New Jersey Fishing Reports

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2013 Saltwater Recreational Regulations
Fluke: May 18 to Sept. 16 17.5 inch at 5 fish limit
Sea Bass: May 19 to Aug. 8 12.5 inch at 20 fish limit
Blackfish/Tautog: Season is closed as of May 1
For more information please see NJ Fishing Regulations

Thank you and good luck.

Saltwater & Jetty Report:

Monday June 3
We will be opening at 11:00AM on Monday June 3 because I have some business to take care of that morning. Thank you Fred

REEL and ROD REPAIR
Don't forget we do reel and rod repairs. Right now we are out 2 weeks for a clean and lube for reels and about the same time frame to repair a rod. If your reel needs parts it could be a bit longer if we do not have them. If you have questions please give us a call at 609-570-8035

5/20/2013
10:30AM
Water temp this overcast, foggy type of Monday morning is 58.3. Of course not many went out yesterday because of the weather or should we say weather forcast. In some places it seemed the morning bite was bluefish and as the day went on it went to a striper bite. It is still a bunker/clam bite for the stripers. I did hear of a couple caught on poppers but they were smaller keepers. Blues the bite has been mostly on bunker but some are being caught on metals. Believe it or not some fluke are being caught from the surf as well. A lot are in the 1lb class but some of the keepers are going 20 inches and a couple of pounds. Also some blowfish from the IBSP surf. On to the area reports:
Brigantine: stripers, few blues, fluke
Graveling Point: stripers, blues, blowfish
LBI: stripers, blues
IBSP: stripers, blues, blowfish, fluke
Seaside Park: stripers, blues, blowfish
Pt. Pleasant: blues, fluke off the wall
Shark River Inlet: stripers, blues, fluke
Monmouth Beach: stripers

Not too many went outside yesterday because of the weather. Those who did and found themself off of IBSP did pick up some stripers in the 20 to 30lb class. Trolling bunker spoons, snag and drop bunker, and using big swimming plugs were all working, but bunker spoons is the ticket right now. As for colors it seems to change all the time. So take a few colors with you. I heard second hand that the first Mako shark was caught somewhere off of Cape May this weekend. Man what year this is turning out to be. Just when you thought you heard it all something else comes up. More more it is looking like a banner year for fishing so far. Let's just hope it keeps up.

5/19/2013
7:30AM
Water temp this overcast rainy morning is 57.4. Believe it or not a few fluke were caught off the surf yesterday. Also a bunch of stripers are being caught with some going in the 20+class now. Also bluefish and blowfish are being caught. Some of the blowfish are big ones. So it looks like it is time you were fishing. Don't forget we have vacuum packed bunker, vacuum packed fresh frozen clams, salted clams, Atlantic herring, and 1lb boxes of squid. Now on to them area reports.
Brigantine: stripers, few blues
Graveling Point: stripers, blues, blowfish
LBI: stripers, blues
IBSP: stripers, blues, blowfish, fluke
Seaside Park: stripers, blues, blowfish
Pt. Pleasant: blues, fluke off the wall
Shark River Inlet: stripers, blues, fluke
Monmouth Beach: stripers

As I have said the place to be for stripers is off of IBSP in 45 to 60 foot of water. I heard that it is a school of 30 to 40+lb stripers being caught on bunker spoons, live lining bunker, or now even swimming plugs are starting to work. Other places such as the Shrewsbury Rocks is producing stripers but not in big numbers. So if you are going get to the waters off IBSP. Blues are also being caught as well. On another good note Sea bass season opens today with a 12.5 inch 20 fish limit.

5/18/2013
7:30AM
Water temp this overcast first day of fluke season Saturday morning is 57.7. Boy that was a mouth full. Well the big stripers are here or at least in Brigantine. Had some reports of stripers up to 28lbs taken off the surf. Bunker, clams, salted clams were the ticket. LBI and IBSP the stripers are there just not as big yet. Most are in the 10 to 17lb class right now. Also a whole bunch of shorts as well. Once again it has been a bait bite. I did hear of a few caught on poppers as well. There is also a bunch of blues being caught on bunker and metals. So let's get to those reports:
Brigantine: stripers, few blues
Graveling Point: stripers, blues, blowfish
LBI: stripers, blues
IBSP: stripers, blues, blowfish
Seaside Park: stripers, blues, blowfish
Pt. Pleasant: blues off the wall
Shark River Inlet: couple stripers, blues
Monmouth Beach: stripers

You have to go north of Barnegat Inlet to be in the bigger stripers. A lot of 30+lb stripers are being boated when trolling bunker spoons in 50 to 65 foot of water. The boats off of LBI are not doing as well.

5/17/2013
UPDATE 2:30PM
The 1lb boxes of squid is here for fluke season tomorrow. Also don't forget we have 4 and 6 inch swimming mullet GULP! in packages and tubs.

9:00AM
Water temp on this very nice Friday morning is 55. As of 6:30 this morning IBSP is open all the way to the inlet and it is open 24/7 to people fishing. You can not park by the inlet because there s a fence but you can walk to the inlet is what I been told. It was a pick of stripers from most beaches yesterday. The stripers are now in the 10 to 20lb class. I would start to take the plugging rod because I heard a few were caught on poppers yesterday. It is still mainly a bait bite with clams and bunker being the best bets. Blues are being caught on bunker or mackeral strips. Tomorrow opens fluke season it is 5 fish at 17.5 inch limit. Then Sunday May 19 the sea bass season opens with a 12.5 inch 20 fish limit and is open until Aug. 8. On to those reports:
Brigantine: stripers, few blues
Graveling Point: few stripers, blues, blowfish
LBI: stripers, blues
IBSP: stripers, blues, blowfish
Seaside Park: stripers, blues, blowfish
Pt. Pleasant: blues off the wall
Shark River Inlet: couple stripers, blues
Monmouth Beach: stripers

Off of IBSP is the place to be for stripers. Trolling bunker spoons is the ticket right now. A lot of 20 to 40lb stripers are being caught. I have not heard of many trying to live line bunker because the pods of bunker are not easy to find. Most are not on top of the water yet. I have heard that if you want to snag or net bunker Manasquan north to Shark River Inlet is the place to do it. Looks like a good weekend to be fishing for stripers, fluke and then sea bass on Sunday.

