As the days pass we get closer and closer to prime time spring striped bass fishing. Mother’s Day is a classic point of reference on the Calendar marking a time when bluefish and striped bass are here. The Central Jersey Coast’s Spring bell curve of ocean run striped bass starts with Mother’s Day, peaks around Memorial Day, then fades out by July 4th. (Fall:_Halloween/Thanksgiving\Christmas_). The local area’s best spring bass fishing is usually the last week or two of May as well as the first week or two of June. Since everything seems to be a couple weeks late, it will be interesting to see how this pans out. Soon enough, time will tell.

First Boat Bass Out Front

This weekend brought the first reports of boat trolled bass. Maybe it went down sooner but we have not received a positive first hand report until now. Mike Nini reported mid 30″ range striped bass off of southern LBI. Fishing out of Little Egg Inlet his screen was loaded while picking away at bass trolling Mojos.

Another report came in from Vin Rossi and Yonni Weidenhof. They were on the search working the waters around Holgate. Yonni reported, “We passed up some small bird plays in the bay and took a look out front. Turns out it looked like the dead sea. We worked some good looking areas casting lures in close to the surf zone. We managed a few bass.”

Lots of striped bass with occasional bluefish on the surf

Small and hungry striped bass continue to cruise the suds of Long Beach Island. Numerous reports this past week which continued this weekend.

Chris Colasante from Surf City enjoyed his Saturday afternoon/evening (4-6pm) bait fishing the surf. “The top of the incoming high was good. Nice clean and clear water with enough white water to flushing over the sandbars.  My Lamiglas Surf Rod was working the magic getting every bite.” Chris caught four bass, “One was a guppy. The smallest I’ve ever caught.” The other three were also shorts with one being close to keeper size.

Last night (Saturday) from 6-8pm Jason from Woodridge caught four bass, one keeper bait fishing the mid-island surf. Another customer in the shop reported a handful of striped bass plugging the south end surf.

Store staff Kelley hit the beach after closing the shop tonight. He just shared this report, “I had a good inaugural ceremony with my new Van Staal Fishing Reel. Caught some bluefish this evening on lures right into sunset.

While not a direct report we have heard of a few classy fish recently caught. Keep an eye out and be ready for the better bite!

Black Sea Bass Opens Tuesday May 15th: 15 fish at 12.5″