I can’t believe that we already are heading into the July 4th weekend, before you know it the hint of fall will be in the air along with those migrating Striped Bass. Weather has been the determining factor this week as for allowing fisherman to catch or fish. We had a few wicked storms that came through and the winds haven’t taken too many days off from blowing. The marine forecast for this week looks pretty good with lighter winds so most anglers should get a shot at drifting for fluke or have a shot at running to the canyons for big game fish. Whether it’s a weekday or weekend, every time you have the chance to enjoy the water, remember that countless servicemen have given their lives for our freedoms. Enjoy your July 4th holiday.
The northernmost shops from our area report on-par fluke action according to Greg from Brielle Bait & Tackle, who said the Manasquan River has been hot and cold for fluke, while the ocean bite has given up some keepers. The key to catching keepers have been anglers using bucktails tipped with Gulp. The chartreuse and also pink shine have been producing.
Jason from Fisherman’s Supply also commented that the fluking in the Manasquan River has picked up, although you have to pick through the sub-18 inchers. Regarding ocean fluking, the Axel Carlson and Sea Girt reefs have been giving up quality fish on the bucktail and stinger hook setup. There are still some smaller sized blues in the canal up to 5lbs. Based on the weather, the shop did not have any offshore reports to give. As Jason said, it’s from a lack of fish but rather lack of anglers due to inclement weather. Jason mentioned that the shop is fully stocked with a variety of offshore products for tuna such as the Certified Depth Bomber Stretch lures, so stop by.
The Point Pleasant boats have been on the meat as they say, with the MIMI VI hitting snag after snag to put nice amounts of keeper sea bass onboard. The skipper said clam and squid have been the ticket. Unfortunately, the sea bass regulations go down to 2 fish per person, so the boat will aim to put a hurting on the fluke. The boat has a open-boat fluke trip for Saturday, July 4th, from 6:30am to 2:00pm.
The Gambler has been on the sea bass until the tough Nor’easter came through and flip-flopped the water. Since then the bite has slowly come back and they have been putting some nice 4-5lb sea bass aboard. They are also getting “baseball bat-sized” ling according to Capt. Bob. The boat is still sailing for it’s night wreck fishing trips on Thursdays and Fridays, and sailing for night blues on Saturdays.
The Norma K III has been on the fluke and pool winning doormats have been in the 5 to 8lb variety. Anglers bucktailing Gulp and dragging spearing-squid combos have been the high hooks. The boat sails everyday for fluke and still has room for it’s Fireworks cruise up to Long Branch for the July 4th holiday.
Ray from Jersey Hooker Outfitters mentioned that the “fluking has been tremendous” in the Manasquan River. The 4-inch and 3-inch chartreuse swimming mullets tipped on a 3/8oz jighead have been dynamite off Dog Beach. There are lots of fluke coming from the inlet on squid and killie combos. The ocean bite has ignited at the Axel Carlson and Sea Girt reef sites, and Dave Perrero of Pt. Pleasant caught a solid 6.4lb fluke at the Axel. It seems that Gulp and salmon belly combinations have been the preferred bait.
With our Island Beach State Park report, Brian from Betty and Nick’s Bait & Tackle reported a bunch of short fluke in the wash with anglers dragging Spro bucktails and Gulp. There have been some small bluefish around, along with the occasional schoolie striper. The night has been “GAME ON” for shark fishing, especially for those using bunker or kingfish.
Dock Outfitters reported outstanding crabbing off the pier with crabbers walking away with nice size blueclaws. The crabs have been on the bunker more than any other bait. Blowfishing remains a slower pick around the BB and BI bouys even with most anglers chumming heavy for them. The fluke fishing outside has been more consistent than inside where they tend to be much more scattered. Additionally, surf anglers who work the night shift have been tackling Brown sharks on a semi-regular basis.
Lenny from Capt n Hippos report decent fluking from the BI to BB bouys and just inside the inlet. There has been a recent influx of snappers in the local lagoons, piers, and around the Toms River. Crabbing has been great when you get closer to marshes or structure advises Lenny. Good Luck point has had 5 to 6 inch jimmies on a regular basis and keeping most crabbers going home with a bucket full.
The Barnegat Light fleet has been on the fish lately. Capt. Ted White of the Super Chic said the sea bassing has been really good this year, but unfortunately the regulations regulated anglers to only keeping 2 sea bass through the month of July. Bluefishing has been really tough and boat has been working in all directions to find a concentration of them, unfortunately there hasn’t been alot of fish. The boat is scheduled for a few tuna trips both day-troll and also inshore tuna trips. The skipper said they have a few dates available.
