New Jersey Fishing Report
UPDATE: 1/15/2026
So far this year, January has maintained its reputation as a lousy month for fishing.
For the handful of boats still trying, blackfishing has been up and down. Those fishing deep water are having the most success. And white perch anglers are catching some fish in the rivers.
Freshwater action has been about the best thing going on with good reports on trout, crappie and largemouth. But the cold reality is that, for most anglers, this time of year just has to be endured.
Everyone is in winter mode. Flea markets and fishing shows fill up the weekends until spring, and rod and reel maintenance becomes a favorite pastime.
Capt. Phil Sciortino at the Tackle Box in Hazlet said they will only be open on weekends until March, but he is getting the shop ready for Back Bay Day on Feb. 7, when there will be a wide assortment of Back Bay Plugs available. There will also be a storewide Super Sale with specials on rods, reels, and tackle.
Mike Pinto at Giglio’s Bait and Tackle in Sea Bright said they will be closed until March, except for Saturday mornings from 8 a.m. until noon.
Tak Waterman in Long Branch hasn’t made a big change in its hours for winter. It will be open every day except Tuesday. The shop recently received a plug drop from Scabelly Lures.
Tim Rizzuto at Fisherman’s Den in Belmar said it’s been very quiet there with a few anglers still trying for tog at the Shark River Inlet. He’s had reports of some shorts caught but no keepers. The Den has crabs in stock. Rizzuto said the Capt. Cal II has called it a season, while the Ocean Explorer will sail every day the weather allows.
The Reel Seat in Brielle is closed until this Friday for inventory, then will go to winter hours, which are Wednesday to Saturday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The shop is closed on Monday and Tuesday.
Kyle Tangen at Fishermen’s Supply in Point Pleasant Beach said the tog bite is good way offshore. Boats fishing in depths of around 130 feet are picking quality fish. For some reason, the deeper water is warmer, up to 45 degrees, while inshore the temps are in the mid-30s. Trout fishing has been very good in stocked waters and trout magnets and other small lures and flies like wooly buggers are doing the trick. Small plugs and lures have been effective for crappie and largemouth in local lakes and ponds as well. Tangen said Fishermen’s Supply will be at Surf Day, presented by the Jersey Shore Surfcasters, at Brookdale Community College in Lincroft on Feb. 14. Surf Day has become a much-anticipated annual event featuring dozens of vendors, plug builders, and a full schedule of seminars. Doors open at 8:30 a.m. Tangen also mentioned that Fishermen’s Supply will be holding a fishing seminar at the shop the weekend of Feb. 22. More details to follow.
Capt. Tom Wolfe on the Norma K III out of Point Pleasant Beach said between the weather and having enough anglers, he’s been able to sail two days out of the week. The offshore fishing has been decent, with the better anglers getting two or three keepers with fish up to 6 pounds. Wolfe also commented on the changes in water temperatures. On a recent trip, the water at the Klondike was 35 degrees while it was 10 degrees warmer on the offshore reefs that same day. The Norma K III will be sailing for tog through the end of the month. Wolfe added that they will be at the Saltwater Expo in March.
Capt. Kenny Namowitz on the Mimi VI out of Point Pleasant Beach plans on blackfishing through Valentine’s Day Weekend. He’s been finding some nice ones in deeper water when he can sail. He plans on getting out this weekend as the forecast looks favorable.
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Dennis Palmatier at the Hook House in Toms River said there is a pretty good white perch bite in the Toms River on bloodworms at night. Stripers are around there as well, but so are the game wardens. Inshore striped bass is closed until March 1. The Hook House has blood worms in stock. Palmatier added that the shop will have a table at the Lacey Township High School’s Fishing Flea Market at Lacey High School this Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Tom at Dock Outfitters in Seaside Park said they are now closed for the winter but will reopen March 1.
