Things are happening locally but for the most part it’s still on the slow side. We are on the cusp right now. Tomorrow is the first official day of spring and the waters are trending in the right direction. We are looking forward and ready for things to pop. Are you?
The local waters around LBI range from the low 40’s to the low 50º in some back bay areas.
LBI Surf Temps are in the 40-43º range.
Back bay at Waretown has ranged from a low of 45.5º to a high of 52º in the past 24 hours.
The USGS gauge at Barnegat Light Inlet shows a recent peak high of 50.7º on the outgoing tide and a low of 41.4º on the incoming.
The USGS gauge at Little Egg Inlet shows the waters there were at a recent high of 51.3º (3/17) and almost broke 50º again this evening. *Usually once the outgoing tides are at 50 there is a strong wave of activity in those waters, sparking up the spring fishery in Great Bay.
Here’s my latest video report which I took around 5:30pm today, Wednesday March 19, 2025.
Worming Is The Way!
Since the break of winter’s ice grip the calls have started, “any action on the beach?” So far we have heard nothing surf side. Expect the surf to be cold and quiet for the next couple weeks. Come April things will start up. Until then the best early season fishing takes place around back. Spring time action in the bays and rivers consists primarily of striped bass on live bloodworm and small lures. When the water is cold and the bite is slow, worming is the way!
Reports from greater region/state indicate larger fish are showing up and moving to/from to their spawning zones in the rivers and bays.
White perch and winter flounder are also options to target. Only a few winter flounder have been caught, but that might be due to the lack of trying. Very few have stopped in to specifically gear up for flatties. Chum, bloods and small hooked “spreader rigs” is all you need. I prefer adding a kernel of corn to the hook too!
As waters slowly rise in temperature, expect an uptick in activity. Historically, around mid-April the local area sees a good push of striped bass, bluefish and/or black drum.
Final Winter Tackle Show & Tackle Tariffs
This past weekend’s Saltwater Expo was a big success, closing out the winter tackle show circuit with a bang. Despite the recent market turmoil, there was a strong turnout and a lot of shoppers. Huge thanks to all who stopped by to see the Fish Heads team at Booth 401!
For anyone still looking for some new tackle for the fishing season ahead, there’s still time to score! For a limited time, DISCOUNT CODE: SWS will save 10% Off Your Next Order. It can be redeemed in store or online. NOW is the time to buy, before the 2025 tackle tariffs take effect. Price hikes are coming, some as soon as this week (Van Staal is going up 5-17%), other brands next week followed by more come April 1st.
The show of all shows is this weekend at the NJ Expo Center in Edison. It’s by far the best show in region and all fishing… no BS! We are all set up with everything and more from the top brands. We have some of the newest tackle just released as well as the must have staples and MVP from previous season. Everything is at show special pricing and select items/brands have limited supply free goods. We’ll see you at the show!
Weather is awesome today with sun and light winds so far this morning. Here at Fishermans Headquarters we are stoked to share our customers are catching fish locally in the bay on live bloodworms.
We are open daily and stocked up on bait & tackle.
Right now we have some beautiful bloodworms as well as DynaBait Freeze Dried Bloodworms, Fin-Essence Sheddard Crab Scent and Ghost Cocoon thin bait thread. If you are just now hearing about worm balls this has been the receipt for river monster catching anglers when the perch are fierce. Extend the life of the baits and put out max scent which is important when the waters are cold and stained. There’s no reason not to use these tactics in the local waters! How to video is below.
If you already didn’t see it… Here’s my first fishing report video of the “spring” from a couple days ago…
The first week of spring striper season wasn’t door-busting but it did not disappoint. The weather this time of year can be brutal but for the most part the start was good. The recent sunny days have positive vibes thawing out after frigid winter. The current windy conditions looks to fade today and the 5-7 day stretch ahead shows generally sunny and highs in the upper 40’s and most days in the 50’s. The longer days and this kind of sun will provide a positive trend on the fishing front.
So far we have received a fair number of striped bass and white perch reports. Most are focused in the early season areas, the rivers and tributaries. But we got word of some local Barnegat Bay bass on bloodworms and lures.