5/16/2013
UPDATE 10:40M
Here is the update for IBSP:
Beginning Monday, May 13, 2013, Ocean Bathing Area (OBA) 1 will be closed to the public to allow for demolition and reconstruction of the boardwalks. OBA2 will be open during this time period for public access. We anticipate reopening OBA1 before July 4th. Island Beach State Park will be open for fishing access 24 hours per day and to the inlet jetty effective May 17th at 6:30 am. Vehicles can not be driven south of the fence placed just north of the inlet jetty. For further information, please contact the park office.

8:40AM
Water temp this overcast that is going to burn off warm morning is 54.7. The weather people are talking about temps in the 80's today. Looking like if this weather holds we could have a bunch out fishing if they get off that couch. Beaches were a bit empty yesterday so the reports are a bit light. Had word that stripers between 30 to 40 inches were caught from the Brigantine surf on clams and bunker. Seems some bigger stripers are now moving into the area. The striper bite is still a biat thing with clams or bunker being the ticket right now. I did hear a couple were caught on poppers but they were smaller fish. There are some blues around but that bite has slowed a bit. Use bunker or metals for them. Was told that you can hold bottom with 4 to 5 ozs on IBSP this morning. No reports of any caught as of yet. Another good word but not offical yet, is that IBSP will open down to the inlet and go to 24/7 hours. I was told you will not be able to park right at the inlet but you will be able to walk to it. I will let you know when I hear more. On to the area reports:
Brigantine: stripers, few blues
Graveling Point: few stripers
LBI: stripers, blues
IBSP: stripers, few blues, blowfish
Seaside Park: stripers, few blues, blowfish
Pt. Pleasant: blues off the wall
Shark River Inlet: couple stripers, blues
Monmouth Beach: couple stripers

Right now the best action is off of the IBSP bathing beaches in 40 to 60 foot of water. It is trolling with bunker spoons. White and silver seem to be the best bet right now but that could change from day to day. A lot of the stripers being trolled are in the 25 to 40lb class right now. When they cut open one it had a bunch of large bunker in it. So it looks like the stripers are starting to finally feed on the buker. No one is snag n drop yet as the bunker pods are kinda hard to find because most are not on the surface yet.

5/15/2013
8:44AM
Water temp this overcast a little sunny morning is 54.3. Looks like the weekend is going to be another nice one. You should make plans to be fishing as the bigger stripers are starting to show up. The beaches from Brigantine to Seaside Park are producing some stripers in the 20+lb class now. The bite has been on bunker or clams. A lot of slot fish are starting to be caught on plugs but bait is the ticket right now. A couple of stripers and blues off the beach at IBSP this morning. You can hold bottom with 4 to 5ozs. On to the area reports:
Brigantine: stripers, few blues
Graveling Point: few stripers, blues
LBI: stripers, blues
IBSP: stripers, blues, blowfish
Seaside Park: stripers, blues, blowfish
Pt. Pleasant: blues off the wall
Shark River Inlet: blues
Monmouth Beach: couple stripers

Off of IBSP is the place to be right now. I have had reports of 30 to 40lb stripers being torlled with bunker spoons and Stretch30+ plugs. The color is changing day to day and yesterday the color was silver. 45 to 60 foot of water is doing the best right now. A 56lb 3oz striper was caught off of IBSP yesterday as being reported by Fisherman's Headquarters. Looks like you should be out fishing huh.

5/14/2013
8:30AM
Water temp this early spring like day is 52.3. With the chill in the air I don't know just how many will be out fishing this morning. Reports are coing in that just about any place now there is a chance for a 20+lb striper to be had. The bite is still mainly a bait thing and that clams and bunker is the bait of choice. I have also heard that a few smaller stripers were caught on poppers and SP Minnows from IBSP and the Sea Girt area. Maybe it is time for you plugging people to hit the beaches now. I know some refuse to use bait because they think it is boring just sitting there waiting for the fish to hit. Well if they want bait right now plugs won't do you much good. So at least have a bait rod in the water while plugging near by. Right now you can hold with 4ozs. There has also been a couple of stripers caught this morning already as well. It is either more people were fishing or there are more stripers being caught. So here is some advise, get your butt out there and fish or you are going to miss out. On to the reports:
Brigantine: stripers, few blues
Graveling Point: few stripers, blues
LBI: stripers, blues
IBSP: stripers, blues, some blowfish
Seaside Park: stripers, blues
Pt. Pleasant: blues off the wall
Shark River Inlet: blues
Monmouth Beach: stripers
Jetties: stripers, blues

Not many boats out there but those that did had stripers in the 20 to 35lb range. Trolling bunker spoons is the way to go it seems. White and chartreuse are working best. Place to be is in 40 to 65 foot of water off of the bathing beaches of IBSP. I was told that there isn't a lot of marks but there is enough. Even with bunker all around right now, some of the stripers caught had croakers and porgies in them. With croakers in them sounds like they had their meals a bit further south because I have not heard of any of them being caught up this way yet. Maybe that is why they are not busting on the bunker yet in this area. It sounds like it is getting ready to bust loose anytime now so you just better be ready.

