Northeast winds plagued New Jersey anglers through much of the week, but last week’s excellent fishing had them chomping at the bit to get back out after fluke, tuna and bluefish.
Belmar
The wind has kept Pete of Parker Pete Sportfishing at the dock since Sunday. Prior to the blow he was doing well catching fluke in 60 to 80 feet of water. He said he had to weed through the short fish, but the keeper-sized fish were well above the minimum size.
The Skylarker had found some great fluke fishing just outside the inlet just before the wind kicked up. Once things settle down, it’ll be a matter of relocating that body of fluke, that may have moved up or down the beach, or offshore. The Skylarker sailed through some rough seas on Thursday, but put blues to 15 pounds on the deck.
The crew of the Big Mohawk expects the fluke fishing to stay good after the blow as the water temperatures are still nice and warm.
Captain Hank at the Golden Eagle shared that sentiment and added that the warmer water pushed in by the northeast wind could bring with it some albies, bonito and mahi.
Limits of fluke were coming aboard the Capt Cal II before the big seas shuffled the deck. The biggest flatfish taken aboard the boat in the past week was a 10.5-pounder taken by Kark Williams. The second biggest, a 9.4-pounder, was taken on the same day. Chartruese or green bucktails bounced over deep structure has been the key to catching big fluke.
Bound Brook
Brayden at Efinger’s Sporting Goods said the wind has slowed things down, especially for surf guys. However, some short bass are being taken around Manasquan. Small stripers are also biting well on soft plastics and plugs in the Raritan Bay. Until Monday, Brayden said, the fluke fishing was excellent over rough bottom.
Bradley Beach
The Bait Shop reported that the storm roiled up the water and curbed all the local fishing, though last week fishermen had taken fluke to nearly 20 inches off the beach.
Brielle
Dave at The Reel Seat said fishermen are eager to get back out to the canyons to the bigeye bite that was happening last week. The inshore fishing had been great as well. Fluke fishing was outstanding, reported Dave. Fish to 7 pounds were even being caught out of the surf!
Fishing for albies, bonito and mahi has been great inshore, and some fishermen have been surprised by blue marlin sightings in areas where bonito are thick.
Stripers are beginning to show up, Dave said. The mullet are thick in the rivers, but none have ventured into the surf yet.
Hazlet
Phil at The Tackle Box said the fishing has been hot and cold. Ambrose and Sandy Hook channels had been producing fluke up to 14 pounds. This week, snapper blues in Sandy Hook Bay and small stripers and cocktail blues in Raritan Bay have been keeping fishermen busy.
Keyport
The folks at Keyport Marine Basin heard two very good fluke reports over the weekend. Mechanic Mike caught fluke to 9.8 pounds in the bay. Diana Kouras limited out with fluke to 7 pounds by fishing around the Towers.
Robbinsville
Matt at Harry’s Army Navy said freshwater has been good on Mercer and Assunpink. The fish are feeding primarily on alewives, so poppers, spinnerbaits and plastics are getting the job reported Matt.
In the salt, Matt said the inlets and back bays are giving up bass and blues to fishermen casting SP Minnows and shads. False albacore and bonito were stacked at Barnegat Ridge, but no one has ventured out since the blow. Matt expects the northeast wind to drive some bigger fish into the surf.
Sea Bright
Tom at Giglio’s said a bluefish blitz was happening in Sea Bright while we spoke on Thursday afternoon. Even some albies had been spotted in the surf, though none had been caught, as far as Tom knew. Monmouth Beach has recently produced a few weakfish, and keeper fluke and stripers are rounding out the catch in the surf. Most encouraging is the amount of baitfish. Tom said there is a good amount of bait in the surf, but the rivers are jam-packed. Peanut bunker and sand eels make up just two of the baits fishermen are seeing in numbers. This bodes well for an exciting fall run as temperatures cool in the coming weeks.
Best Bets for the Weekend
Watch the weather, and when the seas calm, get out to see if the great fluke fishing is still taking place. Keep the surf in check—expect stripers and blues, but be ready for albies to show up.