Labor Day Angling

Going Fishing on Labor Day weekend should not be tough duty. The forecast for inshore marine waters across our region is looking pretty good, and as of the time of this report (Thursday morning) it looks like partly cloudy skies with only a chance of boomer later Sunday and into Monday. No bad, let’s figure out where to go and what to do!

Before hitting the shops, I just want to send our a good old On The Water congratulations to Scot Cohen, owner of the C Jam, who took second place in the white marlin division of the Mid-Atlantic 500 this past week with an 81# fish that was just 3# off the lead. Scot is also the owner of C Jam Yacht Sales in Somers Point, the marina I have been using for years. He and the CJam crew get the “Big Check” but 3 pounds more would have made it much bigger. I’m sure Scot has done the math once or twice… congrats to the local boys!

Len at Capt. Hippo’s in South Tom’s River reports the fluking in the bay is still active near the BB & BI. Manasquan Inlet is giving up good flatties on killies, and the snappers are growing to the 8- to 9-inch size, and are everywhere. Still catching blowfish in the bay and some kingfish and croakers are coming up the clam chum slick with them and taking the little clam baits.

A little North of there at Pell’s in Brick, Tommy backs up the action in both the River and the Bay. He added in that many of the surf guys that are willing to move around a lot are doing well with fluke in the surf. Spro bucktails tipped with a 4-inch Gulp Swimming Mullet are getting some keepers. The Axel Carlson has been giving nice size flatties on whole California squid or the bigger 6-inch GULP.

Jeff at Murphy’s Hook House tells us that the guys running out to Barnegat Ridge are slamming big fluke. If you can’t get out there due to weather, stick to the river and cull thru all the shorts for you dinner.

We now move in to the section of the report where 732 becomes 609, fluke become flounder, killies become minnies, and blackfish become tog… what a world…

Curt was on the line at Absecon Bay Sportsman’s Center and tells us there is still lots of panfish action in the back for those that want take their kids out for some fun. Spot, croakers, and snapper blues own the back bay right now and the crabbing is pretty good. Nearby reefs are giving up good quantities of decent flounder for those that have been getting out there and the inlet has been pretty good on the tide changes. One local angler was working minnow off the Atlantic City rocks and felt the big chomp. Couple of minutes later he was weighing in an 11# doormat at Absecon Bay! Looked like a garbage can cover…

There is lots of news from TackleDirect on Tilton Rd in Egg Harbor Township. First of all, mark your calendars for the weekend of September 21 & 22nd. One of my favorite anglers, maybe ever, Larry Dahlberg from “The Hunt for Big Fish” is going to be in town to celebrate the grand opening of the Shimano Technical Center at TD. It is one of only a couple in the entire USA so it is worth the trip to check out all the new cutting edge gear. Larry will be doing seminars both days so you might want to call over there to get full details, 609-788-3819. Bring the kids and get a pic with one of the most accomplished anglers in the world., and one of the nicest guys. On the fishing front, Team TD hit the reefs this past week and put 5 4#+ flounder on ice using big profile baits with mac strips to make them tasty. You have to get down in the junk to get the big ones so be prepared to lose a few rigs.

Ed at Fin-Atics in Ocean City reports lots of fun in the back bay for kids that you want to make smile. Spot, croakers, lots of little snappers and smaller flounder to keep them entertained this weekend. There was pretty good brown shark action on the beach at night before the wind puffed up and quite a few schools of rays working their way up and down the beach. Some of the shadow lines on the bridges are still good ideas at night for weakies and small bass. The OC & GE reefs are still giving up nice sized flatties. The talk about the offshore Big Eye bite is still heated, but there are lots of disappointed overnight trips coming back with very little to show for it. Swords are not showing themselves, not much in the yellowfin world, but a few nice makos are coming into the lights and up the chunk line.

In Sea Isle Mike at Sea Isle Bait & Tackle says the flounder fishing is better than he can remember, and there are plenty that would agree with him. Bucktails with a long squid strip and teaser tide in above with a big GULP are working very well. A couple of sharpies are throwing a little flash skirt on before the GULP to spice it up and that seems to be a good idea as well with good results.

Down the Cape at Hands Too B&T in Cape May, Nick is sending his crews out to the local reef site to beat up on the flounder. TI, Cape May Reef, Wildwood Reef and of course the Big League out at the Old Grounds and Reef Site # 11. Big Spros & Big Gulp are the ticket to get in on the hammering. There are some snapper blues around the point on the beach taking cut mullet and the back is still busy with Spot, croakers, snappers and throwback flounder.

Best Bet for Labor Day Weekend

There has not been a great deal of good offshore news in the south this week from the shops but some of the guys I network in with are still hitting some bluefin on some of the inshore grounds. Look for the big mats of chick birds and you have a pretty good idea of where to set up. If you are wondering if Big Game is the right target this weekend, just take a look at the dates and catches from the Mid Atlantic last week… there are plenty of fish to chase but unfortunately there is more exploring to be done with no one sizzling hot area.

Inshore anglers should hit the reefs and bang away at the flounder for as long as you can. The clock is really ticking on the season and the bite really is as on as it can be.

Beaches and back bay guys should have no trouble keeping busy with lively waters full of small fish for the pan. There are some schoolie stripers on the beach at low light and there are still flounder in the surf.

All in all, it looks like a great labor Day Weekend ahead for all you OTW anglers. You can;t catch them if you don’t go… what are you waiting for?

Stay Tuna-ed!