South Jersey anglers still have some waiting to do before the main striper run reaches them, but in the meantime, there are plenty of excellent fishing options to choose from.
Inshore waters are loaded with black sea bass reported Ron at Fishermens Supply Co. Keepers are mixed in. Stripers are not yet in the rivers, but a couple colder nights ought to encourage some fish to make their way down.
While you’re waiting for the bass at the rivers, check the mouth of Shark River where false albacore have been hanging this week.
Hudson and Lindenkohl canyons have been good, giving up yellowfin and longfin on the troll and the chunk. Some marlin were still around as of last week.
If you want blackfish, the Point Pleasant Canal, Shark River and Manasquan Inlet are loaded reported Rich from Jersey Hooker Outfitters. Anglers are catching as many as 50 fish, but keepers have been few and far between. Some sea bass are mixing in with the blackfish as well.
Schoolie stripers can be caught along the Route 35 Bridge on soft plastics. This action has really picked up over the last few days.
The big schools of bluefish are still a bit offshore, and haven’t moved into the beaches just yet said Rich. As temperatures drop and baitfish begin dropping out of the backwaters those bluefish ought to move into surfcasting range.
Bonito and false albacore have been at the canal according to Rich at Reel Life Bait and Tackle. There haven’t been a ton of them, but the ones showing up have been eagerly striking small metal lures. Weakfish are being caught in the Manasquan River and at the mouth.
Marion at The Dock Outfitters reported good bluefishing in Toms River.
Big schools of aggressively feeding school stripers are roaming South Jersey beaches reported Dave at Absecon Bay Sportsman Center. The fish are maxing out at 24 inches, but Dave believes things are about the break wide open with more and bigger stripers. Kingfish are still taking clam and bloodworm baits in Great Bay.
Kingfish are also still in the surf, along with spot, and both species are taking bloodworms according to a report from Fin-atics in Ocean City. Bluefish from 3 to 5 pounds are all over the Ocean City surf taking live-line spot or small metal lures. Live spot and mullet are also taking a few stripers, some of which are legal size. Sea bass and tog fishing has been good on the South Jersey reefs.
Offshore action has been spotty, but the tuna have been running big, 70 to 90 pounds.
John at Sea Isle Bait and Tackle reported lots of mullet in the surf, which has brought some bass and blues in. Poppers fished next to jettys are taking stripers as dusk and dawn. Lights in the back bays are drawing in stripers and weakfish, which are striking soft-plastic lures. A few stripers have been caught with sea lice on them, suggesting that some migrating fish are moving into the area.
John also reported good tog action on the 8th Street Jetty in Avalon. Crabs have been responsible for some big blackfish this week.
Weakfish up to 24 inches are being caught reported Joe from Two Chums Bait and Tackle. Bluefish to 3 pounds are roaming the surf zone, as are kingfish and spot. The outgoing tide in Townsends Inlet has triggered some afternoon bluefish blitzes with schoolie stripers mixed in. The lagoons and canals are loaded with peanut bunker, which has drawn weakfish and blues deep into the bays. Once again, the outgoing tide had been triggering some fast and furious fishing.
And the snapper blues are still around reported the folks at Seaside Sams. Though fluke season is closed, the snappers make a great bait for stripers and weakfish, and they are downright delicious if you decide to eat them yourself.
Best Bets for the Weekend
Contrary to my understanding of the migration, it seems like the southernmost part of the state, Atlantic City to Cape May, is seeing more striped bass action right now. The fish are on the small side, but they are plenty of fun on the right tackle. Blues and weakfish have been mixed in with them as well. Small soft plastics on leadheads have been working best.
The black sea bass bite is on fire right now. Any wreck or reef seems to have good numbers of these fish, with enough keepers to justify the trip. On jetties, bridges and other nearshore structure, tog are stacking up for their move offshore. Though most fish are short, there are keepers, and even some big fish, in the mix. Bring plenty of crabs so you don’t run out of bait before you catch your keeper. The Point Pleasant Canal and 8th Street Jetty in Avalon seem to be the two tog hotspots at the moment, though I wouldn’t discount the Barnegat Inlet jetties, where there will almost certainly be some keeper-sized blackfish right now.
when is your next striper trip? email me dave.