Most of south-central New Jersey had a freeze warning during the past week, and the cold temperatures have affected the striped bass bite in parts of Barnegat Bay. Even the ospreys have been feeding on schoolie striped bass, a sign that the fish are still present in the area. However, the cold water has made it challenging for anglers to catch them.
- Anglers making the drive up the parkway have reported catching striped bass from 25 to 46 inches on a variety of artificial lures.
- Steady tog action has been reported over the past week, with white leggers getting more bites from larger fish.
- Green crabs are working at the wrecks and jetties, but if you can find some white leggers, use them!
| Location | Bass Fishing | Tog Fishing |
|---|---|---|
| Hook House Bait & Tackle in Toms River | Drum fishing has been good in various spots, including Island Beach and the bridges on soaked clam baits. | The tog bite was better at the ocean reef sites with plenty of short life and a few keepers for anglers working the Barnegat Light and Garden State reefs. |
| Creekside Outfitters in Waretown | Stripped bass fishing has been a tad off in Barnegat Bay due to the cold temperatures, but the bridges still have a few bass being caught at night. | The tog bite was better at the ocean reef sites with plenty of short life and a few keepers for anglers working the Barnegat Light and Garden State reefs. |
Reel Reaction Sportfishing out of Waretown reported slow striped bass action on fish up to 24 inches, but the crew switched over to tautog on the inside and released a few shorts, while keeping 3 fish to 17 inches.
“Seals have been seen eating schoolie striped bass, and even ospreys are cashing in on schoolie bass. The drive up the parkway is the best bet for now, with reports of bass from 25 to 46 inches being caught on a variety of artificial lures.”
— Reel Reaction Sportfishing
Anglers have been finding steady tog action over the past week, with white leggers getting more bites from larger fish. However, the tog bite has been spotty, with some days producing good fish and others marked by slow, scratchy bites.
Drum fishing has been coming alive in various spots, including Island Beach, Graveling Point, and Cape May. It’s time to put in a good soaking with fresh surf clams.
Charter Fishing Chances
The Super Chic out of Barnegat Light will be fishing in a few weeks, with a few dates left for May and June sea bassing. Check out the booking online.
Tony’s Bait & Tackle in Manahawkin reported some black drum action from Great Bay and Little Egg Harbor. Surf clam soaked in the deeper channels adjacent to land or sod banks have been producing, but don’t count out Graveling Point for striped bass action too.
Tackle Direct in Egg Harbor City said the striped bass fishing along the west parts of Great Bay and along the Mullica River are producing some striped bass up to 28 inches. The rivers are producing some excellent white perch action on bloodworms, but much better action on grass shrimp.
The word of the week has been the black drum bite occurring from Graveling Point to areas south with clam baits doing the trick for anchored boats and land-based anglers.
Tight Lines Bait & Tackle in Somers Point reported some striped bass being caught along parts of the Intercoastal Waterway (ICW) on drifted clams and jumbo bloodworms. White and pink soft-plastic Zooms retrieved slowly around the bridges have also been producing some striped bass to 29 inches.
Badfish Charters in Ocean City has been working the bayside for striped bass to 30 inches on soft plastics and small plugs. The skipper was able to send a few flies out for action on cruising striped bass.
South Jersey Fishing Forecast
The best bet for this week will be to grab a dozen to two dozen clams and crabs for black drum and tautog.
