<b>Staten Island</b>

Anglers aboard picked striped bass, with some bluefish mixed in, on Raritan Bay on Sunday, Capt. Joe from <b>Outcast Charters</b> said. That was at 6 p.m., when he gave this report in a phone call, and the trip, fishing with bunker chunks, had been on the water a couple of hours. Stripers were definitely around, he said. They weighed up to 10 and 12 pounds, not huge yet, he said. The blues weighed 5 or 6 pounds. Outcast offers fishing from both Staten Island, N.Y., and Sewaren, N.J.

<b>Keyport</b>

Bigger striped bass began to show, and striper fishing was good, Capt. Frank from the <b>Vitamin Sea</b> wrote in an email. A trip Saturday aboard clammed for the fish, and only a few keepers and throwbacks were landed. A trip Sunday on the boat fished bunker, and it was game on, he said. Quality stripers were caught, and the boat limited out early. Many large stripers were released, too. Anglers will need to become used to releasing stripers. Striper regulations are supposed to be finalized this week, and will probably be one striper 28 inches to shorter than 43 inches, and one striper 43 inches or larger, per angler, per day. Not many stripers 43 inches or larger are caught. Many stripers in the 20-pound class were released on Sunday’s trip, and none was 43 inches or longer. Now is the time to catch these magnificent fish, he said. Telephone about open-boat trips in the p.m. <b>***Update, Tuesday, 5/5:***</b> From an email from Frank today: “We are catching limits of bass every trip. These are quality bass that are devouring our bunker chunks. Bluefish have also invaded the bay and are providing nonstop action. The game is officially ON!”

Striped bass fishing was super on Raritan Bay, said Capt. Mario from the <b>Down Deep</b>. The fish aboard weighed up to 33 pounds, and were chunked on bunker. Go as soon as possible, he said. Charters are fishing, and see available open-boat dates on Down Deep’s website. Join the <a href=" http://www.downdeepsportfishing.com/ddsf/76-2/" target="_blank">Short Notice List</a> on Down Deep’s website to be kept informed about open trips, including special open trips for cod and ling.

Six keeper striped bass were bagged on Dale Stone’s charter Sunday with <b>Papa’s Angels Charters</b>. The fish weighed up to two 18- and 22-pounders, and a trip with Steve Marchetta’s family decked five keepers to 18 pounds and three bluefish to 8 pounds. Those were the first blues aboard this season, and the trips fished Raritan Bay with clams. Joe hopes the fishing for large stripers continues. Open-boat trips and charters are available through the next week. Telephone to jump aboard.

<b>Atlantic Highlands</b>

Fishing for striped bass was no good on both trips Saturday on the party boat <b>Atlantic Star</b>, Capt. Tom said. On Sunday morning’s trip, nine keepers and no throwbacks were reeled in. On the afternoon’s, a couple of keepers and no throwbacks were landed. A few bluefish were pitched aboard the trips, beginning to show up. Striper fishing was tough for the fleet. Though Tom wasn’t happy with the angling, it improved Sunday. Maybe it’ll keep picking up. Come on down, and enjoy the weather, he said. Maybe you’ll get a shot at good-sized striped bass. The Atlantic Star is fishing for striped bass on two trips daily from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 to 6 p.m.

Tough striped bass fishing during the weekend, Capt. Ron from the party boat <b>Fishermen</b> wrote in an email. Saturday’s trip began with a shot at bigger stripers. Four of the fish to 31 pounds were pasted, and four got off. A few throwbacks were released. Then the trip went into search mode the rest of the day. Lack of readings just about everywhere. Sunday’s trip didn’t fare much better. Fishing the shallow water is difficult with a thousand boats running around. A couple of shots at stripers were had: throwbacks and a few keepers. Bluefish began to show up. Ron hoped that meant the bigger male stripers would show up soon. Weather looks great for the week. Water temperatures are rising, and Ron hopes to begin finding stripers in the ocean soon. Nighttime striper trips aboard were similar this weekend. The angling was tough, giving up a few of the bass.  The Fishermen is sailing for striped bass 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. daily. Trips are also striper fishing 6:30 to 11:30 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and 3:30 to 9 p.m. Sundays. <b>***Update, Tuesday, 5/5:***</b> From a report on the boat’s website: “Excellent Fishing Finally! Tuesday’s report. Last of the tide this morning didn't show much promise, as we picked up where we left off the past couple of days, catching squat! Took a ride and went in search mode at slack tide.....glad we did. The Bunker that were way up in the back bays decided to come out on the outgoing....Put the boat at the start of the current and for 3 1/2 hours pulled Bass and Blues like the old days!!  Caught them on everything we tossed out....Clams, Bunker, Top Water stuff and jigs. Fish up to 20 pounds with Jack losing one at the boat that surely would have topped 30 pounds. To say we needed this after the weekend is an understatement. Let's hope it continues for a while. Can't wait till tomorrow!!!”

