On Saturday, March 1, anglers in New Jersey can once again target striped bass west of the COLREGS (saltwater inlets, bays, rivers and creeks). The early season typically involves deadsticking from shore using bloodworm for bait, as resident stripers slowly begin searching out soft baits along the muddy flats where shallow waters warm quicker.
Key river bodies where New Jersey anglers can expect to find action in March include stretches along the Delaware, Great Egg, Mullica, Toms and Raritan Bayshore.
Winter flounder also reopens on March 1 with a two fish bag limit and 12-inch minimum size. For those looking to score an early season flattie go heavy with the chum and use smaller hooks like a size #6 Chestertown or size #8 baitholder hooks tipped with a bit of bloodworm or Fishbites.
If winter flounder fishing from shore, docks and bulkheads along the upper stretches of Barnegat Bay or good locations to set up, though the Shark River Inlet area in Belmar is still one of the perennial hotspots for winter flounder pounders every season.
March is typically when New Jersey anglers get to weigh in new summer flounder regulations as well. However, when the New Jersey Marine Fisheries Council convenes at 5 p.m. on March 6 at the Stafford Township Firehouse (133 Stafford Avenue in Manahawkin), neither fluke nor black sea bass will be up for regulatory updates in 2025.
While it’s possible that start/end dates for sea bass could be shifted a tad, expect the same 12.5-inch minimum size with a 10 fish bag limit reopening sometime in May. As for summer flounder, the season will open May 4 and runs through September 25 with an 18-inch minimum size and three fish bag. Special New Jersey management zone regulations will remain that include 17-inch minimum and three fish bag west of COLREGS on Delaware Bay, and a 16-inch minimum and two per angler bag at Island Beach State Park.
