Southern New Jersey Fishing Report - June 25, 2015

First, I hope all of the dad’s out there had a great Father’s day weekend and hopefully spent some quality time on the water.  I want to thank my dad for introducing me to fishing for bluegills at a very young age and further sowing the seed for my passion in fishing.  The wind has finally calmed down other than the ferocious storm that came through our region the past evening.  We are officially entering summer with schools graduating and the beaches crowded with vacationers abound.  The offshore bite continues with an downtick in the mako fishing, but an uptick in the tuna game, whereas the surf is loaded with kingfish during the day and feasting brown sharks at night.  Technically you are not allowed to target browns in the surf, but you may target “bluefish” with steel leader and heavy gear.  I’ll stop there!  The incoming water has jumped into the upper 60’s, which makes fluke very comfortable in the back.  When the water temperature increases with the outgoing the fluke bite shuts down as if someone through a switch.

With the report’s northernmost starting point, Greg from Brielle Bait & Tackle, mentioned that the sea bass fishing has been outstanding at the area’s local wrecks especially at the Sea Girt reef site, and the fluke have started to “really bite after the recent east winds”.  The warmer water has made for good fluking and sea bassing for most of the areas boats.

Jason from Fisherman’s Supply reported that sharks are still frequenting offshore with the makos further than the threshers, but both are out there.  The shop had a lot of reports of brown sharks invading the surf which is usually a mid-to-late summer event.  Better early than never – right!!  They did not have much word on fluking or blues in the back, but Jason recommending working closer the inlets and structure points to target the big flatties.

The Point Pleasant boats have been covered up with fluke and seas bass according to the Norma K III, with anglers putting some nice fluke “over the rail and in the pail”.  They have seen less action on shorts, but more quality fish netted in the 4 to 5lb range.  Additionally, the afternoon bite has been producing over the morning bite.  The Gambler has been hitting the area’s snags hard for sea bass and fluke with the recent east wind warm up.  The local areas within eyesight of the beaches have been producing quality fish in the 5lb range.  Capt Ken aboard the MIMI VI has reported fantastic sea bass action with the local haunts producing nice humpbacks to 5lbs, and they had quite a few double headers.  The vessel has an upcoming open-boat trip on June 29th for sea-bass and fluke and will sail from 7am to 3pm.

Jersey Hooker Outfitters reported that the blueclaw bite is getting very hot with most claws coming from the Metedeconk River and Beaver Dam Creek.  The fluke bite is solid when you get the right wind and tide inside, whereas outside has the Sea Girt, Axel Carlson, and the Klondike with solid fluke bites.  Ray noted that seabass fishing has been solid in the snaggy areas adjacent to Deal.  Threshers are still being picked up from 3 to 11 miles offshore, but make sure you have a federal pelagic species permit if you plan on sharking.

With our official Island Beach State Park surf report, Brian from Betty and Nicks Bait & Tackle reported the surf having small bluefish which are more cooperative early morning or early evening, but produce a pick throughout the day.  The fluke are definitely in the surf, and anglers have the ability of keeping 2 fish @ 16inches due to IBSP special zone (see the NJ Wildlife digest for more details).  Anglers working the nightshift have picked up an occasional linesider, but nothing in size to report.

Phil from Dock Outfitters said the fluke have been increasing in numbers daily when anglers have a chance to fish.  The blues are still there but are moving quickly in and out with the tide.  Crabbing at the dock has been very steady, but the boats in the area have been doing “real” well according to Phil.

Lenny from Capt. n Hippos in Toms River had a nice weigh-in by customer John Laphan who fished the area’s sedges hard for a 5.7lb doormat.  The keeper fluke seem to be honed in on live killies.  Rumors have surfaced that snapper blues have invaded the Toms River, but it’s not confirmed according to Lenny.  Regarding crabbing in the Toms, it has been off the hook.

Amid the picturesque shadows of Barnegat Lighthouse, the Barnegat Light boats have been “on them” via fluke and sea bass.  Gina from the Carolyn Ann III reported decent sea bass fishing this week with sea bass up to 4lbs.  The boat has been putting anglers on the best possible bite amid the changing conditions.  As Gina said, when it blows hard we anchor for sea bass, otherwise we are fluking by any means necessary including power-drifting.  Jessica Engel caught a nice 6.5lb fluke on a recent trip and Gina mentioned that there are quite a few “quality” fluke in the mix.  Capt Ted from the Super Chic has also been hammering the snags for both fluke and sea bass amid the constantly changing conditions.  The boat has been on the sea bass with keepers in the 4 to 5lb range, and some nice quality fluke making it over the rails.

