The bluefish invasion continues along the Northern New Jersey coast. Big blues are feeding in the ocean, the rivers and the Raritan Bay, but when anglers can get a bait below them, there are big stripers to be caught.
Bound Brook Fishing Report
At Efinger’s Sporting Goods, Darryl reported decent trout fishing, despite challenging conditions. Sulphurs and nymphs are getting it done.
In saltwater, the bluefish are biting like crazy from Island Beach State Park to Raritan Bay. It’s been tough to get through the bass to the blues, but when anglers do, they are catching fish to 40 pounds.
Raritan Bay Fishing Report
No matter what your fishing for in Raritan Bay, bunker is the best bait. Stripers to 22 pounds, big bluefish and weakfish were reported at the Keyport Marine Basin this week, all taken on bunker.
Metal and poppers are taking bluefish as well reported the crew at Tackle US in Laurence Harbor.
Sea Bright Fishing Report
Tom at Giglio’s said the fishing is awesome right now. Plenty of stripers around in the river and the ocean. Tom weighed in a 21- and a 30-pounder this week, and heard of plenty of 28-inch-plus fish. The bass are being caught on bunker, but shore fishermen are also catching on plugs. Tom said pencil and Polaris-style poppers are catching stripers, but most often, bluefish are beating stripers to the plugs. Savvy fishermen have been using bucktails to get under the blues and hook up with the bass, Tom said.
Bradley Beach Fishing Report
Mark at The Bait Shop said the fishing was excellent early in the week, but died down on Thursday. Boat fishermen caught stripers to 43 pounds. The big stripers are hanging in 40 to 60 feet of water, and live bunker or trolling with bunker spoons has been the ticket to hooking up.
On the beach, Mark is reporting big bluefish to 14 pounds and short stripers.
Many anglers are accidentally catching fluke while targeting bass and blues, and this bodes well for the opening day of fluke season on Friday.
Belmar Fishing Report
The Ol’ Salty II had a productive weekend, targeting bass, bluefish, ling and cod. Captain Nick had the Elmo/Wardrobe Carpenter’s Local aboard for their 16th Annual Trip on the Ol’ Salty II. The crew caught lots of big bluefish north of Shark River Inlet, topped off by a 16-pounder caught by Tom Wyzgh. A group from Alliance Appliance took a bluefishing trip with Captain Nick this week, and found plenty of 8- to 12-pound blues, but the pool honors went to Tyler Mulholland with a 12-pound striper. The Schuyler Tuna Fishing Club hopped onto the Ol Salty II for a day of bottom fishing. They caught plenty of eel pout, cod and ling. The Ol Salty II has plenty of openings, and will be targeting stripers.
The Nan Sea J was into the blues big time this week, catching big numbers of choppers up to 10 pounds. A few stripers into the 30-pound range came over the side as well.
The fishing has been steady aboard the Golden Eagle. At times, half the boat is hooked up to big bluefish at the same time, reported Hank. Some stripers have been mixed in.
Brielle Fishing Report
Dave at the Reel Seat said fishing is very good. Trolling and live-lining bunker has been the hot ticket, and stripers to 50 pounds have been caught outside of Manasquan Inlet. On the beach, there have been more blues than bass, but that could change quickly. Dave also said anglers fishing the river tied into a number of big fluke this week. The season was closed, so the fluke had to go back, but that is a good sign for the fluke season opener on Friday. Also, if you’re looking to learn more about catching tilefish and other deepwater species, swing by the Reel Seat next Thursday at 7 p.m. for a free seminar on the subject.
Robbinsville Fishing Report
Matt at Harry’s Army Navy reported that largemouths are moving off their spawning beds and are again willing to chase down lures. Soft-plastic jerkbaits like the Zoom Super Fluke have been the best bait right now. Assunpink and Mercer lakes are both fishing well.
The saltwater fishing is insane, Matt said. Bluefish to 15 pounds are all over the place and surf fishermen dunking clams or bunker on Island Beach State Park are catching stripers to nearly 30 pounds.
Best Bets for the Weekend
There were enough reports of accidental fluke catches that taking advantage of the fluke season opener is my top pick for the weekend. The rivers will be your best bet, and bouncing a bucktail tipped with squid, spearing or Berkley Gulp should help you bring a keeper to the net.
If you can get out to the bunker schools, big stripers are starting to make their presence known. Try live-lining some bunker, and if that only attracts bluefish, go on the troll with bunker spoons.