Southern New Jersey Fishing Report
We have some positives to look forward to this week but first, we have to get through an unseasonably cold weekend with highs in the low 40s. There’s a nice warm up in the forecast which should ignite the mostly sporadic striped bass bite thus far. At some of the popular early season locations, anglers are lining the shores like opening day fans waiting at the nearest major league ball park. Participation has been there, but action is on the slower side. Lately, the early morning hours (3 to 5 a.m.) are providing the best results.
White perch fishing has been status quo with good bites on bloodworms and better action on grass shrimp. The easiest way to procure grass shrimp is by using a “shrimp dip net” and working the bulkheads and docks. Some docks, especially the ones with lights, are better than others. A quart of shrimp will do and should last for an entire outing, even with 2 to 3 shrimp on two-hook rigs.
The winter flounder bite has been floundering—we have not heard much of any blackback action. Hopefully, we will get the official regulations for sea bass and fluke etched into the 2026 books after tonight’s council meeting. Stay tuned in on social media for updates.
Here is this week’s rundown:
Hook House Bait & Tackle in Toms River had reports of both striped bass and solid-sized white perch being caught along the north and south sides of the Toms River. The bridges have seen more action during the early morning tides as compared to the nights, but low temperatures have chilled the water again. The shop has a full selection of tackle along with bloodworms in stock.
Creekside Outfitters in Waretown received another shipment of bloodworms and will be open 7-days a week throughout the rest of the season. Striped bass have been caught on bloodworm balls, but you have to let them soak. The area bridges north and south of the shop are producing stripers in the early morning on darker NLBN’s fished slow. White perch are also being landed from the Toms River to Beach Haven West on pieces of bloodworms and live grass shrimp.
Reel Reaction Sportfishing out of Waretown continued to work on their ocean vessel despite the up and down temperatures with some functional improvements. The weekend’s striped bass charter was cancelled due to the weather, but the team will be out this upcoming week with more seasonable temperatures in the backwaters.
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The Super Chic out of Barnegat Light said they are excited to hear the outcome of the 2026 sea bass regulations, which should be set at tonight’s NJ Marine Fisheries meeting. The crew is continuing to prep the boat for the season ahead.
Tackle Direct in Egg Harbor City said Graveling Point has been the hot spot for striped bass. Bloodworms, either in a ball or threaded on a circle hook 2 to 3 at a time, are producing bites as are small silver swimming plugs fished slowly. White perch are biting consistently in some parts of the rivers, especially sections of the upper Mullica. If you can get grass shrimp, they have been the ticket for higher numbers of keeper fish.
Tight Lines Bait & Tackle in Somers Point received a large shipment of bloodworms (jumbos & regulars) for bait balls dead-sticked in the back, or to be cut into pieces for white perch in the rivers. The shop will have a custom rod builder in this Sunday for demos, so stop by and give them a look.
Waterfront Marine in Somers Point said the outgoing tide has definitely been better for striped bass action as compared to the frigid incoming water temperatures. Striped bass have been spread out from the sod marsh edges to the bridges. Some days they bite, while others the fish have lockjaw; the major swings in weather don’t help. This week’s weather looks fairly stable after a cold weekend, so anticipate a good bite ahead. White perch, however, don’t seem to mind the cold—some of the brackish creeks and rivers have life, and grass shrimp is the key to catching those perch.
Captain Brian Williams of Badfish Charters in Ocean City took advantage of the good weather days, which have been few and far between, to redo the bottom paint on the vessel. Over the last few days, he fished some of his go-to spots and found striped bass to 26 inches. He said the bass are spread out but are taking some slowly-worked artificials in the usual holes. Ospreys and some ibises are showing up in big numbers over the last few days. The skipper has some dates available in the near future, so give him a ring.
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Captain Joe Hughes of Jersey Cape Charters in Sea Isle City has been in Islamorada, but is slowly transitioning to the Jersey charter scene over the next couple of weeks. He said there are some bass around in the backwaters and local shops are reporting bay temperatures to 49°F. Hopefully, a warm-weather week will spark an increase in striped bass action.
The Cape May and Fortescue area had some better reports of striped bass hitting the Delaware Bay beaches, but the action has been on the western locales closer to Fortescue, and even better further west. Salem County has been the hotspot as of late with bass chewing on soaked bloodworms. Anglers fishing closer to the Atlantic are finding far less action due to cooler temperatures, but that should improve with warmer weather next week. White perch fishing is the other game in town with the best bait being grass shrimp, followed by cut pieces of bloodworms.
South Jersey Fishing Forecast
The best bet for action this weekend is to work the outgoing tides for striped bass. Bloodworm baits, small soft plastics, and swimming plugs (fished slowly) are prime choices to bend a rod on holdover bass. Pay attention to your surroundings, as some of our feathered migratory guests have arrived and can lead us to productive areas. Generally, find and fish the warmest water this time of year as these spots will have the most activity and highest probability of connecting with stripers. White perch fishermen have been banging them up for most of the early spring, but some of the “popular” locations are getting hammered. It may pay to seek out spots off the beaten path, whether it be by foot, yak or boat.
Good luck, be safe, and tight lines!