Southern New Jersey Fishing Report - June 11, 2015

“We need a break from these winds” was the sentiment from most of the phone conversations that I had with local fisherman.  At least we had some Northeast winds to warm up the waters, which helped the fishing out front.  The bigger bass seem to be Monmouth County northward, while the sharking scene has begun with a few reports of makos being caught inshore.  Regarding our flatfish fishery, the backwaters have been producing good action when you can get out.  The fish are definitely around but most anglers had a hard time battling the wind with tough drifting conditions.  I think the weather gods are answering our call because this week’s winds do not look as bad, and hopefully the forecast stays on the angler’s side.

So here are latest reports starting in southern Monmouth county:  Greg from Brielle Bait & Tackle said the “fluke action in the Manasquan River is on fire.”  White and chartreuse Gulp tipped on bucktails are smacking the flatties with reckless abandon, but you need to fish hard to put together a limit.  Most guys have been drifting the Point Pleasant canal to the Rt. 70 Bridge and coming up with fluke, bluefish, and an occasional tiderunner weakfish.

Fisherman’s Supply reported an inshore bite of small bluefish in the 2 to 6 pound  variety on bucktails and metals, while surfcasters are cashing in on striped bass at night on Daiwa SP minnows worked slowly.  They also reported of fluke in the river hitting 1/2oz bucktails tipped with either Gulp or minnows.  The fishing off the Shrewsbury rocks has been pretty good with bass in the 30 pound  range trolled up on bunker spoons.  On the bluewater scene, there were a few reports of tuna trolled on green machines.

The Point Pleasant area boats had a busy week in the tough fishing conditions with the recent blowing winds.  The Gambler reported action on fluke and sea bass with Ralph Riveria of Brick boxing a nice 5 pounder.  A variety a species have been pulled from area wrecks including sundials, sand sharks, ling, cod, and 4-spotted flounder.  With these species in the vicinity, it means that the water is bone-chilling cold.  An interesting non-fishing note was a few of their recent trips that have spotted multiple humpback whales.  According to Capt. Bob, the night bluefishing trips had good marks and lots of schooling mackerel, but the blues were somewhat uncooperative.  Although lots of mackerel went home for future bait, and for the smoker box.

Capt. Ken of the MIMI VII reported quiet striped bass action, but they have been boxing quality keeper sea bass and ling at the local wrecks and clam has been the ticket.  The boat will run some open boat trips for Sea Bass from 7am to 3pm with a twenty-two man limit.  Ken said interested anglers can call the boat to check on the date and reserve a spot.

The Norma K III had a good week out in the ocean picking away at some keeper fluke and sea bass as they drifted over local rocks and wrecks.  Once the water starts to warm up, the fluke bite should ignite because they are definitely there.  The night chopper fishing scene remains on the slow side, but at least the mackerel are providing some nice light tackle action.  The bluefishing should improve as they usually push in towards the end of this month.

Jersey Hooker Outfitters reported good sea bass fishing after the north-easterly winds this past week, and the Manasquan River is holding some keeper fluke amongst the shorts.  The striped bass fishing has been very slow off the beach and ocean due to the water temperatures.  Some bass seekers have run from Shark River to Seaside without seeing a bunker school or bass.

Brian from Betty and Nicks Bait & Tackle mentioned of bluefish being very cooperative at Barnegat Light inlet and the surrounding surf.  There have been a few keeper stripers landed at night with fisherman soaking bunker chunks.  The surf has given up mostly short bass during the day.  The bay waters behind Island Beach State Park have had some nice fluke as you move closer to the inlet.  Bucktails or jigheads worked with minnow or white Gulp has been the ticket.  It seems it doesn’t matter the style of Gulp, as long as it’s white.

Dock Outfitters reported a mixed bag of bluefish in the 2 to 8 pound range on metal jigs and cut bunker in the Manasquan and Barnegat Light inlets.  While back bay anglers have been drifting for fluke near the BB and BI buoys with Gulp and bucktails.  On a crabbing note, there has been a consistent bite of keeper crabs off their docks if you put the time in.  Dedicated crabbers a walking home with 1 to 2 dozen blue claws.

The Toms River area has had good crabbing according to Lenny from Capt. n Hippos.  He reported less anglers fishing due to the recent windy conditions, but if you can get out fluking has been steady.  Better Bait & Ice have also reported an uptick in the crabbing, especially in the area of Pine Beach dock.  There are still some blues around Oyster Creek and Double Creek but you have to locate them.

The Barnegat Light fleet also made it out in the windy conditions this past week, with Capt. Ted of the Super Chic reporting good sea bass fishing in the northeast winds.  They have been doing well at some of Capt. Ted’s choice wrecks with seabass up to 5 pounds.  Most of the sea bass have been caught on jigs as they have been gorging on sand eels.  Gina from the Carolynn Ann III had good reports on the fishing and temperatures, the bottom temperature rose from 47 degrees to 58 degrees.  The fishing took a turn and the seabass are nailing the baits with a bunch of seabass hitting the pails up to 4 pounds, with a few anglers having “almost limits”.

