The Fourth of July may have all the fireworks wrapped around it, but after last weekend storms, it may just be a little anticlimactic. On Friday night, we were hit with a derecho, a widespread and long-lived wind storm that accompanies rapidly moving showers or thunderstorms. The most severe derechos are given the adjective “super.” Where we live, on Absecon Bay, it was the northern most part of a storm that spanned al the way to the southern reaches of Virginia. I lived through a tornado, a hurricane, and countless nor’easters and by far, have never seen the amount of devastation that this past storm caused in several hours. Luckily, the loss of human life was minimal in comparison to the property damage that it has left in its trail. At the apex of its path of destruction, as many as two million people were without power in the middle of an epic heat wave. And while I am sure most of you are aware of these facts, I present them to you with a purpose. Fishing is a recreational activity for most but for some it is their livelihood. Be a little patient with those tackle shop owners, captains and others who serve us. They have had a tough week, trying to rebuild their business for one of the busiest times of the year. Most have a short window to make a bulk of their yearly earnings and most also truly love the fishing industry. This storm, like Irene’s visit last year, has cut into their business. So if they are a little short or out of your favorite bait, cut them some slack. It has been one rough week and they could use a break.
For the most part, Tom’s River was spared the wrath of the recent storm. And according to Lenny at Hippo’s Bait and Tackle up there, the fishing is as good as ever. That means the white perch are still running strong in the river, check out the area around the power plant. Shedders or grass shrimp if you can catch them are your best bets for some of the striper kin. Snapper blues are filling up the Tom’s River and bigger blues (1- to 3-pounders) can be had in the bay. Fluking is really heating up according to Lenny with one of the local hot spots being the Oyster Creek Channel. Squid and spearing or killies will get them on the hook. The crabbing has been good to great as the water temperatures haven’t really gotten that bite to slow down. Bunker is your best bait. And Captain Hippo’s has plenty on hand along with all the equipment you need for a day chasing blue claws. When you are in the shop, be sure to check out the two tournaments they are running for the month of July. One is for bluefish and the other for crappies. How about that, Lenny is running a crappie tournament! Check out the shop for details.
A big storm can’t keep Captain Dave Showell and the crew at Absecon Bay Sportsmen’s Center out of commission for long. Or at all! When I stopped there the other day it was business as usual, albeit by the light of a gas generator. All his bait passed my inspection and if it is even possible, his Berkley Gulp inventory seems to have doubled. Pretty impressive if you ask me, and I should know as I am right around the corner from him and went three days without power. Some nice fishing still going on there and not all that you would expect. Dave seems to think that the flounder are starting to move to the cooler waters out front but some nice fish are still being caught in the back around Cross Tides. Eric Steelman landed a 20-pound striper while drifting for fluke not far from there. Eian Donati hooked a nice weakfish in front of Steel Pier off Atlantic City while fishing for flounder. Minnows seem to be the bait of choice for most hard core flukers of late, but the Gulp is producing good results as well.
Captain Rich Wilkowski is one hard-working angler. Not only does he run the Jersey Hooker Outfitters out of Brick but in his free time (whenever that is) he is charter captian of the Jersey Hooker Charters, a 43-foot Egg Harbor Tournament edition, suitable for just about any type of fishing you can imagine. Lately, they have been chasing bluefin tuna and doing so with great success.
Why not celebrate The Fourth by stocking up on some birthday gifts for yourself? If you agree with me and are in the Egg Harbor area, I recommend you shoot over to Tackle Direct, the brick and mortar version of the well known internet superstore. It’s always so much nicer when you get to see your purchases in person instead of a picture on a monitor. And while you are there, don’t be afraid to ask for direction to the local hot spots. This week, the blues have invaded with tailor-sized fish all over the place from the Longport Bridge north. Flounder action has been better toward the Great Egg Inlet as the fish seem to bee seeking shelter in the cool deeper waters. The Table top has been giving up the bigger fish but don’t right off any of the deep water holes. Sea bass are still there but slowed down a little as they may be in the spawn. Crabbing has been especially good by the parkway overpass in the Patcong. If you get a chance to stop in the store and check it out, load up on the top water lures (and they have a fine collection) for stripers. Morning and dusk off the sod banks has been good for catching some local linesider action. Not the biggest fish you will ever see but certainly feisty and well worth the effort.
