NJ Week in Review 5-12-08

It has been a week of decent fishing and changing weather, folks.

Black Drum have been caught for the second week in Delaware Bay, one of the biggest reported catches weighing 33 pounds.

On the other hand, depending on who you talk to, some have the opinion that Bass fishery numbers are down this year. A recent ASA Delaware Bay tournament had low catches relative to the number of boats participating.

Others have reported great catches near the mouth of the Delaware River. This might be explained with the theory that bass are following the bait, herring.

It could also be explained by anecdotal evidence that the striped bass biomass has decreased. Recent NMFS stats claim this is not the case. They say it's healthy as ever. However, veteran anglers, who fish frequently and keep detailed logs, are grumbling. Some of them feel bigger bodies of bass have bypassed the Delaware and Raritan bays this year in favor of the Hudson, and NY Bight areas.

Striped bass are certainly available to boaters, who are reporting good numbers of bass and bluefish. But for surfcasters, this is usually a banner time in the back bays. Some feel the numbers are down from previous years.

Time will tell what the actual truth is. I suspect it's somewhere in between. I suspect the biomass may be decreasing slightly, with a concurrent greater participation by anglers in all categories, surf and boat. It's possible the bass have altered their spring migration pattern as well, with the bulk of larger fish passing slightly offshore, hitting the first linear Coast they run into somewhere on the NY shores.

On the brighter side, a good portion of bass have spawned in their respective areas, and some very big fish are making their northward from Virginia, and outward from the upper reaches of the Hudson. For the past 2 weeks, very nice catches have been reported in southern waters and the Assateague Island area, up to 49". These fish are making their way up the coast, and hopefully stop along the way for surf fishermen a chance to get at them.

You can catch bass in the ocean surf now, as waters have warmed a bit, but they are still relatively cool compared to the bays. Strong NE weather patterns like the one on the next few days will cool the water down even more. Therefore, the best bet to catch bass and bigger fish remains in the low-light hours, in the flats, or any place you can find that has water running or dumping into it, ie current.

The exception for the ocean would be right after the storm, if you can find a fishable area where your sinker can hold for clam fishing. When these noreasters break up large amounts of clams on the beach, conditions are ideal right after to catch a nice bass on clams.

The first fluke have been caught, some very respectable size, but are not legal to keep yet. This year's restrictions will make it tough for most anglers to put a decent catch together, accordingly putting more pressure on the striped bass.


The record weakfish was caught this week by a client of Rich Swisstack, but as Al Ristori reported, not in NJ.

If any of you folks catch an unusually large weakfish, and it's not a record, I am again asking if you might consider releasing it. These big females are few and far between. The only reason you hear of numbers of them being caught is that they congregate in certain areas when spawning. Sharp anglers know this, and are able to effectively fish those areas, with most of them being thrown back.

Good luck out there, folks, and be careful if fishing in this weather. Remember that the tides around the full and new moon are significantly higher, and can impact your safety.


NY Week in review 5-12-08

As noted, some bigger fish are consistently being caught in the NY bight areas, and NY beaches. Bigger fish have moved into the NY back bay areas, and LI Sound flats. For the most part, they are chasing bunker, herring, squid, spearing, and rainfish. Find those baitfish and you will be rewarded.

There was a massive bunker fishkill in the Peconic Bay in the last week as large predators pushed bunker further into the shallows where there is less oxygen for the schools.

On a somber note, a body was found Friday morning on an access road to Great Kills Park. I read that it was not a fisherman, but it's still a sad story nonetheless.

If you want to fish areas out front -- if you can find a beach area right after the storm where clams are washed up, fishing with clams, if your sinker can hold bottom, would be an ideal strategy.

Be careful out there folks -- bunkerjoe