The opening of the winter flounder and striped bass seasons last Friday got everyone’s hopes up.
Then winter returned with a vengeance over the weekend with snow and plummeting temperatures that sent most folks scurrying back inside.
Still, a few hardy souls gave it a try and there were reports of some small bass and flatties caught in Barnegat Bay and local rivers.
New Jersey Fishing Report
Phil Sciortino Sr. at the Tackle Box in Hazlet said he heard rumors of a few short bass caught in Raritan Bay but nothing he could confirm. He said a few sunny days on the flats are needed to warm the water.
He didn’t have any word on winter flounder.
Mel Martens at Giglio’s Bait and Tackle in Sea Bright said it was all quiet there. He expects the shop will be open full time toward the end of March.
Martens and hundreds of other Jersey Shore anglers will be heading to the Asbury Park Fishing Club’s Annual Fisherman’s Flea Market this Sunday at Convention Hall in Asbury Park.
The event is one of the premier shows for plug builders from around the country and boasts approximately 100 exhibitors offering new and used rods, reels and tackle.
The show runs from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and admission is $5, children under 12 are free with an adult. Proceeds from the flea market benefit over a dozen Asbury Park charities and organizations.
Bob Matthews at Fisherman’s Den in Belmar said the weather didn’t help the fishing but there were reports of winter flounder and some small bass in the Shark River.
He also heard of small bass caught down at the Mullica River.
Capt. Bobby Quinn on the Ocean Explorer ended his blackfish season on Feb. 28 with less than stellar fishing. There were a few keeper tog but that was it.
The seasonal blackfish pool worth about $4,100 went to John Snook for the 13½-pound tog he caught earlier in the year.
The Ocean Explorer is currently in the shipyard for some bottom maintenance but should be back out in a week or so targeting cod and ling.
Capt. Pete Sykes on Parker Pete’s Sportfishing out of Belmar is booking his spring trips for bass and will heading to the Saltwater Fishing Expo at the Edison Center starting on March 15.
Amanda over at the Reel Seat in Brielle said all of the action they heard of were white perch, small bass and a few winter flounder in the Toms River area.
Greg Bogan at Brielle Bait and Tackle had the same information but did hear of some winter flounder action in Barnegat Bay just below the Mantoloking Bridge. The shop has worms in stock.
He also said the Big Jamaica continues to do well with offshore porgies along with some ling and cod. The fishing has been so good, he said, the Big Jamaica will be making two trips this weekend, leaving Saturday and Sunday night at 1 a.m.
Capt. Rich Wilkowski at Jersey Hooker Outfitters in Brick said he’s been getting reports of white perch, small bass and winter flounder in the Toms River. He’s got blood and sandworms in stock along with chum logs.
With the weather still a bit unpredictable, he advised customers planning on coming to the shop to call ahead just to make sure someone is there.
Liza at Creekside Outfitters in Mantoloking said she, too, has been getting reports of white perch and winter flounder in Toms Rivers. She hasn’t had any direct word on stripers, but suspects they’re in the area as well.
Creekside is currently open only on weekends but will be open full time starting March 22.
Pete at Charlie’s Bait and Tackle in Normandy Beach said the weather kept things quiet over the weekend but he did get reports of a few small bass in the bay. He said the water is still on the chilly side at about 42 degrees.
Frank at Grumpy’s in Seaside Park said they have worms for those who want to target the white perch, small bass and winter flounder in Barnegat Bay. The Island Heights area, he said, has been giving up all three.
Mark Chamberlain took the $50 gift certificate for the first winter flounder weighed in at the Hook House in Toms River. Dennis Palmatier reported bass are hitting blood worms in the Toms River and he’s got them in stock.
Ron at Tackle World in Rochelle Park hasn’t heard much in the way of catches from his customers. He said the store has been busy getting ready for the Edison and Rhode Island shows.
Steve at Garden State Bow and Reel in Stockholm said the ice made a comeback over the weekend and anglers fishing the smaller ponds did well with pickerel, perch and crappie.
He said the lakes near Stokes State Forest were giving up a lot of fish.
Fishing Forecast for New Jersey
The weather looks warmer for the weekend, but a little damp on Sunday. Still, a little rain is never a good reason not to fish. Small bass and winter flounder are biting, especially in the Toms River.
You can also head over the Asbury Park Fishing Club’s Annual Fishermen’s Flea Market at Convention Hall on Sunday. Many of the country’s top plug builders will be on hand and there will be plenty of new and used rods, reels and tackle available. It’s always a good place to stock up for the year.
What are the dates and times for the Asbury fishing flea market