<b>Highlands</b>

Plenty of striped bass and blues schooled, said Capt. Pete from <b>Fin-Taz-Tic Sportfishing</b>. A trip Sunday trolled the stripers on Mojos and Stretch plugs and clammed them at Romer Shoal. If anglers want blues, the fish are swimming along the Ammo Pier in Raritan Bay. The blues are 5 to 10 pounds, surprisingly large, and the meat is beautiful, if the fish are bled immediately. Pete would know, because he’s a cook! This was a great time to take kids fishing, if anglers want kids to catch. Pete’s been running a friend’s boat while Pete’s boat is undergoing maintenance. His boat should be ready to sail Friday.

<b>Neptune</b>

Anglers picked away at striped bass in Raritan Bay on Saturday with <b>Last Lady Fishing Charters</b>, Capt. Ralph wrote in an email. The charter clammed and trolled the fish, on plugs. Stripers should school the ocean soon, because water temps are quickly rising. Individual-reservation trips are available for stripers on Tuesday, May 12, and for sea bass on Wednesday, May 27, and Friday, May 29. Sea bass seasons are exceptionally short this year, and Ralph will try to target sea bass in June as much as possible. Fifteen sea bass will be the bag limit from May 27 through June 30. Two will be limit in July. Then the season will be closed until reopening October 22, with a 15-fish limit, through the end of the year. <b>***Update, Monday, 5/4:***</b> The individual-reservation trip for sea bass is full on May 27, and the other will be switched to May 28, instead of May 29, and space is available, Ralph wrote in an email.

<b>Belmar</b>

Blues, blues, blues! Bob from <b>Fisherman’s Den</b> wrote in an email. He was glad to see bluefish show up in Shark River and Manasquan inlets and the ocean, and any metal caught them. Winter flounder mostly migrated out of Shark River, and summer flounder, out of season, migrated into the river. The fluke, some as large as 21 inches, were hooked from the L Street Pier in the river. Release them quickly, and handle them with care, if landed. Fluke season will be opened starting May 22. Some striped bass hit in the surf, mostly on clams and worms. Some anglers beached multiples, almost all throwbacks. “Nice days on the way,” Bob said. “Get out and enjoy.”

Bluefishing became excellent on the party boat <b>Golden Eagle</b>, a report on the vessel’s website said. Four- to 10-pounders were crushed the whole trip Saturday, and many customers became in release mode by mid-morning. All the fish were jigged, and fishing for the same-sized blues was great on Sunday’s trip. Jigs and Krocodile spoons caught them, and bait hooked some. The Golden Eagle is fishing at 7:30 a.m. daily.

After another excellent day of bluefishing Sunday on the party boat <b>Miss Belmar Princes</b>, the angling was terrible today, an email from the vessel said. Plenty of blues and bait were read and seen, but the blues “just didn’t want to cooperate,” it said. The boat’s fishing began bailing blues Saturday, covered in the last report here, as an update. On Sunday’s trip, blues 4 to 8 pounds were plowed on jigs, including Ava 47s with tails and without, and Krocodile spoons. The Miss Belmar Princess is fishing 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. daily. <b>***Update, Tuesday, 5/5:***</b> From an email from the boat today: “This morning, we had super fishing north of our inlet. The fish were chasing bunkers and there was good jig fishing on Ava 27’s, 47’s and crocodiles. The blues ranged anywhere from 6-17 lbs with a few nice stripers mixed in. Our pool winner was Sam from PA with a 35 lb striper!”

Finishing touches are being done on the boat, and the vessel will fish this weekend, said Capt. Pete from <b>Parker Pete’s Fishing Charters</b>. A few stripers were boated on the ocean, he guessed, but he didn’t know whether many swam there yet. The warm weather should draw the fish to the ocean, and trips aboard will concentrate on them, at first this season. Big bluefish seemed abundant. Don’t have enough anglers for a charter? Contact Parker Pete’s anyway, about individual spaces available on charters. Jump on <a href=" http://www.parkerpetefishing.com/" target="_blank">Parker Pete’s website</a> to subscribe to the email blast to be kept informed about the spaces. Look for the place to sign up on the right side of the page, where it says Join Our Newsletter.  

