebounded this week and should continue to ramp up the rest of the month. A few winter flounder have been landed around the northern parts of Barnegat Bay and areas near the Manasquan Inlet.
Here is this week’s rundown:
Hook House Bait & Tackle in Toms River remarked that the swell has died down and the water has been clearing up leading for much better tautog conditions. Anglers hopping aboard some of the party boats are finding a few keepers on green crabs. Bayside action continues to get better with water temperatures hovering in the mid-50’s and striped bass are chewing along some of the western portions of the bay.
Creekside Outfitters in Waretown reported a busy week on the freshwater front with the opening of trout season and the shop was busy selling nightcrawler and mealworms. Saltwater anglers have been picking at tog along the Barnegat inlet and some of the inshore wrecks, while resident striped bass continue to be plentiful in the Toms River and south of Little Egg Inlet. A few larger bass were rumored to be trolled up along Seaside pier, but the report hasn’t been confirmed yet. The Garden State North reef was hot for tog over the past week and anglers had several fish to 10 pounds from the smaller wrecks on green and white crabs.
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Reel Reaction Sportfishing out of Waretown will be targeting striped bass and/or tog for weekday afternoons for the month of April. The skipper is working some of the backwater spots for both species and finding success. The crew is also prepping for the May opener of fluke which is only a few weeks away and only has 4 dates left for May and June.
The Super Chic out of Barnegat Light said there first trip is scheduled for the first Saturday after Mother’s Day and the vessel will be targeting sea bass. Anglers looking to book dates for weekday or weekend sea bass should call the crew as dates are beginning to book out.
Tony’s Bait & Tackle in Manahawkin received excellent reports of striped bass around the western parts of Barnegat Bay and the Route 72 thoroughfare from a few Beach Haven West anglers. Bloodworms, small soft plastics, and even a few 4-inch swimming plugs have been working. Tog are being caught off the inshore wrecks with a slower pick on keepers. The inlet rocks have a few fish around, but it’s been mostly smaller specimens.
Tackle Direct in Egg Harbor City has been moving alot of small plugs and poppers as the striped bass bite has been heating up in the back with the warmer daytime temperatures. Anglers working the tides after 10pm until dawn are finding some primo action along the bridges and some of the backwater sod channels. Tog fishing has been steady from the area rocks, piers, and bridges, but the best action remains in the 50 to 75 foot water depths.
Tight Lines Bait & Tackle in Somers Point received a fresh shipment of green crabs for the shop and anglers working the inshore reef sites up to 80 feet are finding decent tautog action. Jetty and rock hopping fisherman have also been working the crevices for solid action on tog with a good number of shorts compared to keepers. Anglers drifting bloodworms or working anchored clam baits have been finding fish to 30 inches in the backwaters.
Badfish Charters in Ocean City started his backwater charters and found some cooperative stripers on light tackle and flies. The action has been a little slow with dirtier water, but towards the end of this week the conditions have cleaned up. There are dates available for April and May, so give Capt. Brian a call.
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The Cape May and Fortescue area received much better reports on the striped bass front with some fish measuring to 37 inches over the past week. The Delaware bay beaches have been the hot spots for the week. Jumbo blood worms, clams, and even eels at night have been producing some of the nicer fish. Tautog fishing remains good off the jetties, but much better in terms of quantity and quality from the inshore reef sites.
South Jersey Fishing Forecast
The best bet for the weekend will be to work the inlet jetties for tautog with green crab, sand fleas, or asian shore crabs as the projected winds are supposed to be up to 30 knots. A simple single-hook rig tipped with one of these crabs is the easiest method to get a few hookups and there are plenty of “rocky” locations to try along South Jersey. Depending on your time limit, bringing green crabs from 3 to 4 dozen will suffice for a few hours. I recommend trying to stay in the same spot as the scent of broken crab and the innards will slowly get the tautog interested. Anglers looking for striped bass most likely will be sequestered to the backbays and channels due to the windy conditions. The late night bite for striped bass on soft plastics and artificials along the bridges and backwaters will give the highest percentages to bending the rod. Good luck, be safe, and tight lines!