Striper Migration Map – April 1, 2016

 

Striper Migration Map April 1 2016Striper Cup Catch Release2016 Striper Migration Map

The striper migration has begun! A mild winter has water temperatures much warmer than the same time last year, and striped bass are on the move, moving toward their spawning grounds in Chesapeake Bay and making their way up the coast.

Fishing in Chesapeake Bay has been inconsistent this week, but a number of bass from 40 to 47 inches have been caught and released aboard Walleye Pete's boat.
Fishing in Chesapeake Bay has been inconsistent this week, but a number of bass from 40 to 47 inches have been caught and released aboard Walleye Pete’s boat.

Chesapeake Bay Striper Report

The Maryland DNR reports that there has been a fair amount of striped bass catch-and-release action in the Susquehanna Flats Catch and Release area this week as water temperatures slowly increase. Most all of the striped bass being caught are males with some exceeding 30 inches.

In the middle bay region, larger female striped bass are moving up toward the spawning reaches in the Nanticoke and Choptank Rivers. If warmer weather prevails the striped bass spawn in these rivers should begin in earnest as early as next week and hopefully will be spread out over the month of April as more striped bass arrive. Fishermen are reminded that these spawning areas in the tidal rivers are strictly off limits to catch and release striped bass fishing.

A few striped bass are being caught close to the surface near the shipping channel edges by trolling. Most of the action can best be described as a very slow pick and the lines off the planer boards are getting the most attention from striped bass. Bay water temperatures in the middle bay region are still in the high 40’s. There continues to be some light tackle action at the Calvert Cliffs Power Plant warm water discharge in the boiling current.

In the lower bay region, the spawning populations of large, female striped bass are moving into the spawning reaches of the tidal Potomac and Patuxent Rivers.

NJ small striped bass schoolie
Most of the stripers are schoolies, reported Absecon Bay Sportsman, like this little guy caught by Frank DeFeo. However, there are bass over 30 inches chasing spawning herring upriver.

New Jersey Striper Report

The bass are thick around the jetties in Atlantic City and fishermen can’t miss – as long as they use bloodworms, said Noel Feliciano at One Stop Bait and Tackle. Clams and bunker are producing nothing but skates, but once the bloods are on, so are the fish. The only drawback, he said, is the fish are all shorts, but there is plenty of action.

Justin Schenker at Fin-atics in Ocean City reported the bass are there as well, mostly football-sized fish that are hitting worms and clams and soft baits like paddle-tail shads.

The crew at Scott’s Bait and Tackle in Mystic Island reports that there is an abundance of small stripers throughout the area. Best time to fish is at the top of the high tide and the outgoing when the bait is moving. The bait of choice has been bloodworms, but the guys at the shop said there’s been an increase in clam sales so they’re guessing that the fish are beginning to broaden their menu. There have also been reports that bass are chasing herring and bunker into the rivers and there are some bluefish in pursuit as well.

Kurt at Absecon Bay Sportsman reported the bass fishing is finally heating up with stripers back to the Parkway bridges with bloodworms taking the fish. The white perch bite is improving as well and Kurt said the fishing for them appears to best in the Egg Harbor River while the Mullica is holding more bass. Small swimming plugs are also working for bass at night at the Brigantine Bridge.

Short stripers are being caught along the beach in Brigantine according to RipTide Bait and Tackle, but they are still waiting to see the first keeper-sized fish.

 

Capt. Phil Sciortino at the Tackle Box in Hazlet said there are plenty of bass being caught in Raritan Bay in the Cliffwood Beach area. The fish are mostly shorts, but there’s a load of them, including the occasional keeper. Clams and worms are catching the fish, but as the bay remains packed with bunker, it can’t be long before they’re on the menu.The bass have shown up at the Causeway Bridge, reported Matt at Tony’s Bait and Tackle in Manahawkin. Bloodworms are the bait to use there, he said, while bait and plugs are catching fish at the Power Plant.

