Big Bass - where are they?

[Jay]

You have understand last year at this time it was already mid 80's. Water temps were already probably 70's or mid 70's. Right now, in Sandy Hook the water temp is 62 degrees. I think, honestly has to do with this crazy weather pattern. Hopefully, with the predicted "Heat Wave" we're expecting, will warm up the waters. We will start seeing more of the bigger stripers roll in.

[seadog]

Raritan Bay Bass anglers had I believe the best april in 6 or 7 years. But it's been a cool Spring. Wait and see what happens when the water temp. goes up a couple of degrees. With the amount of bait out there right now I would say it's only a matter of days and you will be seeing plenty of big fish.

[fiftywide]

I think the biggies are here. Landed a 45# and a 38 LB off of long branch on Sunday. Got em both on 10 inch poppers. It was awesome. My 13 year old got the biggie and my wife the 38.

[Ismellfishy]

Folks out livelining are routinely getting fish in the 20-30lb range. Those are decent fish but once june rolls around the 40s & 50s will eat. Right now the biggest fish are nabbed pulling bunker spoons, which is par for the course, then they come in on the bunker. Last year june 20 was out and had a 48, 52, &55 lb fish caught on one trip. Just be patient.

[SharkHart]

the air temps went from 80 on thursday to 50 on Friday then 3 days of gale winds made the water temps drop rapidly, I had strong catches before this pattern on large fish, stay tuned its going to get electric very soon

[Legacy]

Pete - There are a lot of sharpies that don't post on any site and are especially quiet when they are releasing the big girls. That said, we have had an excellent spring trolling our custom home-made spoons. Just last Thursday we had 3 over 30 pounds and another 5 over 25 in Raritan Bay with practically no other boats around trolling in the slop before the big blow.

There are big fish spread out from Manasquan to Debs Inlet, Long Island. Just not as packed in on the bunker schools as years past that makes for easy fishing that everyone reports on. Putting the time in on weekdays this year has made all the difference in the world.

[NJ Dave]

A friend up state around new windsor is still catching big fish in the hudson river.
A lot of fish are still up river and have not yet returned from the spawning grounds.
A few high 80/90 days by this weeks end should turn things back around.
2 more weeks and it should be an out front bunker busting bonanza.

[slammer]

I also think its the weather. When we get warm steady weather live lining should take off.

[bunker dunker]

Who Cares The Smaller Ones Are Better Eating