Scott Thomas at Grumpy’s Tackle in Seaside Park said it’s been pretty quiet there. However, a crew from the shop, Ray Kerico, Jenni Ackerman and Sean Smida, had a memorable togging trip on Tuesday fishing in deep water. Ackerman caught and released two 10-pounders, and many keepers came over the rail for the rest of the gang. Thomas said the shop will be holding an Introduction to Rod Building seminar on Saturday, Jan. 24 at 5 p.m. The shop is also getting ready for its Big Winter Sale and Seminar Series on Jan. 31. There will be special sales and blowout tables along with seminars by Shell E. Caris, Nick Honachefsky and Grumpy’s own Scott Thomas. Grumpy’s will also be at the Lacey High School Flea Market this Saturday.
John Bushell at Betty and Nick’s in Seaside Park said there are perch in the Toms River, along with a lot of striped bass that are off limits until March 1.
Mike at Fishermen’s Headquarters on Long Beach Island said the only thing going on there is a pretty good perch bite in the Mullica River. Fishermen’s Headquarters is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day.
Andrew Montagna at Tackle Direct in Egg Harbor Township said the white perch bite in the Middle and Tuckahoe rivers is very good with bloodworms and sand fleas doing the job. There are plenty of bass in there as well, he said, but the game wardens are keeping a close eye on anglers.
Best Bets for the Weekend
Deepwater blackfish, white perch in the rivers and freshwater species hold the most promise for anglers this weekend.
For those willing to brave the elements, togging on the offshore reefs in deep water has been decent with some nice fish being landed.
The Toms, Mullica, Middle and Tuckahoe rivers are giving up white perch on bloodworms. Striped bass are in the rivers as well, but are off limits until March 1.
Trout fishing on small artificials has been productive in stocked waters, and largemouth and crappie are hitting small baits in local ponds and lakes.
Or you can stay indoors and head to the Lacey High School Fishing Flea Market this Saturday (1/17) from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. at Lacey High School.
UPDATE: 1/8/2026
While winter tog fishing has been very hit or miss for the party boats out of northern New Jersey, charters out of Cape May are heading further offshore—sometimes beyond 20 miles—in search of larger fish and more consistent results. Anglers have seen steady action on keeper tog ranging from 5 to 14 pounds; it’s a great time of year to book a charter, bundle up to brave the elements, and beat your personal best. New Jersey’s blackfish season carries through end of February, but the colder the water gets further offshore, the tougher the fishing, and the longer the run to productive grounds.
» Read Jimmy Fee’s Cape May Tog Fishing Report for more.
Back on the mainland, freshwater anglers enjoyed a short-lived ice fishing window that yielded largemouth bass, pickerel, panfish and trout.
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Meanwhile, white perch fishing in the Toms and Mullica rivers remains a reliable option now that some of the skim ice has melted away. Look to your local bass and pickerel ponds for open water to wet a line during this stretch of mild weather. Otherwise, consider booking a trophy tog charter out of southern New Jersey while the bite is good within reasonable range.
1/1/2026
Winter has us in its grip.
High winds and low temperatures are keeping most anglers at home and boats tied to the docks. The only folks welcoming this weather are those hoping to fish through some ice. All of this should come as no surprise. January is upon us.
The one winter highlight has been offshore sea bass, when the boats were able to sail. Tog fishing has been inconsistent at best. And, there has been no word on anything being caught on the beaches.
One bit of good news in the last week is that a 20 percent increase in the recreational harvest of black sea bass was approved for next year at the December meeting of the Mid-Atlantic Fisheries Management Council.
Rick Hebert at Tackle World in Rochelle Park said the offshore sea bass bite has been the bright spot, but the foul weather made it impossible for boats targeting them to make the final trips of the season. Sea bass closes on Dec. 31. Blackfishing has been up and down for the party and charter boats that are still sailing. Lake and ponds are starting to freeze over, he said, but added a note of caution to be on the safe side when venturing out on the ice.
Capt. Phil Sciortino at the Tackle Box in Hazlet said they’ll be heading to the Philadelphia Fishing Show this weekend, where he will be doing a seminar on catching monster bass on planer boards. The shop is closed for vacation.
