Northern New Jersey Fishing Report
Gary Carr at Keyport Bait and Tackle reported: “Striped bass fishing has been nothing short of epic across Raritan Bay. Both boat and land-based fishermen are catching plenty. Bunker and bloodworms are the go-tos, with clams also producing. The plug guys are doing well too, with SP’s and gliders leading the way. Keyport Bait & Tackle is open late and remember our on-site 24-hour bait and tackle vending machine is loaded up nightly with fresh bunker, jumbo and regular bloods, shucked clams, and all the tackle you want and need!”
Dan Termini of Bluff Lures (@bluff_lures) reports: “The new moon on April 17th brought with it a new wave of striped bass into the Raritan Bay up to 49 inches. These fish have been scattered around, devouring schools of bunker. Early morning had provided a steady pick of fish, and slack tide has had them kicking into high gear, zipping around to find schools of bunker to roll on. During heavy tidal flows these fish have been hugging the bottom putting their belly’s into the mud. Drifting while slowly jigging soft plastics has been very productive during these times. But at any moment you may find bass aggressively feeding, so be prepared for anything. My go-to lures this week have been the Bluff Lures fast-sinking/deep-diving swimbait, and the bunker swimbait, both in chartreuse. Things are really heating up and it doesn’t look like it’s stopping any time soon.”
Captain Mark Horn (@capt_horn) of On Top Sportfishing Charters reports: “We are definitely seeing a bigger class of fish that moved in over the last week, including a lot of bunker. Still producing on shads and metal lips, but when that slows down, we’re seeing insane live-line bites. Also getting shots at some topwater fish that are pushing bunker—we’re throwing glides and paddles into the feeds when the boat traffic isn’t crazy. I’m expecting the live-line bite will only get more consistent with bigger fish showing as we move into May.”
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Captain Harry Browne (@muscles_magoo) of Muscles Magoo Charters out of Atlantic Highlands reports: “On Monday we had a lot of overs! We fished with live bunker. When the fish started cracking the surface, we switched to plastics and crushed them. We were all hooking up on the outgoing tide. The bay is alive and well—the fish are getting fat and happy. The bunker are in thick. I have an opening for charters, so hit us up and get on the calendar!”
Captain Danny Mazza of Thin Blue Tide Charters (@thin_blue_tide_charters) out of Keyport reports: “Fishing has been on fire since the new moon passed. We are crushing them on live bunker, shads, spoons, and even trolling. Boxing up a limit of slot fish has been easy and we’re catching plenty of fish up to 40 inches.”
Cole Apeldorn (@_capple) reports: “Around April’s new moon, fishing was productive on both sides of the tide, with strong activity through the tide changes. The most effective plug choice was large bunker-style presentations, with glide baits and oversized soft plastics standing out. My top producers were the SOL Lures 10.5-inch bunker glide and the NLBN 9-inch K-Tail, both of which match the prevalent forage. Fish responded best to a faster, steady retrieve or a more erratic presentation with pauses and subtle twitches. Adjusting retrieve speed and cadence based on wind and current made a noticeable difference.”
Mike Pinto at Giglio’s Bait and Tackle in Sea Bright reports: “The river and ocean are on fire—the ocean bite just turned on. The size range of these fish is anywhere from 18- to 40-inches. Paddletails have been working great, but guys are also picking them up on Daiwa and Yo-Zuri lures as well.”
Tim at Fisherman’s Den in Belmar reports: “They are still catching blackfish down by the inlet with green crabs and clams, and the winter flounder bite is solid. The bass bite on the beach is hot and cold, but the fish are on the larger size up to 40 inches. The party boats are going out for blackfish and picking away at them, meanwhile, Raritan Bay is still hot for stripers.”
Captain Eddie Brown (@capt_eddie_brown) reports: “Coming off the new moon and the strong tides it brought, the most consistent action this week lined up around the top and bottom of the tide, with some quality bites even during slack. The beginning of the outgoing tide was especially productive, with fish feeding aggressively as current started to build. Bait has flooded the bay, and we’ve been capitalizing with a strong live-line bite along with some explosive topwater feeds. The afternoon bite has noticeably improved, and all signs point to things continuing to ramp up as we push closer to May. There’s also been a solid push of bigger fish entering the bay, with bass to 47 inches on Tuesday afternoon and 48 inches on Wednesday afternoon trips. Glide baits, metal lips, and soft plastics have all been producing, but having live bait ready has made a big difference when the fish get selective. Focus on matching your efforts to the tide and staying on top of the bait, and you’ll put yourself in a good position to take advantage of these bite windows.”
Sarah Cloos at the Reel Seat in Brielle reports: “There are a lot of bass around anywhere from 25- to 50-inches, and most of them are in the backwaters from the inlets to the bays. There are still fish out front being caught, and the big drum have made their way onto the beaches. The blackfish bite has been tough out front, but the back bay bite has been good.”
Capt. Will Davis of Epic One Charters out of Keansburg said: “Fishing has still been great at night on chunks and plugs. During the day, if you can find bait, it’s game over.”
Captain Willy Abbott of Basslines Sportfishing out of Perth Amboy reported: “The bass fishing has really taken off this past week. We have been predominantly live-bait fishing with excellent results. In addition, we are seeing a larger class of fish up to 46 inches that are eating the live bunker very well.”
Danny Vergel (@beyondthecastnj) reports: “There are still fish in our local rivers but they’re sort of spread out now. Plenty of fish (and bigger fish, at that) making their way up from LBI for that May bite when we get a push of larger fish. Loads of fish in the the bay with a bunch of bunker for them to harass, too. Bait fishing with chunks and worms will still catch you some fish. We had a couple black drum caught, which is cool—we haven’t seen that in a little while in the bay. Just have to fish that south wind on an incoming tide if you’re in the bay and you’ll get some fish for sure.”
The Author’s Experience
Tuesday Night I hit a mission with Seth and Lee Wakefield of @saltwaterheartfishing. We marked quite a few fish in the mid bay. As the sun went down the fish began piling in on the screen. By 8:30 PM we had multiple fish on deep-diving trollers in 15 feet of water. The key is to make a long cast and dig the plug in with 2 or 3 sweeping motions. Once the plug begins swimming, reel slow and steady. More often than not, these fish hit boatside, which can be a bit startling at night!
As the tide came in, the bite became charged up with fish ranging from 10 to 20 pounds. To top off the night we followed a school of fish in 12 feet of water and doubled up on two fish, one being 25 pounds and another 27 pounds.
North Jersey Fishing Forecast
The Raritan is HOT. That said, it can be hit or miss depending on the tide and wind direction. A heavy north or east wind can shut a bite off fairly quick, but a south wind seems to be the ticket. It calms the bay and creates slicked out conditions, leading to some epic action. If you’re fortunate enough to be out there in little to no wind, you’ll hear bunker getting nuked on the surface all night.
On those calm nights, I mentioned a surface-swimming metal lip is a deadly option. A lot of times those larger fish in the 30-pound class seem to follow and smash a surface swimmer next to the boat.
When the fishing is good it can be epic, and when it’s slow, it can be brutal! These fish are moving around and circling the bay in search of bait with vicious intent. As far as tide goes, both the incoming and outgoing are effective; however, the top of the incoming and first hour of outgoing are more conducive for larger fish.