Still waiting for earthworms to signal start of striper run

As noted previously. Dave Lilly of Hazlet. N.J. has a proven track record of success in predicting the start of the striped bass season in NY/NJ Bight simply by observing the appearance of earthworms on the sidewalk after a hard rain. When he called yesterday. that still hadn’t happened. Therefore, he wasn’t surprised when the Prowler from Atlantic Highlands gave it a try this week without any success. They did find bunkers, but stripers weren’t with them.

Some stripers are being caught every day in Raritan River and other backwater areas where waters are warmed by the sun, but Lilly is sure the bay and ocean won’t open up until those earthworms come out after a rain.

A small craft advisory is up in the bight from Thursday afternoon to that night. The forecast is for southeast winds at 10-15 knots by Thursday morning with patchy fog and possible drizzle.