April 10, 2010, Cooler Day, but will the fishing be HOT ? , This is the time of year that everything is just getting started and quite often it is hard to make the decision whether it is worthwhile going fishing or not. I have to say that it almost always is worthwhile fishing if the weather is even a little bit bearable. And once you make the decision to go fishing the next question is often when should I start, when is the bite, what tide should I fish? There is no simple answer but here is my opinion:
You can't catch fish in front of the computer, unless maybe you carry your lap top on the boat, then why bother. The fish are in the water somewhere and if you can put the right thing in front of them you might be able to bite. It is good to go out with a plan, but you should also always be ready for a plan B and be ready to take advantage of any opportunity that comes along. This time of year soaking chunks or clams is probably a real good bet, but don't depend on just one spot, or one bait. Figure why fish are at a given spot at a given time ant try to find spots that mirror that one at different times.

Fish aggressively, move if your spot isn't producing, use plenty of chum, and read the natural signs: Birds, rip lines, tide direction, even sun direction you might find the key to unlock a great day thru any little clue. So get out on the water as many hours as you can and if you aren't catching fish concentrate on that and learn something from a SKUNK so you are better next time.

As far as actual local fishing I haven't seen any weigh ins, but the stories on nice sized schooling and keeper sized fish is really picking up. The rivers seem to be the best shot I've had good reports all the way up to the bulkhead in Mays Landing, still, but Great Bay and the Surf seem to be picking up fast. With the approaching new moon the tides should be bringing bait into the bays and with them more and more bass. The ripping tides make it hard to hook up the tog and the rain yesterday seems to have muddied the water so I don't expect a great tog bite today, but if the sun comes out in force they might surprise you and jump on your green crab baits.

If you are fishing the rivers the white perch bite has been good in the brackish sections with some real nice size perch available. The big perch will hit the minnows as good as anything so you might want to put a rod out with a smaller hook and minnow to get some good eating action.

I pulled my boat out of the corner where it was stored and am going to get it cleaned up and back in the water where it belongs. I have a feeling that the back bay fishing will heat up real soon. I do have to keep up with the Fyke Nets to make sure I have the HERRING but if the tides cooperate I figure I could sneak out on a trip just about anytime. I am definitely planning to start on the last week of April and I know all the days will fill up fast so if you do want to book a trip I suggest that you plan ahead. I always like the early morning high tide days, you just can't beat that magic hour when the sun first comes up, especially when the tide is just about at it's peak. On the other hand early in the spring when the water is cool the bite can go on all day and I have some new tricks I want to experiment with as soon as the fish show up.

If you want to stock up with HERRING, I have a good supply right now and I hope that yesterdays slow catch was due to the rain that kept them from moving. I am selling 100's at $2.50 a fish for live and I can give you a 100 fresh for $1.00 each if you wand to take them to freeze for a supply of flounder baits. I have been vacum packing plenty so that when fluke season opens I will have these great baits available.

Absecon Bay Sportsman Center
81 Natalie Terrace
Absecon, NJ
(609) 484-0409
Website www.abseconbay.com
Email go-fish@abseconbay.com