5/13/2013
10:25AM
Water temp this breezy cool morning is 52.7. With this NW wind the ocean is like a lake. I was told this morning that 5 to 6ozs was holding bottom just nicely. Once again I will say that some bigger stripers have moved into the shoreline. I had reports of stripers into the 20lb class being caught but a lot of them are still shorts. That bite is on bunker or clams. Water is still a bit cold for plugs yet. There were also a bunch of bluefish caught on bunker. IBSP is seeing a bunch of blowfish being caught on clams and smaller hooks. They are on the big side and good eating. What more can I say but now is the time to be fishing. Manasquan Inlet and Shark River Inlet the blues are really thick at times. Word also has it that there have been a bunch of fluke caught from Shark River already but released. We do have bunker and clams in stock and should have squid by the weekend. So on to the reports:
Brigantine: stripers, few blues, drum
Graveling Point: few stripers, blues
LBI: some stripers, blues
IBSP: few stripers, blues, some blowfish
Seaside Park: couple stripers, blues
Pt. Pleasant: blues off the wall
Shark River Inlet: blues
Monmouth Beach: some stripers
Jetties: few stripers, blues

Most party boats didn't sail yesterday because of Mother's Day. I did have a few reports from Saturday that some of them did ok with stripers. Looks like the place to be is off of IBSP in 40 to 60 foot of water. Word has it that there has been a bunch of 40+lb stripers being trolled there on bunker spoons. If the weather would hold I am sure it will be like a parking lot out there soon.

5/12/2013
7:30AM
First off HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY and good luck and tight lines to all the mothers who go fishing. I hope you out fish your husband and catch that fish of a life time. The water temp this overcast day is 52.9. It does look and is suppose to clear up later today. Yesterday where do I start. It seems some bigger stripers have moved in finally. Had reports of some up to 45 inches and in the 20+lb range. It is a bait bite with bunker or clams being the ticket right now. I did hear of a couple caught on SP Minnows but they were shorts. So if you are fishing from Brigantine, LBI, IBSP, or Seaside Park you may hook that big striper now. So now why are you sitting on that couch? Why are you not down the beach or boat fishing? You have now been told that the bigger striper have moved in, so grab your rod and get out there. On to the area reports:
Brigantine: stripers, few blues
Graveling Point: couple stripers, blues, blowfish
LBI: stripers, blues
IBSP: stripers, blues, couple blowfish
Seaside Park: stripers, blues
Pt. Pleasant: blues off the wall
Monmouth Beach: some stripers
Jetties: few stripers, blues

The weather didn't spot some from going out and catching stripers. Off of IBSP was a good place to be as they hit some bigger stripers in the 18 to 40lb range. Looks like trolling is the way to go right now but jigging and live lining bunker is working. So it looks like it could be game on finally. Party boats did good with blues and stripers. I would call to see if the boat is sailing today as a lot of party boats stay at dock on mother's day.

5/11/2013
UPDATE 2:15PM
Just got in more vacuum packed bunker and a load of vacuum packed fresh frozen clams (next best thing to fresh). Come and get them. Also don't forget we have salted clams and Atlantic herring as well.

7:45AM
Water temp this rainy Saturday morning is 57.7. I don't think many will be fishing today because of the weather, so I hope you got out yesterday in that very nice summer like day. Ok it looks like a school of bigger stripers have moved into the Brigantine area and IBSP area. I had a couple reports of high 30 inch fish and a few that topped 40. It also looks like this front coming through did turn the bite on a bit. The striper bite is now on clams and bunker. Also there have been some blues and that bite is bunker or metals. Blowfish and a few kingfish have also been caught as well when fishing smaller hooks. Blowfish it is clams, kingfish it is clams or bloodworms. Let's get to the area reports:
Brigantine: stripers, few blues
Graveling Point: couple stripers, blues, blowfish
LBI: some stripers, blues
IBSP: stripers, blues
Seaside Park: stripers, blues
Pt. Pleasant: blues off the wall
Monmouth Beach: some stripers
Jetties: few stripers, blues

Bunch of poeple outside yesterday trying to catch some stripers. I got this second hand so take it for what it is worth, but I was told that there was a high 40lber caught yesterday by a boat. This is really good news if true. I also had some other reports that they did good off of LBI and IBSP while trolling, live lining, and jigging. Looks like this front made them go into a bit of a feeding mode. I don't know how many will go out today because of the weather.

5/10/2013
8:40AM
Water temp this very nice Friday morning is 54. Today is going to be a great day to be out fishing but tomorrow doesn't look so good now. Some places the striper bite picked up yesterday with some bigger ones showing up. I had some reports that stripers up to 20lbs were caught. Hopefully that front that came through has turned the striper bite on and kick started the run. It has been ok so far but not a lot of bigger stripers being caught. A lot of shorts and dinner sized ones so far. As far as the bite, it has been clams or bunker for the stripers and bunker for the blues. Not hearing of much going on with people plugging so far. As the water temps come up I would start to throw poppers and see what happens. Early in the year poppers are a good bet to catch stripers. Been told 6ozs is holding this morning so far with a light west wind. On to the area reports:
Brigantine: stripers, few blues
Graveling Point: some stripers, blues
LBI: pick of stripers, blues
IBSP: pick of stripers, blues
Seaside Park: pick of stripers, blues
Pt. Pleasant: blues off the wall
Monmouth Beach: few stripers
Jetties: pick of stripers, blues

Didn't hear much from the boating crowd again. A lot of party boats didn't sail because of lack of customers. Rain will do that this time of year. Others did get out and caught some stripers. Was told that the bunker has finally come to the top and you can see them. That makes them easier to net or snag to live line them. It seems live lining, trolling, and jigging is the way to go right now. You just have to find the schools on the fishfinder and go from there. I still know a lot are waiting for better fishing, fishing the bays, or standing on the beaches because they just do not want to chase the fish or travel all over the place trying to find the stripers.

