Quote Originally Posted by cardoc765 View Post
Went out tonight and the water was cold. I waded in and is was like crap. A lil longer yet
Quote Originally Posted by storminsteve View Post
Nice, rip!
The temps hit 57 in the back of rb today woo hoo!
Quote Originally Posted by finchaser View Post
The tackle store with the 50 BS is just trying to sell bait
I brought these comments to light because I wanted to give a little depth to this issue here. It's great that these temps are edging upward. I check the guages every day for several areas as well and get pumped when I see the water reaching the 50 degree mark.

However, I wanted to get people to think about the fact that as fin and others have said, those are surface water temps. Moreover, those temps exist for a static period in time as the sun heats the water near the data stations.

The fish are still sluggish at this point. I know guys are bragging about catching, and I'm happy for them.

I met several groups of people today who travel 2-4 hours (one way) to out NJ bays to fish. While we complain about wasting our time out there, these guys will spend a minimum of 8 hours a night fishing when you take their commuting time into account.

So while I'm happy to see the tackle shops sell clams and worms (cause they certainly need the business, they really do!) it's more accurate to say fishing is spotty right now. I know there are no guarantees in fishing. But if you're driving 2 hours or more one-way to get to the bayshore and anticipating fish, it's not likely right now.

If you're going just to get out of the house and have to be away from the wife, or because your son or daughter is begging to go fishing, then by all means don't let my cautions stop you from going.

The gas crisis has made people more picky about making trips for nothing. All I'm trying to do is save folks who live far away a few dollars in these tough times.

In a week or 2, the action should really be worthwhile.
Even the bunker that people are harping about in the bays can't help most fishermen right now, as the largest majority of fish that are available aren't big enough to swallow a bunker. Most of those resident fish are keyed in on worms, crabs, small marine life, grass shrimp, and the winter spearing that have shown up.

So, without seeming too negative, just trying to keep it real for the folks who live furthest from the surf.