Spring has sprung”-L.B.I. Fishing report-03-21-10-By Bob Misak
We’re into the 3rd week of reports here at Barnegat Light Bait and Tackle, and the winter flounder season is about to get under way, although there are some adverse reactions to the 2 fish limit. Chum logs are anywhere from 3 to 4 dollars each, and blood worms are approaching a dollar a worm. Some shops are bringing their prices down to give folks an opportunity to be able to afford a day of flounder fishing. You’ll have to search around, but some bloods are selling at ten a dozen, with the chum logs being bumped down to 2.50 a piece. These are going to be the shops that sell out of baits. Basil grinds his chum fresh, and the bright color of the fresh clams gives it an appealing look to the elusive flatty. Oyster Creek is still giving up some nice bass in the evening and early morning hours. My son Bob Jr. and the kayak brigade had ten fish on Wednesday morning with a 30 inch bass, and that fish was caught and released by Jay Close. The bluefish are still traveling up and down the creek, so hold onto those rods! We fished last week with a friend Dave Rooney, and he had a bluefish yank his bait stick right off the kayak. He was fishing with another rod, and he speared one rod with the other and pulled it out of the water! Dave was fighting the bluefish with one rod hooked to the end of the other rod! He reached up and untangled the rods and reeled in a 4 or 5 lb. blue. Just when you think you’ve seen it all, someone pulls a classic move out of their hat! That sent us all into hysterics, of course. So Oyster creek is going to explode these next few days with the warm days we’ve had.
I hate to beat on a dead horse, but there are stripers in the Toms River, and the perch fishing is on and off, but when it’s on, it’s on! Blood worms are going to have to do since nobody is finding any shrimp yet. But any day the shrimp will be available. Let us not forget the honey hole down in Beach Haven West on Mill Creek road, as the perch should be filing into there soon. High tide during the evening is a big plus when chasing those perch, and again, once you’ve found them you’ll know it.
The head boats are doing fantastic on the ling fishing as well as cod fishing, which has turned out to be the best cod season in a while. And, if you pick up the Fisherman magazine, you’ll see the pending world record ling caught off the Jamaica 2 up north by Billy Watson of Lansdale, PA. The fish was 12lbs, 13oz, and measured 32 inches, smashing the old record by 1 and ¾ lbs. Billy was using Gulp! Baits and easily doubled up on the guys he was fishing with.
So if you want to go do some flounder fishing on Tuesday, head outside into the Barnegat bay off Waretown, and look for a good tide flow and a nice, sunny day to get it done without stressing out your wallet. You’ll need that chum though, those flounder are finicky and you’ll need all the help you can get to get em’ hittin’. By the way, the boys in green will be without a doubt boarding boats to check for limits, so don’t let the little devil on your shoulder get you into hot water. We’ll see you at Barnegat Light Bait and Tackle on April 1st, and good luck and great fishing to everyone.

Barnegat Light Bait and Tackle
1501 Bayview Ave.
Barnegat Light, NJ
(609) 494-4566
Website http://www.barnegatlightbaitandtackle.com
Email info@barnegatlightbaitandtackle.com
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