The big news of this week is the insane shark bite offshore of Point Pleasant to Toms River. Most of the shops reported good sharking within 25 to 40 miles of the coastline with most makos in the range of 150 to 200 pounds. Regarding inshore species, the fluke bite has increased bayside, while inshore boats have been catching limits of sea bass on wrecks within 7 miles of the beach. Anglers have until June 30th to catch their 15-fish limit, before the season reduces to 2 fish per person until July 31st. Based on the word from area captains, the wrecks are “loaded” with sea bass. So far it is shaping up to be a nice June, except for the severe lack of striped bass which could be attributed to a variety of unknown factors (bait migration, reduced population, water temps, weather). Historically, this is the time for trophy stripers in our area, but they just not around. Look for fluke fishing to start gaining momentum over the next several weeks.
And to start the reports from Brielle southward is Greg from Brielle Bait & Tackle. The big news at the shop was the 11-pound flattie pulled near the dog beach by a boat angler drifting the Manasquan River. The angler was tight-lipped on what the fluke was caught on. Sea bass has been “pretty good” and some fluke have also pulled with the warmer water temperatures. A few early risers have been able to get on some bass by snag-n-drop bunker, but overall the striper fishing has been “slow” to say the least.
The Point Pleasant area has also seen decent fishing according to Jason from Fisherman’s Supply. The back bay fishing has been holding strong with 4- to 5-pound fluke up and down the river, where successful anglers are targeting them with 3/8-ounce bucktails tipped with Gulp. Stripers up to 34 inches have been “on-fire” in the back. Areas to work at night are the train bridge, Rt. 35 bridge, and Rt. 37 bridge. On the front side, the sea bass bite has been phenomenal at the local snags. Threshers have been sighted on bunker in the 6- to 10-mile range, and the shop has tons of sharking supplies for the upcoming Mako Mania tournament.
The Point Pleasant headboats have been cashing in on the sea bass bite with Ken from the MIMI VI giving an “on the water” report of sea bass to 5 pounds and fluke to 3 pounds on a recent trip. The boat had many anglers with limits of sea bass, and the boat will be sailing daily for them until the season reduces. The boat will then switching to fluking and also will be running offshore overnight tilefish trips in July. The Gambler has been on the fluke since the water warmed and the bite is going strong with fish up to 7 pounds. They recently have had great action with fish consistently in the 5 to 6 pound range inhaling Spro bucktails and traditional fluke rigs. Norma K III reported that the fluke has turned on as the water warmed and anglers jigging chartreuse Gulp have been boxing fluke to 5.5 pounds. The captain reports that bluefishing remains painfully slow, but the boat will keep giving shots at them.
Ray from Jersey Hooker Outfitters has reported that the “sharking” is off the charts with steak sized Makos from the mudhole eastward. Moving closer to shore has cod inhabiting the mid-range wrecks, and the Axel Carlson is filled to the gills with sea bass. Bridge anglers have been lighting up on weakfish from the Mantaloking Bridge to the mouth of the canal, and striped bass have been taken on eels at night.
Brian from Betty and Nicks Bait & Tackle gave the Island Beach State Park (IBSP) surf report with anglers picking up fluke on the beach. Remember, IBSP has a special fluke limit for surfcasters who are allowed to keep 2 fish at 16 inches. As far as the striped bass fishing goes, “it is few and far between” with most coming during the night shift. Anglers fishing the southern end of the IBSP are getting bluefish to 8 pounds on a variety of lures.
Dock Outfitters reported that the fluking in the intercoastal has been solid with areas from the BB to the 42 producing fluke in the 20- to 22-inch range. The crabbing has also picked up with most able to take home 2 to 3 dozen. Phil mentioned that one of regular kayakers, James “Crazy” Blendini, hammered a robust 43-pound striped bass on the snag-n-drop. The shop is running its monthly tournament for a free $50 gift card for any fish caught from land which is weighed in at the shop.
Lenny from Capt. n Hippos got a phone call that the Shark River has been loaded with fluke, but you have to pick through them to find quality fish. He noted that the crabbing is “real good” in the Toms River and the areas lagoons. The shop has plenty of fresh bunker and is also stocked with live killies.
As we move near the shadows of “old barney”, the area’s headboats have been sea bassing when the weather cooperates. Capt. Ted White from the Super Chic reported alot of sea bass and ling at the area’s snags. Blues up to 8 pounds have been jigged up in the inlet when the boat traffic subsides. All it takes is a few boats to put them down, mentioned Ted. The Carolyn Ann III reported some quality sea bass, ling, and a few cod on recent voyages. The fluke have been around, and Gina feels it will become more steady as the temperatures warm. The recent southwest winds dropped the temps from 58 degrees to 50, which dramatically effect most bottom dwelling bites.
