New Jersey & Delaware Bay Surf Archives - The Fisherman
Login   |   Create An Account

New Jersey & Delaware Bay - New Jersey & Delaware Bay Surf 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!!!

 

Latest Posts

See All Latest Posts

New Jersey & Delaware Bay Surf Fishing Reports

Nick Honachefsky-New Jersey & Delaware Bay Surf Highlights

February 22, 2021 - 10:02:55

March’s breath of fresh air awaits the surfcaster, reinvigorating the passion and sparking the impetus to fish around the clock once again. The double-barreled re-opening of striped bass in the backwaters and opening of winter flounder season brings energy to the wintertime angler. Resident bass will be waking up in backwater spots like the Manasquan River, Raritan Bayshore, Mullica River, Great Egg Harbor and on down along the Delaware. Flounder begin to warm up on the mudflats of Barnegat Bay and Shark River to feed on mussels, worms and clams. White perch are a mainstay in the Great Egg River, Toms River and Mullica. There’s a ton going on, it’s just a matter of bundling up and committing to the cold days to bend a rod. Now of course remember, any baiting for striped bass – and that includes surf clamming or chunking, bay worming, etc – it is required to use in-line circle hooks. There will be no more J-hooks when using bait to target bass. My suggestion is to switch out your hi-lo rigs to fishfinder slide rigs which should allow for the bass to run off with an easier hookset.

Northern NJ & Hudson Fishing Reports

Report by Tackle Box

February 22, 2021 - 10:02:55

Phil at the Tackle Box in Hazlet is rarin’ to go for the start of striper season. Last March, the bass bite was red hot off of the Raritan Bayshore beaches of South Amboy, Cliffwood Beach and Union B... More

Report by Fisherman’s Den

February 22, 2021 - 10:02:55

Bobby from the Fisherman’s Den in Belmar is pleased to announce that the shop will be carrying a full array of worms and clams for the winter flounder season opener. That’s basically going to be the... More

Central New Jersey Fishing Reports

Report by Fishermen's Supply Co.

February 22, 2021 - 10:02:55

Jason at Fishermen’s Supply in Point Pleasant said the primary focus in March will be shoreside bass, around spots like the 37 bridge area. He states that the bay never froze over, and it sounds like... More

Report by Gabriel Tackle Company

February 22, 2021 - 10:02:55

At Gabriel Tackle in Brick Frank said he is loaded up with flounder gear, they are also now a Van Staal dealer, and have everything under the sun for Super Strike lures. He also heard whispers of bass... More

Report by Charlie's Bait N Tackle

February 22, 2021 - 10:02:55

I actually met up with Pete from Charlie’s Bait and Tackle in Normandy Beach, not at the shop, but of all places in the Florida Keys. He said he’s ready to get the striper season started and as he w... More

Report by Grumpys Tackle

February 22, 2021 - 10:02:55

Ray from Grumpys Tackle in Seaside Park said the shop is round the clock unpacking some awesome new gear from Frogg Togg waders to ODM rods to Van Staals and AOK T-Hex lures. The shop is loaded to the... More

Report by Betty and Nick’s Bait and Tackle

February 22, 2021 - 10:02:55

John of Betty and Nicks in Seaside Park is loaded up and ready to go to start the striper season. Shipments are coming in daily to stock the shop. Best bets in his area are around the Seaside docks to... More

Southern New Jersey Fishing Reports

Report by Higbee's Bait & Tackle

February 22, 2021 - 10:04:40

The folks from Higbee's Bait and Tackle in Fortescue said they're anxiously awaiting the spring stripers along the Delaware bayshore, and the shop will be open full-time on March 1 with the luncheonet... More

Report by Fin-Atics

February 22, 2021 - 10:04:40

I got in touch with Bill of Fin-Atics in Ocean City and he mentioned the store will be open 9 am to 5 pm for most days of the week in March.... More

Report by Riptide Bait and Tackle

February 22, 2021 - 10:02:55

Andy at Riptide Bait and Tackle in Brigantine said the shop will reopen on March 1, ready to rumble for the first bass of the year. Look to toss clams or worms out front of Brigantine front beach to s... More

Report by Hook House

February 22, 2021 - 10:02:55

Dennis from the Hook House in Toms River has been busily supplying bloodworms to the contingency of white perch anglers dunking them in the Toms River. The whitey bite has been pretty hot as sundown h... More

Report by Fisherman’s Headquarters

February 22, 2021 - 10:02:55

At Fisherman’s Headquarters in Ship Bottom, Greg wants to be sure everyone is aware of the new circle hook mandate when targeting bass with bait. That said, load up on your in-line circle hooks. Best... More

Report by Jingles Bait and Tackle

January 25, 2021 - 10:10:18

Bass were still in play in the LBI surf at the start of January said Jingle’s Bait and Tackle in Beach Haven but February is a total needle in the haystack if you want to try it out. Might as well th... More

Report by Surf City Bait and Tackle

December 21, 2020 - 19:00:05

Fresh bunker was arriving late into the shop at Surf City Bait and Tackle in Surf City and those chunks were still producing bass of 10 to 15 pounds off the Barnegat Light beaches well into the end of... More

Report by Hands Too Bait and Tackle

December 21, 2020 - 19:00:05

The crew at Hand’s Too Bait and Tackle in Cape May was still waiting to see reports of some speckled trout as is usually the case in late December. Meantime, there are still bass to be hooked hanging... More

Report by Avalon Hodge Podge

October 12, 2020 - 10:32:33

The crew at Avalon Hodge Podge said there were some redfish in on the beach, schoolie bass here and there and cocktail blues too. The reds are taking mullet and plastics, same as with those school st... More

DE, MD, & Chesapeake Bay Fishing Reports

Report by Smith's Bait Shop

September 21, 2020 - 09:32:08

Down in Delaware, Steve at Smith Bait in Leipsic said there are some weakfish at the jetty at Bowers Beach taking shedder crab baits.... More