New Jersey & Delaware Bay - Central New Jersey Fishing Reports
New Jersey & Delaware Bay Video Fishing Forecast March 28, 2024
New Jersey Blackfish Opens Monday & Porgy Open Now
Opening day of the 2024 Major League Baseball season, and the weather is for the birds! We lead off this week's video fishing forecast for the tristate region with a look at bigger striped bass reported along the Delaware already, as actual catches shows the spawning migration is already inside. As for "the birds" yes, that's former Philadelphia Eagle great Trent "Tha Hunter" Cole on the cover of the April edition of The Fisherman; take a look inside this month's edition. Trout waters are closed for stocking in New Jersey in advance of the April 6th opener; join Open Boat's Jenni Ackerman for a few fly fishing lessons prior to that first pitch! Porgy season is open in New Jersey, as the legal eagles in Trenton have finally made the 2024 regulations for marine waters official - don’t forget on Monday, April 1 we're back in blackfish in the Garden State! Of course, it's still all about the stripers at this point in the season with at least one for-hire out front in search of migratory fish in the weekend ahead. We wrap up this week's report with shad and an update from the Pocono Outdoors Guy, as well as an upcoming events calendar.
The spring striper season is underway, and anglers have already soaked some bloodworms and smoked the bass. The back bay is on fire throughout the Garden State, including here in Ocean County, but the Raritan Bay offers best bet with fish moving in each day. Soft plastics are also a good option for those looking to use artificials. If youre fishing at night, try casting along light lines, the bass seem to be crushing bait there. Fishing the canals is a good option for bass anglers as well as though targeting winter flounder. Folks heading out to wrecks in mid- to late March are seeing good numbers of ling and cod along with some blackfish as a bycatch. Although they arent in season just yet, come April they should be biting good with the signs we are seeing as of late.
The crew of the 125 Jamaica opted not to sail for tilefish on March 22 due to high winds and heavy rains. The prior week they reported a dogfish problem to start the day, but they were able to pick...
The crew of the 125 Jamaica opted not to sail for tilefish on March 22 due to high winds and heavy rains. The prior week they reported a dogfish problem to start the day, but they were able to pick away at the tiles later in the day as the doggies thinned out. Luis Barboza from Hamilton had the pool winner, a 10-pounder. The next offshore tilefish trip is scheduled for April 13.
Capt. Joe said the Jamaica II took some time off in the winter after some blackfish action to close out the season. With spring here, they are getting ready for more blackfish action along with cod an...
Capt. Joe said the Jamaica II took some time off in the winter after some blackfish action to close out the season. With spring here, they are getting ready for more blackfish action along with cod and ling starting April 20.
Tony at Paramount Deep Sea Fishing said they continue to reel in a few cod and a handful of ling on every trip. They are seeing good numbers of blackfish as bycatches but cannot keep them as of right ...
Tony at Paramount Deep Sea Fishing said they continue to reel in a few cod and a handful of ling on every trip. They are seeing good numbers of blackfish as bycatches but cannot keep them as of right now with the season closed. However, it is a good sign for when the season does open as of April 1.
Nick at the Reel Seat said the back bay bass bite is getting hot on bloodworms. The guys getting out there are absolutely smoking the striped bass. Raritan Bay has a nice body of fish moving in and it...
Nick at the Reel Seat said the back bay bass bite is getting hot on bloodworms. The guys getting out there are absolutely smoking the striped bass. Raritan Bay has a nice body of fish moving in and it doesnt matter if youre throwing plugs or soaking bait, they are chewing! Anglers putting the effort in are landing some nice winter flounder in the bay.
Jason at Fishermens Supply said bass fishing in the back in bay and river is slowly picking up. It sounds like the majority of the action is at night around light lines so try fishing off docks or b...
Jason at Fishermens Supply said bass fishing in the back in bay and river is slowly picking up. It sounds like the majority of the action is at night around light lines so try fishing off docks or bridges using small soft plastics and Yo-Zuri Mag Darters. Jason hasnt heard much on winter flounder yet. The water temperature has been on the cold side but should pick up in the near future. Ocean side, a couple anglers running boats up to Raritan Bay have caught bass off Sandy Hook on extra heavy shads and flutter spoons. The rest of the anglers in Raritan Bay have a slower pick but better fish up to 42-inches on metal lip swimmers.