5/9/2013
UPDATE 10:00AM
Starting tomorrow we will have vacuum packed fresh frozen 1lb packages of clams. Next best thing to fresh clams.

9:30AM
Water temp this rainy overcast day is 54.5. Sorry for the late report and me getting the store open late. I don't know what it was but the traffic was backed up very badly this morning and it took forever to get here. I guess people just can not drive in the rain anymore. Of course not many fishing because of the rain but there were still some reports. It remains a pick of stripers and blues. Both bites are still on bait, clams and bunker for the stripers and bunker or mackeral strips for the blues. I have not heard of any stripers being caught on plugs but they should start to work soon. The water is now a bit dirty. The wind went SE yesterday and most likely caused it to dirty up a bit. The wind is out of the N today and I been told it is taking around 8ozs to hold right now. Blues are still running in the Manasquan Inlet pretty good. So on to those area reports:
Brigantine: pick of stripers, blues
Graveling Point: pick of stripers, blues
LBI: pick of stripers, blues
IBSP: more blues then stripers
Seaside Park: pick of stripers, blues
Pt. Pleasant: blues off the wall
Monmouth Beach: few stripers
Jetties: pick of stripers, blues

The rain made it so boats didn't even sail yesterday. So no reports from the boating crowd. Some I talked to said they are fishing the bay in the boat or the surf for stripers as the ocean is not producing good enough to waste the gas.

5/8/2013
8:20AM
Water temp this rainy morning is 54.3. Looks like you will need that rain gear today. Still a E/NE wind as well. I was told this morning that you better have the heavy rods today as one report this morning had to use 8ozs to hold. He did have a couple of blues while fishing but he wouldn't tell me if he was fishing Seaside Park or IBSP. Ok so let me put the broken record on for you once again. It is still a pick of stripers and bluefish. Stripers on clams and bunker and blues on bunker or mackeral strips. I still do not have a report of any bigger sized stripers this year yet. Most of them are shorts or dinner sized right now. This has just been a strange year all around so far. I also hear of some more fluke being caught from the surf as well. Had some ask when is the best time for blues in the Manasquan Inlet, I was told to fish the outgoing tide. With that let's get to those area reports:
Brigantine: pick of stripers, blues
Graveling Point: pick of stripers, blues
LBI: pick of stripers, blues
IBSP: pick of stripers, blues
Seaside Park: pick of stripers, blues
Pt. Pleasant: blues off the wall
Monmouth Beach: few stripers
Jetties: pick of stripers, blues

I did hear from a few boats yesterday and they all said the same thing, that the striper fishing has slowed. There has been some caught while jigging and clamming but it hasn't been good lately. Seems most of the action has been to the north so far but that could change soon as well.

5/7/2013
8:40AM
Water temp this overcast morning is 53.6. Looks like the next few days if you are going out you should take along the rain gear. Some out fishing the surf but the wind was howling again yesterday. That makes it hard to throw plugs so most are using clams and bunker to land the stripers and blues. Also had a couple of reports of a few drum being caught from the southern beaches. Better take the heavy sticks with you as this E/NE wind that has been around has the ocean roughed up so you need 6 to 8ozs to hold right now. I have been told that even though it is rough it is still pretty clean which is good. It means it is striper water and they can still see the plugs or bait and don't have to go looking for it. Hopefully this rain and front coming through will turn the striper bite on some more. So far it has been ok but no big cows as of yet. The biggest I have heard of so far this year is a 34lber. One last thing, the Manasquan Inlet has been loaded with bluefish in the 2 to 10lb range lately. Most are being caught on metals. So now on to the area reports:
Brigantine: couple stripers, blues
Graveling Point: couple stripers, blues
LBI: few stripers, blues
IBSP: pick of stripers, blues
Seaside Park: pick of stripers, blues
Pt. Pleasant: blues off the wall
Monmouth Beach: few stripers on plugs
Jetties: few stripers, blues

Not much word from the boaters. I talked too a few who have told me they are fishing the beaches rather then wasting gass trying to find or land stripers. They said they are having much better luck from the sand lately. Been a strange year so far, let's see what happen once fluke season opens.

5/6/2013
10:15AM
The water temp this overcast Monday morning is 53.2. This weekend it was nice and a bit cooler down by the beach but it was the wind that just made it hard. Of course people still fished but not as many on Sunday. It is still a pick of stripers and blues with the striper bit on clams or bunker and blues on bunker. It seems Brigantine had the day of the bluefish yesterday. So let's see what this week brings as we are suppose to get some rain in the middle of it. Maybe that will turn that striper bite on big time. Let's go to the area reports:
Brigantine: blues, blues, blues
Graveling Point: stripers, blues
LBI: stripers, blues
IBSP: stripers, blues
Seaside Park: blues
Pt. Pleasant: blues off the wall
Jetties: few stripers, blues

Didn't have many reports from the boats yesterday because most stayed in the bay or fished the surf. Those who did make it out trolled bunker spoons and had some luck with stripers. Those that were lucky to find find some bunker livelined them and had some luck as well. All of this action was more north.

Top of Page

Bay Report:

5/20/2013
Well the fluke bit is still going strong. Biggest fluke I heard about was a 6lber caught from an un-named bay. The average size fluke being caught is in the 1 to 2lb range, but I did hear of a bunch also in the 3 to 4lb range as well. GULP!, squid, and killies seem to be the ticket right now. There is also a good number of weakfish being caught in the 3 to 7lb range. Of course they are mostly in the 3lb range. Stripers were also being caught on bait and now some were caught on poppers and swimming plugs. Funny thing is the bluefish bit dropped off some. Don't worry it should come back real soon. Some places in Great Bay and Barnegat Bay the blowfish bite has doing pretty good when fishing smaller hooks tipped with small bits of clams.

