NJSALTFISH.com

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NJ Saltwater Baitfish

Bunker Bunker typically start showing in NJ around mid to April and arrive en masse in May. Peanut bunker leave the bay in the fall and can lead to a bait fish bonanza along the NJ beaches. April - June, September - November
Herring Herring are a cold water fish and as such are not as important on the NJ bait scene as some as the others. Still Striped Bass LOVE Herring. November - February
Mullet Look for the Mullet to leave the bay mid-September. Typically, any Mullet run is before the Peanut Bunker leave the bay. September - October
Rainfish Rainfish or Bay Anchovies on first inspection closely resemble spearing. September - October
Sandeel Sandeels are like the candy of the Sea. When they are around it seems to light something in the local Gamefish's DNA because they tend to gorge themselves on these. Read more on how to take advantage. May - June, October - November
Spearing Spearing are the most prevalent fish in New Jersey's bay and estuarine system. Very similar in appearance to rainfish. It has a much smaller mouth than rainfish. April - November
Spot Spot migrate seasonally, entering bays and estuaries in the spring, where they remain until late summer or fall when they move off shore. Larval spot will enter the Bay as early as December and appear in nursery areas in April and May. Primary nursery areas for juvenile spot occur in low salinity areas of the bays and tidal creeks, but they can also be found associated with eel grass communities. Young spot grow rapidly over the summer months, and by fall reach an average length of five inches. As water temperatures decrease in the fall, most juveniles move to the ocean by December. October - November

 Weekly Fishing Forecast - May 7

Bluefish and Striped Bass will continue to dominate the scene in the coming week.    Forecasted cool temperatures will keep water temps from rising quickly and this will help keep the Blues in the bays and rivers.  As the water's clear from last week's deluge of rain expect an uptick in this activity.  Try pulling ponytails in the bay for Bluefish, especially until the water clears up some.

Forecasted overall calm seas will aid the Striped Bass trollers the coming week.  Mojos will be the key.  Bass action has been slow to develop off of Island Beach State Park - expect that to change this week as a predominate west wind will clean up some of the residual muddy look.

A potential Noreaster for Mother's day could disrupt things for next week.

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