Above: Captain Brian Williams of Badfish Charters has been finding good action with stripers on soft plastics in the back bays of Atlantic County.
As the coronavirus situation continues to evolve, it’s begun to impact the fishing community, leading to the cancellation of the Saltwater Fishing Expo, scheduled for this weekend in Edison, New Jersey. Fortunately, grabbing your rod and reel, and working soft plastics during the night tides within the peaceful tranquility of the back bays carries no greater risk of contracting COVID-19. The bridges and backwaters are the place to be right now as some of the warmer daytime temperatures have increased the feeding habits of striped bass and winter flounder. Anglers are eagerly awaiting the opening of the spring tautog season which kicks off in a couple of weeks.
Here is this week’s rundown:
Lacey Marine in Forked River reported another solid week for schoolie Striped Bass especially with the warmer weather. The Toms River area had striped bass and even some white perch being landed. Winter flounder have been caught around the Route 37 bridge on bloodworm with heavy chumming. The store has tons of deals right now on parts and paint for spring.
Creekside Outfitters in Waretown had some good reports of striped bass from the Toms River and Long Beach Island areas with the bridges being the best locations. The shop has Bloodworms for bass, perch, and flounder. They have been stocking the shelfs for the final prep of the season and have received some new crabbing supplies.
Reel Reaction Sportfishing out of Waretown/Barnegat Light took advantage of the nice weather by completing all the maintenance. The boat will be dunked this weekend and the skipper plans on probing the back bays for striped bass. The skipper is eagerly awaiting the arrival of their 2020 backwater skiff which is already rigged with the Minn Kota “spot-lock” trolling motor. The captain has some April dates available for tautog, so call to book.
The Super Chic out of Barnegat Light continues to prepare the vessel, gear, and await Coast Guard inspections for the start of the 2020 season. The skipper has tog, striped bass, and fluke dates available for the coming months.
Fisherman’s Headquarters on Long Beach Island had some nice reports of Striped Bass being caught from the local bridges along Route 72. Soft plastics, kettle creek shads, and Fin-S fish were producing with the nighttime bite being better. Greg said with sports show in Edison being cancelled due to the coronavirus, the shop is running a special this weekend with seminars—it all occurs 11am to 4pm this Saturday.
Absecon Bay Sportsman in Absecon reported some quality striped bass in the backwaters with anglers weighing in bass up to over 23 pounds caught around the full moon. striped bass fishing keeps getting better along with white perch and the shop has lots of extremely light tackle to target the perch.
Offshore Bait & Tackle in Atlantic City said it was another solid week of schoolie striped bass fishing in our coastal bays as small jigheads tipped with soft plastics or blood worm rigs were producing. The shop is getting back into the full swing and is currently open 830 to 3pm, but they recommend calling ahead as they are still prepping for the season.
Fin-Atics in Ocean City reported a good start over the last couple of weeks for anglers working the polymers (aka plastics) for Striped Bass. Pink Ice Fin-S Fish, pink Zooms, and Berkley Gulp Nemesis lures tipped on light jig-head heads have been doing the best action. Anglers are also picking up stripers on bloodworm and clam baits.
Badfish Charters in Ocean City has been getting on the water to find striped bass to 24 inches and most of the action has been on soft plastics. The skipper will be running back bay trips throughout March and April.
Sea Isle Bait & Tackle in Sea Isle received a fresh load of healthy bloodworms as anglers have been using them for striped bass. White perch have been picking up baits from the Mullica and even further up to Mays Landing.
Avalon Hodge Podge in Avalon will officially re-open March 27th, but the shop did report there are some schoolie striped bass are hitting in the back bays, especially closer to the parkway.
Jersey Bait & Tackle in North Wildwood reported another week of prepping the store for the season kick-off in a few weeks, but there is some schoolie action occurring in the back bays for anglers who want to give it a shot.
Peace Token Fishing Tackle in Cape May Court House was busy this week as anglers have been stopping in to pick up bloodworms to target striped bass and white perch. The shop has a ton of new tackle items and reels, so stop in and catch a deal.
Jim’s Bait & Tackle in Cape May has been working on the displays, inventory, and prepping the store for the season. Anglers working some of the sod banks and creeks on the west side have been doing well on schoolie striped bass to 20 inches.
Greenhorn Outdoors in Bridgeton has been keeping the store stocked with Bloodworms as anglers working the Cohansey River are catching striped bass and white perch. Most of the action remains further up the river as opposed to closer to the Delaware Bay.
South Jersey Fishing Forecast
The best bet for this weekend would’ve been to attend one of the last fishing or tackle shows fort the season, but with the viral happenings going around going out to fish is not a bad idea. This is the time of the year when the back bays and tidal creeks, especially mud bottoms, will warm up the quickest. Generally, these are the areas which will have foraging striped bass and if you look for areas with freshwater influence—white perch is the other option. Winter flounder fishing seems to be best in our northernly sections from Barnegat Bay to Toms River, but we need more anglers to get out and make a report. Good luck, be safe, and tight lines!
new at this game,now retired at lbi I’ve fished the bay at some of the dock areas,cant wait to fish the bay for strippers,etc etc.need to know whats the best hook,bait to start with?