Anglers were able to take advantage of a great forecast today — and get a second chance tomorrow — though without an eclipse to go with it.
At Highlands, Just Sayin and Fisher Price IV had similar weekend reports of good striper catches while casting shads, though the bass remain somewhat lethargic in cool waters.
Capt. Jim Freda of Shore Catch reports the water temperature is just 47 degrees, and based on the great readings, expects there will be a big improvement in the bite when it gets into the low fifties.
The Ocean Explorer from Belmar got out for blackfish on Sunday with the following results: “
Very nice day today out there,,flat calm for the most part….Fishing picked up a little more today,,more keepers and some ling and a few codfish….Had lots of bites between the dogs,short togs,,and other exotics…So I am looking forward to tomorrow..its gonna be very nice again and we are gonna go look for some nice blackfish again so come on down..plenty of room onboard!!.”
The forecast is for west winds at a mere 5 knots before going south in the afternoon.
Though this spring has been dominated by bad weather, there is a forecast of perfect conditions tomorrow which should permit anglers to enjoy calm seas and surf for fishing while watching the eclipse.
The forecast is for northwest winds at a mere 5-10 knots!
Te Ocean Explorer from Belmar got out Saturday for blackfish. and reported as follows: ‘
Another day of breezy norhwest winds but the ocean again was very nice….The water cleaned up a little and while the fishing was still not good,it improved today with a few blackfish starting to bite again..We had 3 or 4 keepers and a handful of ling so they are starting to wake up again..I think tomorrow will be even better..So see ya tomorrow for coffee!! Gonna be a nice day “
Blackfishing is usually good by this time of year, but tough weather seems to have been holding it back.
The Ocean Explorer from Belmar got out Friday with the following results:
“”It was pretty windy today but it was out of the west so the ocean was actually pretty nice…Just a chop for the most part…Fishing was not very productive overall…Blackfish were not in the mood,,,I guess the ripping north current had something to do with it…Plus the swell from the other day…We did have some ling show up,,and lots of big eels but overall a tough day..I am looking for tomorrow to improve so we are fishing!..730am departure..See ya for coffee”
A small craft advisory is up through Sunday morning. The morning for north winds at 10-15 knots plus higher gusts before dropping to 5-10 in the afternoon.
Yesterday’s blog about the April 15 opening of the striped bass season in waters south of the George Washington Bridge incorrectly noted the limit as one at 28 to 35 inches rather than the very narrow 28-31-inch slot — just as in N.J.
Fisher Price IV sent the following report of this week’s fishing:
Wasn’t sure what to expect today after yesterday’s weather.Nasty brown water and a lot of debris. Took some but found some fish here and there that wanted to eat. Guys fished hard landing 15 fish with a mix of keepers, shorts and overs to around 25# all casting lures. Thanks for fishing hard guys!!! We have some availability coming up. Call or text 732-861-3394. #fisherpriceiv#pennreels#jiggingworld#tackleworld#nomadtackle_usa#nomaddesigntackle#nomadtackledesign#nolive…
Though New York striper anglers have been able to fish up the Hudson River for some time, the waters south of the George Washington Bridge don’t open until April 15. Regulations are the same as last year with one striper of 28-35 inches allowed.
Capt. Ron Santee will start daily striper fishing from his Fishermen out of Atlantic Highlands on Saturday, April 27.
A small craft advisory is up tonight. Friday’s forecast is for west winds at 15-20 knots plus gusts to 25.
A storm warning is up through late tonight for east winds gusting to 50 knots with 9-13-foot seas. The forecast for the morning is for a switch to clearing northwest winds at 20-25 knots which drop to 10-15 in the afternoon. Showers are likely.
The LBI Surf Fishing Classic reports “There are keeper striped bass right here in the bay off of Long Beach Island! Here’s Jock, one of our local anglers and a member of the Long Beach Island Fishing Club, with a 28.5” bass that he caught the other day from a spot on the island. There are also reports of stripers feeding off the surf, and a couple were caught off the beach last week.
