Northern New Jersey Fishing Report
Finally, some fish are being caught.
Despite the cold and rain, striper anglers have been out chasing bass since opening day and enjoying success. They’re not big, and the action isn’t crazy, but resident fish are biting in local rivers and bays. Bloodworms and soft plastics are proving best for early spring.
White perch are also hitting bloodworms in the creeks, rivers and bays, and a few folks are trying for winter flounder.
It’s still very early, and the fishing will only get better as the weather warms.
Alex Bari at Tackle World in Rochelle Park said he’s had reports of stripers biting in the Hackensack River on bloodworms and small artificials. Bari also mentioned the giant muskie that was caught through the ice at Greenwood Lake on Feb. 24, which is a possible new state record. The 45-pound, 51-inch fish was caught by Victor Gelman. The staff at Tackle World has been very busy making the final move to the new location in Paramus, and they expect to be open by March 21.
Gary Carr at Keyport Bait and Tackle said that they are getting reports of good bass fishing back in the Raritan River near Sayreville on bloodworms. He said the shop has regular and jumbo bloodworms for sale, and they are also available 24 hours a day, seven days a week from the on-site live bait vending machine.
Capt. Phil Sciortino at the Tackle Box in Hazlet reported stripers up to 40 inches caught in the Raritan River on bloodworms, which he has in stock. The Tackle Box is now open every day, and they will be at the Saltwater Expo, March 13 to 15.
We got some sad news from Joe Julian Jr. at Julian’s Bait and Tackle in Atlantic Highlands, who will be selling the shop after 97 years in business. Julian’s has been a favorite stop for anglers for many, many years, and he will be missed.
Mike Pinto at Giglio’s Bait and Tackle in Sea Bright said he hasn’t heard of any stripers caught in the Shrewsbury or Navesink rivers as yet. The water is still very cold. One thing he is excited about this year is the new line of Malosi Lures that the shop now carries. Giglio’s is now open every day from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Mike Gleason at Tak Waterman in Long Branch said he’s had reports of resident stripers caught from up north and down to the south since the season opened last Sunday. Tak Waterman will be at the Saltwater Expo next week as well.
Tim Rizzuto at Fisherman’s Den in Belmar said they are selling loads of bloodworms, but he’s not getting many reports back in the way of results for stripers. A few people have tried for winter flounder back by the L Street Pier, but again, he hasn’t heard of anything caught. The sun will have to shine for a few days to get them out of the mud.
The Golden Eagle out of Belmar plans on starting its season on Saturday, March 28, while the Big Mohawk and the Skylarker will start their 2026 campaigns on April 1. The spring blackfish season, with a four-fish limit at 15 inches, opens on April 1 and ends on April 30.
Stanley Gola at the Reel Seat in Brielle said he’s been getting good striper reports from the Toms River on soft plastics and bloodworms. The shop is still on winter hours, but will be open seven days a week starting April 1.
Christian Caparra at Fishermen’s Supply in Point Pleasant Beach said they, too, had good reports on bass in the Toms River on bloods and small plastics. He added that the shop will be hosting a seminar this Saturday, March 7, on Raritan Bay Striped Bass tactics given by Capt. Jim Freda of Shore Catch Guide Service. The seminar starts at 11 a.m.
Capt. Tom Wolfe on the Norma K III out of Point Pleasant Beach will be back on the water as of April 1, and so will Capt. Kenny Namowitz of the Mimi VI, also out of Point Pleasant Beach.
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Frank Giacalone at Gabriel Tackle Co. in Brick said they had good reports of stripers in Barnegat Bay, mostly on bloodworms, but a few were taken on small lures.
Pete Kupper at Charlie’s Bait and Tackle in Normandy Beach is back in the shop and reports decent bass fishing in the Toms River on bloodworms and soft plastics. He said folks were out there just after midnight on opening day.
Ray Kerico at Grumpy’s Tackle in Seaside Park reported good striper fishing in the back of the Toms River with bass up to 30 inches. Again, it’s bloodworms, small plastics, and plugs doing the job. Kerico said Grumpy’s will be at the Saltwater Expo and they will be offering great deals on a selection of Grumpy’s factory-built rods.
Best Bets for the Weekend
The stripers are biting and warmer weather is on the way. Grab some bloodworms and soft plastics and try your luck in the rivers and bays. Reports have been good from the Hackensack, Raritan and Toms rivers. Barnegat Bay has also given up fish.
And now that the ice is clearing out, local lakes and ponds are good options for largemouth, crappie, pickerel and perch.