y the time March rolls around I am more than ready to once again put that first bend in my rod for the new season. In New Jersey March 1st is when it becomes legal again to fish the backbay waters for striped bass. This technically would be west of the Corlies Demarcation line on a NOAA chart. Ocean side waters were open and legal all through January and February. In January and February ocean waters didn’t disappoint anglers that never hung up their sticks. Warmer than normal air temperatures kept ocean surf temperatures between 42-45 degrees just where we left them in December of 2005. As a result small striped bass were present in good numbers for the last two months. Some of the best action was in the area of the Deal surf as our guide Rich Swisstack had many days of 30-50 small bass in the 12-22 inch ranges.

Now you can’t argue with that even though the fish are small they are still bending the rod, and when it is a noodle rod that equates to fun for me. But it wasn’t me it was Rich and anyone else that was out there. You see my madness begins.

This season striped bass anglers will have new less confusing regulations. These are two striped bass at 28 inches or greater per angler per day with plans for a bonus program being finalized. In the northern part of the State anglers won’t have to worry about the confusion that existed in the past in Raritan Bay where New Jersey anglers were out of compliance if they crossed into New York waters with a 24 to less than 28 inch fish, and out of compliance if they brought a 28 to less than 34 inch New York caught fish back over to the Jersey side. (Glad that madness is now gone).

In the southern part of the state however anglers will no longer be able to bring home that 24 to less than 28 inch bass for a tasty meal that so many favored and are so prevalent in the extensive back bay systems.

For a barometer to see how the action is progressing during the first couple of weeks of March many striped bass fishermen will look at the activity that is taking place at Graveling Point at the mouth of the Mullica River. This is traditionally one of the early season hotspots where striped bass usually turn on due to the warm water runoff from the Mullica River.

This year the first legal striped bass was caught by Randy Sloan of Whiting on March 5th and weighed 10.3 lb and measured 30 inches. The weather was 40°F at the time with a windchill of 30°F. Water temperature was approximately 44°F.

In 2005 it was a very slow start to the season and the first legal striped bass between 24-28 inches was caught by Lenny Senkarik on March 29th and weighed 6.8lbs and was 27 inches in length. Water temperatures were 45 degrees. In 2004 the first bass 28 inches or greater was logged on Saturday March 6th. It was caught by Greg O'Connell and weighed 8.1 pounds. In 2003 we had another very cold winter with first couple weeks of the season registering water temperatures between 35-39 degrees in the back bays. The first legal bass wasn’t caught until March 21st. This bass was caught by Anthony Pitucci and was 27 inches long and weighed 8.8 lbs. At the start of the 1992 season back bay water temperatures were 45 degrees and the first legal striped bass of the new season was weighed in on March 1st by Willard Hatcher. This bass weighed 13 lbs and was 30-1/2 inches in length.

I have to give a lot of credit to those anglers whose are mentioned above because for the most part if you look at the temperatures it was cold. It is not fun standing out there in the beginning of the season when your fingers, hands, and feet start to get numb and many times several hours of fishing doesn’t even produce as much as a twitch in the rod. But many anglers are out there as sure as night will turn into day.

For me my March madness has changed over the years. I used to be a March 1st diehard and fish the backwaters hard just about everyday. But three children and 30 years spent on the water later, I now envision warm spring-like days where the sun is shinning and warm breezes await my person. A light jacket or sweatshirt with no rain gear over my waders is my ideal attire.

Even if I don’t catch any fish my mind is free to roam without being distracted by any harsh elements. I can concentrate as hard as I want on casting and retrieving, working my artificials, and feeling my small plugs slide through the water. Any little bit of detritus or algae can be easily felt that may get caught on my hooks as I get into the zone.

And at other times I will just walk the banks of the backwaters just taking a cast here and there and are more inclined to focus on life rather than the fishing. In the peace and solitude I think about my wife, children, friends, and how God has blessed me to this day. I praise Him for the awesome God that He is and this tremendous resource that He has given us to enjoy.

So with March upon us now head to the back as that is where you will find the bass waiting. I always have high hopes that the new season will be better than the last and many fish will be brought my way. Hope to see you out there! Capt Jim

Note: March 17th - 19th you won’t want to miss The Saltwater Fishing Expo, at the Garden State Exhibit Center in Somerset. This is an all-new event for the saltwater angler that has created a significant amount of excitement in the sportfishing industry. This Expo will feature the entire world of saltwater angling.

Paul Fuller, show manager, states: “The entire Expo Center will be filled from wall-to-wall with products and services exclusive to the saltwater sport fisherman”. Fuller went on to say that this includes fishing tackle for inshore to offshore, light tackle to big game tackle and everything in-between. Show goers will see and touch the latest from major tackle manufacturers, discover unique products from small tackle makers and be able to buy the latest products from local retailers. Major tackle makers exhibiting are Shimano, Penn, Daiwa, St. Croix, Quantum, Lamiglass, Albright, Barefoot and dozens of others.

In addition, anglers will have an opportunity to book fishing trips with local captains and exotic destinations. Exclusive to the The Saltwater Fishing Expo is the Boatyard, which features dozens of the very latest saltwater boats, motors, kayaks and marine accessories and equipment.

There will be dozens of seminars throughout the three days of the show, which will be presented by experts at the top of their game. Show goers will learn how-to-do-it and where-to-go. TV host and saltwater angler extraordinaire, Capt. Jose Wejebe, will be presenting a seminar on Saturday, March 18th. Capt Gene and I will be presenting Friday at 5:30pm. Our show will cover the best that New Jersey fishing has to offer for each season from both the beach and boat.

Paul Fuller and the Expo’s parent company, Eastern Fishing & Outdoor Exposition, Inc. have been producing sportfishing-related shows for 30 years. In addition, The Saltwater Fishing Expo is being produced in partnership with the American Sportfishing Association and presented by The Outdoor Channel.

For complete information, visit the show website at www.sportshows.com. Show hours are Friday 12:00pm to 9:30pm; Saturday 10:00am to 6:00pm and Sunday 10:00am to 5:00pm. Admission prices are $10.00 for adults and $3.00 for children 11 and under. The Garden State Exhibit Center is easily reached by taking Exit 10 off I-287 North.