Though summer (unofficially) ends this weekend, New Jersey fishermen have something to celebrate, as fishing is improving and the fall run is on its way.
Striped bass action is picking up. Romer Shoal and Flynn’s Knoll are producing stripers on eels and sandworms reported the crew at Julian’s Bait and Tackle. Stripers are also beginning to show up in the surf all the way down to Bradley Beach according to a report from The Bait Shop. The best action in the surf has been after dark on clams or sandworms. With all the baitfish around, fishing for schoolie stripers is picking up reported Jimmy at Harry’s Army Navy.
Also in the surf, fishermen are beginning to see false albacore, reported Tom at Giglio’s. While the albies have occasionally moved into casting range of the beach, no one has managed to hook one yet, reported Tom. Fortunately, schools of 10-pound bluefish are hitting lures and providing some fun action from the surf.
Jimmy at Harry’s Army Navy also reported on the albies, saying they were showing up at some of the inlets to feed on the baitfish flushing out with the tide.
Speaking of baitfish, the crew at the Bait Shop said the rivers are loaded with peanut bunker, mullet and spearing. The waters all the way up to New York Harbor are stuffed with bait. The crew at True World Bait and Tackle reported that New York Harbor is full of small herring, mullet and snapper blues. It’s only a matter of time before some blues, stripers, and albies find this bait and the fall blitz begins.
New York Harbor had the only positive fluke reports this week. The crew at True World had a good weekend fishing there taking 7 keepers to 7 pounds on Saturday. On Sunday, they heard of a 10-pounder taken.
Everywhere else, it seems like short fluke dominate. The crew at Julian’s said the ratio of throwbacks to keepers was 50 to 1 in Raritan Bay. Short fluke are being caught in Shark River Inlet, but no keepers were reported to the Bait Shop in Bradley Beach. Tom at Giglio’s reported the fluke fishing as “slim pickins.” Pete of Parker Pete’s Sportfishing found some quality fish over the weekend, taking fish up to 8 pounds.
Fishing in the canyons is good. Many fishermen are connecting with bigeye tuna by trolling after dark. Most of the bigeye are in the 175- to 200-pound range.
Best Bets for the Weekend
As you bid farewell to summer, say hello to fall fishing. If you have a small boat, heading out and chasing down the false albacore schools would be my top pick. From the surf, grab some clams and head out after dark to pick up some stripers. If you want some fluke, look to New York Harbor or the deep water structures.
Bait Shop forgot to mention there is also a ton of Bay Anchovies in the Shark River Basin also*Hickory Shad are in the river also*