Capt. Bob on the Gambler said they are eager to get back on the water. For the month of April, they will be heading out to the tautog grounds. They will sail on their Lazy Man Taug Trips Tuesday throu...
Capt. Bob on the Gambler said they are eager to get back on the water. For the month of April, they will be heading out to the tautog grounds. They will sail on their Lazy Man Taug Trips Tuesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. with 12-hour marathons on Mondays leaving at 5 a.m. and returning at 5 p.m.
Cody at Jersey Nutz Sportfishing said their 45-foot vessel will start tilefishing out of Atlantic City on April 5 with open boat trips available through May 12....
Cody at Jersey Nutz Sportfishing said their 45-foot vessel will start tilefishing out of Atlantic City on April 5 with open boat trips available through May 12.
Capt. Alan of Mushin Sportfishing said bass are starting to chew! They are fishing the 44 Henriques out of Browns Point Marina from April 12th and May 12th offering two trips a day. The morning trip i...
Capt. Alan of Mushin Sportfishing said bass are starting to chew! They are fishing the 44 Henriques out of Browns Point Marina from April 12th and May 12th offering two trips a day. The morning trip is 6:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.. The afternoon trip is 1:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Capt. Alan said, This is absolutely world class fishing on bait, shads, spoons, and topwater, Capt. Alan see. They still have some weekdays and very limited weekend availability.
Capt. Danny said the Norma K III is gearing up for tog season. Keep an eye on your calendar for April 1 as their vessel sails for their 3/4-day tog trips....
Capt. Danny said the Norma K III is gearing up for tog season. Keep an eye on your calendar for April 1 as their vessel sails for their 3/4-day tog trips.
Frank at Gabriel Tackle said they are getting reports of stripers being landed on bloodworms and small swim shads like Kettle Shads and 3-inch NLBNs. Barnegat Bay has been producing some nice stripe...
Frank at Gabriel Tackle said they are getting reports of stripers being landed on bloodworms and small swim shads like Kettle Shads and 3-inch NLBNs. Barnegat Bay has been producing some nice stripers between the bridges with the bite being good either day or night. Some winter flounder are being landed at the bridge and canal. Also, white perch are being reeled in from the bay up to 14 inches. Raritan Bay bite has been good with some nice size stripers landed. It might be worth taking a ride.
Amanda at Jersey Hooker Outfitters said anglers are catching some flounder near the Mantoloking Bridge. The Toms River area is offering some stripers....
Amanda at Jersey Hooker Outfitters said anglers are catching some flounder near the Mantoloking Bridge. The Toms River area is offering some stripers.
Pete at Charlies Bait & Tackle said the bass in the bay are moving around more with reports in various locations. Anglers are getting them under the Seaside Bridge with their kayaks, and off Mantolo...
Pete at Charlies Bait & Tackle said the bass in the bay are moving around more with reports in various locations. Anglers are getting them under the Seaside Bridge with their kayaks, and off Mantoloking Bridge. Lagoons are starting to offer some bass as well as off the piers in Seaside Park. Some anglers are also reeling them in by the entries of canals. If youre fishing the canal, you may come across some winter flounder, although the bite isnt too hot. Some guys targeting flounder are getting bycatches of blackfish which is good sign for when the season opens. Pete thinks that with some more sunny days fishing should improve as the days go on.
Paul at Betty & Nicks said anglers fishing the back bay are doing well with striped bass. A lot of flounder are being picked up by the Mantoloking Bridge and canal. There is nothing to report out fr...
Paul at Betty & Nicks said anglers fishing the back bay are doing well with striped bass. A lot of flounder are being picked up by the Mantoloking Bridge and canal. There is nothing to report out front just yet. Paul said the action should start out there in couple weeks.
Frankie at Grumpys Bait & Tackle said they are seeing more fish come into the back bays with anglers catching mostly on bloodworms and some artificials like small X-raps, NLBNs, and Kettle Creeks. P...
