Here we are, half way through the month of August and I am still struggling to get a handle on this year’s fishing activity. The primary basis of my confusion is the lack of consistency up and down the coastline of the Garden State. The fish are definitely here based on what I have been seeing and hearing. And the keepers being caught are quality in size but the numbers are all over the charts. According to my logs, when we have a few days of a southern wind, the fishing slows down. Not turn off mind you but slows down. And when we have any other wind directions, the waters heat up a bit and the fishing gets much better. We are coming off a full moon this week and one day of extraordinary rains so all bets are off for a few days. If my research is correct, I believe we will be looking at some very good action for the next few weeks. Bait fish in South Jersey are starting to show up in good numbers and that is also a good indicator of things to come. But you will still need to dance a little to earn your dinner. Keep your options open and don’t be afraid to try some new tactics. As the old saying goes “there is more than one way to skin a cat”. Let’s see what our local spotters have to say about my theory.
After Sandy, the anglers in Seaside Park don’t let little things like 7 or 8 inches of rain keep them from their appointed rounds in the surf. When I spoke with Mike at Grumpy’s Bait and Tackle this week, he told me that the streets are clear and the beaches are still there to land fish on. Island Beach State Park is still getting a nice run of sharks off the beach under the stars. There have also been some nice bluefish on the beaches with anglers getting fish up to 12 pounds using poppers or metals to lure them in. Mike tells me that some false albies have also been chasing bait in the surf. Not sure what they are chasing but he suspects snapper blues or shiners that are in the wash. Big metals and a big real are the ticket for some albie action. In the back, fluking is good, more throwbacks than keepers of course and there are some cocktail blues as well. Mike says the blowfish are still playing hide and seek but there are a lot of banded rudder fish in the bay which could act as a stand in. Crabbing remains good in the area.
In Brick Township, the Jersey Hooker Tackle and charter boat, rule the waters. Captain Rich Wilkowski always seems to have his finger on the pulse of the offshore bite so I worked him for that this week. The Chicken Canyon has been the place to be if you are looking for Bluefin tuna action. Rich suggests putting out some mini green machines or a spreader with some nice lures to get their attention. There have been some nice reports of Big Eye around the Hudson Canyon. If you are want some nice mahi for the table, Rich points to both the Glory and Mud Hole area to fill your meat locker. There have also been some reports of good Bluefin bite around the Virginia wreck. Further south, Rich said the action has been tuna and Mahi around the Lobster Claw with some wahoo in the area biting off some spreads. Rich tells me that trolling Clark spoons almost anywhere in deep water should put some nice bonito on the deck. Sounds to me like we are in prime time.
If you are in the Cape May area and need to stock up on almost any fishing related item, then head over to see Mike Jung at his shop Peace Token in Cape May Court House. In my opinion, it is one of the best outfitted and priced shops in all of south Jersey. When I spoke with Mike this week he told me that the bay and inshore reefs are loaded with croakers and small blues. The Cape May and Wildwood reefs both turned on over the weekend and look like they are locked in that position. The rocks at Cape May Point are giving up some nice tog and the occasional sheephead. Crabs are working on both. Speaking of crabs, Mike tells me that the back waters are surrendering them by the bushel basket. Mike is an avid angler and loves to hit the local head boats and private charters. Several weeks ago, he boated a 64 pound snowy grouper on an offshore trip that also 300+ big eye and some nice yellow fin while down at the Washington Canyon. I need to see some pictures of that grouper. Peace Token Rigs, tied on the premises, are some of the best you can get and are favorites of anglers up and down the eastern seaboard. Check them out next time you are in the area.
I stopped in and had a nice chat with Curt of Absecon Bay Sportsmen’s Center about the state of fishing in the local waters. He told me that the flounder are still thick in the bay and inlets but the ratio has gone up substantially. Sheepshead and tog under the Brigantine Bridge and the accompanying rocks. If you are looking for croakers, Curt suggests a little north, up by the mouth of the Mullica River. I ran into an angler at the shop who was picking up some shedders for flounder fishing. He told me he has been killing them when adding a minnow to the mix with some shedder. While you are out that way, you might want to give white perch a shot as they look as if they are getting more active. Small blues are also in the area, in the one to two pound range.
Lenny Hahn at Captain Hippo’s Bait and Tackle in Toms River tells me that bluefish are the big story in the town right now. Snappers and cocktail blues can be had all over the place, from land or from boat. Lenny suggests any of the spots around the barks for the best action. Stop in the shop and pick up a couple of Lenny’s Lance-it Rigs for even more success. Fluking in the bay is still good. As Lenny puts it, “plenty of action, you just need to work for the keepers”. Crabbing is also strong in the river now that the moon has passed.
Captain Matt of the Norma K III (Point Pleasant) is reporting that the fluke fishing is starting to hit its stride. The monthly pool leader is in excess of 8 pounds and that isn’t too shabby. Bucktails tipped with just about anything have been the best method for landing a pool winner. The night trips for bluefish have also been stepping up to levels that they should be at this time of year. After weeks of limited action, the smaller blues have finally made a showing in big numbers with the occasional 10 pounder falling into the mix. The Norma K III has three trips daily. Two for fluke and bottom fish during the day and a night trip (7:30pm) for blues. Reservations aren’t required, just show up 45 minutes early to save a seat.
