I would say things are off to a slow start compared to the last few years. But the question is is this year just a "normal" year like things used to be? While temps seem to be what should be expected the thing that concerns me are the water levels in and around the spawning grounds for striped bass. With a spawn dependent on so many factors drought like conditions this early aren't good.
Many of us look at water temps as the sole indicator of when things should heat up, no pun intended. In the Raritan Bay water temps have crested 50 during the warmest parts of the day but at night, and when the wind is honking from the NW, temps drop back down to the high 40's. What we look for is consistency. In the spring where fish acclimate to water temps and get going as the temps increase the see-saw fluctuations can stop them in their tracks and slow things down.
There's been reports of bunker hitting the bays and rivers and the American shad run is underway in the Delaware with some catching around the Delaware Water Gap. Hopefully soon the river herring will begin their trip north and if cormorants are any early indication then they're here setting up shop on the rocks mid river.
Way down river the big bass are starting to show and are eating worms and bait the soakers are throwing out there. There's been a nice start in the less than clear water and you have to be patient, and rich, after threading jumbo bloodworms onto a hook. I've been out a few times throwing flies and I can say it's been less than inspiring. The wind has been relentless already and it doesn't take long for my fingers to shut down due to the cold. As far as water levels were now down to 13,000 cfs with no real sign of rain in the near future.
 |
| First fish 2024- March 29 |
For some reason I feel less than inspired this spring, which is a little concerning. Maybe there's a part of my brain telling me that it's way too early which is saving me from frozen fingers and skunks to show. Or maybe it's a combination of all the drama surrounding striped bass that just has turned me off a bit. Could it be social media and reports, that show up without searching, that turns me off by seeing poorly handled fish and or multi-hook baits that I know don't do the fish any good. Or it could be I'm just burnt out from this semester and will get my mojo back when things wrap up.
Either way the fish will come and go and it'll be another year in the books of my life and who knows how many more of them I'll, or any of us, will have.