Water in rivers and bays remains on the chilly side but at least there are fish to be caught. There have been reports of stripers hitting worms and soft plastics in the back of Raritan Bay, in the Toms River and around Barnegat Bay.
There hasn’t been any word on winter flounder yet. But warmer weather is on the way and the fishing will only get better from here on in.
Rick Hebert at Tackle World in Rochelle Park said they have been selling a lot of bloodworms but he hasn’t received any reports on how their customers did. He said the ponds and lakes still have ice on them but he strongly advises staying on shore. The edges are melted and Wednesday’s heavy rain made the ice unsafe.
Capt. Jay Richardella of Side Job Charters said he’s been working hard on the new boat and will be sailing for spring stripers out of Lockwood Boat Works in South Amboy starting April 1. He’ll be running two trips a day and is currently taking charter reservations. There will also be open boat opportunities. He can be reached through his Facebook page. The boat will move to its summer slip in Belmar sometime in May.
Capt. Phil Sciortino at the Tackle Box in Hazlet said anglers are picking stripers back by South Amboy. Shads and bloodworms are doing the job. The shop is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and bloodworms are available 24 hours a day from the live bait machine at the front of the store.
Joe Julian Jr. at Julian’s Bait and Tackle in Atlantic Highlands said he’s heard of a few bass taken in the still-chilly backwaters of Raritan Bay. He added that a few swirls were spotted around the Oceanic Bridge but he hadn’t had any reports of fish taken there. The water temperature by the bridge is hovering around the high 30s. He’s got worms, clams and anything else you’ll need for spring fishing. The shop is open 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sundays.
Mike Pinto at Giglio’s Bait and Tackle in Sea Bright has bloodworms in stock but hasn’t heard of any bass caught in the Shrewsbury or Navesink rivers as yet. He said the shop is receiving new shipments every day and is encouraging folks to come in and check out all the new rods, reels and tackle.
Mike Gleason at TAK Waterman in Long Branch said he’s been getting reports on stripers caught on small plugs and plastics in local backwaters. The fish are in the 24- to 26-inch range. Gleason said TAK Waterman will be holding a Spring Season Kick-Off at Chupacabra Restaurant on Thursday, March 13 from 5 to 10 p.m. There will be a special fishing photo display from eight different photographers, plus door prizes and special giveaways. Chupacabra is just down the street from TAK Waterman on Brighton Avenue in Long Branch and Gleason said a good time will be had by all. TAK Waterman will be heading to the Saltwater Expo in Edison the following day.
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Tim Rizzuto at Fisherman’s Den in Belmar said the shop has been selling plenty of bloodworms but he hasn’t heard much in the way of results when it comes to stripers. Rizzuto said they are well stocked for any angler who wants to give winter flounder a shot. The L-Street Pier and floating dock are usually good spots on an outgoing tide. The Ocean Explorer continues to sail out of the Belmar Marina for ling and cod when the weather permits. The Big Mohawk will sail for blackfish on April 1.
Jimbo at the Reel Seat in Brielle said he’s been getting excellent reports on bass from the Toms River with a mix of sizes. SP Minnows, Kettle Creek plastics, small plugs and bloodworms are all working but artificials are out performing worms. The Reel Seat will be at Saltwater Expo in Edison March 14 to 16.
The Norma K III out of Point Pleasant Beach will be sailing again for blackfish in April. Check the Facebook page for the sailing schedule.
Kyle Tangen at Fishermen’s Supply in Point Pleasant Beach said he’s had second-hand reports of bass caught in the back of the bay on small lures like 4-inch shads and X-Raps. Stripers are likely in the Manasquan River as well. It’s still early, he said, and in his experience, St. Patrick’s Day is when the stripers start moving around and the action picks up. In the meantime, he’s keeping busy with all the new stuff coming in every day. Tangen said the shop just got a new shipment of Grundens gear along with new tuna jigs and lures.
Frank Giacalone at Gabriel Tackle Co. in Brick said the water is still a bit cold but anglers have been getting them in the back bay on bloods and soft plastics. The shop weighed in its first keeper of the year on opening day when John Mayfield brought his bass to the shop. Giacalone said we just need a few more warm days and the bite should be in full swing.
Pete Kupper at Charlie’s Bait and Tackle in Normandy Beach said the only thing he heard was schoolie bass in the rivers hitting small plastics and worms but that’s been about it. His spring hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays and Saturdays and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday.
Frankie Z at Grumpy’s Bait and Tackle in Seaside Park said he heard of stripers in the Toms River with folks catching them from the docks. He said there aren’t a lot of people fishing just yet. Frankie said the shop will be at the Saltwater Expo and bringing some great deals on rods, reels and tackle.
Best Bets for the Weekend
There are some sunny days in the forecast that will help warm the water and get the stripers biting. The best areas since opening day have been way back in Raritan Bay and the Toms River. Bass have also been reported around the bridges and in the creeks and coves of Barnegat Bay.
Now at least there’s a promise of fish, so it’s time to wet a line.