New Jersey Fishing Report for 5-7-2015

This is my first week at the helm of On The Water’s South Jersey fishing reports and I’m looking forward to bringing quality reports each and every week. The fishing action this week can only be summed up in one word: BLUEFISH. Yes, we definitely have a case of the Jersey Blues which is a welcome sight from the long, cold winter. Most of the reports indicated a colossal influx of choppers approaching gator-status from Monmouth to Cape May counties. Many anglers were out hooking into these bruisers and most of the weigh-ins ranged from 7 to 15 pounds. Our striped ones cannot be far behind in their migration, but currently the word is only on shorties hitting the sand and decks with an occassional keeper in the low 30s—that’s inches not pounds. Don’t worry we will get there. Please remember that the new striped bass regulations in New Jersey are in effect (1 fish at 28 inches to 43 inches and 1 fish 43 inches or greater).

So here’s the rundown: Jay from Fisherman’s Supply Co. gave a great report with good numbers of stripers in the 24- to 26-inch class devouring soft plastics and bucktails in the back bays from Mantaloking to the Point Pleasant Canal. The inlets provided decent shots at wrestling with the tackle-testers using pretty much anything you could throw: poppers, plugs, and metal. Some keeper bass were had up to 34 inches, but that seemed more of an into-the-dark bite. Jay also mentioned that they are offering a free seminar on back-bay and out front fluking May 7th starting at 7pm, and also will have ODM rod demo day on May 9th (9am to 1pm). Guests will be able to cast rods off of their floating dock.

On the ocean front, Capt. Bob from the Gambler has been fishing everyday targeting striped bass, but mostly hooking into bluefish averaging 4 to 12 pounds. They are definitely not finicky, hitting almost anything from topwater plugs, diamond jigs, crocodiles, etc. Just a reminder the boat leaves the dock every day at 7am and returns by 230pm. Bob also noted that once fluke season begins, they will be sailing two half-day trips per day.

For any jetty hoppers, Manasquan jetty has been providing decent bluefish action mentioned

Greg Bogan from Brielle Bait and Tackle. The bluefish continue to occupy a variety of areas “all the way up the river” and range from 2 to 12 pounds. Metal lures (Ava’s, Spoons, Crocodiles) provide the most consistent action. Winter flounder continue to be in the area—good sized flatties were boxed, but the bite is beginning to fade as they start to make their way out.

On the surf scene, stripers have been hitting the sands in the 25- to 28-inch class, mostly on clams. Sandy areas from Point Pleasant beach, Bay Head, and Manasquan continue to sporadically give up the striped schoolies. Phil from Dock Outfitters noted that the bays continue to be “hot and heavy” with bluefish. Bluefish up to 14 pounds continue to decimate poppers and metals. Some schoolie stripers are being landed soft plastics, bucktails, and clam seem to be doing the trick. He also noted that there has been an influx of big blueclaws making their way out of the mud by the Sedge Islands near Barnegat Light.

As we move further south into Ocean County, Barnegat Bay continues to one of the hotbeads of bluefish actions anywhere from the BB to Manahawkin bridge. Lenny from Captn’ Hippos had a few notable catches. Joe Florie weighed in 12.41 pound bluefish by boat in Barnegat Bay for the Beach-N-Boat tournament. While Ron Rapp weighed in a 1.1 pound white perch taken from the banks of the Toms River. Gator bluefish continue to traverse the area. Better Bait & Ice in have just opened their doors and recommend hitting the bay behind Seaside for big bruising blues. Throwing artificial or bunker chunks will definitely get you into the yellow-eyed demons. Striped bass have been occassionally taken from the Seaside bridge and also behind IBSP at night. But they continue to be less than keeper size.

Mate Gina Lawrenson from Carolynn Ann III said the boat will start sailing with the opening of sea bass on May 26th. They will be sailing 1 six hour trip per day upon the opening of sea bass.

Capt. Ted White of the Super Chic (Barnegat Light) mentioned that they will start targeting blues, bass, and eventually sea bass starting the week of May 16th/17th. They have open dates available from the middle of May through December.

Owner Andy Tonneson from Tony’s Bait and Tackle in Manahawkin stated “bluefish, bluefish, and more bluefish – they are everywhere from Barnegat Light to Little Egg and everything in between.” They are definitely not picky, taking anything in your tacklebox from artificials, plugs, poppers, or fresh bunker chunks. Some of the bites have been epic with 10 pounders exploding on poppers and multiple fish chasing hooked fish. It’s insane.

Atlantic county has had a huge share of “Jersey blues” on the beachfront, inlet, and backbays. In a conversation with Dave from Absecon Bay Sportsmen, he stated regarding the bluefish bonanza, “It is some of the best fishing we have ever had with blues averaging 8 to 14 pounds. There have been some nice stripers caught in the Mullica and Egg Harbor rivers and after the full-moon spawn it should get them feeding pretty heavily. There are a few drum to be had, but it’s very tough trying to get past the blues. Atlantic City continues to provide a wide variety of hot and heavy bluefish action up to 15 pounds, and this is a sure-bet. Croakers from the sea wall, and schoolies from the T-jetty and Madison avenues. Nowell from One Stop Bait & Tackle feels that the spring run striped bass should be kicking off in the next few weeks.

If some of you are still wondering the cod bite continues to be strong, but many boats were unable to get due to poor wind conditions. Capt Mike from Stray Cat Charters said they will be back targeting keeper cod and pollack from the wrecks in the 30-mile range once the seas subside.

As we move further down the GSP, the Great Bay continues to offer world-class bluefish action ranging from 10 to 15 pounds. Frank from Tackle Direct mentioned that “they were taking anything you could throw at them”, and some anglers were picking up 1 to 2 keepers underneath. But it was a pick.

Ocean city continued to offer blues along the beach and backbays, and a few keeper stripers in the 20 pound range as per Fin-Atics report. Although it is very hush-hush, there has been word of some weakfish around Corsen’s Inlet hitting soft-plastics in the pink variety.

Best Bet for this weekend

Bluefish is definitely your best bet. Whether it’s beach, inlet, or bay; it seems the entire southern half of the state is carpeted with 7 to 15 pound yellow-eyed bruisers. Get out early, and throw topwater poppers to bring on the epic bluefish explosions.