Crazy weather. What else is new. We went from one of the rainiest springs with cool temps and plenty of wind to dead air, bluebird skies with temps into the 90's, and now drought like conditions with the thermometer raising. If the striped bass were waiting for 60 degrees to spawn well now it's time to get their freak on.
Elsewhere things are starting to heat up. The back waters have finally cleared and bait, mostly bunker, is starting to show itself and the bass are on them. Bluefish have worked their way up from the south and are passing the inlets and Sandy Hook and should soon be intercepting bunker in the bay. Find the bait and you should find some type of predator fish. Haven't heard of any weakfish yet and who knows if and when they'll make their return.
If you're heading up to the Catskills those waters are heating up quickly as well. The West Branch at Hale Eddy is running 978 at 52 degrees. The East Branch at Fish's Eddy is up to 62 already running at an even 1000 cfs. A couple more days of hotness and it'll be time to check the thermometers as to not stress out the fish. And it's only April 29th.
