Hot… really hot! But not necessarily the fishing.
The heat wave sweeping the state is hitting the water and the fisherman hard with spiking temperatures, some violent squalls, and unfortunately some heat-driven winds. Back bay and river temperatures in the 80’s do not lend themselves to much beyond chasing some of the smaller species that hang in there through the summer, but if you play your cards right, you really can still put a catch together. Paying close attention to the tides and relating directly to major structure can still put keeper fluke in the cooler, if you are willing to do the throwback game. Small bluefish whacking tons of back bay bait, and even a few nice weakies reported can make the day a win in your fishing log. Nighttime can be lots of fun if you know what you are doing.
Our time in the back bay these days is really more about catching bait to take out to the reef sites or beyond. I know that there has been untold volumes written on artificials and even the magic-like capabilities of the Gulp, but in the summer heat, live bait rules.
Bait Your Hook B&T in Atlantic Highlands has a pretty good handle on inshore and offshore action. I spoke to Kevin who is still weighing some nice fluke taken in the Bay on GULP or and kind of minnow combo you want to bounce. The Mudhole has bottom fisherman still smiling with takes of cod and ling, and those venturing to the Hudson and Bacardi are still on the bluefin.
Ernie at Giglios Bait and Tackle in Sea Bright had a nice weigh in from his nephew Jim this week. Two fluke hit the scales at6 and 7 pounds taken from a boat not too far from the shop. In the “that’s cool” file, Gene Bradford was fishing a beach jetty in Deal and grabbed a bunch of Triggers on clam bit, with one weighing just over 3 pounds. There are some weakies being taken in the back and some nice kingies on the beach. Crabbing has really picked up both in size and number with some big males hitting the pot.
Peter was holding down the fort for Max at Pride B&T in Red Bank. Peter worked the beach at Sandy Hook this week and had good numbers of throwback fluke but did not stick a keeper. Bluefin action inshore is still at the top of many lists but guys are having to run a little further south or out to the canyons. Nice sized bluefish are hanging near structure like the Mud Buoy.
Jack down at Surf Side Bait and Tackle in Long Branch reports that July is officially here. That means things are a little slower in the area with some anglers picking keeper fluke, some kingfish and smaller blues in the surf, but not much to really get cranked up about. Local divers have been seeing lots of nice blackfish so those that go to fill their bag limit of one should at least be having some fun. Still lots of bunker, both adult and peanuts, in the zone with some decent blues hitting them.
Dominick at The Bait Shop in Bradley Beach is singing the mid-July song we are hearing from lots of our guys. The fluking is spotty but those putting in the time and playing the 10:1 throwback game are still grinding it out. There is lots of bait around; peanuts, some spot and some snapper blues. Guys working the beachfront are having some fun with the kingfish near the jetties. Bloodworm, sand worm, and Fish-Byte pieces are the ticket there.
Chris at Harrys Army Navy in Robbinsville has guys from all different angling angles in the shop all the time; offshore, freshwater, beach and bay, and is a great resource to our network. He reports the troll bite for yellowfin offshore is super strong right now at the canyons (we won’t talk about the yellowfin tuna infestation at the way southern lumps… it’s too far away and it will just get you all steamed up!). Tuna on the troll is the way to go out there right now. Fluking in the ocean on the large reef structures is very good with keeper fish coming over the rail for those that put in the time. You will be picking up sea bass there as well but the larger ones are much further offshore. Crabbing is just awesome right now, both in size and numbers and there are kingies on the beach, mostly near structure.
In the freshwater, Chris reports the bass fishing in the smaller ponds and lakes has really turned on. Assunpink, Rising Sun, Crystal Lake, and similar bodies are doing very well. Try running weedless rigged frogs over the top of vegetation and hang on. Cat fishing in the river is awesome if you make your bait stanky enough and catching carp is just getting too easy.
Also on the fresh front, news from Laurie at Dows Boat rental at Lake Hoptacong is good! Lots of nice fish again this past week with Hybrids over 8 pounds on the points in the main lake area. There have been quite a few in the 7- to 8-pound range and also some walleye in the same weight class. Nighttime topwater action is leaning more walleye than striper. For the kids, shallow water action with worm bits on bobbers is just like magic… bring them out!
Best Bet for the Weekend
Best bet for this weekend is first, watch the weather closely. There has been quite a bit of instability this week, added to a fair sized swell, and there is a good chance the fan will be blowing. If the short term outlook is good, hitting the nearshore reefs for fluke and sea bass is a great plan. As of right now the offshore looks bad with 5-foot-plus seas forecast, but that can still change. The tuna are there. Back bay is a fly-swatting numbers game for fluke and the beach may find you eyeballing more bikinis than keepers, but it is July!
Stay Tuna-ed!