The surf finally seems to be warming up enough for lures to be effective. Joe Melillo, at Castaways Tackle in Point Pleasant said it’s up to 48.5 degrees, and his nephew, Gerald Ce-Ce released two 27-inch bass at Point Pleasant Beach this morning. A metal-lipped swimmer was the only lure that worked.
Melillo also noted that canal pros are catching some large bass on jigs. Blackfishing is good in the canal, but the winter flounder bite is now best at the north end. He was surprised when two crabbers brought in six and eight large blueclaws. As a result, he’ll be stocking bunkers for crab bait. Melillo is puzzled by the lack of any bluefish reports so far.
Fisherman’s Headquarters in Ship Bottom weighed a 22 1/8-pound striper caught in the mid-island surf yesterday by Ted Schmutz, who also released a short.
Grumpy’s Tackle in Seaside Park weighed a 22-pound striper caught by Bob Nebus on a “northern beach”.
It appears there still aren’t any stripers active in the ocean yet because Dave Lilly of Hazlet said Raritan Bay was full of boats today — including party boats from down the Shore such as the Golden Eagle from Belmar and the Jamaica from Brielle.
Lilly said stripers didn’t bite at first, but turned on around 8:45 to provide a hot bite on Tony Maja bunker spoons. He boated bass up to 28 pounds, and lost another well into the thirties next to the boat.
The Golden Eagle reported a couple of keepers plus a dozen shorts on clams and swim shad.
Capt. Bob Semkewyc reported a good morning clamming bite on his Sea Hunter from Atlantic Highlands. Phil Pachiolo of Parsippany won the pool with a 22-pound striper.
Capt. Stan Zagleski fished for blackfish over the weekend with his Elaine B. from Bahrs in Highlands before that season closes at the end of the month. On Saturday he found little life on the first drop, but there was a good mix of keepers and shirts on the next spot. Today’s fishing was tougher on every drop due to a strong current. Bob Clay of Belleville won the pool with a cod. The Elaine B. returns to striper fishing on Monday.
Capt. Jim McFarland had the Henry White party from Jackson aboard his Big Mac from Green Harbor, Ma. as they totaled 86 haddock up to 10 pounds plus 29 cod up to14 pounds. Unfortunately, “big tides and big winds” forecast for this week may result in cancellations.
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