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Barnegat Bay Weakfish
By Captain Andy LoCascio
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| Capt Terry |
Capt Andy |
Capt Rich |
John Luchka |
Scott & Tim |
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Maptech Charts |
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It was almost impossible to see the
Barnegat Bay channel markers as we headed from the Southwinds Marina in
Forked River, NJ to the Sedge Islands just inside the Barnegat Bay inlet. A
steady breeze off the cool ocean waters created a drenching fog that would
have kept most fishermen home. Captain Terry Sullivan’s promise of a shot
at some trophy weakfish brought us out anyway. The run through the narrow
winding channels seemed to take an eternity. We reached the Sedge Islands
just as the pace of the incoming tide reached its peak. The water temp was
69 degrees and dropping fast as the colder ocean water mixed with the warm
bay waters. If the bite was going to happen, it was going to happen fast!
We had originally wanted to drift but we opted for anchoring when we saw
schools of adult spearing spawning along a bank and the telltale signs of
feeding fish in the eddy that formed just beyond it. The bank was very
steep and he current was really ripping, I dropped the anchor on the edge
and thanks to the 8ft of chain it caught right away. I didn’t even have
time to pick up a rod and Terry was into a big fish. He had his hands full
with the current, the strength of the fish, and our choice of fairly light
tackle. It took a while but eventually he had the fish whipped and Rich
slipped the net under a solid 10lb weakfish! The bite only lasted a couple
of hours and ended as the water temps eventually dropped below 60 degrees.
But we all ended up battling and landing our share of quality fish.
Know when to go
This bite usually begins
and mid May and the best action can continue for several weeks depending
upon several factors including water temperature, salinity and the phase
of the moon (tides). Big weakfish enter the bay and can spend several
weeks waiting for the right combination of factors to make a run to the
various creeks to spawn. The best action occurs before and just after the
spawn. Read the local fishing reports to get an idea of how the run is
progressing. Be sure to stop in at the local tackle shop the day of your
trip to get the most recent info on where and on what stages of the tide
the fish are being caught.
Tide runner
Weakfish are frequently
called tide runners for a very good reason. They are most active in areas
with a strong running tide or current. These are powerful fish and their
body type and broad tail give them an added advantage over the bait in a
strong current. The geography of the bay creates a tidal difference of
more than two hours from one location to another. When the tide is high
at the inlet, there are still a couple of hours of flow left at the
mainland beaches and creeks. This means that there is always a decent
current running somewhere.
Water temps
It is also important to
pay attention to the tidal flow and its effect on water temperatures. The
bay is very shallow and warms quickly in the spring and ocean temps lag
far behind. There is also a power plant discharge that adds even more
warm water. We found water temps of 78 degrees in one spot on the
mainland and just three miles away at the inlet the water was 56 degrees!
The fish are clearly affected by these extremes. Even if the fish don’t
more to stay in a specific water temp, they certainly shut down. Once
feeding fish are found it is important to note the water temp. If the
bite ends, move to other areas with similar water temps. These extreme
temperature fluctuations can also have a significant effect on bait
concentrations.
Find the bait
Spring weakfish typically
feed on spearing, shrimp, crabs, and several other small baits that can be
found on the flats and along the creek channels throughout the bay. When
the tide is flooding over a flat, the fish run with the tide picking up
whatever they find. As the tide falls they retreat from the flats and
tend to congregate in the deeper depressions. They also patrol the creek
channels and use the deeper water for security and to ambush their prey.
The spring weakfish run is also accompanied by a bluefish run. Hordes of
2-5lb bluefish can found just about everywhere. Their feeding habits are
quite visible and even though they may rip your tackle to shreds it pays
to attempt to find the weakfish nearby. These weakfish are more than
large enough not to be intimidated by the blues.
Spooky
The shallow water can make
these fish extremely spooky. Anglers on boats should avoid running motors
any more than is absolutely necessary. Position the boat carefully and
let the wind and tide to move the boat within casting range of targeted
areas. It sometimes pays to run the boat the extra distance so that it
enters a creek with the wind and tide rather than running up-tide through
the creek and then drifting back. There are some narrow creeks and
channels that simply cannot be fished effectively under certain tides and
wind directions. However, there is so much productive bottom in the bay
that there is always somewhere to go regardless of the conditions. Have
an anchor ready to stop the boat from drifting directly over a productive
spot. A small vinyl coated mushroom anchor is a great way to control the
boat and to temporarily stop or slow the drift.
Break out the light stuff
Barnegat Bay is a light tackle angler’s paradise.
The most productive weakfish presentations are quite light. A light
spinning rig or small bait-caster with a matching 6-7 rod rated for 8-12lb
line will allow the angler to throw small jigs and still have just enough
muscle to handle 10lb+ weakfish. Braided line with its thinner diameter and
reduced water resistance provides an added advantage. The lack of stretch
means that even the softest hits are registered. A 24” inch 20lb test
Fluorocarbon leader attached via a small SPRO power swivel to the main line
and tied to a small jig head completes the rig.
Jig heads from ¼ to ½ ounce are needed
to keep the presentation just off the shallow bottom and looking natural.
Bucktail jigs have a little more buoyancy and water resistance and can very
effective in the shallows. In the deeper holes and hard running currents
naked jig heads provide less resistance and allow the jig to be presented
deep in the water column. The jigs can be tipped with pork rind, squid, or
soft plastic. Pork rind is the most durable and will stand up to the
bluefish. Red, white, and yellow Uncle Josh 240-S is the most effective and
has an enticing split tail action. A squid strip has a little more scent
but will take less abuse when casting and needs to be changed frequently.
Soft plastics have unique actions and colors that can enhance a presentation
but are easily destroyed by bluefish. A serious weakfish angler typically
has at least two of these three choices in several varieties and in good
quantities on hand at all times. Be prepared to experiment, it can make a
big difference at the end of the day.
Presentation
It is critical that the
jigs are presented just off the bottom. Once the rigs get up in the water
column, the baits will quickly fall prey to the Bluefish. Always carry a
good selection of different size jig heads and be prepared to switch to
the lightest jig or bucktail that still holds the bottom. Cast across or
slightly up current, let the current sweep the jig across the bottom.
This is the same way that bait is swept across the bottom as the fish
feed. A slight bump may be the only thing that is felt when the fish
picks up the jig. Quickly reel out the slack and set the hook. Be
careful, Weakfish have thin mouths, excessive hook sets can create a large
hole and the hook can easily slip out.
Get there
Even when the bite slows
there is still plenty of great fishing to be had. There are always enough
Bass and Blues in the area to keep an angler busy. Time your trip right
and you will not be disappointed!
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