Now we’re talking! While spawning is still happening in many of the Chesapeake tributaries, some of the fish that did the deed two weeks ago are steadily moving down the bay toward the ocean. Meanwhile, those pre-spawn Hudson fish continue to feast off Northern New Jersey and Western Long Island as they wait for proper spawning conditions in the river. While Connecticut is seeing a push of sea-lice-wearing stripers, there’s been no report of migratory fish in Rhode Island…yet! That could change any day with the help of these warm spring temperatures and today’s new moon.
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Maryland/Chesapeake Bay Striper Fishing Report
Striped bass have been spawning for the last two weeks in the middle bay tributaries, so anglers may encounter post spawn fish heading out of the river. In all cases anglers should practice the best catch and release techniques.
Post-spawn fish are moving down the Potomac and back into the bay, where anglers are catching them as they head back to the ocean. There is still quite a bit of spawning going on in the Patuxent and Nanticoke rivers.
Schoolies and the occasional slot-size fish are being caught around Ocean City, Maryland. Look for bigger bass to move along the ocean beaches soon as post-spawn fish exit the bay.
New Jersey Striper Fishing Report
Some anglers are reporting a historic bite of bass in Northern New Jersey as big schools of 15- to 25-pound bass descend on the bays and rivers. Drone photographers have captured footage of northbound schools of big bass. One video, captured by Joe Malley, showed bass that appeared almost round, possibly pre-spawn females bound for the Hudson where spawning has not yet begun.
Striped bass are spreading throughout the southern New Jersey backwaters with a mix of schoolies and slot-size fish. Larger bass are in the Delaware Bay and River, with a mix of pre- and post-spawn fish.
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New York Striper Report
Bunker have drawn bass to 25 pounds into the western Long Island Sound. Migratory fish are spreading along the South Shore, and pre-spawn bass are moving steadily toward the Hudson River, after a pit stop in the Raritan and along Staten Island to fuel up on bunker.
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Connecticut/Rhode Island Striper Report
Some stripers were found moving along the western Connecticut shorelines this week, with fish to 40 inches reported. These may be some early migrators to join the holdover fish already feeding in Connecticut’s rivers.
As the rivers warm, holdover bass are spreading out and following the arriving herring.
First migratory fish are a bit overdue for Rhode Island, but with squid in and herring piling up, it’s a matter of days.
Cape Cod/Massachusetts Striper Report
No “fresh” fish yet, but the expect the Vineyard to see fish with sea lice before the next report. Holdovers continue to pick up in backwaters across the state.