The “Dog Days of Summer” are upon us but something seems way out of kilter. Sometimes the planets just align perfectly, and for anglers, this may be the week. Up and down the New Jersey coastline, water temperatures and other factors necessary for a successful fishing adventure all seem to be moving in that zone. If there was ever a time to suit up and get in the game, it is now!
Surf anglers as a group, often find it difficult to agree on things such as technique, best tides and bait preferences. But surprisingly, they all concur on the fact that Surfside Bait and Tackle in Long Branch is an asset to those of us scouting the local beaches for prey. This week, its bait that is producing the stripers off the beaches and the fluking has definitely turned on. The big bluefish seem to have drifted off farther than the average sand blaster can cast, but the smaller ones are still there in abundance. Metal, metal and more metal if that’s your target. I caught Jack this morning on his cell while he was out making a run to pick up some additional shedders as his inventory had been totally depleted over the holiday weekend. Logic tells me that if shedders are the bait of choice, someone has found where the weakies have been hiding. Or am I mistaken?
If the beach is your favorite place to drown some bait or toss some plastic, I highly recommend a trip up to Island Beach State Park this time of year. Nice drop-offs right off the beach give you the opportunity for some fantastic days (or nights, if that’s your forte). And when you get to IBSP, make it a priority to spin by Grumpy’s in Seaside to take care of all your bait and tackle needs before you get your feet sandy. Paul tells me that while the beach crowds have thinned out after the holiday, the fish apparently didn’t get the message. Fluke have started to move out from the back bays and are visiting the beaches. The night bite for 3- to 4-pound bluefish has been pretty consistent. Use some metal if that’s your game plan. And if you are a wizard at catching so called “garbage fish” like skates and sea robbins, Grumpy’s is a weigh station for the great Garbage Fish tourney. Stop in for details.
David Showell at Absecon Bay Sportsman’s Center is about as knowledgeable an individual as you will find when it comes to the fishing holes in and around Absecon Inlet. Dave (aka Guatemala Dave) has one of the biggest variety of Gulp Baits of any I have found in either north or south New Jersey. And even though he carries a big variety of live baits, he will be the first to tell you that Berkley Gulp baits are a must have for any fluke chasers arsenal of tools. Dave is not hesitant to give away “secret spots” in the bay as witnessed by the testimonial of local radio celebrity Tommy P. and his soon to be bride Denise Marie and their 4.5-pound flatfish caught in the Crosstides. And while at the shop, I also learned that the linesiders have been on fire on the sod banks of Reeds Bay at night and first light. Mike DeMarie boated a 38-inch striped bass on a black and silver Smack It by Stillwater Lures. And I also heard that local realtor Frank McGinley had a great day chasing flounder using every bait in his box. Frank boated 5 keeper flatfish up to 23 inches on a recent 4-hour trip. Way to go Frank.
If you are looking for angling diversity, then travel south. Bigger bays and inlets present different opportunities. Plugging the sod banks, ocean front fluking or back bay charter boating is all available. That being said, the Ocean City area, in my humble opinion, provides a plethora of options for the family fisher person on vacation. Flounder fishing has been steady with minnows and Gulp baits being the top menu item. The flatfish are definitely moving toward the cooler, deeper waters of Great Egg Inlet. Find the deeper holes in the back and be rewarded with keepers. At night, the sod banks of Rainbow Channel have been very, very productive. Top water plugs are all you need. At least that’s what my sources at Fin-Atics in Ocean City are telling me. The crabbing has started to pick up and there are also reports of kingfish being taken on the ocean front. How’s that for diversity?
When anglers in the south of the state ask me for a recommendation for an offshore outfitter around Cape May, I have absolutely no problem giving them Jim Wallaces’ name. Just over the bridge in the Cape, you would be hard pressed to find a better stocked or more knowledgeable staff then Jim’s. I spoke with Rich there recently to get the scoop on the offshore bite. The yellowfin and bluefin bite in the Massey has been nothing short of phenomenal. For Bonito and blues, set a heading for the Five Fathom Bank. The Spencer has been on fire with yellowfin tuna. Nick Olsen from the shop released a 500-pound-plus Blue Marlin over the weekend while out at the Poor Man’s. “En Fuego” is the only thing that comes to mind when I hear a report like that. But Rich was quick to tell me that the offshore bite wasn’t the only game in town. The sea bass have been a steady resident of the Cape May reef and are more than willing to relocate for the right offering. Todd Marston of Franklinville, brought a 3.5 pound sea bass into the shop. And for the odd catch of the week, we give you Joe Costellato, who recently boated a 2.75-pound white hake. Definitely an oddity for this area and at this time of the year. Go figure.
Best Bets for the Weekend.
Water temps up and down the coast indicate a transition from the shallows to the deeper holes. Find those holes and chances are the flatties will be lying around the edges looking to shanghai their meal of the day. Bigger baits equal bigger fish so don’t be afraid to cut those strip baits a little longer and go with the big Gulps.
If its stripers that float your boat, you need to get out at night because that is when they get hungry. Crabbing in the south is definitely about ready to pop. And the weather for the weekend looks to be spectacular for the offshore crowd. All you need to do is get ready, get set and GO FISH!