609-494-5739 The last stretch of March was good weather wise and the fishing continued to improve. As water temps rise more fish show in the back bay. More bunker sightings in the bay too and a solid showing of gannets have the stoke level high.
Here’s a photo from Matt R of action off the south end surf on Friday. For a look at the short video go to Our Instagram Page.
Fish Baits Like Worm & Clam
Winter flounder reports are few but striped bass reports are plentiful. Local anglers are getting out and finding fish here on LBI as well as local mainland spots. Worming and clamming bayside locations will produce.
Anglers fishing Mystic Islands, Great Bay and Mullica River river continue to have fish. Rich Beverly stopped by the shop and said hello yesterday. He reported just fishing earlier in the day, “This morning I was out and caught a bunch of cats, one striped bass and a big perch.
Store staffer Jordan was out the other night and got his first bass of the season this weekend.
Swagmattic Is Feeding Striped Bass Late Night Snacks
Fish Heads Ambassador Swagmattic (Matt S.) was out late Friday working the night shift. He found a couple good size striped bass that were hungry. For a late night snack he fed them white Kettle Creek Swim Baits. Here’s a photo of one catch. Notice he’s using his Daiwa BG reel. He said it best, “The Daiwa BG Spinning Reel is the best saltwater fishing reel at the $100 price range. From striped bass and bluefish to tog and fluke the Daiwa BG does it all in the NorthEast. Going south? Reds, Snook, jacks, small tarpon… you name it the BG has you covered. It’s also a great surf casting reels in the 4-8000 size.”
Store staffer Dan was on the fish with weekend. He reported, “Things are getting better in the bay. There were bunker at a couple spots I looked. I put in some time and caught bass.”
Word has it there’s a couple small bluefish around. We are hoping these guys show up in force soon for a gunshot start to the fishing run.
Those making the drive to early season areas are rewarded. The Delaware is heating up with bigger fish moving in. Anglers fishing worms are doing it. The Rapala X-Rap are also getting love. Any day the Raritan Bay is gonna tee off.
Notice To Mariners
Attention Barnegat Bay Boaters a navigational hazard has been found and brought to our attention by Captain Adam Sherer of Sherer’s Boat Basin. All boaters should be aware, share with others and as always navigate with caution.
“There are several unmarked hazards near the ICM from the Causeway bridge south to Beach Haven. It appears that the ice flow over the winter has cut the old steel pylons (Channel Markers) off right at the water line. While these are able to be seen on a low tide in daylight they become near impossible to locate at mid tide or higher or in low light or dark conditions. Some of the hazards are marked by buoys but some of the buoys are located 25-50ft from the submerged hazard posing a major threat to boater safety. The answer is for the USCG to remove these navigational hazards not mark only some of them with a buoy with considerable distance between the hazard and buoy. I have spoken with several other Marina owners and managers as well as those constantly on the water and they all have voiced concern about these ghost navigational hazards. Please share with anyone that is regularly on the water in this area.” ~ Captain Adam
Great information on the fishing report as always. I came across the Waterproof Charts Barnegat Bay Coastal Fishing Chart 56F. It has some great flounder and striped bass hot spots