The last positive striper report from Just Sayin out of Keyport was followed up by Matt Calabia with a note that the afternoon bite was also good for keeper-size bass and lots of shorts while describing it as “wormball madness”.
*****
The forecast is for west winds at 15 knots plus gusts to 20.
The following was posted on Facebook today by Capt. John Contello with Matt Calabria and Eddie Brown on Just Sayin from Keyport:
Fish to 35” already this morning. A bunch of Nice overs, keepers, and shorts. We had pushed off some Charters until we had more consistent fishing. Should be game on from here on out!! Text 732-670-1919 for Charter availability JustSayinSportfishing.com *Sunday is full* #JustSayinows on
The forecast is for east winds around 15 knots plus gusts to 20 and a chance of showers.
The Ocean Explorer from Belmar reported a lumpy sea yesterday, though they had lots of bites and caught many blackfish that were mostly in the 14-inch range.
Fisherman editor Jim Hutchinson reports the largest stripers of the young season are being released in the Delaware River. A Stockton professor started out the week by putting a 47-pounder on his Bogagrip, and later added another in the 50-pound class. Those Delaware River bass are relatively short. but have huge bellies full of roe — and should be handled very carefully.
Hutchinson also noted that the first South Jersey black drum was hooked on the bay side at Graveling Point — a traditional early season striper spot.
After another rainy day, Dave Lilly still didn’t see any earthworms on the sidewalks, as that signal of the start of the Raritan Bay run continues to disappoint.
Friday’s forecast is for northwest winds at just 5-10 knots with possible morning showers.
When Frank Manzi will be fighting rough surf in northern N.J. later this year, he’ll really be able to appreciate the spotted sea trout action he enjoyed while wading flats with Vinny D’Anton in Sarasota, Florida. A lot of ground must be covered, but Vinny wades spots with the wind at his back. Redfish and snook did not cooperate during Manzi’s last shot on Monday. but Vinny was excited to hook a small gag grouper and a flounder among the trout.
Vinny has heard from northern anglers who have tried the cold surf with no luck so far. One even tried using sand fleas.
Andreas Toy made its first striper trip of the season out of Perth Amboy yesterday and marked some bass that weren’t interested in anything. They even netted bunkers and chunked without any results. That will change suddenly any day now.
*******
A small craft advisory is up tonight through Thursday afternoon. The forecast is for south winds at 20-25 knots that morning with gusts to 30 plus possible fog and showers,
The striper season in NY/NJ Bight has been off to a slow start. but there was a brief item of encouragement from bass pro Capt. Matt Calabria who posted yesterday on Facebook simply that the bass were “chewing” — and sent a photo to prove his point.
Unfortunately, there were no other details, but I’ve known Matt for a long time and have no doubt about his word.
The forecast is for northeast winds at 10-15 knots before going to southeast at the same speed in the afternoon.
Though it’s spawning season, and female tautog ripe with visible roe should be released, there should be enough smaller male tog available for dinner.
Blackfish are reputed to have soft mouths in the spring and may pass up the usual green crabs. However, if the water is very cold it may be possible to fish with clams if bergalls aren’t active as yet.
*****
A small craft advisory is up in NY/NJ Bight through Tuesday afternoon.
The forecast is for northwest winds at 15-20 knots plus gusts to 30 in the morning.
The Capt. Al from Point Lookout sent a recent report as follows”We sailed today with a dozen fares and picked some nice, tasty Ling everywhere we tried. We also caught and released a couple of small codfish and a handful of blackfish and dogfish. The water has warmed up quite a bit in the past 2 weeks and we’re looking forward to trying some shallower spots for blackfish this week.
“We will begin sailing EVERY DAY this Tuesday, April 1. Hopefully the weather will cooperate. We’ll be targeting Blackfish, Ling and codfish. Sailing time is 7AM, returning around 4PM. Text me your name, day and date of trip and number of people to 516-361-9275.
