Fishing Line: March 4

It is officially striped bass season, as the backwaters re-opened March 1, but the winter blackfish season ended Feb. 28. The spring blackfish season opens April 1.
There are new regulations for striped bass, so make sure you’re familiar with them. Also, remember to go to the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife website to register, or renew, your Saltwater Registry.
More nice double-digit blackfish were caught before the season ended, so I have the details. Let’s check everything out.
Bayhound Charters Light Tackle Sportfishing is keeping the nice run on double-digit blackfish going. Before that news, we should mention that Capt. Al had a nice trip recently. The day consisted of solid catches, but none big enough to write home about. Overall, it was a great day with a great group of anglers.
Sunday was another nice weather day, and more nice fish were landed. Among them was a new personal-best blackfish for Jason Smith, a 14.75-pound male. Congratulations to Jason for raising the bar to new heights.
The Bayhound took one more trip and returned with blackfish and porgies. It marked their final winter trip, as the weather forecast sealed the fate for the season’s final days.
The Cape May Lady was out, and they visited some promising spots in the ocean, looking for blackfish. They took a “long ride,” but it was worth it, as it “paid off” nicely.
There were a few anglers who caught their limits, with some nice fish among them. The nicest that day tipped the scales at 11.6 pounds.
This slow fishing period is being supplemented nicely, with fishing shows for the next few weeks. Check them out if you get the opportunity.
The 22nd Annual Greater Philadelphia Boat Show, held at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center, in Oaks, Pa., will be held March 6-8. There will be loads of boats, electronics and fishing gear to check out.
During the following weekend, March 13-15, the Saltwater Fishing Expo is being held at the New Jersey Convention and Exposition Center, in Edison.
Don’t forget that the area’s local show, the Wildwood Fishing and Boating Expo, is scheduled for April 4-5, at the Wildwoods Convention Center. To get an idea of what to expect, or if you are a vendor, check them out at their Facebook page or website, www.fishingexpowildwood.com.
We are positioned where one fishing season takes a month off, while another begins. With the mild winter we’ve had, a lot of people feel that we will have a great spring that could take off quickly, but only time will tell.
Take care, and I’ll see you around.
Submit your fishing news and photos to mrobbins@cmcherald.com.