The Ocean Explorer out of Belmar had a good day blackfishing last week with multiple double-digit fish.
Fishing Report for New Jersey
A couple of days of driving snow, gale-force winds and freezing temperatures brought the slow fishing to a full stop.
It was a good week to stay inside and practice your knots.
On the plus side, the cold froze the lakes and ponds and the hard water anglers were able to get out on the ice.
Party and charter boats that are still sailing hope to be back out by the end of the week once the ocean calms down.
This is certainly a winter of discontent.
Blackfishing has been slow and there’s little to indicate it will improve. Recent episodes of nasty, chilly weather haven’t made things any easier. Most boats have called it a season and are heading for the shipyard to get ready for the spring.
A nice mix of tog and ling caught earlier this week aboard the Ocean Explorer out of Belmar.
There just hasn’t been a lot to get excited about lately.
But, hey, it’s winter, anglers are supposed to be less than cheerful this time of year. Now is a good time to get gear in order and stock up for better weather.
By all accounts, tog fishing remains a bit of a slog.
There are days when the weather and blackfish cooperate and anglers who put in the time and effort are rewarded. Unfortunately, there haven’t been a whole lot of those days.
The majority of the blackfishing is a pick and there isn’t much else to fish for right now. Offshore cod, ling and porgy trips have been hampered by bad weather and finicky fish.
Freshwater anglers are finding some bass and crappie in local ponds and lakes but even that has slowed down. There is a promise of ice in the next week that has hardwater folks excited.
A nice tog caught aboard Parker Pete’s Sportfishing out of Belmar this past Monday.
This time of year, it’s helpful to keep expectations in line with the calendar. It’s winter and fishing is slow.
There have been better reports on blackfishing but it’s still hit or miss. On the bright side, the weather has been outstanding for the middle of January.
While this week’s sunny skies and warm temps haven’t’ helped the ice fishing, the freshwater guys have been doing pretty well with bass, trout, crappie and perch.
You just have to take your fun where you can find it.