New Jersey Striper Season Opens

New Jersey's has 83 miles of bayshores and 127 miles of Atlantic coastline where Saltwater Stripers are plentiful. The World Record for Saltwater Striper was caught just south of Ocean County in Atlantic City following days of September Nor'easter storming in 1982. The fish measured 53 inches in length with a 34 1/2 inch girth, and was estimated to be 20 - 22 years old. Its 78 pound 8 oz. weight earned it the IGFA all-tackle record!

The striped bass begin their annual run in early spring after spawning in the Chesapeake Bay, The Roanoke and the Hudson and Delaware Rivers. This usually takes place when the water temperature hits 60 degrees. Then they leave the estuaries and begin their trek northward towards New England. Foraging all along the New Jersey coastline and the Delaware Bay on the way. The reverse takes place in the fall on their way back to their wintering grounds in North Carolina.

The closed seasons for striped bass are: January 1 through February 28 in all waters except the Atlantic Ocean from 0-3 miles offshore; and April 1 through May 31 in the Delaware River and its tributaries from the Route 1 Bridge in Trenton downstream to and including the Salem River and its tributaries. Any striped bass caught during a closed season must be released immediately. The possession or killing of a striped bass during a closed season is a violation of the law and will result in prosecution.

Also note that fishermen may possess one additional striped bass per day under the Striped Bass Bonus Fish Program subject to the following: 1) the angler must apply for and receive a fish possession card in advance of attempting to take a bonus fish; and 2) the minimum size limit for a striped bass taken under the bonus program is 28 inches

Stripers start showing in the back bays Mid March by June the spring run is in full swing. The striped bass are migrating up the coast to spawn in the hudson river around mid may when the water temps approach 60 degrees. prime water temps are 50 to 70 for stripers. The nor'east storms are what many surfcasters keep a close watch on. the jetty hoppers are out day and night. most beach rats follow the tell tale signs of birds feeding indicating a blitz of bass and or blues.

Karl Hess, Ocean County Real Estate, Keller Williams Jersey Shore