Getting out on the bay was not an easy task with high winds and colder temperatures over the weekend. The wind made fishing very difficult, but some of the anglers who got out were able to pick up some short bass on the bay side with clams. On the ocean side of Sandy Hook, the migration is picking up with a few bass being caught from the suds, this is probably the best bet for a big keeper size bass right now but limited numbers make this a hit or miss fishery.
The bunker are starting to move into Raritan Bay with a few schools being seen around bridges and even jumping at night. With the bunker showing up, the big bass and the large schools are not far behind. It is still early in the season, but the catch rates are going up and the switch to wooden plugs and big bunker flies should be happening any day now.
April 12, 2010
April 7, 2010
Striped Bass Season has begun
Hello,
With the start of the Spring striped bass season, I thought it would be helpful to post some fishing reports, tackle reviews and helpful hints for the season.
Sitting around and tying flies this winter, it felt like the season was never going to start. With a little bit of unseasonably warm weather after one of the coldest winters in memory, the striped bass bite has started for the 2010 Spring season.
The best bets so far seem to be a late in the day bite where the most action happens before sundown and then a lul in the action to a few hours after the sun has gone down. Try to find some shallow spots along the shore on warm days, and then target the deeper holes on colder days for now.
Flies and lures are not really an option yet while clams seem to be working well. Be patient with setting the hook because the fish are not feeding extremely aggressively. The bass seem to be picking at the bait, making it hard for a hookset. To improve your chances, smaller pieces of clam and keeping the line tight can help. If you do want to try the fly rod, try small sand eel imitations late at night and work the fly very slowly.
It shouldn't be too long before the baitfish, blues and big bass show up putting the season into full gear.
With the start of the Spring striped bass season, I thought it would be helpful to post some fishing reports, tackle reviews and helpful hints for the season.
Sitting around and tying flies this winter, it felt like the season was never going to start. With a little bit of unseasonably warm weather after one of the coldest winters in memory, the striped bass bite has started for the 2010 Spring season.
The best bets so far seem to be a late in the day bite where the most action happens before sundown and then a lul in the action to a few hours after the sun has gone down. Try to find some shallow spots along the shore on warm days, and then target the deeper holes on colder days for now.
Flies and lures are not really an option yet while clams seem to be working well. Be patient with setting the hook because the fish are not feeding extremely aggressively. The bass seem to be picking at the bait, making it hard for a hookset. To improve your chances, smaller pieces of clam and keeping the line tight can help. If you do want to try the fly rod, try small sand eel imitations late at night and work the fly very slowly.
It shouldn't be too long before the baitfish, blues and big bass show up putting the season into full gear.
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