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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

 
 

AM- This morning we had out the Dick Schroeder charter. Loaded the wells and started to looks around where we had some fish yesterday. Unfortunately with a lack of drift we only had 1 bite. Went searching and came across acres of bass rolling on the surface. It took a little time for the guys to get the hang of it, but at the end of the day they had landed a dozen bass (ORL) to 22# all on live and chunked bunkers. 

PM- This afternoon we had the Paul Rubee charter on board. Took a ride to where we had them in the morning and caught the tail end of the bite, managing to land 3 keepers. Waited for the tide to get right and it was game on. Live bunkers and poppers provided constant action (ORL) with fish to 28# and up to 4 on at a time. Ended the afternoon keeping a few smaller ones for the table and releasing the rest.

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