Andy Tonneson, of Tony’s Bait and Tackle in Manahawkin tells me that the fluking in the area has been active but the shorts are far outnumbering the keepers in the bay and the pick on the inshore reefs has been slightly better. Blowfish never made an appearance and he can’t recall a season where they showed up this late so hope is dwindling for their arrival. There are cocktail blues all over the bay and fishing with metal or any type of bait rig will put some in the cooler. Big croakers remain all over the Little Egg Harbor. On the beaches, anglers using bucktails tipped with a Berkeley Gulp 4” Mullet are putting some flounder in the sand. Using worms on a smaller rig could get you some kingfish but the bite there has been spotty. The inlet rocks are the place to take some green crabs and clam for blackfish and the occasional trigger fish. If you are a night angler, Andy says there has been action on sharks, cow nosed rays and bluefish.
Matt at Fin-Atics Marine Supply in Ocean City tells me that things remain Status Quo on the island. The fish are there but you have to weed through the shorts and apply yourself to have a great day. In the bay, there is plenty of flounder hiding in some of the deeper holes. Keep that bucktail moving and tip it with a attractive bait and you will win the game. There are small to medium blues in numbers. Crabbing has slowed down but most likely the moon and a big rain have a hand in that and should change forthwith. In the surf, Matt tells me that it has been a great year for fluking off the sand. The bait is hugging the wash so seep your bait and lures in tight. The inshore reefs have been a challenge, the GE hot one day and the OC the next. Want to try some kayaking fishing but not the expense of buying one? Fin-Atics has kayaks for rent; give the shop a call for details.
Time to Set the Table for Dinner
Gina at the Carolyn Ann III in Barnegat Light reports that the August Blitz has begun! Recent trips have had fish up to 5 pounds winning the pools and more than a few customers hitting their limits. The CAIII Sails twice daily from it berth on 18th Street but will resume single six hour trips come August 29th.
There is still time to get the family out on the water for a few hours of fishing if you are in the Ocean City/Somers Point Area. All you need to do is jump on the Duke O’Fluke and let Captain Brooke Koenke guide you to the fish on his 45’ covered pontoon boat. The Duke sails twice daily from Bay Ave in Somers Point. Bait is provided and rental rods are available. Targeting Fluke and blues in the Greater Egg Harbor bay, it’s a great way to get out in the bay where the big fish spend their time.
John Yak at The Dock Outfitters at the foot of the causeway in Seaside Height reports that the beaches are still relinquishing fluke to angler throwing bucktails tipped with favorite bait. Small bluefish are also in the wash with the occasional medium to large being taken on metal lures. At night it’s brown sharks and cow nosed rays. Crabbing has ebbed a little due to the shed but should bounce back strong. Looking for a custom rod? Stop in and se John at the shop. He is one of the area’s best builders.
Owner Noel Feliciano (One Stop Bait and Tackle) asked me to remind people about the AC BeachNBoat special segment next weekend on the AC beaches. Cash prizes of 5000 dollars will be paid out for top fish in five species. Noel tell me the bite is still real hot in the area with flounder off the beach on bucktails tipped with minnows. Kingfish are also picking up. Stop in for all you bait needs at the shop on Atlantic Ave. No place better in the area.
The Mimi VI (Point Pleasant) has a couple of open boat canyon trips coming up in the near future. Seating is limited so if you are looking for a ride out to the deep water for some head boat fishing for tuna, golden tile or swordfish contact Captain Kenny Namowictz and save your place now. There are two (2) day trips scheduled for 8/25 and 9/4. The 61’ Mimi VI is limiting the trip to 12 passengers on both trips. You can call at 732-370-8019 or visit their web site for further details.
Don’t forget to tune into Tackle Direct‘s new fishing show on NBC Sports Channel. Fish Mavericks is a blast! Wednesday’s at 10/9c. Fishing needs to be fun.
Party Boats Captain Robbins and Miss Ocean City in Americas First Family resort, OC, are still doing twice daily fishing cruises in the area. The Robbins , under Captain Vic Hartley, prowls the ocean front in search of bottom fish like flounder and sea bass twice daily (4hrs) and all day trips on the weekend. The Miss OC patrols the bay twice a day 7 days a week.
Bets Bets for the Weekend
This summer, it has been all about the weather and from the looks of it, this weekend will be no different. One day of excessive rains this week can change everything for days afterwards and that is exactly what we are looking at. Some areas in Southern New Jersey received in excess of 10 inches of rain in an 8 hour period. Those waters need to flow somewhere and it most certainly will have an effect on baits which will almost certainly have an effect on the fish that chase the bait. So once again, we are talking about having a flexible game plan. My plans would consist of some bottom fishing in the usual places and adjust according to the signs I am seeing. If the bait fish are still in the wash, I would throw a bucktail close in where the bait is holding. There have been more big fish taken close in this year than any year in recent memory. I doubt any angler will be able to look back at this season and say it was a great one. And conversely, it isn’t a bad year either. We can’t control the weather any more than we can control the tides. And the weather has been strange this year. In my area, we have only hit 90degrees four times so far this season and even when we do, we have had cooler evenings. And yet, with all the oddities we have experienced, I have seen more big fish caught than ever before. So if you put your time in and adjust your tactics, you will be rewarded. I know I am harping on this point but it is what it is. So stay flexible and have fun out there. And stay safe. See you on the incoming.