why does everyone say the water needs to warm up
We say it down our way because water temps directly correlate with the scattered fish in barney bay grouping up and moving to and combining to manasquan river fish river.
Alot does depend on the run of fish that are there to begin with... which is different each each year. The better the run the better you will pick fish even if the temp is off.
But i can tell you no matter what the run our best fishing in the manasquan river is ALAWAYS when the water is warmer. 48-50
Havent seen any consistent or reliable good reports yet. Some body can go to a spot today and next week might kill them.
Winter flounder are ona time table just like fluke are but in my opinion water temps control the eating patterns more. Moving and eating are 2 different things.
When fluke arrive they come around the same time every year, but water temps are what makes em chew.
Just what i noticed the last 10 years personal flounder fishing. and 5 years of party boat 2 trips a day everyday of the season.
I know i have heard it i have cuaght them when its 38 but its not optimal for good fishing even if you did have a great day in cold water.
Stories of catching them with ice flow etc 20 years ago doesnt interest me. Things change.
Present day is alot different.