The worms are out — and it’s time for the first Raritan Bay stripers

Dave Lilly has a surefire way of determining the start of striped bass fishing in Raritan Bay — and it occurred today as earthworms covered the sidewalks in Hazlet. Dave doesn’t know if there is any relationship between the volume of worms and that of stripers, but he’s never seen so many worms emerge.

Lilly thought they might come out with rain after the 66 degree day, but it didn’t happen then. As it is. this is earlier than normal. Anglers casting bloodworms from shore should be into school bass plus an occasional keeper right away. Dave says there are very few boats in the water so far, but he guarantees boaters will be catching stripers as soon as they can get out.

A small craft advisory is up through Friday afternoon. Friday’s forecast is for northeast winds at 10-15 knots with gusts to 20 before shifting to east at 10-15 in the afternoon with 4-6-foot seas.