The fluke fishing is definitely on the upswing off Northern New Jersey. There are still plenty of short fish to fight through, but many anglers connected with 6- to 7-pound doormats this week.
Fishermen are finding big fluke right in the Raritan Bay reported the Keyport Marine Basin. The Basin checked in a number of 5- to 7-pound flatfish this week, including young Owen D.’s first ever summer flounder, a fine 5.78-pounder, that fell to a live killie. Dan S. hooked a 6.78-pounder off West Bank.
Big numbers of throwback fluke in the bay are keeping rods bent reported the crew at Julians. The most exciting news at Julians this week was the arrival of porgies and croakers in the bay. These panfish are lots of fun, and provide fast action and good eating. Also in the backwaters, snapper blues and blue crabs are making for some family friendly time on the water before school is back in session.
Some stripers are still around, reported Julians. Most of the fish are being taken around Shrewsbury Rocks. The fishermen having the most success are putting in a good amount of time, but a quality August striper is worth the effort. Bunker would be the best bet.
One big striper hit the sand this week as Tom at Giglio’s weighed in a 33-pound striper caught on a live bunker. Tom also weighed in a 7-pound fluke—also from the surf! Crabbing in the river is great, Tom reported, and a number of weakfish have been taken in recent days, some as large as 21 inches. The weakfish seem to be biting best in the evenings, around dinnertime, Tom said. The big schools of peanut bunker in the rivers are providing weakfish and school stripers with plenty to feed on right now, and fishermen using small soft plastics or the peanut bunker are having good success.
True World Bait and Tackle has also heard good reports about the snapper bite.
There haven’t been any fish hitting the scales at the Bait Shop in Bradley Beach recently, but the crew has been hearing reports of a pick of fluke for shore fishermen working the waters of Shark River Inlet and the beaches. There have been no reports of kingfish or spot in the surf.
Steve of Skylarker Sportfishing said the ocean fluke bite is improving, and his customers are generally going home with 1 to 2 keepers apiece, with a few fishermen limiting out. Fluke to 7 pounds hit the deck of the Skylarker this week. Steve reported that the ling and cod action has been slowing down some, but that there is decent fishing on small bluefish with some mackerel mixed in.
Customers aboard the Miss Belmar Princess have been getting in on that bluefish and mackerel bite as well. The Miss Belmar is fishing east of Shark River Inlet, and using jigs and teasers to catch the blues and macks. Thursday’s pool winner was a bit of a surprise, as one lucky angler reeled in a mahi-mahi. With the water clearing up, the crew of the Miss Belmar Princess expects to see more of these exotic species in the coming weeks.
Parker Pete’s Sportfishing has been picking away at keeper-sized fluke, but Pete said the action hasn’t been great.
Best Bets for the Weekend
Lots of options this weekend. Fishermen staying in the bay and rivers can choose between weakfish, schoolie stripers, crabbing and croakers and porgies. Fishermen hitting the ocean can target fluke or the bluefish and mackerel. The weather looks beautiful this weekend, so enjoy this summer weekend on the water—September will be here before you know it.
Thanks for the update tight lines