As we move across Barnegat Bay, Liza from Creekside Outfitters reported blowfish still in the vicinity of the BB buoy and 42 Tripod, while fluke fishing is still slowly improving.  Striped Bass action has slowed to a “snail’s pace” as the shop has only received bass reports from the Monmouth County area.  On a sharking note, the shop reported a nice mako caught by Kyle Wright.  Now is the time to gear up and get out for shark, and the shop carries all Bloodstream products.

Andy from Tony’s Bait & Tackle reported fluke on the east side of Double Creek channel for anglers working jigs in shallow water.  Southward Tuckerton Creek has been lighting it up on keeper flatties.  There are still blues around in Double Creek and Oyster Creek channels, while striped bass fisherman are catching shorts off the north jetty of Barnegat Inlet.  Andy mentioned that crabbing has started to gain steam with handliners catching 1 to 2 dozen per trip.

The beaches of Brigantine gave up some nice sized stripers and drumfish to 35 pounds this past week for some hardy anglers according to Riptide Bait & Tackle.  Flounder in the back have been good when you’re not fighting the wind especially around the high tide.  Spearing and gulp combos, and the 4-5inch Swimming Mullets have been responsible for boxing a majority of the filet-able fish.

The Absecon Bay area has also experienced an uptick on fluke when anglers could get out mentioned Jay from Absecon Bay Sportsman.  They are still getting weakfish and kingfish off the jetties with artificials and bloodworm.  In offshore news, the 28-mile wreck to the Cigar has been heating up on Mako action, so get that sharking gear ready.  The shop has plenty of soft-shells available for the dinner table.  Jay mentioned for anglers interesting in fishing the 28th Annual South Jersey Flounder Pounder tournament for the South Jersey Cancer fund can sign up at the shop.  The event is June 20th rain or shine.  Call or stop by and talk to Jay or Dave for details on the tournament.

The Atlantic City region has been on fire for fluke in the surf according One Stop Bait & Tackle.  Surfcasters throwing floating jigheads are landing nice sized fluke up to 7 pounds on the area’s beaches and around the jetties.  Croakers and kingfish have been landed with consistency off the T-jetty on bloodworm or Fishbites.  The shop is running a weeklong tournament starting June 14th and all proceeds with be donated to the Valarie Fund with fights leukemia.  Anglers have a chance to win a 40″ TV among other prizes, but they must sign-up at the shop.

Capt. Mike from Stray Cat Charters has been out fishing some of the local wrecks for sea bass, but is also booking for upcoming shark and tuna trips with only limited dates available.  

Tackle Direct reported fluke in the back of Ocean City and Somers Point, but there haven’t been a lot of anglers probing the waters due to the winds.  The have some reports of sharks in the nearshore to midrange lumps.

Fin-Atics reports continued fluke action along Ocean City’s back bays especially if you get on the shallower flats.  Fluke are pouncing on minnows, squid, and Gulp worked on bucktails.  The Swimming mullet and mantis shrimp patterns have been hot when worked in white.  Blues are still around taking bucktails, and weakfish are starting to be caught with some regularity when Fin-S lures are worked during the night shift.

As we move down through Sea Isle City southward, the fluke bite continues to be going strong with throwback to keeper ratios of 10 to 1.  Mike from Sea Isle Bait & Tackle reports a tough week with the conditions, but striped bass have been hitting the surf on clams.  Back bay fluke action is turning on with most anglers able to box 2 to 3 keepers per trip.  The high hooked minnow on the red Gamakatsu 3/0 octopus hooks seems to be the ticket as they have been flying off the shelves.  The mako sharking has been solid inside the 20 fathom range with sharks in the 150-200 pound range, past the 20 fathom line it has been all blue sharks.

Jim’s Bait & Tackle round out our southern-most report from Cape May with the wind and weather being a huge factor in the fishing this past week.  The drum bite was reduced to a slow pick with the drop in Delaware Bay water temperatures.  The local jetties have been producing some tiderunner quality weakfish to 11 pounds taken on bucktails and finesse lures.  Some of the first fluke from the surf have made their way onto the scales approaching 7 pounds.  And finally Makos are the word for the offshore anglers with plenty of sharks approaching the 200 pounds range.

Best Bet for the Weekend

It seems fluke fishing from north to south is consistent with a mix of quality size keepers caught in all locations.  The Cape May and Delaware Bay area would be the best bet to score some quality tiderunners working the early or late shifts off the area jetties.  And if you have the gear and weather window, sharking inside the 20 fathom line would the best shot at some quality Makos.  Be safe and enjoy it!!