As we navigate to the west side of the bay, Liza from Creekside Outfitters offered a nice report of quality fluke taken near the lighthouse jetties with smelt.  The area around marker “42” has offered keeper fluke but they seem to be more spread out.  Blowfish are still making their presence known, although you need to chum very heavily and put in the time to bring them in.  Regarding the offshore bite, makos and threshers are still being landed offshore from the Mudhole to the Fingers.

Andy from Tony’s Bait & Tackle mentioned that the crabbing has definitely picked up mid-island and most are picking up some nice keeper blueclaws.  The fluking by both inlets remains steady with less quantity, but higher quality.  He mentioned that fluke are also being landed in the surf, so work those bucktails and Gulp to catch a keeper.

As we progress further south, Brigantine-based Riptide Bait & Tackle had Brown sharks and Kingfish in the surf.  Most anglers are targeting the kings with bloodworms or Fishbites on rigs, it seems there is no difference in the preference right now.  Fluke have been caught in Absecon Inlet to 4lbs, but you have to work for them.

Dave Showell from Absecon Bay Sportsman reported that the flounder fishing has been getting better and he has seen quite a few nice ones.  The inland waterway has offered greatest success especially behind Atlantic City and Brigantine.  The normal baits have been sticking them: Gulp, Spearing, Live Minnows.  There have been a few stripers caught off the area’s bridges at night, while the weakies have been very tough, even not enough to report.

The Atlantic City area continues to be producing fluke, kingfish, and some Croakers on bloodworms and Fishbites according to Nowell from One Stop Bait & Tackle.  They have had a bunch of throwback fluke off the seawall, but better action on kings and croakers.  The area’s reef sites have been producing some nice sea bass with a few 5lb weigh-ins.  Nowell’s Founder Pounder tournament went to George Haslam with a 5lb fluke.  The proceeds benefit the Valerie Fund to fight leukemia – hats off to the shop for organizing the event.

Stray Cat Charters has been targeting shark and tuna at the offshore and midshore ridges and canyons.  Capt Mike was out on a offshore trip this week and out of phone distance, but the boat does have some open dates for pelagics in July and August.

Tackle Direct reported good fluking in the Great Bay especially in the areas of the inland waterway.  Anglers who worked some of the deeper cuts and channels on the incoming were scoring on bucktails or jigheads tipped with Gulp.  Chartreuse or white seems to be the color of choice for most fluke.  The offshore action has continued on Yellowfin tuna and sharks, with some rumors of bluefin showing up.  Hopefully more on the bluefins next week.

Ocean City’s Fin-Atics  mentioned that the fluking continues to be on-fire in the back, but now start targeting those deeper cuts and dropoffs.  The 10 to 15ft depths have been producing more keepers, and the white Gulp mantis shrimp is still the hot choice.  Bluefish are still around, and weakfish have been an ultra slow pick.  The offshore fishing continues to be steady on yellowfin especially the Baltimore and Wilmington canyons, whereas sharking remains on par as it was last week.

Sea Isle Bait & Tackle reported a lot better fluke in the neighborhood.  The fluke have been in the back with less quantity, but more quality in the 5lb range.  Minnows, spearing, and gulp worked on 3/8oz jighead or bucktail have been doing most of the damage.  Mike heard confirmed reports of ocean fluke on the Townsends Inlet reef and sea bassing in the 8-mile range has been fantastic.  The sharking has been almost as consistent as last week with Threshers in the 8 to 30 mile range, but makos further out.  The Sea Isle and Wildwood surfs have given up kingfish during the day, while the Mr. Brown suits come in for the night shift.

And to round out our south jersey reports was Chuck from Off the Hook, who said the flounder fishing has been decent in Cape May, the Old Grounds, and Reef site #11.  Bucktails, bucktails, and more bucktails has been the ticket for putting keepable flatties on the deck.  The offshore action has offered up yellowfin to 50lbs with bigeyes in the mix at the Baltimore and Wilmington canyons.  He had some unconfirmed reports of bluefin out there too, but none were weighed in at his shop.  The sharking has been good offshore also.  The Delaware Bay and surrounding area weakfish bite has slowed down to about the pace of the parkway on a Saturday.  Water temperature and bait fluctuations might be a factor, but the bite pulse is close to flatlining.

Best Bet for this Weekend

The surf and backbay seem to offer the best shots for anglers with this weekend’s weather forecast.  The best bet at finding meat in the surf would be to throw cut bloodworm or Fishbites and score croakers and kings for the table.  The backbay fluking continues to offer decent shots to anglers but be mindful of wind and tide, incoming is the optimal tide.  And for you big game surf anglers, fish the night time for blues with the anticipated by-catch of Mr. Brownsuit.  Good luck, be safe, and tight lines.