I see many boats along my travels still on dry dock and that’s a shame. This week continued to be some of the best bass fishing NJ has to offer in over 30 years according to local captains. The quality of fish from Raritan Bay to Barnegat Bay has been a dream come true for many garden state anglers. Keepers have been out numbering shorts by 5 to 1.
Anglers trolling have been hitting 2 fish per angler limits most of the week. Those tired of trolling and using up gas gave live lining bunker a shot with decent results one day but not the next. Live lining has not fully turned on the bass yet and to me that means we have more time with these fish. Water temperatures are still cool enough to keep the bluefish out of reach for the moment. Bass anglers have a love hate relationship when the two species come together to feed. For the simple reason of the aggressiveness of the bluefish not giving the bass a chance at your bait. For most anglers the real challenge starts when its one on one bait fishing and not on the troll. With cool temperatures moving in this week it should buy us some time so I would suggest getting the boat in the water.
I could write about who caught bass this week but every report was positive for the most part. Find the birds, the right tide and be prepared to catch a bass. Trolling produced most of the action this week. Metals on the troll also started getting good results in the afternoon hours. The big lure of the week again was the Mann’s Stretch #25, #30 #40. The pink stretch lures specifically have been an almost 100% guarantee for me. Captain Matt on the “La Barca” trolled up 6 for 8 with the stretch lures over a shad umbrella rig two days in a row. Bait and live lining bunker should produce even more action as the water temps start to climb in the next few weeks.
It’s definitely a race for time to all anglers who want to get out and give it a shot for a trophy bass. From the boat or off the surf we all have to find the time to wet a line and enjoy a day of fishing.If your like me then you will lose sleep thinking about when you can get out next. Relieve your stress and fight a fish. Get your friends together and pick a day, bass, blues, blackfish, good or bad it’s fishing and that’s what it’s all about. For surf reports and finding a local captain who is knowledgeable, friendly and on all the action log onto
www.njsaltwaterfisherman.comFish On!
Ron Nuzzolo
Greater Media News Papers
