The big bluefish that crashed into the inlets last week are still around and now in the bays, river and along the beaches. At the same time, the bass bite continues strong in Raritan Bay and has spread into the rivers and onto the beaches. Add to that reports of bluefin tuna and good freshwater action and it looks like a good weekend of fishing.
Northern New Jersey Fishing Report
Rick Hebert at Tackle World in Rochelle Park said the trout fishing remains very good in the Pequannock River and other rivers and streams. There is another stocking taking place the week of May 10 in selected waters. He also had good reports of small and largemouth bass in the local lakes and ponds. On the striper front, he reported large bass caught north of the George Washington Bridge on chunks indicating the big fish have made it up the river to spawn.
Capt. Jay Richardella of Side Job Charters temporarily fishing out of Lockwood Boat Works in South Amboy said it was a good week of striper fishing in Raritan Bay with a mix of keepers and shorts on most morning and afternoon trips. After this week, he’ll be returning to his usual berth in Belmar and fishing for bass, blues and sea bass when that season opens on May 15.
Capt. Phil Sciortino at Tackle Box in Hazlet said the bluefish bite in the bay is crazy with fish up to 20 pounds. There are big stripers around as well as he reported a couple of bass up to 50 pounds this week. He said the stripers are in the Sandy Hook surf as well eating clams.
Mike Pinto at Giglio’s Bait and Tackle said things really blew up with the arrival of the bluefish and more stripers moving into the Navesink and Shrewsbury rivers. He said that the Navesink River near Red Bank was on fire.Mag Darters, Hydro Minnows and SP Minnows are all catching bass. Boaters drifting worms in the Shrewsbury River by the Sea Bright Bridge are also doing well.
Mike Gleason at Tak Waterman in Long Branch said the fishing has been good with something to catch practically everywhere you go. The Raritan Bay bite is good with the big blues around while some bigger bass have been hitting Nichols Spoons and topwater plugs.There are a lot more stripers in the rivers, he said, and along with smaller bass in the surf on small shads and plugs. The freshwater bite has been good as well, he added, on largemouth bass, crappie and pan fish.
Bob Matthews at Fisherman’s Den in Belmar said the big winds ended the tog season with a whimper as no boats sailed on the final day. He said the last leg of the blackfish season got mixed reviews from the captains. The arrival of gator blues was the big news as fish up to 15 pounds invaded the Shark River and Manasquan inlets. Last Sunday saw many of the local party boats gathered just outside of the Shark River Inlet getting in on the action. Matthews also reported better striper fishing in the local rivers and on the beaches with fish in the surf hitting small plastics, clams and worms.
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Capt. Steve Spinelli of Skylarker Charters out of Belmar reported a good week of ling fishing with a couple of cod in the mix. He’ll be switching to sea bass on May 15 and may add some striper fishing. He can be contacted through his website.
Capt. Pete Sykes of Parker Pete’s Fishing Charters will be making his first trip of the year this Sunday on the 55-foot Parker Pete’s Express. Stripers and blues will be the targets. Capt. Sykes is currently booking striper and fluke trips. Fluke season opens May 22.
Ryan at the Reel Seat said the bluefishing at the Manasquan Inlet is hot on metal, plugs and bucktails. He also said a few fluke were caught and released in the Manasquan River ahead of the May 22 opener. There are stripers in the river as well hitting small plastics and plugs. The freshwater fishing is getting better in local lakes and ponds with the warmer weather. The bass are starting to move onto the beds, especially in the smaller bodies of water.
Jason Szabo at Fishermens Supply Co in Point Pleasant Beach said the bluefish bite at the Manasquan Inlet is going full throttle. He said the big blues are at the inlet, back into the river, through the Point Pleasant Canal and into Barnegat Bay. The bass are in the river, too, hitting small plastics and plugs. Time of day hasn’t been a factor, he said, as long as the tide is running. The bottom fishing has been good for cod and ling. Jason also said the tuna guys are very excited as there have been reports of bluefin at the Mud Hole.
Capt. Kenny Namowitz of the MIMI VI out of Point Pleasant Beach got into the bluefish on Sunday on his return trip from Raritan Bay. The stripers didn’t cooperate but hungry blues were waiting for his crew outside the Shark River Inlet. The Mimi VI is sailing open boat for stripers, cod and sea bass. Check the website for details.
Capt. Matt Sosnowski on the Norma-K III out of Point Pleasant Beach said Tuesday’s trip saw some nice ling come over the rail. There was also an 8-pound cod that took the pool. Gulp was the hot bait. The Norma K III is sailing for cod and ling every day up until the sea bass opener on May 15. Reservations are required.
Frank Giacalone at Gabriel Tackle Co. in Brick said the bluefish bite is still hot at the Manasquan Inlet, in the Point Pleasant Canal and the top of Barnegat Bay. He said the rest of the bay continues to give up a lot of stripers on worms, Kettle Creeks and small lures while gliders are working in the surf. Gabriel Tackle Co. is also getting ready to open its second location in Chadwick Beach in mid-May.
Pete Kupper at Charlie’s Bait & Tackle in Normandy Beach talked about the great bluefishing at the Manasquan Inlet saying that it looks like the afternoon bite has been best. The striper fishing has been good north of the Mantoloking Bridge in Barnegat Bay, he said, on Ps Resin and SP Minnow lures. Out front, the bass bite is picking up on clams.
Ray Kerico at Grumpy’s Bait and Tackle in Seaside Park said the big bluefish have made their way into the surf at Island Beach State Park. Just a reminder, the annual Governor’s Surf Fishing Tournament is scheduled for Sunday, May 23 at IBSP. The striper fishing in the suds is coming along as well with a 37-incher coming out of the surf earlier this week. There have also been a couple of preseason fluke in the wash. Smaller stripers are still plentiful in the bay. Kerico also mentioned that the Berkeley Striper Clubs Annual Flea Market held last Saturday at Seaside Park Marina was a huge success.
Fishing Forecast for Northern New Jersey
Bluefish are a good target for the weekend as they’ve invaded Raritan and Barnegat bays, the Shark and Manasquan river inlets and a number of local beaches. Metal, poppers, bucktails and swimming plugs are all working.
The striper bite is also holding up well in the bays and rivers on small shads, plugs and bloodworms. Bass fishing on the beaches is improving on plugs, clams and worms.
