5-1-17 Fishing Report

Stripers up to 40 pounds are being caught along New Jersey shore points. Photo by Lee Haller

Shad and striper fishing have really picked up this past week. If air temperatures remain seasonal and barring any heavy rains, the upcoming week should produce tight lines for all anglers.

As for stripers, here’s what Bill Brinkman from Brinkman’s Bait & Tackle Philadelphia has to say. 

“From my regular customers, Weezer was out on Sunday picking up two, 20-pound stripers; two slot fish and a bunch of smaller fish. Dave was out looking for stripers with bunker but only caught a boat of catfish. There was a 44-inch fish taken off Princeton Avenue packed up with clams. A big 46-inch fish was taken up at the Burlington Bristol Bridge with a bunker head. Lou had a good day with another 40 plus inch fish with another 39 inch right behind it. Station Avenue has been pretty good with one fisherman catching seven fish all in the 20 to 32-inch range. He caught these fish with bunker and bloodworms. Another fisherman at the Neshaminy State Park had five fish this morning all with bloodworms. Each one in the slot range. Some really good numbers of big fish being caught in the Salem to Commodore Barry Bridge area. Frank’s buddy caught 11 fish 27 to 42 inches with bunker. Frank himself has been all up and down the river catching smaller fish. The airport has been very good with a bunch of slot fish caught with bloodworms.”

As for shad Brinkman says, “Shad fishing in the upper river has been smoking. Everyone from Washington’s Crossing up to Lambertville has been catching three to 50 shad per boat. These guys are all fishing shad spoons. Up at Bull’s Island one fisherman under the walk bridge picked up 17 fish wading with darts and spoons. Up at Upper Black Eddy, Steve and his buddy landed over 40 shad with a few walleyes mixed in on spoons and darts. Kevin said the Water Gap has been hot with a bass bite during the morning hours and shad all afternoon and evening long. He had one day with over 75 fish from three guys in the boat. Again spoons and smaller darts are working best. One fisherman at Trenton looking for stripers picked up a nice 5-pound smallmouth bass.”

On the saltwater fishing scene, Brinkman reports the following. “Saltwater action is still hot but the weather and wind this past week kept most guys close to home. Raritan Bay has been smoking hot for stripers. Here they’re catching fish from 20 inches up to mid 40-pound range. Snagging bunker and either dropping or chunking has been working best. Some anglers are trolling Mojo Rigs, Bunker Spoons and Umbrella Rigs that are also doing well. As you travel down the coast, it’s bluefish everywhere. Out front and back bays have been great for blues five to 13 pounds. These anglers have been using metal spoons, diamond jigs, bucktails, poppers, crankbaits and even rubber shads. And the bait fisherman has been doing best with chunked and whole bunker. Down at Cape May, the fishing gets much slower. One fisherman off the south beach of Wildwood fished all last weekend catching only four stripers 15 to 17 inches. All with bloodworms. Up in the bay there have been some bigger stripers hitting. At Fortescue, Danny said there are fish 30 to 60 pounds showing up in the bunker nets. I had one report from Reed’s Beach with this fisherman catching two keepers last week both with clams. Up at Money Island, George had a great week catching over 40 stripers 24 to 36 inches. He did best with bunker but also caught fish with bloodworms and clams.”

Right now is the ultimate time to be in the great outdoors. There’s spring gobbler hunting in the morning with shad, striper or trout fishing taking up the remainder of the day. What more could outdoor sportsmen or sportsgal ask for. A plethora of outdoor pleasures. 

CABELA’S LADIES DAY OUT

On May 13 and 14, Cabela’s Hamburg is hosting a Ladies Day Out with a variety of topics including the following: 

* A Day at The Range: Twenty women, 18 and over, will be taken to Ontelaunee Rod & Gun Club for instruction on shooting handguns and shotguns after a formal firearms safety course. The 20 will leave Cabela’s at 9:15 a.m. each day for courses that will last until 2:00 at which time they’ll be taken back to the store. Lunch will be provided. This does require pre-registration by calling 610-929-7000.

* RV FAMILY TRAVEL ATLAS: On May 13, from 11a.m – 3 p.m., the Puglisi family, from the Family RV Travel Atlas, will share their camping knowledge and travel experiences while traversing from California to Cape Hatteras.  

* LADIES ARCHERY 101: At 11 a.m. Saturday and Sunday, gals hankering to give archery a try will get   hands-on training using compound bows and crossbows.  

* INTRO TO FLY FISHING: If fly fishing has been on your to-try list, Cabela’s experts will introduce you to the basics and walk you through equipment needed, casting instructions and techniques and the art of fly tying. This course will also be held Sat. and Sun. at 12-noon. 

* LADIES’ SHOTGUN: Be it for self defense, target shooting or field sports, this seminar will prepare you for the correct handling and choice of a shotgun, ammo and essential safety items.

* BASIC FIREARMS & CONCEALED CARRY: Sam Platia, from Concealed Carry and Home Defense, will teach you about basic firearms and concealed carry and how to set up a home defense plan. 

In addition, there will be numerous package and gift card giveaways throughout the weekend. For more information check www.Cabelas.hamburg.com.
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