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.

For more info on Fishing Tackle Tariff News, here is a link to a recent blog post on the topic.