Come to LBI and get in on the action! Make sure to go to one of the 3 tackle shops on the island – Fisherman’s Headquarters, Jingles Bait & Tackle, and Surf City Bait & Tackle – to get all your surf fishing needs. While you are there, sign up for the 22nd Annual LBI Spring Derby. The registration fee for all anglers is $20 with a 100% payout structure. Go to www.lbisfc.com for the prize structure and the list of rules for the Spring Derby.
The LBI Surf Fishing Classic reports as follows:
“There are keeper striped bass right here in the bay off of Long Beach Island! Here’s Jock, one of our local anglers and a member of the Long Beach Island Fishing Club, with a 28.5” bass that he caught the other day from a spot on the island. There are also reports of stripers feeding off the surf, and a couple were caught off the beach last week.
Come to LBI and get in on the action! Make sure to go to one of the 3 tackle shops on the island – Fisherman’s Headquarters, Jingles Bait & Tackle, and Surf City Bait & Tackle – to get all your surf fishing needs. While you are there, sign up for the 22nd Annual LBI Spring Derby. The registration fee for all anglers is $20 with a 100% payout structure. Go to www.lbisfc.com for the prize structure and the list of rules for the Spring Derby.”
All reactions:
There are keeper striped bass right here in the bay off of Long Beach Island! Here’s Jock, one of our local anglers and a member of the Long Beach Island Fishing Club, with a 28.5″ bass that he caught the other day from a spot on the island. There are also reports of stripers feeding off the surf, and a couple were caught off the beach last week.
Come to LBI and get in on the action! Make sure to go to one of the 3 tackle shops on the island – Fisherman’s Headquarters, Jingles Bait & Tackle, and Surf City Bait & Tackle – to get all your surf fishing needs. While you are there, sign up for the 22nd Annual LBI Spring Derby. The registration fee for all anglers is $20 with a 100% payout structure. Go to www.lbisfc.com for the prize structure and the list of rules for the Spring Derby.
The N.J. blackfish season from April 1-30 with four fish at a 15-inch minimum opened well for the crew of the Ocean Explorer from Belmar. Since that boat is still in the boatyard, they are using Miss Belmar Princess. Their report follows : “We had some nice day today, ocean was flat calm …Fishing was good to us to…We had non-stop action on the bottom around the boat. Loads of blackfish coming up, lots of shorts yes but in between there were keepers…Joe the Plumber was dialed in and had over a double limit of keepers…Others had a limit to, some just had the shorty curse but in the end scattered around the boat we had a nice number of keeper blackfish..We also had some nice ling and a few codfish as well…Plenty of exotic sharks to keep you entertained as well….Great day all around….Next few days look crummy with hard northeast winds so no fishing…I will let you know next nice day”
Capt. John Contello was impressed with the volume of stripers ne marked on his Just Sayin 37 yesterday even if the bass were a bit lethargic in hitting lures. He has open spots on the weekend.
Winter flounder have become so scarce the few anglers even try for them anymore. However, Gabrial Tackle in Brick reports some are being caught in the canal and bay,
The good weather didn’t last long. A small craft advisory is up to 6 p.m. before going to a gale warning through late Wednesday night. The forecast is for east winds at 30-35 knots plus gusts to 45. Seas build to 9-14 feet with rain and isolated thunderstorms.
Striped bay fishing is picking up in New Jersey. The Raritan Bay fishery is the best bet as noted in this report from Fisher Price IV out of Highlands a couple of days ago:”Great morning for our open boat guys today. Had a few fish early and then found a massive pile of fish. Picked away for awhile before they quit with the traffic and ride. Got away from the crowd and finished up with a few a nice shot of fish at the end of the day. Saw some nicer fish today to 39” and guys boxed their limit and released a few dozen more. We have availability coming up. Call or text 732-861-3394. “see (photos below)
Capt. Chris Di Stefano said Atlantic mackerel showed up suddenly at Shrewsbury Rocks one day last week, when anglers who live-lined them were able to catch jumbo stripers.
Absecon Bay Sportsman Center reports both short and a few keeper stripers are being caught in the backwaters on both bloodworms and Gulp.
The forecast is for SE winds at 5-10 knots before going east at 10-15 in the afternoon plus rain.
Tight Lines 