Frankie at Grumpys Bait & Tackle said they are seeing more fish come into the back bays with anglers catching mostly on bloodworms and some artificials like small X-raps, NLBNs, and Kettle Creeks. Pelican Island is a hot spot right now. A few guys out front trying are trying for some out in the boat. Nothing has been reported off the beach yet. Not much news on white perch. They have regular and jumbo works in stock.
Mario at Hook House Bait & Tackle said anglers are landing bass in the Toms River using bloodworms. A few perch are showing up after dark but nothing major....
Mario at Hook House Bait & Tackle said anglers are landing bass in the Toms River using bloodworms. A few perch are showing up after dark but nothing major.
Capt. Ray Lopez of Miss Liane Charters was working on his new 32-foot Carolina Classic when I called for a report. Its a twin diesel 435 horsepower with cruising speed of 25 knots. He is getting her...
Capt. Ray Lopez of Miss Liane Charters was working on his new 32-foot Carolina Classic when I called for a report. Its a twin diesel 435 horsepower with cruising speed of 25 knots. He is getting her ready for tile fishing starting the end of April. He is also preparing for tuna action. They will be sailing inshore and offshore and is now taking reservations.
We spoke with Capt. Joe Rizzo aboard Barnegat Bay Fishing Charters on Sunday, March 24 as he was retying the boat to start the week with northeast winds. A few positive signs for striped bass on up...
We spoke with Capt. Joe Rizzo aboard Barnegat Bay Fishing Charters on Sunday, March 24 as he was retying the boat to start the week with northeast winds. A few positive signs for striped bass on up on the Navesink, and a few nice fish caught during the weekdays on the outgoing tide, Capt. Joe said. Hes clamming up on the Navesink through the end of April before gearing up for summer flounder back on Barnegat Bay come May 4. Were ready, Ive got the boat in Waretown and up on the Navesink as well, Joe said, noting that hes already been seeing signs of bunker in the Navesink while raking clams.
Mason at Creekside Outfitters said he heard a lot of striper action on the west side of the bay with the shallow water being a bit warmer. Bloodworms and sandworms are getting it done along with plugs...
Mason at Creekside Outfitters said he heard a lot of striper action on the west side of the bay with the shallow water being a bit warmer. Bloodworms and sandworms are getting it done along with plugs too.
The crew at Bobbie's Boats are expected to be back in the game sometime in April, just as tautog reopens and a few more stripers arrive along the local beaches. If history repeats, expect a good wave...
The crew at Bobbie's Boats are expected to be back in the game sometime in April, just as tautog reopens and a few more stripers arrive along the local beaches. If history repeats, expect a good wave of bluefish in Barnegat Inlet and available for south jetty surfcasters before the month of April is out.
Greg at Fishermans Headquarters said this time of year is his favorite time to throw light tackle and topwater lures for some bass. A ton of bird activity has been seen. The bays and rivers are load...
Greg at Fishermans Headquarters said this time of year is his favorite time to throw light tackle and topwater lures for some bass. A ton of bird activity has been seen. The bays and rivers are loaded with stripers. He got one report of winter flounder out of Barnegat Bay. Chum heavy and use some worms.
Steve at Jingles Bait and Tackle in Beach Haven said the back bay is offering striped bass on bloodworms. Not much action from the surf as of yet. They are opening up for the season Easter weekend....
Steve at Jingles Bait and Tackle in Beach Haven said the back bay is offering striped bass on bloodworms. Not much action from the surf as of yet. They are opening up for the season Easter weekend.
In his shop report for March 24, the night we were set to go to print for this edition, Tom at Surf City Bait and Tackle said there were several keeper striped bass and some white perch caught in the ...
In his shop report for March 24, the night we were set to go to print for this edition, Tom at Surf City Bait and Tackle said there were several keeper striped bass and some white perch caught in the back bays. For those looking to score the shop has kept a steady supply of both bloodworms and sandworms coming through the door for customers. Tommy and crew were also anxious for the start of New Jersey spring tautog on April 1.