Southern New Jersey Fishing Report 8-7-14

I have often heard that no two fishing seasons are the same and that being said; this summer season is proof of the validity of that statement. Cooler waters, whipping winds and finicky fish have made this season a challenge for most of the anglers I speak with on a daily basis. That is not to say it has been a bad season, just one where you need to adjust your tactics to meet the ever changing conditions. The sensible angler will expand his tackle box to seduce the fish out of their apathetic attitude and come up to the surface for a visit. While the total keeper catches may not be as impressive as in years gone by, the number of large fish has been impressive. But they don’t seem to be aggressive in their feeding habits. At least that has been my personal observation this year. The old, tried and true methods may work at times but you need to keep you options open. That is where these reports can benefit you the most. Our scouts deal with the sport on a daily basis and can tell us what is working and what isn’t. Let’s see what they have to offer this week.

Reports coming in from the Norma K III in Point Pleasant (Ken’s Landing) tells me the fishing is good up that way. Captain Matt has been putting his crew on nice fluke and supplementing the bite with sea bass when they cooperate. Rough bottom is definitely out fishing the sand and Captain Matt tells us that Pink Gulp Mullets have been the hottest bate lately. The night trips for blues getting more productive each day with fish up to 4 pounds regular and pool winners in the 10 pound class. The pick has been slow at times but the fish are there and will only get better as we march towards fall. AVA jigs have been top producers.

According to John Yak at The Dock Outfitters in Seaside Heights, the blowfish are finally starting to wake up in the area south of the BB and BI Buoys. It is about time. Don’t forget the chum log if you intend on targeting these tasty puffers. Fluking in both the back and beach remains a solid option but the shorts far and away outnumber the keepers. Gulps and spearing seem to be the best options right now. Crabbers out on the Dock Outfitters rental fleet are coming in with baskets of blue claw crabs which remain a strong alternative. There are snapper blues also out there so don’t forget to take a rod to keep you occupied as you wait for crabs to take the bait. If you are in the market for a new rod, stop in the tackle shop at Dock Outfitters and speak with John about the custom rods he builds. I have been hearing some good things about them.

The Carolyn Ann III out of Barnegat Light, continues to sail twice daily in search of fluke, sea bass and other bottom dwellers on the ocean front. And they will continue to do so until August 29th when they will switch back to 1 six hour trip. Fishing has been good lately with fish up to 7.5 pounds taking the pool. A slow but good pick according to Captain Hammarstrom, who is also predicting better times in the near future.

There is still plenty of action away from the gaming tables of AC according to Noel Feliciano, owner of both One Stop Bait and Tackle shops there. The king fish have been susceptible to the sudden water temperature changes, but when they are on, they are red hot at the north end. Bloodworms are far and away out producing any artificial bait according to Noel. Flounder in the surf are still hitting on bucktails tipped with your favorite strip, live or artificial bait. The jetties and sea walls are ceding nice tog and triggers to anglers dropping crabs. There have been whispers of sheephead in the area but none yet weighed in the shop. Noel asked me to remind you of the upcoming Beach’N’Boat special “Do AC” challenge on August 22-24. There will be some very big prizes.

The 90’ Gambler Deep Sea Fishing Boat in Point Pleasant Beach is one of the better rides you can find for a day of quality fishing in the Atlantic. Built in 2005, she was made extra heavy for high seas and high speed to get you to the prime fishing grounds and a stable platform once you get there. Lately, reports from the Gambler have reported a tough but steady pick on the fluke and the sea bass bite seems to be improving steadily. Night blues trips have been fruitful although the bluefish have been in the small to middle sized ranges. On Fridays and Thursdays, the Gambler heads for the wrecks at night (7:30pm) in search of Cod, ling and squid in deeper water. The Gambler will be running some offshore trips in the near future for tuna, mahi and tile fish . Seating will be limited, contact the boat for more info.

Captain Rich Wilkowski of the Jersey Hooker team in Brick tells me that while the bite has been slow at the inshore wrecks, the fish being caught are in the “quality” category. The deeper holes farther out are yielding big flounder, nice sea bass and still giving up ling and cod. The ridge is loaded with bonito and bigger blues. Trolling has been the best way to put some on the deck. I believe Captain Rich has a couple of slots for an off shore trip on August 16th Contact him through his Facebook page or give him a shout out at the shop. Tell him I sent you.

Lenny Hahn of Capt’n Hippos tells me that crabbing has been great in his area of Toms River lately and the snappers are filling up the river. Stop by the shop and pick up one of Lenny’s Custom Lance-it rigs if you want to guarantee a limit. Peanut bunker are starting to show up in numbers so break out the cast net. Lenny informs me that the local hot spot for fluke remains around the BB Buoy. Peanut bunker are great flounder baits this time of year.

