Posted on April 20, 2021 First bluefish reported on LBI Though there had been some rumors of bluefish in South Jersey, Fisherman’s Headquarters in Ship Bottom actually had a photo of a big one caught yesterday -though with no details. Capt. Vinny Vetere of Great Kills said there was an early striper bite in Raritan Bay this morning as 12 were trolled on yellow and white spoons before he returned by 10:30. After some very nice days, there’s a big change coming. Small craft warnings go up before they go to a gale watch Wednesday afternoon. Tomorrow starts with south winds at 15-20 knots with gusts to 25. At Belmar, the Big Mohawk from Belmar reported lots of short blackfish plus some limits and even cod on Sunday’s trip. The Golden Eagle couldn’t find any stripers today, but bottom fishing for blackfish, ling and cod was good before it got nasty on the ocean. They won’t be be fishing the next two days due to the weather. Capt. Ron Santee started out this morning with decent striper action on bait until the current ran stronger into the wind. There had been two to three on at a time until then. The high hook caught five, but there was no mention of whether any were keepers. Santee is looking at Friday as the probable next trip. A few school stripers are now being caught in the Jersey surf along with an occasional keeper. Bloodworms have been most effective. The shad run on the Delaware River is well underway. Denise Leonard sent the photo below of a 7-pound roe shad released by Allan Krupa of Crosswicks after it hit a flutter spoon. A shad that large could be a big money winner in an upcoming contest.