Things are looking up fishing wise, especially down along the shore.
By Jim Bolton
Things are looking up fishing wise, especially down along the shore. The weather is finally cooperating with milder weather and less wind.
Some big blues are finally showing up in many areas which is great news and quite a few keeper stripers are taking the bait. Then we also have good news for the tautog fisherman as they have shown up in good numbers and some big ones.
I heard the blue fish were being caught from Mystic Island down to Absecon Inlet up to 14 pounds on lures and bait.
But that's not the only good news. Like I said before, some big keeper stripers are being caught in some of the same areas. A 43 inch striper was weighed in at Captain Howards Bait and Tackle Shop.
The Brigantine area has also been a good spot for some nice size stripers and blues.
Over the weekend tog fishing really picked up along with some nice lures making the fishing very interesting.
Utsch's Marina in Cape May has been one of the places to fish from lately for tog.
Over in Delaware Bay I had the first report of nice size stripers being caught which was good news.
Ken Hildreth at "Husted's Landing" had John Robins of Bridgeton bring in a 42 inch striper. He was fishing with Steve C.
Mark at the "Sundog Marina" had Rich Vanni and crew of Bridgeton bring in two stripers going 39 inches and 43 inches and Steve Avena weighed in a 44 1/2 pounder.
Talked to Captain Mike Rothman of the Bonanza out of Fortescue. He said not much was going on yet, but things should start any day, especially the black drum season. He is going to have his first drum fishing trip on May 11.
Jim Bolton is the outdoors columnist for the South Jersey Times. He can be reached at 856-313-9347 or 22 Arbutus Ave., Millville, NJ 08332.