 

 

New York Striper Report

John from Hudson Park Bait and Tackle in New Rochelle confirms reports of small striped bass being caught on ½-ounce bucktails out of Orchard Beach and Low Harbor. Although the pickings have been slow so far, John says “we need to dust off our gear and get ready now because they will be upon us before we know it.”

Small stripers are also holding steady around the George Washington Bridge and back of Little Neck Bay, as well as in Jamaica Bay as reported by Paul from River Bay Outfitters in Oceanside and Carmine from The Camp Site Sport Shop in Huntington Station.

Connecticut/Rhode Island

The holdover striper fishing has been particularly good in the tidal rivers. The Housatonic remains a hot bed for schoolies, and also continues to put up the best quality fish of all the rivers. Better numbers are starting to come from the Connecticut and the Thames. The Providence River and Narrow River typically holds some holdover stripers, but reports from these areas have been dismal. Anglers are predicting that the first sea-lice covered schoolies will likely show up along the Rhode Island coast in the next 7-10 days.

Cape Cod/ Massachusetts

Holdover striped bass have been reported in tidal waters on and off the Cape, along with the first few scout herring. Boston Harbor, and particularly the Mystic River, have also given up a few holdover schoolie stripers. Anglers are predicting that the first sea-lice covered schoolies will likely show up in the third week of April.

21 on “Striper Migration Map – April 1, 2016

      1. Jay

        Jay it’s a baby fackin wheeel!
        Get the gaff Jay she’s got some good meat on her!

    1. Roger Sherman

      Striper stocks are down even though it looks like a great season ahead. Many of us are releasing all. If you want to take home a keeper take the smaller fish -28″- and let the whales keep reproducing.

  1. mike the woodcarver

    How can you teel the differance between a male and a female striper?
    THATS STRIPER not STRIPPER

  2. Craig

    Is fishing around a marina a bad idea? Do the fish stay away from them? Tried catching fish in the Cape Cod canal last year with no luck.

    1. Doug

      I often see bass hanging around under the docks in many areas that I frequent, but those harbor bass can be pretty tough to fool. Fresh squid can do the trick if you can get it.

  3. Dave and Carl

    Weather a huge headache but 52 stripers so far in freshwater estuaries of Boston up to 27″. All on tube and worm.

  4. KP

    Please keep the striper migration map updated – helpful for a rookie like me

  5. EKY

    Schooled by schoolies in Jamaica bay..three fish one landed?flounder taking worms pieces on south side.bring chum

  6. Danny

    I’m with you KP…being I’m from the Outer banks (Kill Devil Hills) I’m kind new to striker fishing…caught a few schoolies last year in the canal tho. Tight lines everone…

  7. Celeste

    I’m a surf caster from NJ and new to Rhode Island. I love it here but naïve about where and when to fish. I’m on the West side of the state but I don’t mind a drive to a good spot. I’d like to try squidding too. Any suggestions? Also are there any good and reasonable half day excursions around?

  8. Adam

    Location: Reynolds Channel

    Schoolies have been hitting on a sabiki herring rig

  9. Danny

    LOL….my last post says “I’m kinda new to “striker fishing”…..anyone else fish for strickers?

  10. Bassmaster201

    This wind has been a nightmare along with our missing winter temps at nightfall, but lots of action from Union beach area…on average 2 to 3 keepers up to 34″ so far being caught nightly… lots of schoolies and only successful bait is bloodworms (tried clams,shrimp,bunker). Tight lines everyone !

  11. brian

    Hello I am Brian from Lawrence and I am looking forward to this striper shad and Herring run I would like to know if anybody knows when the herring in the Shad will start running below the falls in Lawrence because I already have my gear ready my rods are already so if somebody could let me know if you could give me your email I would appreciate it I’m also looking for a new fishing buddy that I can go fishing with so if you’re looking for a new fishing buddy as well please email me this is my email brianmorton25@gmail

  12. Dave Rice

    * Attention fellow fisherman*
    I fished moriches inlet last week and on the incoming tide got swallowed up by another whale. Thank god I had my filet knife and cut my way out of its stomach.
    * damn whales

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