It actually felt like spring for a little bit this week, and the fishing responded. Reports of fresh waves of bass hitting the Raritan and more active spawning happening in the Chesapeake are good signs that the spring run is progressing after stalling out in last week’s unseasonable cold. Look for “fresh” fish to hit Rhode Island and Cape Cod within the next week, and for New Jersey and New York to see a push of big, hungry bass move in to feed before running up the Hudson.
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All striped bass fishing is closed in Maryland Chesapeake Bay waters. For more information about the timings and areas where striped bass fishing is allowed in the Chesapeake Bay, check out the Maryland DNR’s Striped Bass Regulation Maps.
Striped bass are beginning to spawn, and the main spawn is expected to happen in the next week with temperatures approaching the sweet spot of 58 degrees. From the Maryland DNR Report:
“Fisheries biologist Jim Uphoff is conducting striped bass spawning survey work on the Choptank River and offered this report: “ We saw water temperatures of 52-53 degrees while we were out Monday. There has been a little spawning since March 25 and temperatures have been in the low 50s generally. That’s likely to change with the warming weather. There is lots of freshwater and only a hint of salt about a mile above Windyhill,” which is just above the town of Choptank. ”
The report went on to say there’s reason to be optimistic for a productive spawn this year because “Plenty of rain in the preceding months encouraged a plankton bloom, and subsequent zooplankton bloom, so newly hatched striped bass young have something to eat.”
Cape May and the Delaware Bay/River have most of the big bass action in the southern half of the state, and bait continues to be the most productive tactic. The back bays and bridges are seeing better action with fish to 34 inches on bait as well as soft plastics.
A fresh wave of bigger bass has moved into the Raritan, but most accounts say bait remains the best bet for bites. The rivers also also filling up with stripers, but so far, the surf-side has been quiet.
The western half of Long Island is seeing steadily improving striper action ahead of next Monday’s official season opener. Bass as large as 20 pounds have been reported. On the eastern end of the Island, bunker are beginning to show and the resident bass have become more active.
Read the Western Long Island/NYC Fishing Report
Read the Eastern Long Island Fishing Report
More and more herring arrivals are perking up larger holdover fish in Connecticut’s Rivers, while some fresh arrivals trickle in.
We’re in “any day now” mode for the return of migratory fish to Rhode Island. Anglers fishing the south-facing beaches with small jigs will stand a good chance of catching a bass covered in sea lice within the next week.
As the herring runs fill up, larger holdovers are becoming more active in Massachusetts, including in Boston Harbor. No word of migratory fish yet.