We have had 30″+ striped bass caught in the local bays!
Mid week Fish Head’s regular Jack stopping in for some premium jumbo bloodworms. He reported, “All of the guys were jealous. Sandy caught a nice one fishing jumbo bloodworms. All of the other guys fishing got zilch when I was there.” Gotta fish good baits!
Keith Soycher is catching. One was a 33.5″ bass, a piglet for a local catch at this point in the season.
Store staffer Paul is picking some bass both day and night. He shares, “I’m catching on my spring time staples!”
All of which are in stock now at Fish Heads! I anticipate the bayside fishing to only get better as things warm up. Gear up and get in the game!
Last week I was at the AC Boat Show. Hopefully you walked the show. It was great seeing so many friends. My seminar on Thursday was packed and then the Offshore Wind Panel Discussion (which I was a panelist) was also well attended. Great times!
Right now the team and I at Fish Heads are gearing up for the Saltwater Fishing Expo. See you there next weekend at the Edison Expo Center. We are at the same spot, Booth 401. The booth space has doubled and we will have an exciting display of top tackle brands and some new show only releases.
The news is bubbling with tariff talk! But what does all of this mean with regards to fishing tackle tariffs?
Plain and simple, fishing tackle isn’t getting cheaper!
We all felt the shock on the first round, during the 2018/’19 China Trade War. Many consumer products including fishing tackle and fishing related equipment imported from China had a 10-25% tariffs imposed. Thankfully it eventually reduced to 7.5%. Some companies absorbed the costs initially, but for the most part the costs were passed on to consumers.
Over the past few years many brands have tried to shift manufacturing out of China to places like Malaysia, Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Singapore, Vietnam and Indonesia (among other) as well as some near-shoring to Mexico and onshoring back to the United States. BUT, with the new 25% tariff on steel and aluminum imports, it’s uncertain how these actions may circumvent the tariff. How much of the raw aluminum is smelted and supplied from China? How might the raw costs increase?
Then and now the uncertainty surrounding the duration of these tariffs make long-term planning difficult and complicate business decisions. Moving manufacturing operations is not a simple nor quick decision. Today, China remains a major manufacturer and importer of fishing tackle; fishing reels, rods, lures, hook and other tackle.
Brace For Round Two’s Double Whammy
ONE: On February 10, President Trump signed an Executive Order that will have direct impacts on the sportfishing industry. Executive Order 10895 increases the tariff on aluminum products from 10% to 25%, including fishing reels, reel components, and landing nets. The new duty will apply only to the aluminum components of these products and will take effect March 12, 2025.”
TWO: March 4 the 25% tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico come into effect. Also the 10% additional tariff on Chinese imports that went into effect on February 4 would be increased to 20% on March 4, 2025.
So far this past week we have received more than a handful of “updated 2025 price schedules as a result of the recent tariff increases” from multiple tackle brands/manufacturer. We expect more as fishing tackle costs very well may increase. What’s uncertain right now is how brands and manufactures will proceed with their pricing policies. Most all of the fishing tackle we sell is strictly policed through MAP policies. These same brands that are manufacturing are also now selling direct to consumers. Will the retail prices rise but MAP remain? It’s uncertain how pricing and margin challenges will stew for both manufacturers and retailers.
At this stage of the game it’s too early to tell exactly how everything will shake out. The America Sportfishing Association (ASA) and importers are scrambling to figure things out. It’s possible (slim, but there’s a chance) there could be exceptions for fishing tackle. The ASA is hoping to have sportfishing products removed from the list because the industry already pays federal excise taxes which deposits into the Sport Fish Restoration Fund to help support the fisheries and habitat around the country.
The Days Of Increase Tariffs
As we enter this new world. It will be interesting to see if the trade war remains focused only on Canada, Mexico and China due to what is said to be measures directed at specific countries due to concerns over border security, drug trafficking, and trade imbalances. In time will the tariffs broaden?
