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.
Absecon Bay Sportsman Center sent the following report:
“
The weatherman seems to be at the helm when it comes to fishing. For the few anglers that have been getting out it seems like the fish don’t mind. There are some great reports on stripers and white perch. I still haven’t gotten on the water, still trying to make sure everything is ready for the big push that always comes right after Easter. Remember Tog Season opens Monday and with the water temperatures up where they are the bite should be HOT. I’m trying to get ahold of Green Crabs, and should have them. Plenty of Jumbo Bloodworms , now at $25 a dozen. Hoping for Surf Clams before the weekend and a new supply of live eels should be on the way. Any questions at all call 609-484-0409″
I thought the world was coming to an end when bloodworms went up to a dollar a dozen!
A small craft advisory is up through Saturday afternoon with NW winds at 15-20 knots.
Fisher-Price IV from Highlands reported as follows this week”
Started our season this morning. Pretty consistent bite all morning throwing shads. Guys boxed their limit and released a few dozen more to around 16#. Great way to start the year and it will only get better the next few weeks. We have availability thru April. Call or text 732-861-3394 for info and reservations.”
A gale watch is up in NY/NJ Bight from this evening to late tonight. Friday’s forecast is for NW winds at 15-20 knots plus gusts to 30 with 4-6-foot seas.
All reactions:
142Ron McClelland, Chuck Tyman Manny and 140 others
As noted in an earlier blog, famed N.J. striper fisherman Gene Graman passed away on March 21. A Visitation is being held today from 4-7 p.m. at Thompson Funeral Home, 410 Broad St. [n Red Bank. There will also be a graveside service tomorrow at 11 a.m. in Fairview Cemetary, Middletown.
Gene was 87, an Air Force vet, and possibly the best private skipper in NY/NJ Bight — especially when fishing the old Sandy Hook Rip in rough seas. He was also a founding member of the Hi-Mar Striper Club– and their most active member.He’s survived by his brother Marvin, nephew Donald, and sister-in-law Dolly.
I suppose heavenly striper fishing may have dropped off, and Gene was needed to seek them out once again!
A small craft advisory is up through Wednesday afternoon but the forecast for only NNW winds at 5-10 knots. Periods of light rain and drizzle are likely.
Tight Lines 