Fishing Line: March 11

Currently, we’re in a time of the year that could be considered our offseason.
Striped bass season and bluefish aren’t really in gear yet, although we did register the first keeper striped bass of the season, blackfish are off for the month and flounder season is over two months away. Kingfish, a summer staple of surf anglers, is a few months off, too, and offshore fish aren’t even in sight yet. We can fill the time by attending fishing and boating shows or preparing our gear for our choice of fish.
Also, there is one other option. Let’s check everything out.
Currently, freshwater fishing is where the action is. Some early largemouth bass, plus yellow perch and pickerel, are being caught. Anglers have been seen at East Creek Mill Lake, the first lake heading north on Route 347.
An area closer to home, the Ockie Wisting Recreation Complex, near Menz’s Restaurant, also should be kept in mind. I’m sure other public and private bodies of water are producing. Make sure you obtain a license if you want to fish a public body of fresh water.
As previously mentioned, another activity to participate in is the Tides of March White Perch Tournament, which is currently underway. It’s a month-long tournament, run by Absecon Bay Sportsman Center. There is still time to get involved, and there is also a small entry fee.
If you get involved, you’ll have a chance to win the grand prize, which represents the total weight of the heaviest 10 white perch caught during the month by that angler. You could also win the Heaviest Bag, which goes to the angler with the heaviest same-day catch of 10 perch.
Finally, you could win Lunker of the Month, which, obviously, goes to the angler that catches the month’s largest fish.
The first opening day winner, Matthew Schoenfield, a 13-year-old, won for the largest perch, weighing 1.25 pounds. He also won the Youth Division. His 10 fish total was 6.65 pounds. He won a Tsunami rod and reel, a tackle package, offered by Tom P., from Rack and Fin Radio, plus a store gift certificate.
Another winner, claiming a store gift certificate, was David Jobes, who totaled 6.85 pounds for his 10-fish total.
Remember, as the participants fish through the month, they can add a heavier fish to their total. It will bump the lightest fish from the 10 fish stringer. This allows them the chance to improve their total and keeps the contest interesting until the end.
The next “special day” in the contest, March 15, is known as “The Tides of March.” There’s still time to prepare and enter that day, and also the remainder of the contest. Good luck.
Absecon Bay Sportsman Center also recorded a nice striper, which was the first legal striper of the season. The fish, caught March 4 by Nick Spiris, weighed 11.25 pounds and was 29 inches long.
The first word of a hibernating boat awakening reached me recently. The Miss Avalon finished her winter hiatus and entered the water March 4. Her season begins April 10, at 8 a.m., with blackfish as her prey.
You can also visit the crew and ask them questions at the Wildwood Fishing and Boating Expo April 4-5. You can also enter to win a free fishing trip.
I will let you know when I hear about other boats preparing for the spring season.
To clarify the new striped bass regulations, the one-fish bag limit, with a size limit of 28 inches to less than 38 inches, begins April 1 and lasts through Dec. 31. Last year’s regulations remain in effect through March.
You may possess one fish daily, from 28 inches to less than 43 inches. You may also then possess one additional striper that is 43 inches or longer.
Warm weather is in the weekend’s forecast, and there will be more daylight after moving the clocks forward. With that in mind, you may be more inclined to get out and throw a line.
If you do, good luck, and let me know how you did.
Submit your fishing news and photos to mrobbins@cmcherald.com.