The back bay striped bass season gets underway as of March 1 in New Jersey as anglers return to the banks of the Delaware, Great Bay, Mullica, Toms and Raritan in search of early season striped bass. Anglers are reminded of course that as of 2021 all striped bass fishermen using natural bait must use circle hooks.
The March bite along the brackish rivers, creeks and bays is typically a soft bait fishery with bankside anglers soaking whole bloodworms on high-low dropper rigs. In years past where casters might use a 4/0 to 6/0 “baitholder” style (barbs on the shank) J hook for deadsticking, the tactical approach this season will be using the non-offset circle in an effort to decrease mortality rate on released striped bass.
Sunny days are typical the best; the more sun the quicker the muddy flats and surroundings waters will be, upping the metabolism in any winter holdover stripers which many times will have a darker, more bronze colorization due to the brackish water. Later in the month and into April look for lighter colored, silvery stripers with sea lice showing up along the sedges, a good indication that the spring run is underway.
Prime locations for the opening day striper bite include Fortescue Beach, the banks of the Great Egg Harbor or Mullica Rivers, as well as accessible locations on the Toms River and along the Raritan Bayshore. Pay particular attention to local parking restrictions or the need for beach badge (Island Heights on the Toms River for example requires recreational badge for use of beaches for fishing and crabbing.)
For tips on using circle hooks with bloodworms and clams, as well as “bridling” advice for when the bass turn on to bunker later on this spring check out our Circle Hooks and Striped Bass webinar, a 60-minute YouTube presentation archived at www.thefisherman.com/circle-hooks-striped-bass-webinar-january-28-2021. For additional tactical advice and to pick up your approved circle hooks for the 2021 striper season kickoff visit your local tackle shop.