Right now I see it giving an advantage to the value priced reels and possibly the high end. On the value side, a 25% hike will not take them too far out of the affordable range. However mid priced reels in the $300-500 range could jump out of reach for many.
Fortunately for both Shimano and Daiwa their Japanese roots remain strong. Their highest end reels may circumvent the tariffs since most are made in Japan. But where are the aluminum part actually smelted and cast? Most reels are made of aluminum but also a lot of stainless steel, titanium, brass, bronze and alloy parts.
Could Penn Fishing Tackle Company have a Philly factory come back? The Penn International Series is still made in Philly and they have a large factory. The last time I visited it was running but at very low capacity. It would be nice to see a resurgence of other models at their domestic factory. It’s a long shot but we can dream… Can you imagine Van Staal (sister company of Penn) making reels in the USA again?
Don’t think just reels. The aluminum tariffs will cover pliers, nets and other tackle too.
Just like in 2018/2019 our buying decisions are already laser focused on pricing to pass on the best value to our customers. We remain up to date on fishing tackle tariffs, the breaking news and we are tirelessly hunting for the best brands and best pricing for you.
Here’s how some well-known brands may be affected:
1. Shimano
Shimano, a major player in reels and rods, manufactures a significant portion of its products in Japan and Malaysia, but some entry- to mid-level reels, rods and other tackle is made in China. These products most likely will be subject to tariffs.
2. Daiwa
Like Shimano, Daiwa produces higher-end products in Japan but sources many mid-range reels and rods from China as well as other areas in the Far East. Tariffs may lead to price hikes.
3. Penn & Van Staal (Pure Fishing)
Penn & Van Staal, owned by Pure Fishing, produces most all of its reels in China, so tariffs will apply, except for the Penn International Series which is made in the USA. The popular Penn Battle and Fierce Series most likely will have price increases. Van Staal released price increases ranging from 5 to as high as 17% on certain items, all which take effect March 20th.
4. Rapala (Including Storm & VMC)
Many Rapala and Storm baits, as well as VMC hooks, are made in China, so tariffs will play a roll. Rapala diversified sourcing after the first trade war so the shocks this time around might not be as severe. I don’t see all brands shifting to these alternative manufacturing locations. Moving and building new manufacturing capacity is expensive and timely so it will be exciting to see how this pays off for Normark (the parent company of Rapala, Storm, Suffix, VMC, 13 Fishing, Luhr-Jensen, among others).
Rapala USA President Marcus Twidale included this statement in his Feb 19th letter to dealers, “We have actively engaged with our factory suppliers to negotiate cost reductions. Through these efforts, we have identified opportunities to mitigate the impacts and have chosen to adsorb many of the additional costs internally. As a result we have successfully limited the overall price increase on goods from China to 10% or less. In some cases, such as with our 13Fishing brand, there will be no prive increase as a result of these tariffs and duties.
5. Zebco, Quantum, Lews (Rather Outdoors)
Many budget-friendly reels and rods from Zebco and Quantum come from China and most likely will see tariffs and price increases. The company absorbed some of these costs on the first round so only time will tell what happens to retail pricing. Rumor has it there will be a price hike come April.
6. Avet, Accurate, USA Made Tackle
It’s our hope that both Avet and Accurate, two long time American made reel companies, come out on top as a result of the tariffs. This could be the only silver lining on this while tackle tariff topic. We have supported both of these brands from their early days; however they have struggled to compete with the bigger brands. Both Avet and Accurate have always made great products but importer’s pricing has kept their growth suppresses.
Navigating the Future of Fishing Tackle Tariffs & Pricing
As these new fishing tackle tariffs take hold, the tackle industry as well as the global economy faces a lot of uncertainty with unknown policy specifics, shifts and supply chain adjustments. While some brands may absorb costs or find alternative sourcing, consumers should prepare for potential price increases. Let’s hope that this works as planned and creates opportunities for American made brands to gain competitive traction in the market place. But only time will tell.
For the angling consumers, staying informed and making strategic buying decisions will be key. We’ll continue to track these developments and work hard to bring you the best tackle at the best value—because no matter what happens with trade policies, the passion for fishing never changes.