5/19/2013
What a day in the bays. More out fishing because it was the opening of fluke season yesterday. Where do I start, down Absecon and Tuckerton way a bunch of nice keeper fluke were caught. Believe it or not some had limits of 1.5 to 3lb fluke. Also you can throw in some weakfish, blues, and a few stripers to round it out. Barnegat Bay was not as good but there were fluke catches up to 2.5lbs reported. Looks like today could be a wash but we will have to see.

5/18/2013
UPDATE 12:10PM
Been getting a few reports from down Absecon and Tuckerton areas that some nice fluke are being caught. Been told some are 2 to 3lbs and up to 21 inches. Not being told too much on what they are being caught on but the few who did tell me bunker, clams, squid, and GULP! is working. Some are being caught while they are fishing stripers with bait. Sounds so far it could be a good start to the season

Well it off to the fluke races today. Fluke season is now open. I had reports from down around the Absecon and Tuckerton areas that there were a bunch of fluke released yesterday when people were fishing stripers. Well those fish will not get a second chance today. One report stated he had a 5lb fluke and didn't want to put it back but he did. The striper fishing in the bays is still doing pretty good but not hot and heavy. Plenty of blues are being caught along with some blowfish and weakfish as well. Just be careful out in the bays today because I would bet they will be packed.

5/17/2013
The bays are producing catches of stripers, bluefish, and blowfish. Great Bay and Barnegat Bay the reports of fluke being caught and released seems to be unreal right now. This is good news I hope. I had a couple reports of 20 inch fluke being caught on bunker chunks when fishing stripers. I was told these fish were in very good shape but lived another day. That won't be the case tomorrow as fluke season opens with a 17.5 inch at 5 fish limit. The striper bite in the bays has been on bunker and clams, blues are on bunker or metals. Don't forget we are loaded with GULP! and the 1lb boxes of squid are on their way.

5/16/2013
Some have shifted from bays to ocean because there is bigger stripers moving in now. Don't get me wrong some are still fishing the bays. Stripers and bluefish are still being caught from Great Bay, Barnegat Bay, and Raritan Bay. Stripers have been on clams and bunker while the blues have been on bunker, metals, or bucktails. Some blowfish were caught out of Barnegat Bay on clams. Also while fishing for blowfish some are catching fluke. Don't forget we are stocked with GULP!.

5/15/2013
Reports of some stripers being caught out of Great Bay, Barnegat Bay, and Raritan Bay. The bluefish bite in Great Bay and Barnegat Bay is still going strong with bunker and metals working. A few blowfish are being caught on clams out of Barnegat Bay. Not much word from any place else. I found out more on that striper from Sandy hook Bay. It was caught from the shore line around Belford on bunker. It weighed around 39lbs. Don't forget to stock up for the openning of fluke season on Saturday. We should have some sqiud in stock soon and we have GULP! in stock and ready to go.

5/14/2013
The bays are looking good for this weekend. Places in Great Bay had some stripers, blues, and drum being caught. Barngat Bay it has been tons of blues in the 2 to 8lb class with some keeper stripers thrown in. Also hearing of some weakfish, blowfish, and fluke being caught. Of course the fluke are being returned to the water right now. I was told some of the fluke are already good sized. The striper bite has been on clams or bunker, blues on bunker and metals, fluke has been on bunker when fishing for stripers, weakfish have been on Fin-S, and blowfish on clams. Raritan Bay the winds have made it tough to fish so many have stayed at dock. I did hear second or third hand that a 40lb striper was caught from Sandy Hook Bay from the shore line and not from a boat over the weekend but I wasn't told where. I will try to find out more about that one.

5/13/2013
Ok so here we go. Fluke season opens this Saturday. Are you ready? well we are. We will have squid in by then, we are packed with GLUP! We should have our full line of hooks in as well. So come get what you need to fish the most fished fish out there. The weather for Saturday is looking good so far so hopefully it is going to be a great openning day. I heard that some are getting 10 or more fluke out of the southern bays with what would have been limits. That is a very good sign. Only one thing that is going to stop you, that would be those yellow eyed devils. Oh you don't know what I mean? they are also called bluefish. They could bit your fluke rigs off. Not too many out fishing because of Mother's Day and the wind. I did hear of some stripers being caught but it was mostly bluefish. Striper bite was on clams and blues on bunker, mackeral strips, bucktails, or metals. Didn't hear anything out of Raritan Bay yesterday.

5/12/2013
A lot stayed home or at the dock because of the weather yesterday. For those who went out they had a mixed bag of fish to catch. Of course the word of the day was bluefish. They are all over Great Bay and Barnegat Bay. Boat or land you can have a ball catching them. Bunker for bait and bucktails or metals for plugs. Great Bay, Holgate, and Beach Haven areas in Barnegat Bay it has been stripers and drum on clams. Only problem is make sure you take lots of bait as the smooth dogfish will eat it up. Weakfish are being caught around Oyster Creek on Fin-S. I really didn't hear anything out of Raritan Bay yesterday but I am sure stripers are still being caught.

5/11/2013
Once again a great day and a bunch of people out on the bays fishing. More reports of fluke being caught. I had one report that he released a 20 incher yesterday. Let's just hope this is a sign of things to come. Had reports that Great Bay is seeing some action with striper before the sun comes up but then the bite goes away after sun rise. Blues are all over and will now hit just about anything. That includes plugs and metals. Barnegat Bay it is mainly bluefish now. Try using bunker, bucktails, or metals now to catch them. Some blowfish being caught on clams. Also did hear of a few stripers being caught but they had to work for them. Raritan Bay is still doing really good with stripers. Live lining bunker is now the way to go but jigging is also working. When fishing the banks try using chunked bunker, AVA's, or bucktails.

