Tight Lines

With the tarpon season in full bloom throughout the Keys, many anglers will be chartering to get into the big tarpon of their dreams. However, there are also opportunities for much smaller tarpon that can be caught at virtually no expense. Over the years I caught hundreds of smaller tarpon from the sides of bridges and rarely had any competition for them. That applied all year and even under poor conditions that made other fishing impossible.

Thia is a night fishery that’s somewhat dangerous, but suitable for those in good condition.

Ideal tackle involves a light surf spinning rig as long casts aren’t necessary, but maximum pressure must be employed in order to keep the tarpon from running under the bridge. There are many lures that will draw strikes, but don’t use treble hooks which are tough on the small tarpon which must be released — plus being a danger to the angler.

Modern braided lines are ideal for this fishery as they provide easy casting with light lures while allowing the angler to stop the tarpon before it cuts off on a piling. A short mono 30-pound leader will be enough to stop the sizes you can release while breaking off a much bigger one will save you time.

Fishing time is on outgoing tide, and the bite at each bridge usually lasts only a short period before they get wise to the lure. The cast is made uptide so the lure is carried to the opening where the tarpon are feeding.

I’ll have more about this fishery in future bogs.

The NY/NJ Bight forecast is for west winds at 10-15 knots plus gusts to 20.

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Several sources have reported Keys tarpon are on time. Capt. Jake Jordan is already doing very well with his night fly fishing charters for the silver kings.

Surfcasters in Ocean County N.J. continue to do very well with large stripers on fresh clams.

Tuesday’s forecast in NY/NJ Bight is for north winds at 10-15 knots before dropping to 10 in the afternoon.

Capt. Mark DeBlasio isn’t likely to have such fishing this summer in N.J., but the winter fishery in N.C. won’t be forgoten — especially the last one with all giants on spin.

The Golden Eagle from Belmar saw lots of stripers on Saturday, and trollers were catching some though they wouldn’t hit the jigs worked from that party boat.

The small boat charter fleet seemed to overcome slow periods due to fog and wind shifts.

Absecon Bay Sportsman Center hasn’t had big seaworms in stock, but anglers who bought their fresh clams took them to the surf where big stripers jumped on them.

There’s a dense fog warning up for Monday. Then the wind goes NW at 10-15 knots.