Just down the road in Ocean City, kingfish in the surf are the most likely target in Ocean City according to John at Fin-atic’s. Stripers are still being caught in the Ocean City surf, mostly on bait. Clams have been the top pick, but cut bunker is working as well. Flounder are still chewing well in the back bays. Rainbow Channel, the Parkway Bridge and Kennedy Park have been the hotspots. As the waters warm, more flounder are moving toward the oceanfront reefs, where John mentioned that a few brown sharks have shown up as well.
If you are head to Sea Isle City for the holiday and plan to do some fishing or crabbing, might I recommend you stop in to Sea Isle Bait and Tackle before you hit the water? Located just over the causeway in the Old Gibson’s B&T, Mike and his staff have definitely moved it up a notch.
They may be the new kid on the block in Tom’s River but Go Fish Bait and Tackle are not playing second fiddle to anyone in the area. The fluke bite around Barnegat has been close to nonexistent Ron reports. Anglers working the surf have been pulling in the occasional keeper flattie, but they’re feeding a lot of bait to the crabs in order to do so. To the north, the waters off Sea Bright seem to be holding more keeper fluke. In Barnegat Bay, blue crabs are being caught by the bushel. Snapper blues in the bay and 1- to 3-pound blues in the inlet are providing light-tackle fun.
Though the big stripers are, for the most part, gone from the Central Jersey surf for the summer, the best fight of the shore-bound season is waiting for you on the beach. Brown sharks are being caught from the surf regularly reports the crew at The Dock Outfitters. Head out after dark with some fresh bait (bunker is always a good choice) some sand spikes and some friends. Check the bait regularly in case the crabs are out. Big rays are hitting in the surf as well, and while not a glamour species by any means, it’s still cool to tangle with these “sea monsters” in the surf. Loads of small spot are being caught on the dock behind the Dock Outfitters. These are a fun fish for youngsters to catch and a tremendous live bait for stripers or fluke. Crabbing in Barnegat Bay is steady and bluefish are hitting metals off the beach and poppers in the bay at daybreak and dusk.
Ron at Fisherman’s Supply Co in Point Pleasant had reports of some great summer fun fishing. For light tackle fun, the hickory shad (herring) bite at sunset in the river has been excellent. Small jigs and ultralight gear allow these acrobatic fighters to really show their stuff. Fluke fishing lit up this past week with the Klondike and the Ridges off Manasquan producing numbers of keepers into the 6- to 8-pound range. Fluke in the rivers and bays are running a bit smaller, with mostly shorts at the moment. Surf anglers are also catching good numbers of fluke dragging 2-inch Gulp swimming mullets through the wash. Also in the Lavallette surf have been kingfish, reported Ron. The bluefin bite is very good in the Glory Hole. Red/white cedar plugs, Rainbow Runner spreader bars and, of course, ballyhoo have been catching these tuna on the troll.
Flukin’s been good at the Sea Girt Reef according to a report from Reel Life Bait and Tackle in Point Pleasant. A squid/spearing combo is getting the job done. Bluefish are all over the beaches right now, viciously attacking any lure throw their way.
Best Bets for the weekend
Waters are for the most part, heating up rapidly. Flounder fishing seems to be better in the inlets and inshore areas where you can get at waters in excess of 50 feet. Stripers are good in the back on top water plugs. Sunup and sunset will give you plenty of action. The offshore bite is red hot, blue fin action and white marlin seems to be the best chance at action. Wreck fishing is producing some nice sea bass and trigger fish. The Old Grounds are great right now, better than they have been in several seasons. And if you are looking for blue claw crabs, get out there now before they start hiding from the heat. Water temperatures in the back are spiking at 80 degrees from Little Egg to Herefords.
It was a bad week down here in South Jersey. This storm caused destruction like I have never witnessed firsthand. But it could have been much worse. Had it struck during daytime, many more would have been injured. And even though it struck at 3 am, the storm affected the local fishing community. A capsized boat in Absecon Inlet left one angler dead and two others injured. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families. Remember, you only get so many days in the game. Spend them wisely and stay safe out there. This storm gave no advance warning but others telegraph their punches. Be aware of your surroundings and conditions. And have fun. See you on the incoming.