5/10/2013
Had a bunch of reports that keeper sized fluke are being caught out of Great Bay and Barnegat Bay already when people are fishing for stripers. Lucky fluke as the season doesn't open until May 18. The striper fishing in Great Bay and Barnegat Bay has been good but not great. Seems the bluefish have a different idea as what should be caught. The blues are in the 2 to 10lb class, yes, I said 10lbs. The striper bite has been on bloods, clams, or bunker. I have not heard of any caught on plugs lately. The bluefish bite is on bunker and some on metals. I am also still hearing of some weakfish being caught here and there as well along with blowfish. Once again Raritan Bay stripers are being caught on live or chunked bunker. Today looks like a great day to be out there but tomorrow could be a wash.

5/9/2013
People did fish between the showers and did have fish. Stripers, blues, and a few blowfish were caught. No one told me where they were fishing. I guess it is that old spot burn BS that everybody believes in. So places too fish are the ICW, Grassy Channel, in Barnegat Bay places to try are, around the LBI causeway bridge, High Bar dike, Double Creek and Oyster Creek channels, around the RT37 bridge, and around the Mantoloking bridge. Striper bite has been on bloodworms and clams, the blues bite has been on bunker. Lately I have not heard much from anybody crabbing but it should drop off a bit soon as the crabs should be going into the first shed soon.

5/8/2013
Great Bay and Barnegat Bay is mainly bluefish being caught on metals or a hook or bucktail tipped with a small chunk of bunker. Also hearing of some smooth dogfish being caught as well. Raritan Reach in Raritan Bay is producing some good catches of some good sized stripers when live lining bunker. Other places in Raritan Bay are also producing stripers when jigging, clamming, or trolling. Looks like today is going to be a wash.

5/7/2013
Few on the water yesterday because of work. Did have a few reports of stripers being caught but you had to work for them down around the Mullica River. Bait was the ticket there. Grassy Channel there were some stripers and blues. Barnegat Bay had some stripers (on bloodworms), bluefish (on bunker), and a few blowfish (on clams) caught, but it has been a slow pick the past couple of days. Other then that I didn't much more.

5/6/2013
Once again it was the wind that kept a lot of people off the water yesterday. A bunch did fish the banks with some good luck. Stripers, bluefish, weakfish and blowfish were all caught off the east side of Barnegat Bay on LBI. Up around the Seaside area it is mainly bluefish with a striper here and there. As for crabbing it was the wind that stopped people trying from the boats. Did hear of maybe a dozen off docks here and there but not many keepers as of yet.

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5/20/2013
People did fish inbetween the showers yesterday. Had reports from Lake Assunpink, Stone Tavern, Etra Lake, RT130 dam, Miry Run, and AMC that some bass were caught along with crappie, pickerel, catfish, and sunnies. Town center had some bass caught, but it looks like they have already spawned and the males are on the nest. Also sunnies and catfish were caught as well. Reports from the Delaware River have slowed. It looks like most are now fishing the beaches for the stripers. I did have a report of some slot fish being caught from Florence and south. Around Trenton people are fishing catfish and large and small mouth bass.

5/19/2013
Well looks like today will be a wash out unless it clears up. A whole bunch out fishing between the showers yesterday. Some fishing trout while other were fishing bass. Had reports from all over the place that bass, pickerel, crappie, trout, catfish, and sunnies were being caught. The bass are still a bit slow and in some place are post spawn. That means the females went to deeper water and the males are on the nest. A lot of people are now fishing the beaches and not the Delaware River for stripers. Those still fishing it are catching 15 to 28 inch stripers on bunker, Atlantic herring or live lining white perch. The catfish bit is still really good. I have heard of some as big as 15+lbs being caught. You can use chunked bait or chicken livers or anything smelly to catch them.

5/18/2013
Man what a day for fishing. Had a ton of reports from all over the place that bass, crappie, pickerel, catfish, and sunnies were being caught. Live bait, spinners, spinnerbaits, and plastic was all working. Looks like you should be out fishing now. Did hear of some trout fishing and still doing pretty good as well. Not hearing too much from the Delaware River. Only heard of some slot sized stripers being caught. It is looking more and more like it is winding down for stripers in the river this year. Don't get me wrong there still could be some left.

5/17/2013
Good reports once again from the feeder canal for trout. A bunch of reports came in for people fishing bass, crappie, sunnies, pickerel, and catfish. Seems the bite is much better now. I am sure it will be better this weekend as the weather is going to be great. Or that is what the weather people are saying right now. Looks like the striper bite is slowing in the Delaware River. Some are being caught but it mostly slot fish with a 30+incher once in awhile. Mean while the catfish is going strong along with the white perch bite. I am sure I will be hearing about small mouth as people will start fishing for them soon.

5/16/2013
A bunch out fishing trout since the feeder canal was stocked. Had some good reports that people had full stringers. Others place are still producing some trout as well. Had reports from a bunch of places like the three Assunpink, Etra Lake, RT130 dam, Miry Run, etc... that bass, pickerel, crappie, sunnies, and catfish were being caught. It still seems to be a bait bite mostly but artificials are working. Starting to look like some are giving up on the stripers season in the river. I think we can chalk this one up. Not a very good year. I would say it is winding down because the bigger stripers are showing up off the beaches now. They are spawned out so that means they are Chesapeake and Delaware River fish. The catfish bite is still doing good and some small mouth are being further north.

