Fishing Report for 04/13/24
This is the fishing report for 04/12/24. Well after what seems to have been 40 days and 40 nights of rain, the Ark is about to reach land. We have had an absolutely unprecedented amount of rain this season. Pushing the rivers to become almost 100% freshwater in spots and causing bass to move farther and faster. That being said there has been quite a bit of positive reports coming in this week which makes me excited for the coming weeks.
We will start with the surfside reports. We haven't heard much of anything on our beaches so far, but the surf did break 50 degrees this week, so it's just a matter of time. I know Atlantic city has been hot and heavy on the jetties and surf with bass and drum but it's a completely different world up there. I totally expect that this week we will really start see fish on our beaches.
Tog started off pretty decent on opening day. Sadly it didn't last long with the wind, rain and colder temperatures. Started hearing them again this week only on green crabs, water warmed up enough in the bay that they don't seem to want clams. Gotten reports from 9th street piers, Corson's and Longport on the tog. Nothing hot and heavy but they are really just starting again. Captain Mike from Stray Cat has been doing quite well out front on the wrecks and reefs. Decent tog action as well as nice seabass and pollock.
Now to the main event of this report. Have received TONS of reports of some of the best keepable bass fishing I have heard of in years. River fishing has still been producing quite a bit of fish. With all the rain, tides have been off between incoming and outgoing. When the fish are there, man they are there! Saw lots of fish well over 40 inches this week with people still catching a decent amount of keepers. Mixed reports but the constant seems to be more fish on bloodworms or sandworms, while bigger fish seem to be on clams. Fish have started pushing into the inlets, very mixed bag of reports on what they are being caught on. Common report, they are seemingly all on lures. Hearing plastics have done well, paddletails to large jerkshads, 4 inch to 9 inch which is very different from the normal 4-5 inch. Divers and topwaters have been producing extremely well also. SP minnows, Yozuri crystal minnows, Yozuri magdarters and poppers have been catching constantly. The common thread seems to be a keeper sized class of fish. Most fish have been between the 28-31 inch range, with some smaller fish as well as the 40 plus inchers mixed in. Plastics seem to producing at night around all the bridges and piers.
Weather seems to be breaking finally, Which is exciting. Fish are showing up heavily and its just the begining. With Gator blues making their way north, the incredible bass action that is starting and fluke season right around the corner... we are in for an incredible spring!
Shout out to Captain Frank Breakell of Brynnie-B Inshore Fishing for the picture. Captain Frank not only does boat charters from Sea Isle south but also does surf as well as bridge charters at night which is quite the unique experience. Check him out at Brynnie-b inshore fishing or give him a call at 609-425-9401.