New Jersey Fishing Report 3-21-2013

Am I ever going to be warm again?

Flashback 365 days:

Tomorrow is still likely to be the warmest day of this warm spell at least according to the latest indications. The widespread fog building in tonight is currently likely to burn off by at least 10-11 AM, with temperatures quickly warming up afterwards, reaching the upper 70s to lower 80s north and west of NYC.  NJ and SE NY may pass 80 degrees, mid to upper 70s in NYC, and upper 60s to mid 70s across the rest of the area.

Fast forward to today:

Today, mix of rain and snow, low overnight 31 degrees.  Tomorrow, sunny and cold with lows also in the low 30’s.

You were looking for what is going on… that pretty much sums it up.  For saltwater fisherman, Spring has not bothered to spring yet.  There are some reports from our guys and I will fill you in all all they have to say, but the bottom line is that you pretty much cannot do what you want to do.  You cannot wax the hull of your boat yet, too cold.  You cannot paint the bottom of your boat yet, too cold.  Hitting the surf will be a great way to clear your head, but the very low 40s in water temperature is the only thing you will likely find. I am not saying there is not an arctic striper out there that is hungry, but seriously, not yet.  Even those glazed eyed, night dwelling, bridge romping vampires wrapped up in fleece and gore-tex are only saying “maybe” instead of “let’s go”!

But who needs Saltwater in the spring, right?  The boys up at Effinger’s in Bound Brook had a heck of a weekend in the snow with their flyrods.  Small midge nymphs are the choice and trout were on them.  Little Lehigh and some local limestone streams were giving up nice trout in good numbers.

Are we downright global, or what?  From the little creeks to the furthest reaches of the canyons!  Had a nice conversation with Dave at The Reel Seat in Brielle about his upcoming tile fishing seminar and excursion on June 2 and 4.  On Sunday, you get schooled by the tile-meister himself, and on Tuesday, he takes you fishing to give you hands-on.  For $300 which includes the trip on the Voyager, this cannot be beat.  Waddaya-waitin’ for?  732-223-5353.

In the Raritan Bay, fishing is improving. Tackle US reports, many short stripers being caught from Perth Amboy down to Keyport.  They’ve had a keeper weighed in each day since Sunday with the biggest so far caught on the jetty at Laurence Harbor on the incoming tide with clam.   There was also a 35-incher caught on the outgoing.

Chris over at Harry’s Army/Navy in Robbinsville actually does have a little good striper news from up the Delaware River.  A 31-inch bass was taken on a bloodworm over by the airport.  That area just south of Lawrence is a target.  In the sweet stuff, Chris, reports that the pickerel in the small ponds are fired up and sunnies and crappies are chewing overtime.  Anglers drop-shotting bass are doing okay as well.  BIG Sale and seminars at Harry’s starting Friday, so save some time to check it out.  Full details at www.harrysan.com

LOTS going on this weekend on Rt. 130 with The Sportsman’s Center doing their big Spring Fishing Festival and Sale also.  Tom P. reports power plant outflows are hot when they are pushing water and freshwater action is fired up.  Bass on Sylvan Lake, Carnegie, and even pike on Farrington.  Crappie munching everywhere.  Check out the schedule of events and saving for this weekend at www.sportsmenscenter.com.

Hit both big events and then send me some cheese danish from Mastori’s Diner down the street.  I think they would be on my “Last Meal” list.

Buzzed Fin-atics in Ocean City just so we could laugh at each other about the fact that I was calling for a fishing report and it was snowing like crazy outside my office in Margate and their store in Ocean City.  Bloodworms in stock and clams in containers if you are going to take a shot at it.  Water in the inlet was 41 today.

Nobody has more energy than Mike Cunningham at Sea Isle Bait and Tackle.  Even with the lousy conditions, his guys are still dukin’ it out on the beach with fresh clam and connecting sporadically.  Mike is buddies with a bunch of those late night vampires we spoke of earlier and a couple of them are still working it as hard as they can.  Small Fin-S Fish on leadheads when they are feeding on rain bait and big Fin-S Fish when the herring are coming through seems to be the working strategy.  Mike brought up a real good point for those of us that are looking for some family friendly outdoor fun—the clamming behind Sea isle has been amazing.  No pressure and good growth have had the few guys doing it limiting out pretty quickly.

If you surf fish, boat fish, or just love the South Jersey area, you can really help make a difference this Saturday (rain date Sunday).  A little slice of prime fishing ground called Drag Island, nestled gently between Somers Point and Marmora on the GSP has just been loading up with debris from Sandy and general garbage.  A big clean up is scheduled starting at 10am.  You can get full info on the dedicated Facebook page HERE.  Honorary tip of the hat to Capt. Brian Williams of Chazman Charters out of Ocean City for spearheading this effort.  Even if you cannot attend the clean up you can still help.  Access to Drag Island for the future is in grave danger due to construction in the area.  An overlapping group of fisherman has started an effort to save it.  Local angler George “Eelball” Bucci has an online petition to help out.  You can read it and sign on at www.ipetitions.com/petition/save-drag-island-access.

Best bet for this weekend…. go tie some rigs.  I’m hoping that next week we have better weather, hotter reports, and sizzling excitement.  Right now, I’m going looking for a warmer pair of socks before going outside to brush the snow off my truck.

Stay Tuna-ed!