New Jersey & Delaware Bay - Northern New Jersey Fishing Reports
New Jersey & Delaware Bay Video Fishing Forecast March 14, 2024
NJ Fluke Meeting Wrap Up & Spring Striper Outlook
Birds wheeling and diving off the LBI beaches kick off our weekly video fishing forecast as herring and bunker schools are more prevalent now along nearshore waters. Ocean water temps this morning, March 14, out of Atlantic City are at 45 degrees which is a great benchmark for striped bass success this weekend. Spend 6 minutes in a summary of last week’s regulatory meeting in Galloway, get a look at the Saltwater Fishing Expo specials going on this weekend, and prep with our team to begin plugging stripers heading into the first week of spring. A rundown on the March edition of The Fisherman with freshwater news from New Jersey and our report from the Pocono Outdoors Guy, we wrap up this week’s full video news update for the New Jersey, Delaware Bay region with a look at more fishing events coming up this weekend, and answers to the question "what about the commercial guys" when it comes to our recreational fluke limits.
Jim Hutchinson, Jr.-Northern New Jersey Highlights
March 18, 2024 - 15:00:03
While standing (okay, sometimes seated) at the booth in Edison over the weekend for the Saltwater Fishing Expo, I spoke with a lot of folks who were enjoying some solid striper fishing up the Raritan a bit. In fact, driving over the Driscoll Bridge on Sunday morning there were about 10 boats working below on the Raritan. Word out there in Edison on Sunday was that a little blitz occurred in that vicinity at some point on Saturday. Lots of bunker around at this point, more than most have seen this time of year in a very, very long time. While bloodworms are still producing some great catches from along the Bayshore, I expect the plugging opportunities to intensify this week (especially as some begin casting more and more only to find things have transitioned to the next gear!)
I spoke to Akira at True World Tackle on Monday morning and he said the good weather on Friday and Saturday brought out quite a few anglers buying bloodworms and wetting lines. Akira said reports bac...
I spoke to Akira at True World Tackle on Monday morning and he said the good weather on Friday and Saturday brought out quite a few anglers buying bloodworms and wetting lines. Akira said reports back to the shop showed a keeper or two on the Newark side of the bay, but mostly smaller fish in the lower to mid 20-inch class.
Joe and Cheryl from Fairfield Fishing Tackle were busy out at the SW Fishing Expo over the weekend, and were still unpacking boxes when we spoke on Monday morning. Cheryl reported that the Passaic Ri...
Joe and Cheryl from Fairfield Fishing Tackle were busy out at the SW Fishing Expo over the weekend, and were still unpacking boxes when we spoke on Monday morning. Cheryl reported that the Passaic River is still high, but its no longer in the parking lot, so pike are back in play for those who can find the right location. You have to find your spot, rushing water is no good, Cheryl said of that action. The big anticipation now at Fairfield, in addition to local pike and largemouth, is the April 6th trout season in New Jersey. Were getting excited about fishing, and were all geared up for spring opener, she added.
Rick at Tackle World said all the rivers are loaded with small stripers. Guys are having fun with bloodworms and small plastics, anywhere from the Toms River up north, Rick said, north being Huds...
Rick at Tackle World said all the rivers are loaded with small stripers. Guys are having fun with bloodworms and small plastics, anywhere from the Toms River up north, Rick said, north being Hudson, Hackensack and Raritan. On the freshwater side, Rick reminded anglers that trout-stocked are mostly closed now until the April 6 opener.
Steve at Up Front Bait and Tackle said the striper run is fantastic so far, and he believes these are still just the winter holdovers with the body of migratory bass still yet to arrive. We are get...
Steve at Up Front Bait and Tackle said the striper run is fantastic so far, and he believes these are still just the winter holdovers with the body of migratory bass still yet to arrive. We are getting some decent size fish already, the biggest one Ive heard so far is 47 inches, Steve said on Monday morning, advising Bloodworms, bloodworms, bloodworms. Bunker are already as well, but Steve said the bait routine is still leading the catches. A few on rubber shads, but that will change soon, he said.
The Sciortino boys from the Tackle Box had a great weekend out in Edison for the Saltwater Fishing Expo, and at one point on Sunday morning I was talking to Phil about a little striper blitz of sorts ...
The Sciortino boys from the Tackle Box had a great weekend out in Edison for the Saltwater Fishing Expo, and at one point on Sunday morning I was talking to Phil about a little striper blitz of sorts that materialized along the Raritan the night before. While bloods are getting it done for a lot of folks fishing along the Bayshore, pluggers are about ready to rip the lid off that 55-gallon drum with bunker thick in tack and bass seemingly getting bigger and hungrier every day.
Jesse at Fishermans Den said winter flounder fishing in the Shark River was slow over the weekend. A couple of weeks ago folks were picking at them really good, but things slowed up a bit over th...
Jesse at Fishermans Den said winter flounder fishing in the Shark River was slow over the weekend. A couple of weeks ago folks were picking at them really good, but things slowed up a bit over the weekend, said Jess, adding You know with the weather changes, the wind and all that rain we had, it may have had a little impact, but were hoping things pick back up again. He heard of a few stripers along the beach, but the Raritan and Toms are tops on the list still with guys traveling to find fish. Along the docks, all the boats in Belmar are anxiously awaiting the April 1 restart of blackfish.
First shad reports of the 2024 season are coming from the Delaware River as of last week. Shad reports are coming in, mostly from boat and I havent heard much from shore just yet, said John at O...
First shad reports of the 2024 season are coming from the Delaware River as of last week. Shad reports are coming in, mostly from boat and I havent heard much from shore just yet, said John at Old School Outdoors in Trenton. One reason for lack of shore reports is the high water, which a week of dry weather should rectify. I sold 47 shad darts on Saturday so things must be underway, he noted. If youre looking to gear up for this spring ritual, stop by the shop and ask for some advice on where to score!