Gina from the Carolyn Ann III had the beginning of the week starting slow with some keeper sea bass and fluke up to 3 pounds. The boat fished some different areas the rest of the week and it paid off by putting several fish up to 5lbs over the rail. The boat has converted it’s fluking schedule to run 2 half day 4hr trips, and still offer the second trip for $20 if you decide to stay.
With our Barnegat Bay report, Liza from Creekside Outfitters reports of fluke from the BI to BB when anglers could get out with the wind. She reported some fluke also being caught near the inlet and at the Barnegat Light Reef. The blowfishing in the bay has slowed up, but they are still around if you chum heavy and put the time in. She also reported some small snappers showing up at some lagoons.
While Andy of Tony’s Bait & Tackle reported that the Long Beach Island area has had quality fluking with a 10 to 1 ratio in the bay. He said the ocean reef sites have had less fish, but much better quality as they hang around the structure. Sea bass fishing has been off the charts in 80ft or greater water.
The Brigantine area has experienced some good “brownies” both bayside and surfside with successful anglers using kingfish heads in the surf, according to Riptide Bait & Tackle. There were shop rumors of a decent 7-8 ft sand tiger that was caught and released bayside. The flounder bite has been hit or miss, according to Andy. Eagle Bay and the Intercoastal 171 to 175, has had better action on keepers. Unfortunately the shop did not have any reports of blues, puffers, or weakfish.
Absecon Bay Sportsman reports that the winds have not really let up, and when they slow, flounder fishing is hot. Dave also said that he had indirect information of some weakfish being caught near the mouth of the Mullica River on shedder crabs. It’s definitely a 1st light hunt for them. Crabbing has been solid, but since they are through the shed – Dave expects excellent crabbing this weekend.
The Atlantic City area has been very solid, with the T-jetty producing blues, croakers, and fluke according to Noel from One Stop Bait & Tackle. He mentioned that the sea wall has also been giving up fluke when worked with bucktails. Regarding kingfish, it has been hit or miss. Bloodworms has been outproducing Fishbites.
As we move down the coast to Somers Point thru Sea Isle City, Fin-Atics reported that the weather has recently played a big role in the amount of anglers fishing. They continue to see backbay fluking solid in the depths of 15 to 20ft. The fluke are hanging on the edges of the channels, with Ship Channel off Somer’s Point and also near the restaurant Crabby Jack’s holding some fish. The fish seem to be working their way near the inlet. On the ocean front, Great Egg Reef has had some nice sea bass, but not a ton of flounder yet. The surf has been holding kingfish on bloodworm, with small schoolie stripers mixed in. Prior to the stormy weather, the shop reported good action in the northern canyons with 50 to 60lb yellowfin in the Spencer.
Mike from Sea Isle Bait & Tackle reported tough fishing this past week due to the storms and windy weather. The backbay has still been producing fluke, but it seems that the fluke are starting to be caught closer to the inlets. The Townsends inlet near the Coast Guard dock has had some quality fish to 5 pounds. The shop reported a great schoolie striper bite this past week with anglers plugging the sods near the top of the tide and through the beginning of the outgoing. Most anglers were plugging up to 5 fish a piece which makes for nice fights on light tackle.
And to round out our southern most report for the Cape May areas was Matt from Jim’s Bait & Tackle. The fluke have been mostly shorts from the DE reef site #11 and the Old Grounds, while the Cape May Reef, Avalon Shoal, and Townsend Inlet Reef continue to give similar results. There are still a few guys fishing for Mako’s mainly north and around the 20 fathom line, while there are still Threshers on bunker. There has been a good troll bite for Bluefin at the Hot Dog and tip of the Elephant trunk. The offshore bluewater bite has had a mix of short yellowfins and white marlin in the Wilmington. As we move back to the sands, the surf has had decent action on croakers and fluke at CM point.
Best Bet for the Weekend
This weekend’s best bet is to enjoy the July 4th weekend responsibly, both on and off the water. Regarding fishing, drifting or casting for fluke at our area’s inlets probably provides the best shot at keepers, but don’t miss the chance to work a bucktail in the wash for flatties. Crabbing is also an option for anglers to enjoy some quality time with family and put some big jimmies in the steamer. Good luck, be safe, and tight lines.