John Bushell Jr. of Betty and Nicks in Seaside Park reports there is no shortage of activity on the water in the area. Off the surf in Island Beach State Park you can find fluke, small blues and even some action on striped bass. You are going to have to weed through a lot of throw backs but the table fare can be had. In the back, crapping is off the charts right now. There are also small to medium sized bluefish all over the arena. Fluking remains strong but the waters are somewhat weedy in spots. John says to look for the clear water and you should come out with some nice fish. There have also been a few reports of croakers and even a few blowfish in the back.

Dave at Absecon Bay Sportsmen’s Center reports that the fishing in the area remains good with locals coming into the shop with not only the regular summer catch but some nice surprises as well. Tony Genovese landed two nice sheephead around the rocks in Brigantine with the larger being in the 13 pound class. There is still nice keeper fluke around if you can weed through the throw backs. Bass hounds throwing bucktails around the deeper holes in the sod bangs are having some success. Mayor Gary Giberson of Port Republic did just that and landed a nice fat thirty inch bass. Crabbing in the bay remains a great option.

Bill at Fin-Atics Marine Supply in Ocean City informed me that the fishing remains steady there with weather playing the biggest factor in the daily action. In the surf, the flounder remain active close to shore. Bill thinks that has something to with the amount of bait in the wash lately. The inlet bay and wash out front are loaded with small shiners which have the fluke laying in ambush mode. There have also been kingfish in the area but they turn on and off with the water temps. Using bloodworms this year has been the winning bait for kings. Croakers are also starting to filter in but spot and redfish have not. Bill tells me that his customers who have ventured out to the inshore wrecks have had successful trips with very nice fish but it hasn’t been a “red hot” bite. Bigger fish but limited action, the water temperatures seem to be holding back the natural aggressiveness of some species. Hurricane Bertha, far out at sea, has quieted the offshore bite but bill feels that is only a temporary condition. All in all, the fish are there but you need to put the time in to earn their attention.

Cleaning the Table:

The High Roller Pontoon Boat is a great way to get on the waters of Absecon Bay for some fishing while you are in the AC area. Located in Gardiners Basin, Captain Mike Tobasso know the water like the back of his hand and tells me there are still plenty of big fluke in the back, you just need to get through the throw back. Two trips daily and rental rods are available. Bait is provided as a cost of the fare. Recent trips have had pool winners up to 6 pounds. No reservations needed on the High Roller.

Better Bait and Tackle in Toms River reports that there are some nice white perch in the river. Go after them with squid or shedder crab pieces. Crabbing has been great. Chris also tells me the fluking behind the hospital and by the Manasquan RR Bridge is good for anglers using killies and or squid. Blowfish have finally made an appearance by the power plant. Chris also mentioned that there have been some nice croakers taken in the vicinity of Huddy Park. Snapper blues are filling in any area they can find. Small metals or spearing will give the kids a workout.

The NJDEP Division of Fish and Wildlife is informing anglers that the Delaware River will be the location of the first major professional fishing tournament in the south Jersey area this week. The Bassmaster Elite Series will be held August 7-10, 2014. For More info go to http://www.bassmaster.com/news/delawares-rising-bass-tide.

Ed Berger and Team Tackle Direct had a rollout party for their new NBC show “Fish Mavericks” last night and it was a blast to meet the guys and watch the premier show with a huge group of dedicated anglers. These guys are as crazy in person as they are on the show and they know their fishing. See more at http://www.fishcircus.tv/schedule/ .

Congratulations to Captain Brooke Koenke and his crew on the Duke O’Fluke in Somers Point. The Duke was recently named the Press of AC’s Best Water Sport for 2014. The Duke sails twice daily and is one of the best ways in Atlantic County for getting the family out on a 45’ pontoon boat in search of flounder and other bay fishing.

Captain Mike O’Neal of the Stray Cat in Longport didn’t have a lot of time to speak with me this morning as they have been hauling in the fish. Trolling for Bonito and larger blues has been the action they have been targeting the last few days and killing them. They have also been stopping at the pots and doing great on Mahi up to 10 pounds when the opportunity presents itself. Mike has one open boat trip next week on the 14th so give him a call if you are looking for some hot fishing.

Best Bets for the Weekend

I wish I could say that we are into a “Normal August Pattern” for fishing conditions. The fish are there! But the bite has been somewhat subdued, mostly in my opinion, because of the abnormally cooler waters that we have been experiencing this year. There is no doubt in my mind that those altering their tactics and putting the time in have had good, if not great seasons. I have seen more 5+ pound flounder that anytime in recent memory. Perhaps the biggest mystery is the lack of consistency from the species of fish we are hunting. Accepting that as fact could be the best ammunition in your tackle box. What worked yesterday may not work tomorrow. Adapt your float plan to find what they want and you will achieve victory. As far as what species is best, they all are. Don’t limit yourself to one or another but like a good baseball hitter, take what they give you. My hunch is that the ship will right itself in the near future. The better you are at adapting, the better you will be at catching. Stay safe out there and have fun. See you on the incoming.