Above: Fishermans Headquarters shared this photo of a topwater-caught striper by Tim Covart.
First, I hope our readership is safe and healthy as we battle through this ordeal. As everyone is caged in their dwellings, at least we have fishing as this allows for adequate social distancing and relief for the mind. I’m very thankful we have fishing as an outlet to release the boredoms of the “stay-at-home” orders and provides a perfect social distancing model. Tog season opened this past week and anglers working green crabs off some of the local jetties and bridges were able to box limits of four fish over 15 inches. Striped Bass fishing continues to get better in our South Jersey area as the night or dusk bites have been the best. Again, stay at home other than necessary food shopping or fishing, as we all have to do OUR part.
Southern New Jersey Fishing Report
Creekside Outfitters in Waretown is still closed, but the owner has been working on the logistics for a possible curbside pickup or delivery. Striped Bass continue to hit soft plastics around the Oyster Creek areas and further south to the bridges of Long Beach Island.
Reel Reaction Sportfishing out of Waretown / Barnegat Light took some time to work the kayaks from some local bridges to catch-n-release Striped Bass to 26 inches. Most of the fish were caught on the Yo-Zuri Crystal Minnow and 4-inch soft plastics. The boat had to postpone all early season Tog trips to April 15, and as of now the Parker Cabin will hold angler’s gear, but will be off-limits to all passengers until the social distancing ban is lifted.
The Super Chic out of Barnegat Light continues to book trips for May and they are tentatively going to start running on April 30th, depending on the situation.
Fisherman’s Headquarters on Long Beach Island received some positive reports from anglers working the crab from the jetties of LBI. There are definitely some keeper Tautog around the rocks, but anglers will need to put in some time. Striped Bass continue to hit small plugs and plastics around the area’s bridges with all 4 sections holding bass from 12 to 28 inches. Bloodworms have been another good bait to use on these fish.
Absecon Bay Sportsmanin Absecon reported a fully stocked shop from bloodworms to green crabs and curbside pickups are the mainstay. Striped Bass have become much more aggressive over the past week and are consistently picking bloodworms and small soft plastic baits. Dave also expects some keeper Tog around the jetties, rockpiles, and bridges over the next few weeks as they move into the bays.
Offshore Bait & Tacklein Atlantic City received news of Tautog being landed off of the Atlantic City jetties on green crab and clam. Striped Bass continue to take bloodworm baits in the areas behind Brigantine and Atlantic City.
Fin-Aticsin Ocean City reported that the shop will not be offering regular store hours, but to call if anglers need tackle or bait as the owner will work to get it to them. The shop is developing some plans for curbside pickups in the near future. As for fishing, Tog are being landed from the local bridges as some diehards braved the winds on opening day. Striped Bass can be had on bloodworms, 4-5 inch plugs, and 4-inch pink or white soft plastics from most of the tidal creeks.
Badfish Charters in Ocean City has been enjoying the outdoors with stripers in the shallows and eagle-laden sunsets. Unfortunately charters are postponed until business resumes in the state. The skipper is still booking trips for May, June, and July.
Sea Isle Bait & Tackle in Sea Isle has limited reports on Tog, the owner said the bridges and jetty rocks should be the places to try.
Avalon Hodge Podgein Avalon reported schoolie Striped Bass and some anglers bagging keeper Tog off the jetties.
Jersey Bait & Tackle in North Wildwood will remain closed, but they said to contact the shop via Facebook or to call the store for pickups. The owners are working on plans for curbside pickups for anglers. Tautog are being caught from some of the inlet jetties as the rocks offer great feeding spots for tog. Stripers remain excellent for anglers as some bigger fish to 30 inches have been reported by anglers soaking bloodworms.
Peace Token Fishing Tacklein Cape May Court House told us that the storefront will be closed until the state lifts the ban, but the store is increasing their online activity. The shop is offering 15% on Peace Token custom brands until 4/19. The fishing scene for Striped Bass has been good as reported from a few of their sources as the creeks along the Jarvis sound area seem to offer the best early season action. There has been little rumblings of some bass being caught in the Delaware Bay.
Jim’s Bait & Tacklein Cape May updated us that the shop will be closed, but they are offering pre-ordered pickups as they just received new shipments of bloodworms and green crabs. Tog fishing has been very good from the rock-lined jetties of Cape May inlet and bass fishing remains excellent in the back. Most of the stripers are in the schoolie size range with an occasional 30 incher. It’s best to message them via Facebook to arrange a pickup/drop-off.
Greenhorn Outdoorsin Bridgeton is open for full-service as the shop is practicing proper social-distancing and sanitizing protocols. The shop is loaded with bloodworms and should have fresh bunker by the end of the week. There are lots of Striped Bass hitting bloodworms, but anglers should be able to get on keepers as some are starting to push out of the Delaware River.
South Jersey Fishing Forecast
The best bet for this weekend will be to continue to support your local shops as most are open for curbside pickups. Fishing remains very good for Striped Bass in most of our backwaters, but finding a keeper remains a challenge. But it feels so good to catch-and-release a juvenile striper compared to sitting in front of the TV all day. The main spots to try are around any of our bridges and locations around tidal creeks emptying into the bays. Another way to practice safe social distancing is grabbing some green crabs and hitting your local jetties. Tog fisherman fishing crabs the last two days have reported excellent blackfish activity off the jetties. Remember, fisherman have always been practicing social distancing, especially the secretive ones, as anglers like to find fish without the comfort of others. Good Luck, Be Safe, and Tight Lines!
Thank you guys so much for keeping us sane during these times!
Fishing for stripers in the Delaware River is on fire. Bloodworms are the bait of choice and the incoming tide seems to work best for us. Fish up to 38 in have been caught in my crew.As the river is now closed we are catching releasing the fish. Circle hooks must be used and make sur you get out before the fish are gone. FISH ON ?
how about ibsp area?