Mike Pinto at Giglio’s Bait and Tackle in Sea Bright said nothing is going on there and the shop is closed, except for Saturday mornings from 8 a.m. to noon or by appointment. Come spring, he said the shop will be carrying TYG Glide Baits and Malosi Studio Lures.
Mike Gleason at Tak Waterman in Long Branch said there’s not much happening on the fishing front, but he is expecting a Scabelly plug drop in the next couple of weeks.
Tim Rizzuto at Fisherman’s Den in Belmar said it’s pretty quiet, but there are still a few blackfish being caught at the Shark River Inlet. Party boats sailing for tog are doing fair when they can get out. The Captain Cal II out of Belmar is one of those boats, and Capt. Ron Kish reported a good day last Sunday with some nice roasters in the 5- to 7-pound range and the big fish of the day tipping the scale at 12½ pounds. The Capt. Cal II is sailing for tog whenever the weather allows.
Capt. Steve Spinelli on the Skylarker out of Belmar said the weather has been making it tough lately, but he plans on fishing through January.
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Ted Imfeld at the Reel Seat in Brielle also reported decent togging for the boats that are still sailing. He said the shop is still offering special deals on select rods while supplies last.
Spencer Rodrick at Fishermen’s Supply in Point Pleasant Beach said the Voyager had a good offshore sea bass trip last Saturday with limit catches and a few pollock. Blackfishing is fair, he said, and the action on schoolie bass in the Toms River has been good. Striper fishing in bays and rivers closes on Dec. 31. Fishermen’s Supply is offering sale prices on select rods as well, including St. Croix models.
Brian Flanagan at Captain Bill’s Landing in Point Pleasant Beach said it’s been quiet around there, and they are now closed until early April.
Capt. Bob Bogan on the Gambler out of Point Pleasant Beach said his last sea bass trip of the year was pretty good, fishing 65 miles offshore in about 200 feet of water. It wasn’t easy fishing but the more seasoned anglers got their limits while those with less experience still managed to put some fish in the coolers. Capt. Bogan said they will be sailing again in April, and he’s already scheduled several Golden tilefish trips for May. Reservations are available on the website.
Dennis Palmatier at Hook House Bait and Tackle in Toms River said the striper bite in the Toms River has been hot on bloodworms and small artificials. The only problem is that the fishery closes on Wednesday, Dec. 31 at midnight. The perch fishing has also been good at night on bloodworms, he said. Palmatier said the shop will have several tables at the New Jersey Beach Buggy Association Fishing Flea Market this Saturday, Jan. 10, at the Toms River Elks Club from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. He added that the shop is now open three days a week from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Just call ahead to confirm someone is there since he hasn’t decided which days those will be.
Ray Kerico at Grumpy’s Tackle in Seaside Park said there wasn’t much to report. They are still waiting for the first striper to be weighed in for the Polar Striper Plunge contest scheduled to end on Wednesday. The deadline may be extended. Togging has been tough, he said, and he suspects the sudden drop in water temperature might be the reason. Fishing deeper water might be the answer. Kerico said the shop is getting ready for a big winter sale on the last weekend of January. Grumpy’s new winter hours are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. every day.
John Bushell at Betty and Nick’s in Seaside Park said the striper bite in the Toms River was about the only fishing report he’s received lately, and that is about to end. He said the shop will be at the NJBBA Fishing Flea Market in Toms River on Saturday.
Paul Lindsay at Fishermen’s Headquarters on Long Beach Island said there is an epic perch bite going on in the Mullica River. Bloodworms, grass shrimp, Mr. Twisters, and Gotcha Plugs are all working.
Dave Willard at Tight Lines Bait and Tackle in Somers Point said that perch fishing in the local rivers is all that is going on around there right now.
New Jersey Fishing Forecast
As you may have gathered, things are slow.
Blackfishing has been somewhat inconsistent, with party boats now heading to deeper water. White perch fishing has been good at night in the Toms River and excellent in the Mullica River.
If you prefer your fishing activities on the warmer side, head to the New Jersey Beach Buggy Association’s Flea Market at the Toms River Elks Club on Saturday.
Happy New Year.