Stripers-Slow March=Good April +Great May
 

The water in Raritan Bay is cold,like 46 degrees.This is a normal March.Although we are all anxious to wet a line,this is how the run is supposed to be.I have kept a log on stripers for many years.We never started Bass fishing in March.Flounder in early April than mid April we would clam Stripers.As the water warms up we switch to bunker chunking then live lining.
Last year was not the normal bass run.Live lining Apri 12 is way too early.NY does not even open until April 15!If the water slowly warms up we should have good bass fishing in the bay thru the month of May.The later they come the longer they stay.When the Dogwoods bloom the bass will chew!

Re: Stripers-Slow March=Good April +Great May
 

100% agree Sal - last year was a freakish year based on such a warm winter...

Seems like we are on a typical scheduled run - lets see how it pans out..

Fingers crossed...

Re: Stripers-Slow March=Good April +Great May
 

We had em early two years ago in march capt.. That was freakish as well.. But ya I remember other then the last two years not starting to bass fish till mid late April.

Re: Stripers-Slow March=Good April +Great May
 

Yes last year I did better Striper fishing in April in the Hudson river on the Hoboken side, but caught a lot less in May! And of course because of the storm(sandy) , I caught zero keepers in the river but did ok on blackfish.
Go figure

Re: Stripers-Slow March=Good April +Great May
 

Exactly!We had years when the bass fishing was super in the bay even in June.Water temp is the main thing,and for big bass you need bunker.We would start catching short bass while flounder fishing in early April.clamming is next then when the big girls show it is game on!Soooooooooooon but not yet.

Re: Stripers-Slow March=Good April +Great May
 

Many moons ago when the "Dogwoods were in Bloom", the Ling were in the Cedars! Man how times have changed!!!!:)

Re: Stripers-Slow March=Good April +Great May
 

Ron,I think we are showing our age lol:)