The wind, which was at gale-force and turning over garbage cans mid-week, has settled down but there could still be some gusts out of the south and west this weekend. But there should also be some sunlight and warmer air temps that could spur the fish to activity.
It sounds like the perch have slowed down their feeding in the Toms River. Dennis Palmatier at Hook House Bait & Tackle said the fish could be spawning as it’s been almost a solid week of lockjaw. The striped bass fishing wasn’t all that much better, either. Palmatier described it as a “pick all over the place.”
Anglers were out in drips and drabs, catching a few in the river, at Berkeley Island Park, Pelican Island, the bayside of Island Beach State Park and the docks along the Seaside Park side of the bay. Palmatier said the bass didn’t seem to show a preference for bloodworms or plugs.
Winter flounder fishing is very slow. Very few fishermen are even trying for flounder around the Mantoloking Bridge, he said. On Shark River Bobby Matthews at Fisherman’s Den said there was some initial interest in the first few days of March but with all the wind blowing across the river, no one has tried in several days.
“We need a couple of days of sun to warm the mud up and get people out before we can gauge where the winter flounder fishing is at,” said Matthews.
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Greg Bogan at Brielle Bait & Tackle echoed the same sentiment for the Manasquan River. He said a few of his regulars went out for flounder initially but the weather was not on their side for several days now. He said freshwater fishermen are catching pickerel at the Manasquan Reservoir and Lake Riviera in Brick.
On the open ocean, the Ocean Explorer went for codfish on Thursday. Capt. Bobby Quinn said he had one keeper in the boat almost right away. He was still out fishing at the time of deadline for this story.
Plug show
Sunday is the big day for surf fishermen and plug builders. The Asbury Park Fishing Club will host it’s famed flea market featuring the some of the best plug makers on the East Coast. Because Convention Hall on the boardwalk has structural problems, the flea market is being held at the Berkeley Oceanfront Hotel, also on the Asbury Park beachfront. This is the show’s 30th year.
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Along with plugs, the show offers good deals on all tackle, rods, reels, apparel, lures, guides and charter boats. The doors open at 9 a.m. and close at 2 p.m. In years past the show has always drawn a crowd lined up at the entrance. Admission is $5 and free to kids 12 and under with an adult.
When Jersey Shore native Dan Radel is not reporting the news, you can find him in a college classroom where he is a history professor. Reach him @danielradelapp; 732-643-4072; [email protected].
