Tom P.

This is our prime time to wet wade the several Garden State rivers and streams that harbor that tawny, vertical barred, scarlet-eyed ultra-light tackle terror: the smallmouth bass, aka bronzeback.

It’s the height of the summer season, and the tourist influx is at its peak. When it comes to outside activities, besides parking butts on the sand, there are two primary pursuits: crabbing and fishing.

Crabbing is made for The Fourth. The star of the summer show in the blue crab, commonly known as a blueclaw.

Small waters hold BIG bass. As in largemouths with barrel bellies.

The early season (this year it opened May 2; same as ‘22 and nearly a month earlier than previous years) traditionally is the time for the South Jersey flounder bite to make its mark.

The April portion of the split seasons concludes Sunday, April 30, and while the first week was spotty, as expected, the second week showed rapid improvement to the point where four fish limits were being dropped in coolers and buckets with smile-wide regularity.

April 1, the blackfish opener for the short shot 30-day early spring season, is going to be a washout.

The touchy weather hasn’t dampened the enthusiasm for the early season back bay and tidal river striper pursuit.

It’s all systems go for the 2023 season when it comes to summer flounder (fluke), sea bass, and porgies (scup) as per the dates, lengths, and bag limits decided on by the NJ Marine Fisheries Council last Thursday after reviewing four options and listening to public input.

Friday, Saturday, and Sunday are the last call to attend the Discover Boating Atlantic City Boat Show in Partnership with Progressive, running at the big ‘n beautiful Atlantic City Convention Center at 1 Convention Boulevard.

A half-hour after sunset Saturday (6:15 pm), the curtain drops on the 2022-23 small game season.

The tog (blackfish) season draws to a close at 11:59 pm Tuesday, February 28.