5/15/2013
Today and next Thursday are the last stocking of the D&R feeder canal. Both stockings will be 1040 trout. No other places get stocked in Mercer County but there. Still people are catching trout from other places that were stocked. It was a pretty good trout season once it got started. Reports from three Assunpink lakes, Etra Lake, the RT130 dam, Miry Run, and AMC that bass, crappie, pickerel, catfish, and sunnies were being caught. Town Center had some bass, sunnies, and catfish caught. Bass it is spinnerbaits, spinners, live bait, and plastics are working but not too good yet. Small worms, meal worms, and Mister Twister for the crappie, and shiners, spinners, or spoons for the pickerel. There are still some stripers in the 20 to 35 inch range being caught from the Delaware River. Most of the action seems to be Florence and south. I have not heard of any out of the Trenton area lately. Around Trenton it is a bunch of catfish. The bite has been on bunker, clams and Atlantic herring. Lots of questions being asked about what hooks to use. This is how the law reads:

To protect spawning striped bass, from the Calhoun Street bridge near Trenton downstream to the Commodore Barry Bridge at Bridgeport, non-offset circle hooks must be used when using bait with a #2 sized hook or larger, from April 1 to May 30.

So no matter what ever you are fishing for you have to use an inline cirle hook if the hook is #2 or larger when fishing bait.

5/14/2013
Some out fishing so it wasn't so bad for a Monday when everyone is back to work and school. Those fishing trout are still doing good in some spots while other places no one is fishing. I guess since it isn't being stocked anymore right now people must think all the trout are gone. That just leaves more trout for thse who are fishing them. Little bit cool this morning so I don't think many will be out until later today. As for the bass, pickerel, crappie, catfish, and sunnies, it has been good fishing. It is a little tough to catch the bass at times but they are biting. Spinnerbait and spinners are working but live bait is still working best. The Delaware River is now producing a bit better bite for the stripers. It is now a bunker, clams, and Atlantic herring bite. Still not big numbers but some of those caught have been in the 30 to 40+ inch range. There are also a bunch of slot fish being caught as well. Not too much going on in the Trenton area but catfish. Most of the action has been further south.

5/13/2013
People fishing was a bit slow due to Mother's Day. Trout is still doing good from a bunch of spots. People are still using all kinds of baits and lures to catch them. As for bass, crappie, pickerel, catfish, and sunnies, they are being caught in the local lakes, ponds, and streams. I can not really tell you where the best places are because I am getting reports from all over now. Best thing to do is grab some bait and pack your lures and just get out and wet a line. The Delaware River striper bite has picked in the past couple of days. It is still south of Trenton so you may want to put in further south or fishing the banks move further south. The bite has been on bunker with some taken on clams. Seems the clams are also catching catfish. Most have stopped using bloodworms now. I have not heard of any being caught on plugs either. We do have vacuum packed bunker, vacuum packed fresh frozen clams, salted clams, and Atlantic herring in stock.

5/12/2013
Not too bad of a day with showers in the morning and then it cleared up for a good time so some people did get out fishing. Trout keeps right on going good even thou some places are done for the stocking there is a good number of trout still in the water. Best place to be fishing is the D&R feeder canal as that is still being stocked. Also don't discount the canal itself or the Assunpink Creek. Had a bunch of reports from the local lakes that bass, pickerel, crappie, catfish, and sunnies are being caught. I just want to say on thing, someone has dumpped a couple of koi fish into the Town Center lakes. If you catch them do not put them back into the water. If you want the bass and other fish to live then just throw the koi out. And by the way, just so you know, if you do get caught putting fish into a lake it is a very stiff fine. It has been a crazy year on the Delaware River for stripers. Looks like some bigger fish have finally moved in. I wasn't told were but I had reports of a few stripers in the 40+inch range, a bunch in the 20 to 35 inch range is a bit more common now. The males have milt and it looks like the cows still are not spawned out yet. So there maybe more time this year yet for stripers in the river. Bunker is the bait of choice right now with Atlantic herring second. Clams are catching the smaller fish. Most are now not fishing bloodworms because of the perch and catfish. The action seems to be on out going tide.

5/11/2013
What day yesterday. A bunch of people out fishing. Trout fishing is still going strong from the D&R Canal and feeder canal. I had reports from the three Assunpink lakes, Etra Lake, the RT130 dam, Miry Run, and AMC that bass, crappie, pickerel, catfish, and sunnies were being caught. Town Center had some bass, sunnies, and catfish caught. Bass it is plastics, spinnerbaits, and live bait, other types of fish it has been mainly live bait. The Delaware River is producing catches of stripers down the Philly way. Most are in the 15 to 29 inch range but I had reports of some in the 34 to 38 inch range as well. The bite is on bunker on the out going tide. Also had some reports from around the Florence area of stripers being caught. I would fish around the turnpike bridge with bait and throw some poppers or bucktails.

5/10/2013
The reports for the local lakes and ponds are sounding like a broken record now because it kinda is. Bass, crappie, pickerel, sunnies, and catfish will be caught until things slow down in the fall. So now is as good a time to be fishing as any. Only thing is start to look for the bass to spawn soon and that will slow that bite. People fishing trout did really good yesterday in the D&R Canal and feeder canal. I also had a couple of reports from the Assunpink Creek that there were some trout caught as well. Had a couple good reports from the Delaware River yesterday. One person I talked too told me he had a bunch of stripers in the 20 to 29 inch range and a some in the 30 inch range with the biggest at 39 inches. Looks like some places finally broke open for stripers. Bait of choice was bunker but clams did work as well. We will have more bunker and vacuum packed fresh frozen clams coming sometime today. This action was mostly further south. Also I was told outgoing tide has been the best by someone.Let's hope this means everything is just late this year. Only thing is I am now getting reports that some of the cows being caught out of Delaware Bay are spawned out which could be a bad sign. We'll just have to wait and see.

