Bass fever is running rampant up and down the New Jersey coastline as large stripers are being caught on live bunker and trolling spoons. The only issue is keeping the lures and baits away from the hungry bluefish that have been pushing some of the pods around. Island Beach State Park has seen some schools of 20- to 30-pound fish pushing bunker within casting range of the sand. The has been ever-so-quiet word of some Bluefin being caught and landed via live-lined bunker, so keep the big reels stowed and on the ready. Just remember that you must carry a National Marine Fisheries Service Atlantic Tunas permit if attempting to keep any of the “Chicken of the Sea” varieties. Fluke is all set to open this weekend and the cooler bay temperatures will have anglers targeting the warmer outgoing tides for the best bite.
Here is this week’s rundown:
Gates Bait & Tackle of Point Pleasant Beach had big bruiser bluefish continuing to invade Manasquan Inlet. The fish have been most active at sunrise and a few hours before sunset. There have been some small Stripers taken on plugs off the area beaches, but the big news has been the quality fluke bycatch this past week in the Manasquan River and Inlet. The shop said it should be a decent opening weekend for Fluke based on all of the bycatch.
Fisherman’s Supply of Point Pleasant reported extremely good numbers of Bluefish still in the Manasquan River towards the northern end. There has been a few Bass taken from the Route 37 Bridge and Mantaloking Bridge at night, but that has been hampered by the Cinder worm hatch. Anglers bucktailing the river for Blues have been rewarded with “must-throwback” Fluke, but that will change this weekend with the season opens.
The MIMI VI had some fish this past week with Bluefish and Striped Bass coming over the rail. The bunker schools have arrived and should make for good fishing over the next month. The boat will look to run open boat Striper and Sea Bass Trips through and the dates are posted on their website.
The Gambler was out hunting for Striped Bass and Blues the past few days and had pretty good action on big bluefish. Most of the fish were caught on jigs and lures, but there hasn’t been too much success on live-bait striped bass yet. We’ll continue for for stripers and blues, 7:00 AM till 2:30 PM through May 20th. The crew is eagerly anticipating the start of fluke season, which begins Saturday, May 21st and they will be sailing on a 1/2 day schedule from 8:00 AM till 12:30 PM and 2:00 PM till 6:30 PM.
The Norma K III picked away at some Cod and Ling over the weekend. Fishing was a little tougher on when the winds were over 20 knots, but the anglers did see life on most drops with some nice size Sea Bass coming over the rail. Unfortunately, all Sea Bass had to go back due to regulations. The boat will be sailing for cod and ling until this Friday and will then switch to half-day fluke and will run 2 trips per day.
The sands of Island Beach State Park have been very active with anglers and fish according to Betty and Nicks Bait & Tackle. Over the last few days, big pods of bunker have been getting blown apart by 30 pound Striped Bass. The Bluefish have also been thick and quite active late morning and the late afternoon. Some of the onslaughts have lasted well over 3 hours. The weekend’s Governer’s Tournament was one of the most successful in its 25-year history. There were loads of big Bluefish and more than a few 20- to 30-pound Bass weighed in. Dakota Hahn of Toms River took the grand prize and NJ Governor’s Cup by catching a 43.5-inch striped bass.
Moving across the Inlet and into Barnegat Light has both the Carolyn Ann III and Super Chic awaiting action. The Carolyn Ann III will be sailing a 6-hour trip everyday starting May 23. The Super Chic is just about ready have the fuel tanks topped off and get the okay from the Coast Guard. Capt. Ted is ready to run Spring Striped Bass trips and the boat does have some dates available so call for details.
Creekside Outfitters has received various reports of anglers pulling Striped Bass from the 2 to 3 mile line on Maja’s and Mojo’s. The ocean temperatures are still slightly below average, but the Bass are starting to cooperate on live-lined Bunker. Bluefish are still in the bay, inlet, and oceanfronts and can easily be targeted with bait, bucktail, jig, or plug. Basically, throw what you got! Jim Schiller weighed in a nice 15.53-pound bluefish which he caught from land on a floating dock in Barnegat.
Tony’s Bait and Tackle reported that the Choppers are still in Barnegat Light inlet and there has been some big Bass busting on Bunker just North of the inlet. There was confirmed word of an 102 inch Bluefin caught on live Bunker. In the back, Oyster Creek and around the Dike have been popular for patrolling squadrons of 10- to 14- pound Bluefish. The White Perch are still chewing in the Beach Haven West lagoons with the upper regions of Mill Creek being the best. Crabbing is still barely fair to poor in most parts of Manahawkin Bay, but this should change as the bay begins to get warmer.
Riptide Bait & Tackle had good reports of Black Drum, Striped Bass, and Bluefish from the Brigantine surf. Plugs, cut Bunker, and fresh Clams have been the hottest baits of choice over the past few days. The time is now to hit the surf because they are definitely here. The shop had some nice weigh-ins including Joe Smith (Smitty) who nailed this 45-inch, 28-pound striper on his first cast and Linda Davoli just stopped by with a 72-pound Black Drum that measured in at 49-inch with a 37-inch girth. It will be entered into the AC Press fishing contest. Congrats Linda on a great catch!
Absecon Bay Sportsman reported good Bassin’ up the Mullica River around Green Bank for anglers drifting eel at night. Bluefish have keep anglers busy in Great Bay as most are in the 12 to 15-pound range. The hot place to be for Stripers right now has been the jetties of Atlantic City as most fish have been in the range of 39 to 46 inches. The snag-n-drop scene has been a little slow, but this may have more to do with lack of boats fishing and sea conditions.
One Stop Bait & Tackle of Atlantic City continues to provide anglers hot fishing opportunities as the area jetties continue to bring in good numbers of quality fish. Most ranges of Striped Bass have been covered from shorts and teens, to the twenty, thirty, and now 40-pound range. The T-jetty and Flagship jetty has been the hot spots for good catches of fish. In addition, patient anglers are starting to get some numbers of Kingfish and even a Weakfish has been landed. Bloodworms have been the baits of choice for Kingfish and Weakies.
Fin-Atics of Ocean City said the weather has been hampering the back bay bite, but they are still getting numbers of 12- to 15-pound Bluefish. The 9th Street Bridge and area around Corson’s Inlet has been pretty solid for Blues. Most have been caught on soft plastic Z-man’s or hardbaits such as the SP Minnow and Bomber ASalts. The backbays have some nice Flounder so it should provide a good opening day for the start of the season.
And with NJ’s southern most point report, Jim’s Bait and Tackle had good Striper fishing continuing along the North Cape May beaches and rockpiles. Most of the fish are in the 25 to 40 pound range, and it seems most schools are starting to move North along the beachfront as Wildwood and North Wildwood are starting to get fish. Boatside Striped Bass fishing is doing well with fish being landed from 1/4 mile off the beach along Delaware bay from Ferry jetty (north) to Reed’s Beach. The Drum have started to bite on our side of the Bay with some locals getting fish around Tussy’s and the 20-foot slough to 50 pounds. The Cape May Point jetties have some nice weakfish in the 5-pound range which can easily be targeted with artificials.
Fishing Forecast for Southern New Jersey
I know they are great backups, but let’s put the Bluefish on the backburner this week as they have been in the spotlight the last few weeks. It’s game on for Striped Bass, but location and presence of bait is key. Work early and find those bunker schools! Surf fisherman it is an absolute must that you have a weighted treble ready to go at the moment’s notice. Either use two rods or a Tactical Angler clip so you can snag up when they get close. On the lighter tackle-side of things, it is the start of Fluke season so target the outgoing with small jigs or bucktails. Good Luck, Be Safe, and Tight Lines!