<b>Brielle</b>

A customer went 9 for 12 on striped bass on trolled spoons on the ocean Sunday, said Alex from <b>The Reel Seat</b>. Plenty of stripers bit in Raritan Bay, and Alex cranked a 25-pound drum from the bay, on a trip with Eric from the shop. Not many anglers surf fished for stripers yet this season locally. A few clammed for the fish from the beach, hooking a striper here and there. Bluefish sometimes tumbled into the surf locally. They were reported from Manasquan Inlet to Barnegat Inlet the other day. Blues swam all over, actually, including in the ocean, Barnegat Bay and Raritan Bay. They also held in Manasquan river and inlet. Alex landed a 24-inch striper in the river, and if anglers put in time, fishing structure in the river or inlet, they’d find stripers. Bottom-fishing on the ocean picked at cod and big ling, but the angling was mostly slow. Catch the fluke tackle sale Friday through Sunday at the store, for discounts like buy two packages of Gulps and get one free, buy three S&S Bucktails and get one free, and get 10 percent off other fluke tackle. The store’s next free seminar will be held at 4 p.m. Saturday, on bucktailing for fluke with Capt. Chris Hueth from the party boat Big Mohawk from Belmar.

<b>Point Pleasant Beach</b>

<b>***Update, Tuesday, 5/5:***</b> A charter opted to bluefish on Sunday, because of that explosive angling, instead of fishing for cod farther from shore, with <b>Mushin Sportfishing</b>, Capt. Alan wrote in an email. The anglers jigged and trolled 8- to 12-pound blues “until (their) arms were falling off,” he said! That was their first-ever bluefishing.

The ocean still held a swell, but the day was beautiful on a trip Saturday on the party boat <b>Norma-K III</b>, Capt. Matt wrote in a report on the vessel’s website. Cod, mostly throwbacks, but some good-sized in the mix, gave up decent action. Matt wished he saw some of the cod that were dropped, he said. Bergals and conger eels also kept being caught. Clams caught all the fish, and none of the cod was jigged. The Norma-K III is fishing for cod and ling 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. daily.

<b>Seaside Heights</b>

If water was in front of you, you probably found bluefish, John from <b>The Dock Outfitters</b> wrote in a report on the shop’s website. Blues swam Barnegat Bay, and some big were fought from the dock after dark on the bay. Sometimes blues and small striped bass, few keeper stripers, were beached from the surf. Bigger stripers should arrive there soon. The water temperature was rising, and bait schooled the water. The angler with each month’s heaviest fish weighed-in will now receive a $50 gift card to the shop. No sign up or entrance fee is required.  The Dock Outfitters, located on Barnegat Bay, blocks from the ocean surf, features a bait and tackle shop, boat and jet ski rentals, a café and a dock for fishing and crabbing.

<b>Barnegat Light</b>

The <b>Super Chic</b> will probably be splashed at Barnegat Light within two weeks, Capt. Ted said. The boat was currently along the mainland, being readied for the fishing season. The year’s first fishing was currently booked for blues and sea bass on the ocean. Trips at first might also striped bass fish, if stripers school the ocean then. Lots of bluefish 5 to 12 pounds schooled Barnegat Bay. One angler’s trip this weekend boated them while trolling and casting. Stripers usually begin to be caught in the bay, including on clams, after Mother’s Day. Stripers from Raritan Bay were the only stripers heard about currently. That’s typical for the time of season.

<b>Barnegat</b>

<b>***Update, Wednesday, 5/6:***</b> From an edited email from Capt. Dave DeGennaro from the <b>Hi Flier</b>: “Clobbered the big bluefish again (on Monday) on the west side of Barnegat Bay. Big blues 7 to 15 pounds crushing our top-water lures. Three to four fish at a time, visually competing for your lure, on any given cast. Using 10-pound spinning gear. Two weeks momentum already, and still going strong. Sailing open-boat or charter for these fish 1 to 6 p.m. Thursday. Three people max. Everything provided. Call to reserve a spot.”

<b>Mystic Island</b>

What a turnout of customers to fish for big bluefish Saturday, a report on <b>Scott’s Bait & Tackle</b>’s website said. Some of the blues weighed almost 17 pounds that were checked-in, and many weighed 10. The fish bit from Little Egg Inlet to Ohio Drive and Graveling Point, both shore-angling spots at the confluence of Great Bay and Mullica River, and up the river, toward Bass River. Bunker, mackerel and clams were fished. Big hooks, at least sizes 5/0 to 10/0, and wire leaders were used. Or lures were tossed, and many were bought. Rapala X-Raps held up a little better than other lures, because the paint and holographics resisted the bluefish teeth. Kastmasters and other metal spoons also caught. Striped bass avoided the blues, after biting at places like that previously. That happens every year, and striper fishing now was best at Grassy Channel in the bay or far up the river, toward Hay Road. Black drum bit at Grassy, and white perch nibbled in the river toward Lower Bank.

