[Billfish715]

Bullet Bob's comment about the ice affecting the bay/river temps rekindled a question/theory that I've had for awhile. How does the added ice flow affect the water temps in the MudHole and farther out? It seems that it will change the surface temps substantially, but what about the bottom temps.? Since migrating fish follow the thermoclines and currents, I'm only guessing that there will be a late arrival of both forage and other fish. My feeling is that the strong currents from the NY Bight will push the cold water along through the MudHole and farther, forcing more of the migrating stripers and bunkers to swim closer to the beach. After looking at the Shrewsbury and Navesink Rivers and the lagoons along Barnegate Bay choked with ice, it's going to be awhile before they warm up despite their shallow depths. I don't think there's any science on any of this but all of this ice has to affect the early starts to fishing we've had in the recent past few years. Take a ride and check out any of the major waterways that feed into the ocean in our area and see what you think.