LBI Fishing Report 4/25/22

This past weekend was a good one here on LBI with anglers catching fish. For the most part clam was the top producer hooking up both striped bass and drum. The next 6 to 8 weeks are prime time fishing here on LBI. Let’s go fishing!!!!

LBI Surf Fishing Report

The water temps reached 50º this past weekend and things popped. There are striped bass of all sizes from schoolies to trophies. Now’s the time to hit the surf with clam to target striped bass. Here’s just a some of the reports that were sent in and shared.

Tommy McCann reported a pair of striped bass; a 25 and a 26 inch. Dave Minnick reported catching his first keeper of the year this weekend. Randy Edwards caught a couple good ones. First, a 42″ that he released and then the next day a 37.75″ that he kept for the table. Both on clam.

Patrick Shapiro caught a 33.5" striped bass off the south end surf fishing clam at the high tide.
Patrick Shapiro caught a 33.5″ striped bass off the south end surf fishing clam at the high tide.

The largest fish that we heard about this weekend was caught by LBI Fishing Guide Connor Smilon caught a 47″ bass on clam.

Huge congrats to Connor on a classy catch for portion of the spring run but even more epic for April on the LBI surf!
Huge congrats to Connor on a classy catch for portion of the spring run but even more epic for April on the LBI surf!

The 2022 Spring Surf Fishing Derby is on. Here’s the current leader board.

Barnegat Inlet Fishing Report

Tog fishing is good now to the end of the month when the season closed. The Barnegat Inlet Jetty has been producing for a lot of anglers.

There’s also herring present which offered anglers light tackle fun this past weekend. Bob Haines reported, “No bass for us today but we caught a handful of Jersey Tarpon (slag for large herring).” We previously reported a striped bass catch from the inlet. We anticipate more bass reports from the rocks in the coming days and weeks. We are also on the look out for bluefish which SHOULD be here right now.

It’s the final days of spring tautog fishing. With good fishing from land based and boat anglers try your best to squeeze in another trip. The nearshore wrecks and reef sites have fish as well as the offshore wrecks.

Tony Butch and son got out this past weekend and enjoyed quality time on the water.
Tony Butch and son got out this past weekend and enjoyed quality time on the water.

Good cod reports have come in from the deeper water areas (100’+).

Here's a photo of Vaugh K who had a great spring break fishing with his uncle Swag.
Here’s a photo of Vaugh K who had a great spring break fishing with his uncle Swag.

Barnegat Bay, Manahawkin Bay, Great Bay Fishing Report

Spring offers some of the best fishing in the local bays. Right now there’s lots of life. The two primary targets are striped bass and black drum. Fishing clam and bloodworms would be the two best to soak.

Here's one of three black drum recently caught by Todd Brophy fishing the local bay.
Here’s one of three black drum recently caught by Todd Brophy fishing the local bay.

Todd Brophy fished clams in the bay via boat and reported 12 bass and three classy drum. We’ve heard a number of good black drum reports from bay beach and boat anglers.

News worth notes: This weekend’s bunker delivery also came in with inlet. Our local gill net bait boat caught a couple kingfish, blowfish and large herring. Do you recall the last report post (4/22) and the photo of the blowfish washed up on the beach? There’s more around than we all might think!

NJ Summer Flounder Opens May 2

Fluke season is only a week away. We are stoked to get in on some early season fishing this year. Quality fish are already staging up and eating. Here’s a recent catch by Camille Caruso who was fishing with John Howell who has a commercial hook and line permit. Camille Caruso caught this fluke on a jig with a large Gulp Grub. Here’s the specifics on 2022 NJ Summer Flounder / Fluke Season Regulations.

Camille Caruso caught this fluke on a large Gulp Grub.
Camille Caruso caught this fluke on a large Gulp Grub.

Author: FishHead.Greg

A Long Beach Island native with life long experience fishing and navigating the local waters, Greg is a distinguished Master Captain (the highest qualified operator license), holding a US Coast Guard Masters 50T Near Coastal License with Towing Endorsement. Raised in and now managing his family's bait and tackle business, Fishermans Headquarters (Since 1962, The Saltwater Fishing Bait & Tackle Experts) Greg is daily immersed in fishing. He is the Chief Contributor of FishingLBI.com (Long Beach Island's best fishing report blog) as well as the Admin for the shop's social media pages (on Instagram and Facebook). Be sure to follow!

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