Striped Bass hit in Raritan, Toms River as spring fishery off to quick start
It did not take long at all for the first striped bass to get caught and there is a feeling among many that the fishery could fire up early this season.
Phil Sciortino at the Tackle Box in Hazlet is in that camp. He said the water never got really cold this winter plus the weather is on the fishermen's side with highs forecast to hit 60 next week with sunshine. He's already heard reports of a bunker in Raritan Bay.
So far in his backyard anglers have tried the back bay, Raritan River and around South Amboy in the season's first week. A lot are on foot but a good number of kayakers took to the water. The bass are mostly nosing around the soft mud for bloodworms. The number of keepers landed has been promising for early March. The biggest he heard of was 38 inches.
As far as the timing, he said if the sun comes out and warms the mud at low tide, the fish have been active on the incoming tide. That's if anglers are hedging their bets, but people have been trying all hours of the day and night.
Toms River was bustling with activity last Friday, on opening day. Plenty of kayakers launched from Crabbe Road, or stood out on banks at Cedar Point. However, Dennis Palmatier at the Hook House said the day did not meet expectations. There were bass caught in the early morning hours before sun up but the rest of the day was slow pick.
More: What's biting: get the latest fishing reports here
He said the deluge of rain over the last couple of days has pushed a lot of fresh cedar water into the river and that has had an effect on the fish.
"I tell guys to dip their fingers in and taste it. You can practically drink it," Palmatier said.
He said the freshwater has forced the bass to move closer to the mouth of the Toms River where there is little more influx of salty Barnegat Bay water. He said for now anglers will probably have more success fishing closer to Island Heights and Ocean Gate. If the sun does come out strong next week and dry things out, the fish will spread out again.
Fluke season
The all-important Marine Fisheries Council meeting was scheduled to be held at 5 p.m. Thursday in Galloway Township, which was too late to meet this article's deadline.
The council will vote on the options for the 2024 fluke season. This year anglers have been dealt a 28% cut to the recreational fishing quota, coastwide. So no matter what the council picks on Thursday it will be stricter than last season.
More: See New Jersey's 2024 fluke season options: 'Proposals may rouse some debate'
Six options were going into the meeting. Of the proposed regulations, the third option gave anglers the longest season but returned the bigger size limit at 18 inches. That season would run from May 4 to Sept. 25 and seems to make the most sense.
New Jersey has until March 20 to submit its final choice to the ASMFC for final adoption.
When Jersey Shore native Dan Radel is not reporting the news, you can find him in a college classroom where he is a history professor. Reach him @danielradelapp; 732-643-4072; dradel@gannettnj.com.
This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: NJ fishermen on striped bass at Raritan, Toms River
