Destroyer
God
Forecast: New Jersey
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It’s tough to classify the striper fishing in New Jersey at the moment. The excellent action experienced over the past week is indicative of an early starting spring run. But, since the fishing never really stopped this fall and winter, this could also be a late-running fall run. But the anglers who’ve been catching stripers all winter long are too concerned about how to label what’s taking place – they’re too eager to get back on the water and continue fishing.
The backwater opener did not disappoint reported Ron from Fisherman’s Supply Co. in Point Pleasant. Stripers continued to bite in the surf, were waiting with open mouths in the back bays for the opener on March 1 and some more schools of stripers even surprised a few boaters, but more on that later.
Just this week, the jetties in Deal gave up a 24-pound striper according to Jack at Surfside Bait and Tackle in Long Branch. Jack said the action out front is actually better than the action in the back at the moment. Jack said that bait has started to work on the beaches, in addition to the plugs and Tsunami sand eels that have been working all winter.
The best backwater fishing seems to be taking place in Raritan Bay, which is on fire according to Ron at Fisherman’s Supply. Clams have been the ticket in these waters, and fish into the teens have been taken. Another hotspot has been the Route 37 Bridge, which is producing some bass after dark. The evenings are best for the jetties out front, reports Ron, as stripers continue to hang in these areas.
While all this news of spectacular striper fishing at this time of the season is surprising, none is so surprising as the school of breaking stripers located in 40 feet of water off Monmouth this week. A boater was coming back from bottom fishing and happened across the mass of 35- to 40-inch fish. This is highly unusual for this time of year, but may be worth taking a peek out front with the boat.
White perch have been providing anglers with some tasty meals west of Beach Haven reported Matt from Tonneson Tony’s Bait and Tackle in Manahawkin. Grass shrimp have been working, as have small minnows. Stripers are being caught in the back bays, particularly around the power plant, where bloodworms have been responsible for most of the catches.
One of the more popular early season spots, Gravelling Point, has given up keeper-sized bass already. As much press as this spot gets, it’s not quite as good as advertised. Other back bay systems, even the southern ones behind Ocean City, Sea Isle and Avalon, produce more and bigger fish.
Chris at Harry’s Adventure Outfitters in Robbinsville said the stripers running the beaches have been shrinking, that is, he’s noticed a trend that the larger fish seem to be moving elsewhere – perhaps toward a river to spawn. The Delaware River has been quiet, no sign of stripers yet. No shad yet either.
For the party boats, Chris says the reports of ling have tapered off some, not necessarily because the fishing is any worse, but because anglers seem to be shifting their sights to other species.
Best Bets for the Weekend
Big weekend for striper plug aficionados as the Asbury Park Fishing Club Flea Market is taking place. Custom plug builders from throughout the Northeast and the country will have tables selling their lures. Some of these lures will only be available for purchase at this show. I unfortunately will not be able to make it this year, but if anyone wants to buy a plug or two for me and mail it to On The Water, I wouldn’t object. Some tackle shops will be exhibiting there as well, including Fisherman’s Supply Co.
Those good striper reports should be pretty tough to ignore by now, especially with the back bays open and the fish feeding there as well as the surf. Fish at night in either the surf or the back. In the bays, target lighted bridges or docks with small soft plastics for the most reliable chance at catching fish. Dunking bait on the outgoing tide would be a good bet as well, even during the daytime. Fresh clams and bloodworms would be best. Raritan Bay seems to be one hotspot – Chris at Harry’s mentioned Union Beach specifically.
If you do get into the stripers hot and heavy this spring, consider releasing these fish, as they still have yet to spawn, and a successful spawn is crucial to sustaining our striper fishery in the years to come. If you want another great season like the one New Jersey had in 2011 and the start of 2012, think about releasing those stripers to fight another day.