Graveling Point Tidal Info (opens in new window)

Why is Graveling Point such a good striped bass fishing location in the Spring? Graveling Point is an area of land where the deeper water of the Mullica River meets the shallower water of the Great Bay, creating promising water current changes that fish are known to like. In the Spring, the water temperature of the Mullica River is warmer then the bay and ocean temperatures. During the outgoing tide, this warmer water triggers a feeding response in the cold, lazy fish. Graveling Point is also more easily accessible to anglers than other fishing locations along the Mullica River. It is approximately a quarter of a mile to the West at end of Radio Road in Mystic Island. See Map with additional information about Graveling Point itself.

When does the Spring Striped Bass run start at Graveling Point?

Every year we get the same set of questions...so I've started this page to keep track. I went back through all the old bulletins and daily reports, looking for notations on first activity and/or first keeper caught.

Well, angler activity officially starts on March 1st, when it's considered opening day of striper season. The water temperature and overall weather really determines when the fishing action breaks loose. Many years, anglers are out there wetting a line as early as the third week in February, even though they can't keep a fish until the 1st of March.

Dates on First Keeper Striped Bass
weighed in each year at Scott's Bait & Tackle.
Caught at Graveling Point

Bait: Bloodworms
Average water temp: 45-55 degrees

WE HAVE A WINNER!!!
2008	Mar. 26	Lenny Senkarik ~9.0 lb. 29 ¼" Live fish weighed in 2:45pm 3/26. CAUGHT on bloodworm, outgoing tide at 2:27pm. 65.7°F weather. Water temp: Guessing 48°F approx.
	Mar. 2	Got word this afternoon 3/2 that water temps later in the morning on 3/1 were around 42° and stayed there for a good 6 hours during the morning/afternoon. Chris Mulhall of Florence NJ got a 15" short this morning, so there is a chance of real striper activity any time now once those fish warm up a bit!
	Mar. 1	Opening Day - early water temps 38°, wind N20-25. Too windy to even feel light bites by perch.
2007	Mar. 14	Mike Barlow ~8.9 lb. 29" Live fish weighed in 12:51pm 3/14. CAUGHT on Berkley Gulp Bloody Bloodworm, bottom of the tide, incoming water (other shorts caught as well). 55°F weather, Windchill 59.2°F . Water temp: Guessing 44°F approx.
	Mar. 7	SNOW! Water temp. at the point back below 40, waiting for things to warm up again.
	Mar. 3	Water temp. at the point around 40°. First reports of shorts in the 21" range.
	Feb. 28	Water temp. at the point (per George) 34° today. Season Opens Tomorrow March 1st.
2006	March 5	Randy Sloan of Whiting ~10.3 lb. 30" Weighed in 10a.m. 3/5. CAUGHT 10-10:30p.m. 3/4 (tide half way incoming, other shorts caught as well). 40°F weather, Windchill 30°F . Water temp:44°F approx.
	March 4	First confirmation of shorts - at least 9 on the evening of the 3rd.
	February 25	Water temp: 44°F on incoming tide this week
2005	March 29	Lenny Senkarik ~6.8 lb. 27" 6 a.m. 3/30 weigh-in, caught 5:15pm 3/29 (witnessed and called in) Rainy day, 55°F weather. Water temp:45°F
	March 21-23	Belated reports of short fish and bites! ~ posted March 26
	March 12	No reports of bites yet. Winter weather this past week ranging from 65°F on Monday to 14°F on Friday. 3/12 Water temp:41°F (approx)
	March 1	Season opens with ice on the lagoons. 3/1 Water temp:30°F (approx)
2004	March 6	Greg O'Connell ~8.1 lb. 28" 12:44 p.m. weigh-in, caught 12:20 p.m. Rainy day, 50 degree weather. Water temp:46°F
	March 3	Yesterday evening water temp reported (at A.C.) was 38°F. We had skim ice on the lagoon a few days ago. No reports yet, shorts or otherwise.
2003	March 21	Anthony Pitucci ~ 8.8 lb. 27" 1:35 pm weigh-in, Foggy day, 50°F weather.
	March 17	A few spikes 12-14" bass have been caught and released the past couple of days. Surface 50°F on warmest days, deeper water still 39°F
	March 1	Ice on lagoons at March 1st, water temp at G.P. estimated 35-40°F max
2002	March 1	Willard Hatcher ~ 13 lb. 30 1/2"
2001	March 16	Chris Sylvestro ~ 8 lb. 14 oz 29 1/2"
	March 15	First report 16" short at Graveling Pt.
	March 2	First report of a short, up in Mullica river
2000	March 3	Chris Sylvestro ~ 8 # 2oz 28 1/4"
		No shorts reported prior to the keeper fish being caught
1999	March 24	Aaron Moore ~ 20# 5 oz 36"
	March 7	Slow, first shorts/bites reported Graveling Pt.
1998	March 7	Henry Thompson Jr. ~ 9# 4 oz 29 1/2"
	February 23	First shorts reported Graveling Pt.
1997	March 9	Alan Young ~ 11# 12 oz 31"
1996	March 22	Ed Varga ~ 13# 31 1/2"
1995	March 27	Ken Smith ~ 30# 8 oz

Additional Striper Information