Keeping with tradition, I’ll keep it upbeat, but in all honesty things have slowed down a little bit this week. There are still plenty of short fluke in the back bays, with a few keepers mixed in, if you are willing to battle the summer insect invasion. The offshore yellowfin bite that was just red hot for a few weeks has fizzled out with some really ugly water in many of the southern canyons, and although it is time for whitey out there, the actual catching should be better for the second week in July.
Laurie at Dows in Lake Hopatcong reports the hybrid striper bite on herring is still pretty good with some 8- and 9-pounders being caught. Nighttime is a good time for walleye if you like tossing top waters, and if it is panfish you are looking for, a bobber and a dozen worms should do just fine to feed the family.
Tom at Giglio’s in Sea Bright echoes the slowdown. The heat has cut the fishing back this week. Bass are being caught at night on eels and occasionally the Berkley Gulp crab. Fluke are abundant from surf and boats around Sea Bright with a good ratio of keepers. Berkley Gulp bait seems to do the best. Snappers and blue claw crabs are showing up in the rivers. Blue fish are hit and miss in the surf.
The guys at Fisherman’s Headquarters in Ship Bottom have most of their crews targeting the reefs and wrecks in 45 to 65 feet of water for a nice summertime mixed bag of bottom fish. Nice catches of fluke, blackfish, sea bass and a remarkable number of cod, yes cod, have been hitting the fillet table. There are still fluke on the beaches and in the back, but the throwback ratio is a little ridiculous. Striper action in the back and in the suds is a very first light and after dark activity. Greg is out at ICAST in Las Vegas this week making sure that those that walk into FHQ are getting the latest and greatest the industry has to offer. He has a full report on tons of new gear at fishermansheaduarters.com. Totally worth a redirected read. By the way, Barnegat bay has been reinvaded by blowfish – talk about some tasty fun to have with the kids!
The non-Grumpy crew at Grumpy’s near Island Beach State Park tells us that the bluefishing has picked up all around with some occasional sight fishing opportunities. Topwater poppers are working great, which is about as much fun as you could possibly hope, but if you want to donate LOTS of curly tail plastics on jig heads, knock your socks off before the blues do! Truthfully, it’s time for heaving those little metals that make everyone look like a long casting pro! Lots of throwback fluke in the suds at Island Beach as well.
Twin Lights Marina in the Highlands is the newest addition to our weekly crew with their reports starting next week. With full dock services, storage service, fuel and a great tackle and snack shop, it is a must stop if you are cruising through.
The new 90-foot Gambler has been having some awesome days on the water in the last two weeks. Gambler runs two half days when the sun is up with the morning seemingly outperforming the afternoons by a bit. A 6-pound flattie took the pool yesterday morning and one angler had 6 keepers this morning with the heaviest just topping 4 pounds. Fishing in 50 to 60 feet seems to be the ticket right now.
Chris over at Harry’s Army Navy in Robbinsville tells it like it is, and freshwater fishing is dropping off for sure. “Full Jersey Summer Mode” is what he calls it, and we all know what that means. There are lots of snapper blues in the back and along the beachfront with bass being taken in the dark. Chris has been throwing some of the new Run Off lures they have is stock and he is giving them his personal thumbs up.
Team Tackle Direct in Somers Point took the long run south from GE inlet to the 19 Fathom Lump this week and beat it like a rented mule for hours without even a sniff. After looking at a few “second” options they turned towers the edge and made the 20-mile run out to the Baltimore to chase yellowfin instead of not catching bluefin. They put a nice 50-pound yellowfin in the boat on a select ballyhoo with a duster and then filled the box with monster triggerfish and a few mahi off of a floating fish tote they came across. Any meat in a storm I guess.
Best Bet for The Weekend
Best bet this week looks like hitting the reefs for some bottom bouncing. The offshore water has turned kind of ugly and in need of a little wind, but there are still spotty reports of good catches. I guess it is one of those periods where there is not going to be a lot of “accidental” offshore catches, so get your turbidity reports, your satellite shots for decent temp breaks, and show the dock why your crew is top hook in all conditions. Stay tuna-ed!