Dave Lilly is still waiting for earthworms on the sidewalks after a rain as a sign that stripers will become active. Though the bass located one day this week by Just Sayin from Keyport was a good sign, Lilly noted that was on bait which is attractive to stripers even in cold waters. Lilly pointed out that the Prowler from Atlantic Highlands once again had a tough trip with just one 27-inch striper being hooked. With only a few more degrees, linesiders will start responding to trolled lures as well as jigs.
Monday’s forecast is for south winds at 15-20 knots plus gusts to 30. Seas will be up to seven feet.
Capt. Frank Masseria ran took a ride through Raritan Bay with his Vitamin Sea and reported as follows :probably stay with jigs most of time.
All reactions:
3131
6
1
Like
Comment
Send
Share
View more comments
I’m looking forward to your report as I’ve been curious about these trips for a long time & have been apprehensive because of the crowd.
Chris Theodorellis I am curious too. 
I will give objective and honest report.
4
View more replies
otoeprsnSd28hacmimo1S4eun7ffs6g30u917dp5omcc55uglr0303mffc1u ·
Today is the day we met and it is so surreal to believe where we are now. To think where it all began—meeting in NYC in 2017— From traveling the world together to start…
See more
Resume Video
)
Capt, Frank Masseria of Vitamin Sea reports “
A small craft advisory is up tonight. Sunday starts with east winds at 10-15 knots plus gusts to 20 before calming to 5-10 in the afternoon.
It didn’t take long before Frank Manzi was catching spotted sea trout along with Vinny D’Anton while wading flats yesterday near the latter’s Sarasota winter home. There was more variety this morning while fishing live baits at the mangroves from a guide boat in Sarasota Bay
Better known to northern N.J. surfcasters as F.B.I Frank, Manzi is now able to enjoy retirement while expanding his angling goals well beyond stripers and blues.
Surprisingly, after good action with sea trout while wading and casting lures yesterday, that was a species missing among the expanded variety of fish while fishing with Capt. R.C, on his G-Force. They managed snook up to 24 inches and redfish (red drum) plus mangrove snappers. among others
****
As noted in yesterday’s blog. the Just Sayin from Keyport got Raritan Bay striper fishing off to a good start even before the earthworms appeared on sidewalks after a rain. I suspect there will be a lot more boaters out there this weekend especially if the air temperature does get up to 75 tomorrow,
Te forecast is for southwest winds at 15 knots plus gusts to 25.
Captains John Contello and Matt Calabria got the local striper season underway this morning with the following report: :#JustSayin We did some Raritan Bay searching today and found what we were looking for. “Overs” and several lucky keeper sized fish released for another day. Hopefully the start of another great season. Text us at 732-670-1919 for private charter availability – Visit JustSayinSportfishing.com for more info. Two boats running full time #StripedBass#RaritanBay
All reactions:
135Chuck Tyman Manny, Kil Song and 133 others#JustSayin We did some Raritan Bay searching today and found what we were looking for. “Overs” and several lucky keeper sized fish released for another day. Hopefully the start of another great season. Text us at 732-670-1919 for private charter availability – Visit JustSayinSportfishing.com for more info. Two boats running full time #StripedBass#RaritanBay
All reactions:
JustSayin We did some Raritan Bay searching today and found what we were looking for. “Overs” and several lucky keeper sized fish released for another day. Hopefully the start of another great season. Text us at 732-670-1919 for private charter availability – Visit JustSayinSportfishing.com for more info. Two boats running full time #StripedBass#RaritanBay
All reactions:
JustSayin We did some Raritan Bay searching today and found what we were looking for. “Overs” and several lucky keeper sized fish released for another day. Hopefully the start of another great season. Text us at 732-670-1919 for private charter availability – Visit JustSayinSportfishing.com for more info. Two boats running full time #StripedBass#RaritanBay
***
A small craft advisory is posted through
A small craft advisory is up through Friday afternoon. The forecast is for west winds at 10-15 knots plus gusts to 30 in the morning before dropping to 10-15 in the afternoon.
Tight Lines 