5/9/2013
Some fished inbetween the showers yesterday. I had reports of trout being caught from the feeder canal. Also some bass, sunnies, and catfish were caught from Lake Assunpink, Stone Tavern, the RT130 dam, Miry Run, and Twn Center. Only reports from the Delaware River was catfish around Trenton and catfish and a few stripers around Florence.

5/8/2013
Not too bad yesterday only one passing shower, but today kinda looks like it will be a wash. Today is trout stocking day in some places but i don't know how many will be out there today. Yesterday some did go to the feeder canal and did really good. Some did try fishing other types of fish and caught bass, crappie, and some catfish from the RT 130 dam, Miry Run, and AMC. While Town Center is was a few bass, sunnies, and catfish. Everybody I talked to lately about stripers in the Delaware River have said that this year has not been good at all. About the last 5 to 6 years it has been really good but I just don't know what happened this year. I wonder if the dredging at Fort Mifflin has anything to do with it, or was it Sandy, or did the netters take a big chunk of the Delaware River fish? It is hard to say but let's hope it isn't something that will effect in the coming years as well. I have had reports of a bunch of shorts being caught down around Philly but really nothing around Trenton. Let's just hope it is really late this year. For those fishing the river I am once again having a bloodworm blowout sale. Come get them for $9.99 a dozen. After these are gone that will be it for this year. If you want a half or full flat of bloodworms I will get them for you. Call for more info.

5/7/2013
Nice day but it was a Monday and people are back to work and school so not as many fishing. Did have some reports from the three Assunpink lakes that some bass, crappie, and pickerel were being caught. Spinnerbaits for the bass, small worms, meal worms, and Mister Twister for the crappie, and shiners or spoons for the pickerel. Also had reports from the RT130 dam, Miry Run, and AMC that bass, pickerel and catfish were caught. Town Center had sunnies, catfish, and a few bass caught. The Delaware River in Trenton has been slow pickings for stripers. Have heard of some 15 to 25 inch ones caught but not in great number. I talked to someone who fishes Delaware Bay and he said it is void of stripers. So where are they? This is not good news. I wonder if stripers that spawn in the Delaware didn't go to the Hudson River this year. Up that way it is on fire. Maybe something has changed from Sandy or it was the weather that has made it this way this year or they are still on the way but it sure is getting way late now. We'll just have to wait and see.

5/6/2013
Pretty nice day, a bit cooler and some wind but people went fishing. We'll start with the Delaware River this morning because I am getting asked a lot of questions about it. Stripers are being caught but most are in the 10 to 20 inch range. It also depends on what tides you are fishing. I can not tell you the tides as it is kinda tight lipped about that. It seems they are not spawned out but it also seems there are few big cows around. We can only hope it is late this year other wise i would have to say that something effected them coming up river or the Delaware river stock of spawning stripers is in down years now. Catfish has been good in the Delaware along with the perch fishing. Trout fishing has still been going pretty good. With reports of good catches this weekend. Now I have been told that some places it looks like the bass may have gone into spawn. So that means it will be harder to catch them. The crappie fishing has been really good this year and so has the pickerel fishing. Catfish have also been caught as well.

5/5/2013
A ton of people fishing yesterday and a ton of reports cam in. We'll start off with trout. People fishing the D&R Canal and the feeder canal are doing really good. Assunpink Creek is doing good as is Rosedale Lake. I have had some reports from Rosedale that no trout were caught as well. As for other types of fishing the reports poured in that bass, pickerel, crappie, catfish and sunnies were caught from almost all local lake, ponds, and streams. The striper fishing in the Delaware River is a tide thing right now. You have to be fishing the right tide to catch them. I had some reports from down around Philly that some of the males caught had milt so that means no spawn for them yet. It could still be getting better but we will have to see. The biggest reported was 36 inches with a bunch in the 12 to 27 inch range. Still no big cows. As for the bite, it has been on bait, have not heard of any hitting plugs.

5/4/2013
Some out fishing stripers in the Delaware River and having little luck. Most being caught are small, in the 15 to 20 inch range. I just wonder if it isn't over already. Just going to have to wait and see. Now as for catfish, that has been doing really good. Also the perch fishing is still going good as well. Had good reports about the trout fishing. Most are getting full stringers. As for bait, don't ask because you will be here all day with everything I am hearing that people are using. Had a bunch of reports from all over the place that bass, crappie, pickerel, catfish and sunny are being caught. So why don't you go wet a line and relax.

5/3/2013
Yesterday was a great day to be fishing and the next three are looking even better. A lot trying for trout and they had very good luck. Heard of a bunch of full strigers for the D&R Canal and the feeder canal. Also had some good reports from other places as well. As for other reports it was bass, crappie, pickerel, catfish, and sunnies being caught from the local lakes and ponds. Some are saying that there has been some muskie caught from Lake Mercer as well. A lot of the action is on live bait but other things are working as well. I talked to some yesterday that have said that the herring spawn is over and it looks like they are on their way out. If the stripers are here and not spawned that is not good news as they will not hang around to feed because there will not be much here. That could mean that the striper season in the river could be over very quickly. It has been a very weird season to say the least. I have not had any reports of any big cows being caught (30lb class or bigger) this year. Maybe it is an off year or something made them spawn someplace else, it is hard to say. I did have reports of a bunch of small stripers being caught further south but Trenton has been pretty quiet. I do know it has been a bait bite and plugs are not working. There has been a bunch of catfish been caught around Trenton and Bordentown and some perch.

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