Early season locations

[DAK]

I never really got out before April before, so I'm wondering, for real early season stripers, what kind of locations are best? No spots, just type of area -flats, channels, sods, creeks, upriver, etc. I assume you are targeting residents this early...

How about techniques? Anyone interested in writing an early season striper primer?

[bassnblues]

Worms or clams on shallow flats at the start of an outgoing tide is the ticket on the Raritan bayshore.

[kayak1]

I always fished the mambo minnow in the early spring on the flats and grass marsh areas....I never fished bait that much from the kayak.

last season the small yellow mambo is all I used and did very well.... I may just try fishing a clam or worm this year while driffting around the bay.....

[Luna Sea 5]

Spring is time for clams.  Get a bushel of clams, anchor, and chum off the clam beds in the Sandy Hook Area.

[Salty Dog]

Clams put fish in the box in spring.

[bassnblues]

Clams are a lot cheaper than worms too...

[Bucktail]

I like throwing small plugs and jigs in the creeks and rivers this time of year.  Find the warmest water you can.  In my case that's usually near the power plant.

Sometimes tipping your bucktail with a sandworm or bloodworm seems to make a difference, but I usually fish mine with a twister tail or a Fin S type plastic.

[seanr8w]

The power plant makes sense for warmer water. We have one in Salem down south here. Has anyone on this site ever fished in this area? I wouldn't even know where to begin tryin to find a place to fish near here w/o a boat to get me there.