It was good to get some striper reports in the northern N.J. surf, there’s been much better action reported this week in the Seaside Park area. Grumpy’s Tackle reported “bite that past few days has been special especially along our beaches. Been a long time since we’ve seen a start like this in the spring. Here’s @mufish215 that just sent us this report… “Stopped in to pick up a reel that was being repaired, grabbed some clam to fish for drum in the bay and decided to plug the surf for the sunset. And boy did it pay off. We got a total of 13 bass including a double header. The first fish out front for 2026 for me 44”on a SP. Right behind the shop.”bite that past few days has been special especially along our beaches. Been a long time since we’ve seen a start like this in the spring. Here’s @mufish215 that just sent us this report… “Stopped in to pick up a reel that was being repaired, grabbed some clam to fish for drum in the bay and decided to plug the surf for the sunset. And boy did it pay off. We got a total of 13 bass including a double header. The first fish out front for 2026 for me 44”on a SP. Right behind the shop.”bite that past few days has been special especially along our beaches. Been a long time since we’ve seen a start like this in the spring. Here’s @mufish215 that just sent us this report… “Stopped in to pick up a reel that was being repaired, grabbed some clam to fish for drum in the bay and decided to plug the surf for the sunset. And boy did it pay off. We got a total of 13 bass including a double header. The first fish out front for 2026 for me 44”on a SP. Right behind the shop.”bite that past few days has been special especially along our beaches. Been a long time since we’ve seen a start like this in the spring. Here’s @mufish215 that just sent us this report… “Stopped in to pick up a reel that was being repaired, grabbed some clam to fish for drum in the bay and decided to plug the surf for the sunset. And boy did it pay off. We got a total of 13 bass including a double header. The first fish out front for 2026 for me 44”on a SP. Right behind the shop.”bite that past few days has been special especially along our beaches. Been a long time since we’ve seen a start like this in the spring. Here’s @mufish215 that just sent us this report… “Stopped in to pick up a reel that was being repaired, grabbed some clam to fish for drum in the bay and decided to plug the surf for the sunset. And boy did it pay off. We got a total of 13 bass including a double header. The first fish out front for 2026 for me 44”on a SP. Right behind the shop.”bite that past few days has been special especially along our beaches. Been a long time since we’ve seen a start like this in the spring. Here’s @mufish215 that just sent us this report… “Stopped in to pick up a reel that was being repaired, grabbed some clam to fish for drum in the bay and decided to plug the surf for the sunset. And boy did it pay off. We got a total of 13 bass including a double header. The first fish out front for 2026 for me 44”on a SP. Right behind the shop.”bite that past few days has been special especially along our beaches. Been a long time since we’ve seen a start like this in the spring. Here’s @mufish215 that just sent us this report… “Stopped in to pick up a reel that was being repaired, grabbed some clam to fish for drum in the bay and decided to plug the surf for the sunset. And boy did it pay off. We got a total of 13 bass including a double header. The first fish out front for 2026 for me 44”on a SP. Right behind the shop.”bite that past few days has been special especially along our beaches. Been a long time since we’ve seen a start like this in the spring. Here’s @mufish215 that just sent us this report… “Stopped in to pick up a reel that was being repaired, grabbed some clam to fish for drum in the bay and decided to plug the surf for the sunset. And boy did it pay off. We got a total of 13 bass including a double header. The first fish out front for 2026 for me 44”on a SP. Right behind the shop.”bite that past few days has been special especially along our beaches. Been a long time since we’ve seen a start like this in the spring. Here’s @mufish215 that just sent us this report… “Stopped in to pick up a reel that was being repaired, grabbed some clam to fish for drum in the bay and decided to plug the surf for the sunset. And boy did it pay off. We got a total of 13 bass including a double header. The first fish out front for 2026 for me 44”on a SP. Right behind the shop.”bite that past few days has been special especially along our beaches. Been a long time since we’ve seen a start like this in the spring. Here’s @mufish215 that just sent us this report… “Stopped in to pick up a reel that was being repaired, grabbed some clam to fish for drum in the bay and decided to plug the surf for the sunset. And boy did it pay off. We got a total of 13 bass including a double header. The first fish out front for 2026 for me 44”on a SP. Right behind the shop.”bite that past few days has been special especially along our beaches. Been a long time since we’ve seen a start like this in the spring. Here’s @mufish215 that just sent us this report… “Stopped in to pick up a reel that was being repaired, grabbed some clam to fish for drum in the bay and decided to plug the surf for the sunset. And boy did it pay off. We got a total of 13 bass including a double header. The first fish out front for 2026 for me 44”on a SP. Right behind the shop.”bite that past few days has been special especially along our beaches. Been a long time since we’ve seen a start like this in the spring. Here’s @mufish215 that just sent us this report… “Stopped in to pick up a reel that was being repaired, grabbed some clam to fish for drum in the bay and decided to plug the surf for the sunset. And boy did it pay off. We got a total of 13 bass including a double header. The first fish out front for 2026 for me 44”on a SP. Right behind the shop.”bite that past few days has been special especially along our beaches. Been a long time since we’ve seen a start like this in the spring. Here’s @mufish215 that just sent us this report… “Stopped in to pick up a reel that was being repaired, grabbed some clam to fish for drum in the bay and decided to plug the surf for the sunset. And boy did it pay off. We got a total of 13 bass including a double header. The first fish out front for 2026 for me 44”on a SP. Right behind the shop.”bite that past few days has been special especially along our beaches. Been a long time since we’ve seen a start like this in the spring. Here’s @mufish215 that just sent us this report… “Stopped in to pick up a reel that was being repaired, grabbed some clam to fish for drum in the bay and decided to plug the surf for the sunset. And boy did it pay off. We got a total of 13 bass including a double header. The first fish out front for 2026 for me 44”on a SP. Right behind the shop.”

Betty & Nick’s posted on 4/16 about big bass on plugs in the local surf up to 35 inches.

Sunday’s forecast is for SW winds at 10-15 knots before going NW n the afternoon with gusts to 20.

Though the striper bite remains generally very good, that can be a frustration for some as the Golden Eagle from Belmar got the bites but all those caught were a bit too large to keep.

Fisher Price IV and Andreas Toy reported very good action with bass of all sizes.

Saturday’s forecast is for east winds at just 5-10 knots.

The Raritan Bay striper fishery has been solid even if some complain about too many overs!

Bluefish may show any day now at NJ Shore inlets.

Though Raritan Bay striper fishing remains very good, cold ocean temps have slowed other fisheries from developing. Fishermens Supply reports the bay waters at Long Beach Island are producing black drum and some stripers to those casting clams from shore, but tautog fishing in the ocean has been very slow.

Very good striper fishing continues as Andreas Toy and Vitamin Sea both reported stripers for all during a hot bite on lures.

Wednesday’s forecast is for SW winds at 5-10 knots before gusts to 20 in the afternoon.

The Golden Eagle from Belmar ran their first striper trip of the season in NY/NJ Bight and found lots of bass on top and on the fishfinder though most were fussy and all that hit were too large to keep. The search continues tomorrow with south winds at just 10 knots.