Liza from Creekside Outfitters had customers calling about the mako shark explosion that currently is in full-swing. Most are in 150- pound to 200-pound class, and some anglers reported double digit hookups offshore. Fluking is still strong in Oyster Creek with anglers fishing the cuts and channel edges. Blowfish are around, but the key is to chumming heavy. The shop has received any word on weakfish action, which seems to be either from the lack of fish or lack of anglers reporting.
As we move down the Intercoastal, Andy from Tony’s Bait & Tackle mentioned that fishing is pretty much the same as last week with fluke in the backside of Long Beach Island, with the exception of the ridiculous shark bite that has been occurring. Andy said makos from the Fingers, 28-mile wreck, AC Ridge, down to Cape May – “all fish are in the 150 to 200 pound class.” There are bluefish in the 5 pound range spread throughout the bay and inlet.
The Brigantine area has also experienced good fluke action, and some nice weakfish have been picked up according to Riptide Bait & Tackle. Anglers working the wee-hours of dawn with soft plastics like the pink FinS have hit some sparklers. Oops – that’s hush-hush. Schoolie bass are still in the backbays of Brigantine, but these need to be worked at night.
Dave Showell from Absecon Bay Sportsman had a busy week with barely enough time to give me a report. The shop has been rocking with fluke weigh-ins to 5 to 6 pounds, with anglers fishing bucktails and leadheads tipped with Gulp. Areas that have depths in the 8 to 12 pound range have been working for fluke. The shop still has soft-shell crabs available for eating, so stop by and pick some up.
The Atlantic City area continues to be a hotbed for angling action, and the T-jetty continues to be the most consistent to find fish. Noel from One Stop Bait & Tackle reported some quality catches this past week, with the most notable being weakfish to 28 inches (6.11 pounds). Striped bass are still attacking baits at night, and more kingfish and croakers are frequently the surf zone. The shop is running its AC Flounder Pounder tourney which started this past June 14th and runs until the 21st. All proceeds with be donated to the Valarie Fund with fights leukemia. It’s for a great cause so check their facebook page for details.
Capt Mike from Stray Cat Charters reported good sharking and tuna fishing from mid-range to the canyons. He said offshore had yellowfin to 40 pounds from the Wilmington to the Toms Canyon. He feels the inshore fluking and sea bass may be a repeat from prior years, so he is going to concentrate on pelagics from 30 miles and beyond.
Tackle Direct reported that the flounder fishing in the back continues to be hot, while reports of fluke taken from the Great Egg reef and Atlantic City reefs have started trickling in. There have been schoolie sized stripers along the sod banks from Rainbow channel and along the sedges in Skull’s Bay. On an offshore note, the AC ridge continues to hold bunker and hungry threshers, while the 35 fathom line is where the makos have been congregating. The canyons are alive with yellowfin, mahi, white marlin, blue marlin.
The Fin-Atics reported hungry fluke in 12 to 15 feet of water with water temperatures in the mid 60’s. Gulp’s chartreuse and white mantis shrimp has been the “GO-TO” keeper bait worked on either bucktail or leadhead. Ship’s Channel off Somer’s Point and Kennedy Park have been the hotspots for the flatties. Corsen’s inlet has had some weakfish caught on live sheddar crabs, and there also has been some kingfish caught in the surf. Offshore action continues to be “sharky”, with pelagic anglers hitting the 750 square and 28 mile wreck, while tuna trollers have been cashing in on big eyes at the Baltimore Canyon.
Mike from Sea Isle Bait & Tackle reported that fluke are still inhabiting Sea Isle’s backbays with some in the 6 pound range. Mike said anglers will find them one day in concentration, while the next day will be no fish. The fluke are moving around alot. Inshore fishing has a pick of sea bass and ling at the wrecks and reef sites, and croakers and kingfish have made their presence known in the surf. The Sea Isle City kingfish rig tipped with Fishbites has been doing most of the damage.
Matt from Jim’s Bait & Tackle emailed me a nice report to round out the Cape May area. The Cape May Reef has had a lot of short Fluke with a few keepers mixed in, but the better fluke bite is still Delaware’s reef site #11 or the Old Grounds. The Shark fishing was good this week some really big Threshers were caught along with quite a few Makos in the 130-150# class. There are also a lot of Blacktip Sharks and some Hammerheads showing up as the water is getting warmer. The area’s jetties are still producing weakfish caught on soft plastics mostly in the pink variety.
Best Bet for the Weekend
Since the sea bass fishing has been so good up and down the coast, bottom fishing would probably be the way to go. Whether your throwing the hook on one of your favorite wrecks or jumping on a headboat to let them do the work, it’s drop and reel fishing for some tasty black sea bass fillets. If you’re into the toothy critters, head east with bait and chum to tackle either makos or threshers, but make sure you have your pelagic permit. Good luck, be safe, and tight lines.