[NJ219bands]

Went ultralight jigging earlier than usual today at midday in a 40 degree Central Jersey lake before a sou’wester gale rain storm. Air temp was only 37 degrees. Three pickup trucks were in the parking lot when I arrived. Three unemployed landscapers were ultralight jigging. They caught and kept a stringer of perch and crappies as they do every day. I caught and released 22 white perch including two doubles with Walmart red worm 🪱 halves on two gold hooks and a 1/32 oz unpainted leadhead jig on 4 lb test line. I was the last fisherman to leave after the cold rain arrived. Only fished for an hour. Best fishing is before the storm. I’ll probably catch nothing tomorrow. Fishing on a falling barometer after a cold front in muddy, flood waters with current is usually not good. The NJ Park Police were in the parking lot when I left. I am fortunate that they didn’t accost me. Caught and released 641 fish in 20 trips this year in the same spot with 3 containers of worms 🪱.