So far this season, there seems to be no middle ground. It has either been blazing hot or unseasonably cool. I am, of course, speaking of the weather. The fishing up and down the coast has been a steady pick of whatever species you are targeting at the time. Likewise, the water temperatures have been all over the map and the fish, accordingly seem to be grouping up in the areas of that are most acceptable for their feeding needs. The trick is to find those high-probability areas. Hopefully, our reports have not only helped you put some fish in the creel, but also saved you a few dollars on gas to boot.
Down south, we chase “flounder” (the summer kind) and not “fluke.” And when I am looking for some fat flatties, I always make sure to check in with Captain Dave Showell at Absecon Bay Sportsmen’s Center. Dave has forgotten more about Absecon Bay and its tributaries than most anglers will ever know, and he is not shy about giving out specifics as to where the fish are biting and what they are hitting on. Just ask Albert Stitler who brought in three keepers up to 4 pounds on a recent back-bay outing. Bait of choice according to Captain Dave, squid strips on white bucktails. In water between 5 and 12 feet on the outgoing tide has been the most productive time to target flounder down there in Absecon Bay.
Bass and blues are all the talk in the northern quadrants of the state. As proof, I offer the gang at Murphy’s Hook House on Rte 37 in East Toms River. Find the bunker, find the bass. It’s as simple as that. Earlier in the week, a couple of pairs of brothers reported four bass taken up to 38 pounds. Billy and Matt Hayes along with the Kuhl brothers, boated these using drag and drop techniques once they found the bunker. Head over to Berkley Island Park if you are bored with bass. The fluke are starting to produce as well as some blowfish. Guys are beginning to pick up fluke in the Manasquan River, try some squid and spearing combos for the best results.
If you are a surf fishing fanatic like me and are anywhere near Long Branch then you must stop in a meet the crew at Surfside Bait and Tackle. This week the action has been really good for those opting to use pencil poppers of the beach. Plenty of bait around for those of you looking to snag and drag but the water is almost perfect right now for those of us who chose to go the artificial route. Barry Irvin, brought in a 38-pound linesider taken on a pencil. That’s proof enough for me!
Did you say Belmar? Well if you are planning a trip anywhere near Belmar, stop in and get your bait, tackle or even boat rentals at Fisherman’s Den, located in the Belmar Marina on the Shark River. Bass, bass and more bass seems to be the message of the day. The waters are starting to turn out some decent fluke but the main target of opportunity is definitely those fat striped bass.
Fishing wouldn’t be half the fun without the fishing stories. And some of the best come from Bill Alexander at My Wife’s Bait and Tackle shop, just off Route 9 outside of Sea Isle City. Bill is locally famous for his fish tales as well as his knowledge of the fishing holes around Sea Isle. Got a broken rod or reel? Then rush it over to My Wife’s Rod and Reel, they have a top notch repair shop on site. But we are here to find fish. And according to Bill, the flounder bite is definitely on. Water temperature changes have moved the fluke from the flats into the deeper holes behind Sea Isle. Another little tidbit that Bill passed along was there is a good bite on the inshore reefs for sea bass. He also asked me to pass along a warning to boaters fishing the reefs that may have pots on them (Boo) as they are using floating lines now and more than a few props have been fouled by anglers chasing sea bass.
Looking to avoid the skunk? Then head over to Jersey Coast bait and tackle in Brick before you wet a line. One of the best stocked shops in the northern part of the state, the guys there will give you the best tips for keeping that skunk smell off of you. This week, they are telling me that jigs are the best bet for catching some nice bass. They especially recommend a jig with a wide profile like a Spanko or Hopkins or Krocodile. Bunker spoons are still working on the troll. If fluking is your game, JC advised looking for 60-plus feet of water and remember the water is colder down deep so the fish aren’t as aggressive. Inshore waters are holding smaller fluke and in there, the chance of coming across a bunker school and some bass just might double your odds of putting fish on the table. For the offshore enthusiast, there have been some reports of makos up to 190 pounds being taken at the Fingers.
Delaware Bay and the Wildwoods will put you on some of the most diverse fishing in all of the state. Sterling Harbor Marina on Rio Grande is your best bet for both areas. Their report to me this week shows how varied that area really is. In Delaware Bay and to some extent the beaches of the Wildwoods are still producing the last of the black drum migration. Mike Hanson picked up a nice 38-pounder on the beach using one of his own AQUA-CLEAR rigs and clam. The offshore crowd has been picking at the makos with Team Player from Stone Harbor going 4 for 6 with the largest mako weighing in at 162 pounds. Flounder fishing in the back has been getting better as is the inshore reef fishing for black sea bass. The striper bite, while slowing down off the beaches is still going strong in Delaware Bay.
Best Bets for the Weekend
With the weather turning up the heat, the best place to be is on or near the water. Head south if you are desperate for flat fish. The way things are heating up, this could be the shot that move the flounder from the flats to the deeper holes. The inlets could provide a variety of preys so keep a rod rigged for striper. From LBI north, striper is the rule of the day. As the water heats up, so will the use of top water lures. Pencil poppers seem to be the hot artificial and when all else fails, snag and drag some bunker. There are some weakfish and smaller blues mixed in so the action should be steady. I wouldn’t be surprised to hear of some thresher sharks not far off the coast as conditions heat up. Be careful out there. Heat like this can bring some wild weather so check your forecasts. Above all, stay safe!