Tiny Bass Represents Start of a Big Season For One Angler

If anyone out there is Facebook friends with Frank Ruczynski, you know the man is a trooper. I recall a few months ago reading his status updates about fishing for striped bass in 20 degree weather from here, there and everywhere across the state.

I’ve yet to meet Frank personally, but he comes to mind when one thinks of an angler who puts in his time. Obviously, Frank made it out March 1, the start of striped bass season in the back bays and rivers. He was one of the few who managed to hook a bass, though we assume he threw it back – after all, when the hook is bigger than the fish it snags, well, come on. Enlarge the photo attached to this article for a full view of the “catch of the day.”

Turns out Frank was one of the lucky ones. Not much bass catching occurred opening week, though it’s safe to say there were not too, too many people trying. Still, I did hear some rumblings of good news. Nothing much about keepers, but I have some solid information that bass were hooked in Oyster Creek and in an undisclosed location in the Toms River. I did not, however, hear anything solid on Graveling Point, which tends to turn on closer to the end of March.

As I mentioned in this space last week, the bait of choice right now is going to be bloodworms, plain and simple. And you know what? I hate bloodworms. They’re slimy, they’re hard to handle and sometimes they’ll bite you. Sorry, but I don’t like it when the bait is trying to catch me.

Bait woes aside, those bloods will be your best friend this time of year, though some anglers like to get the season started using artificial such as Rapala X-Raps and your standard, run-of-the-mill artificial worms. I got a whole case of artificial worms for Christmas this year (thanks, Dad!) and I plan to start using them on the Toms River pretty soon. My strategy might include some mixing and matching with Fish Bites artificial baits in hopes of mixing my bass endeavors with an effort to hook a few white perch. Island Heights tends to be the hot spot, and more anglers should be hitting the river in that neck of the woods over the next few weeks.

The party boats are still on the cod bite, and I know of a group of anglers from LBI heading up to Montauk this morning for a big cod trip. The group includes Val from Oceanside Bait and Tackle in Brighton Beach, and I’m sure I’ll have a few photos from the trip to share next week.

But for those of us back in Jersey, let’s take a break from the controversies over our fisheries and focus on nabbing that first bass of the season.