<b>Brigantine</b>

For surf anglers, “the blues are still hanging around,” a report said on <b>Riptide Bait & Tackle</b>’s website. The bluefishing heated up on Sunday after a change of tide cleaned up the water in the afternoon. A drum was reported caught from the beach this morning. A 23-pound striped bass was weighed-in from the shore Saturday. The anglers on that trip also banked six good-sized blues. Watch this <a href=" https://www.facebook.com/63681841626/videos/vb.63681841626/10152691454721627/?type=2&theater
" target="_blank">video of bluefish chasing baitfish</a> in the surf from the shop’s Facebook page.

<b>Atlantic City</b>

Customers smashed striped bass, not large, but catches, and big bluefish at Absecon Inlet’s jetties and the marsh, said Jeremy from <b>One Stop Bait & Tackle</b>. The angling, on bunker, clams, mullet or bait like that, and lures like Zooms in pink and Bombers, was great. Many of the catches came from the T-jetty, at the ocean end of the inlet, for now.  Big stripers usually arrive soon that are mostly caught farther back along the inlet, Noel from the shop said. Those are mature, breeding fish that apparently come from the rivers after spawning, headed to the ocean. That’s been some of the year’s best fishing for large stripers in recent years. All the baits mentioned and more, the fully supply, and the lures are stocked.

<b>Longport</b>

None of the trips for cod, pollock and ling sailed aboard during the weekend in wind and seas, said Capt. Mike from the <b>Stray Cat</b>. Trips are fishing wrecks 30 miles from shore, and are also available for striped bass and blues. Blues 6 to 9 pounds, big, schooled everywhere, including the ocean within 2 miles from shore, where striper fishing is open. The blues also schooled the bay. If charters want to fish on a Saturday in July and August, only a couple of those dates remain.

<b>Sea Isle City</b>

Big bluefish tore up the back bay, said Capt. Joe Hughes from <b>Jersey Cape Guide Service</b> and <b>Sea Isle Bait & Tackle</b>. A trip with three anglers aboard Sunday tackled blues to 12 pounds. A nice, steady pick, Joe said, and out-of-season summer flounder to 6 pounds were released. Book flounder trips now, for when flounder season is opened starting May 22. The early season is best for flounder fishing in South Jersey’s warm, shallow bays. The blues to 12 pounds and sizable flounder were also fought aboard on trips that afternoon and on Saturday. Again, bluefishing was a nice, steady pick, on the trips. The bluefishing had lulled a moment last week, maybe because tides weren’t ideal, but kicked right back in. The blues might remain to mid-month or late in the month. But go now, don’t wait. It’s a quality experience. Ripping off line, Joe said.  Seven- to 10 pounds, larger than usual, was the average size of the blues. The fish could’ve been fly-rodded, too, and he fly-fishes. These trips fished jigs, slowly, on bottom, along channels, for both the blues and flounder. Though blues are known to prefer fast retrieves, this was the early season, when cool water slows the blues. The bay’s been 56 degrees, and reached 59 on Sunday.  Keep up with Joe’s fishing on <a href="http://captainjoehughes.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Jersey Cape’s blog</a>.

<b>Wildwood</b>

A trip is supposed to fish for drum and striped bass today on Delaware Bay with <b>Fins & Grins Sport Fishing</b>, Capt. Jim said. He captained someone else’s party boat this weekend. Fishing seemed to run late this year, and drum were pounded in the bay by this time last year. The drum fishing should light up completely within the next two weeks. Maybe they’ll bite like that after the full moon this past weekend. They usually do, around May’s first full. Warmer weather that began should help. Drum were sometimes caught already from the bay. So were stripers. A friend and daughter who live at Sunray Beach on the bay fished from shore in past days.  A 20-pound striper, full of roe, was landed soon, on clam. Bluefish, big slammers, schooled Cape May Rips and the ocean off Wildwood this weekend. Fins & Grins fishes every day, and reservations aren’t required but suggested. Telephone for availability.

<b>Cape May</b>

Just waiting for Delaware Bay’s drum fishing to pick up, said Capt. George from the <b>Heavy Hitter</b>. A few drum caught were heard about, and none of the reports were first-hand. But he knew about boats that were supposed to begin drum fishing this week, so he should hear more news then. Maybe the fishing will kick in after the full moon this last weekend. Charters fish for the drum on the Heavy Hitter this month. Bluefish, big, schooled along the coast from the ocean to Delaware Bay. Some were reported from Cape May Inlet on Sunday. 

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