New Jersey & Delaware Bay - Delaware, Maryland & Chesapeake Bay Fishing Reports

The First Striped Bass of 2021 – NJ’s Run Has Begun!

After counting down the days through the month of February, the back bay striped bass season in the Garden State officially kicked off on Monday, March 1 with Edvardas Gintare the first to report a “slot” fish of 30 inches a little after 10 a.m. at the Hook House in Toms River. That report was followed soon after by DJ Tommy K who checked in with the Tackle Box in Hazlet with another over 28-incher in the north, with Myles Bosley was next with a 30-1/2-incher at Absecon Bay Sportsman Center. For those wondering if the cold month of February would’ve put those holdover river stripers on lockjaw, the reports from the sedges and sod banks from the Raritan down the Delaware seem to show otherwise. More local tackle shops have reopened for the season this week as flats of bloodworms are arriving almost daily to keep up with the demand. And with a warming trend in the forecast for the week ahead, you can expect that demand to increase as striped bass hit the muddy flats in search of an easy meal. Check out this week’s full video forecast for a comprehensive rundown on local action in the New Jersey, Delaware Bay region. Fish on!!!