NJ Fishing Reports for the week of 4-14 to 4-20-2008

[Southpaw1123]

Hit RB last night on the outgoing with no luck. Tried worms and clams. I didnt see anyone on the beach hooking up. Hopefully the warm spell this week will really get it going.

[clamchucker]

Moved outfront the past few days for a change. Yesterday got 3 small bass right before dark with clams, south of SH.

Today same spot, nothing, south/se wind may have shut it down a little. Water out front still a little cold. Think I'm back to the inside for now.

[wish4fish]

fished outgoing way back clams. 2 bass one 27", other one was only 16" tiny rat.

[clamchucker]

A few of my friends went out late night to the inside spots, said it was like someone was giving away free money it was so crowded. To top it off, at the most crowded place 4 young people got stranded on a spit of land across a creek. They didn't know there was only 3 feet of water, and called 911. From what I heard it was a circus. I don't wish anyone harm, but people should use their common sense when going into the outdoors. I wonder how much that quasi rescue cost the town in personnel and overtime?

I decided to avoid the bay crowds and fished SH today. Not much action, but there were hundreds of gannets diving on bait about 200 yards offshore, spearing maybe. One small bass 21" on clams, but it was rough, needed 8oz to hold. Not too many others fishing. Saw bass swirling near the surface a little out of my reach. They weren't huge, mostly schoolies, but they wouldn't hit plugs or metal, almost like they were feeding on small life (spearing, anchovies). I think the worm hatch is due soon, but didn't have any teasers, don't usually fish them much.

Action today was slow and puzzling, but the day was beautiful.

[fishlipper]

Thanks for the report clamchucker. I have been catching mainly small fish up to 24", nothing to write home about. The crowds are starting to get insane with the good weather. We need some snotty stormy weather to keep people at home warm and dry. Some buds had been fishing the ocean, but further south, and picking on small bass. Your report gives me a little more faith in going out front to find some space and better numbers.

[fishinmission78]

covered 20 miles of bayshore in th last few hours, not much action, too many people fishing, but I snagged some bunker. Getting ready to go out again, come on big girls!

[fishlipper]

Went to gk yesterday. After few hours sleep, headed out to RB this morning. Wind was crazy, needed 6 oz to hold bottom. The most promising spot did nothing, so I moved around a little. Only hardcore fishermen out this morning, we're all a little sick to be fishin with 3 foot swells in the bay. There must have been a great report in one of the shops, b/c I watched about 20 guys at one small beach brave the wind and swells, none of us hooked up.

Later on moved to another spot, found they had fish early am. Most of the guys had left, but one guy was pulling in a keeper as I got there. Got my gear, spent the next hour with fresh clams and bunker fishing near the bottom of the tide, nothing. I hate low tide in the bay, PITA.

Moved to another popular spot, only 2 guys fishin in 25mph wind. They caught small fish in the morning, and one said he got bit off by a bluefish a few days ago. Don't know if it's true, but the guy fishes over 100 days/year, so it's a possibility.