New Jersey & Delaware Bay - Central New Jersey Fishing Reports

Capt. Joe said the Jamaica II is getting ready for their 12-hour cod, ling, and blackfish trips. They set sail at 5 a.m. April 20, 21, and 27. They will also have a 9-hour blackfish trip April 28 leaving at 7 a.m.

Ted at the Reel Seat said blackfish action is picking up but was a little slow this week due to the cold water. Next week the action should get better with warmer weather moving in. Striper action in the Raritan remains great. Anglers are killing it in the bay. A couple of small stripers have been reported in and around the inlet, but more fish are moving in from the Raritan. Cod fishing remains decent. Tilefish trips should be starting soon so look for local boats if interested.

Adam at Canyon Runner Sportfishing said Canyon Runner extended their Coaching Membership up and down the coast. Last week they worked with one member almost entirely through the intercostal. They had two other members working through the Bahamas catching a bunch of bottom fish while deep dropping. They had three other members fishing tournaments in Key West and winning in the meat fish division. Finally, they had multiple members working the deep offshore of the Carolina on giant bluefin and yellowfin.

Jason at Fishermen’s Supply said blackfish action in the inlet and canal finally picked up. The action is not crazy good but overall anglers are doing okay. He heard of fish up to 5 pounds landed inshore. The striped bass bite in the river and bay down to Mantoloking Bridge picked up, not crazy action, but decent. He said to fish the last 3 hours of outgoing tide on small white soft plastics. Boats out oceanside are doing well with blackfish on the Sea Girt, Axel, and Shark River reef. Shark River reef is holding ling and cod as well.

Capt. Bob on the Gambler said they went out Monday for tog and were not disappointed. There was nice weather and tight lines with plenty of action and a good amount of keepers in the mix. Fish were caught up to 5 pounds. They got back out Wednesday with good action and a few keepers. Mother nature did not help them the rest of the week so they stayed tied to shore.

Capt. Alan of Mushin Sportfishing said they started Raritan Bay striper trips. The fishing has been good and getting better each day. They have open boat trips available, check their social media for dates. They will continue to fish in this area until May 12th.

Capt. Danny said the Norma K III started off the week strong with plenty of short blackfish to keep anglers busy with a number of keepers flung over the rails. The rest of the week was a wash due to poor weather. They have some openings for their May 1 tilefish trip.

Frank at Gabriel Tackle said boats heading out for blackfish have been doing well. Some nice fish have been landed at the Axel. Blackfishing in the canal remains good with the bait of choice being sandworms, clams, or green crabs. They seem to like the softer baits this time of year. The striper bite in Barnegat Bay remains good on bloodworms, but they are finally hitting lures more consistently. Frank said, “Where are the bluefish? Hopefully they will show up soon in the bay,”. Reports of winter flounder being landed at the bridge and canal. The Raritan Bay bite has been good with some nice size stripers landed and good reports from the Delaware, so it might be worth a road trip.

Amanda at Jersey Hooker Outfitters said anglers are doing well on blackfish in the canal. Folks are reeling in some stripers in the back bays and around the Mantoloking Bridge area. Bloodworms are still the hot bait.

Pete at Charlie’s Bait & Tackle said plenty of fish were caught this past week, that is when the weather cooperated. Both bass and drum were landed in the back. A few bass were reported off the beach and further south some drum also came up from the beach. Bloodworms and small plastics work well for the bass while drum are biting on clam. A couple winter flounder were caught. The weather is a problem causing fluctuating water temperatures, but once it stabilizes the bite should stay consistent. They are stocked up on bloodworms and clam.

John at Betty & Nick’s said big drum have invaded the area. He heard a few guys getting them off the local docks the past few days, but now the few anglers on the beach are getting them as well. Along with that, he heard of some decent bass off the docks behind the shop as well. Sunday morning a customer came into the shop for some ice to put his 28-inch bass on that he landed off the surf on salted clams.

Connor at Grumpy’s Bait & Tackle said there are a lot of drum and stripers in the bay. The surf is offering bass on clams and worms. A few blackfish were caught this week in the canal and off the jetty. Fishing is getting better each day.

Mario at Hook House Bait & Tackle said anglers reported a few bass off the beach in IBSP on clams. Striped bass are also biting in the bay, out to Point Pleasant canal and to the Barnegat inlet. Toms River and Huddy Park are also hot spots. The bites have mostly been on jumbo bloodworms. Bass fishing continues to be excellent overall.

Capt. Joe Rizzo of Barnegat Bay Fishing Charters was in the Navesink and said the middle of the week was perfect conditions, but he did not see anyone raise a fish and saw no signs on bunker. Capt. Joe said, “It should get warmer this week with it getting up to 70 degrees, so hopefully that turns the fish on,”. He heard reports of stripers in Barnegat but they were all throwbacks.

Liza at Creekside Outfitters said stripers have been reported on the eastside of the bay with a few coming from the west. They are all schoolies. Creeks and estuaries are holding good numbers too. Bloodworms are working well for the mainland side for stripers. A 28-inch keeper was caught Sunday morning. The bad weather and the blow slowed the tog bite making it hard for boats to hit wrecks. Three keeper blackfish were reported from the south jetty rocks in Barnegat Light. Once the weather clears up, the fishing should break wide open.

Greg at Fisherman’s Headquarters said the bay continues to offer striped bass on bloodworms and small lures. Grab some white crabs and green crabs if you’re going offshore for tog.

Steve at Jingles Bait and Tackle in Beach Haven said anglers are starting to get stripers off the beach. Folks continue to find bass in the bay on bloodworms. A fair number of black drum were caught in the bay on clam.

Tom at Surf City Bait and Tackle said blackfish action has been mixed with some tides offering plenty of bites and others slow. Early in the week, one angler caught five keepers, only keeping two. Another angler caught his limit while weeding through numerous shorts. Back bay fishing continues to be decent for striped bass. Some white perch and a few drum, and even a few winter flounder and blackfish were caught by the pilings. Folks have been trying for stripers off the surf with salted clams. He heard of four bass landed over the last couple weeks. Some were caught Saturday in Surf City, Harvey Cedars, and around Manahawkin Bay.