As we approach Memorial Day weekend, the fishing has really started to develop with the Striped Bass bite continuing to build steam up and down the coast. With the additional openings of Sea Bass and Fluke, there will be some variety for coastal fisherman. Bluefish continue to be active up and down the coast providing good shots for jetty and boat fisherman. So where does it leave us? The answer: Plenty of Options. Lastly and most importantly, we would like to thank all of the men and women who have served and continue to serve our country.
So here is this week’s rundown:
Gates Bait & Tackle of Point Pleasant Beach reports good Striped Bass fishing for most boats and headboats in the area. Trolling bunker spoons and snag-n-drop bunker have had fish to 39 pounds. The Manasquan Inlet and River still has some bluefish hanging around which can easily be targeted with bucktail or metals. Fluke have been cooperative with some keepers in the mix, but you have to target the warmer water.
Fisherman’s Supply said anglers have been busy blasting Bluefish and big Bass outside of Lavallette and Seaside on live bunker. Boats trolling outside have been able to find some Stripers on Bunker spoons near the 3-mile line. But the big story this week has been the hot bite on Fluke to 9 pounds in the Manasquan River. Jason recommends bucktailing the area with jigs tipped with Gulp.
The Point Pleasant fleet has been into some action when the weather and seas cooperate. The crew of the MIMI VI has been getting into Striped Bass and Bluefish over the past few days. The boat had some better fish early in the week and now with the opening of Sea Bass will run open boat Sea Bass and Striped Bass over the next month. Capt. Ken recommends calling the boat for details.
The Gambler had fares catching good numbers of big Bluefish prior to the opening of Fluke season. They did put a few keeper Fluke on the deck for the start of the season and there was some life at the area’s flatty grounds. It is a slow start, but should only get better as the water temperatures continue to warm.
The Norma K III got into some Fluke over the weekend, but it was only a slow pick which was hampered by ocean temperatures and a big ground swell which most likely caused them to shut down. The crew has been picking some nice Sea Bass while targeting Fluke which provides some variety to the trips. The boat will be sailing everyday for Fluke (8am to 12:30pm and 12pm to 630pm) and the nighttime Bluefishing will start this Friday night.
Betty and Nick’s Bait & Tackle reported good fishing, but not-so-good weather which has kept anglers away on days. The month and a half long Bluefish bite continues to provide great action in the inlet and surf. The opening of Fluke has been a surprise as it has been pretty good despite the ocean water temperatures. Surf anglers are even seeing Fluke hit bunker chunks in the suds. There has been better reports on Blueclaws in the back toward the west side of Barnegat bay and some anglers have boxed a few Blowfish.
Dock Outfitters of Seaside Park report big Bluefish attacking almost every type of lure that passes their noses. The most active lure has been large popping plugs and swimmers, but the larger the better. Metals and cut baits have also providing decent action. There is a few keeper bass being taken but the Bluefish continue to have the spotlight. Fluking is just underway and no real reports as of yet, other than a few shorts being caught around the Oyster Creek outflow. The bay behind Island Beach State Park is still producing large Bluefish and the dock out back has a few keeper Blueclaws being taken. The shop is loaded with live killies and sandworms which they intend to have on hand for the rest of the season.
The Carolyn Ann III out of Barnegat Light has recently untied the dock lines as the Sea Bass and Fluke seasons opened up. The boat was able to make it out despite the botched forecast, and they boat got a full limit of Sea Bass on opening day. Gina said the wrecks are loaded with fish and you need to get after them before the season closes. The boat will be sailing sailing seven days a week and will leave at 8 AM and return at 230 PM.
The Super Chic will be ready for charters by the end of this week. They are just waiting on their annual Coast Guard Inspection and Capt. Ted said he has some dates left open in June.
Creekside Outfitters had good reports from local anglers trolling the 3 mile line north of Barnegat Inlet from Seaside to Island Beach State Park. Most of the Stripers have been caught on Yellow MAJA’s and the size ranged between 30 to 40 pounds. The Bunker live-lining has been hit or miss, so you have to put in the time and gas to jump from school to school. The bay Fluke scene has been fair with some less than ideal weather conditions over the weekend, but this should improve with warmer temperatures predicted.
Tony’s Bait & Tackle reported good bass trolling bite on the 2 to 3 mile line north of Barnegat Light inlet. The shop weighed in a few fish to 30 pounds that were caught on MAJA Bunker spoons. There has been some thick Bunker schools with Striped Bass under them off the Seaside and Lavalette beaches. On the fluking front, there has been some fluke mid-island and around some of the tidal creeks. Bucktails and Gulp have produced on the outgoing tide. There hasn’t been much word on crabs, but they should be making their way out of the mud by now.
Riptide Bait & Tackle has had a busy week with the ultra hot Brigantine beaches. There are some nice Striped Bass that have moved into the area. Barry Voss was out in the boat hooked a monster Striped Bass on fresh bunker. The fish taped out at 46.5 inches and weighed just over 45 pounds. The fish was entered into the Beach N Boat and AC Press fishing contest.
Fishing has been absolutely outstanding off the beach for Striped Bass, Bluefish and Drum. Boats have been consistently hooking into 36 to 47 inch Striped Bass on trolled MOJOs.
Absecon Bay Sportsman reported good Striped Bass action in Mullica and Great Egg Rivers from anglers fishing live bait. There has been some Fluke around if you know the “out of the way spots”. Just remember to find bait and warmer water, and the Fluke should be there. The shop weighed in a nice 5 1/2 pound Fluke taken over the weekend on a bucktail tipped with Gulp. There has been some Striped Bass and Bluefish along the jetties caught on chunk baits, and the Brigantine area has been hot on Striped Bass, Bluefish, and Black Drum. If you going for Drum, Jay recommends the north side of Great Bay around the Oyster bars.
One Stop Bait & Tackle of Atlantic City has been on fire for Striped Bass, Bluefish, and a few Weakfish. If you were betting, it’s almost a sure thing for hooking a fish on one of the area jetties. Striped Bass have ranged from 29 to 40 inches and the night bite has been the hot ticket. One of the more notable catches this week was a beautiful 4.1 pound Weakfish caught on bloodworm during the night shift. The jetties are also producing nice Kingfish on bloodworms, but the start of Flounder season has been a little show. It should ramp up in no time.
Fin-Atics of Ocean City has been busy with reports of big Bass and Bluefish. Corson’s Inlet, Great Egg Inlet, and the 9th Street Causeway have produced fish on cut bunker and mackerel.
Striped Bass have been coming out of the Great Egg Harbor River on live baits and soft plastics to 24 to 36 inches. The recently opened Flounder season has been picking up, especially in the areas of Kennedy Park and Rainbow Channel. Gulp is the number one catching bait with live minnow providing close to equal action on keepers. The beach has been fishable and surf anglers putting their time in have been landing Striped Bass and Bluefish. There have been a few spotty reports of Kingfish.
And to round out our southernmost reports, Jim’s Bait & Tackle said the Drum bite was spotty this week on the Jersey side. It should pick up in the next week or so as the fish generally act this way during the spawn. Ryan Hearon of Dennis, NJ weighed in a 71-pound Drum which was caught on the Jersey side over the weekend. The Striper fishing is still holding up well in the Delaware Bay with most of the fish coming from the shallows in schools of Bunker. Fluke season opened over the weekend, but we didn’t hear too much only a few fish caught in the Harbor and backwaters of Cape May. The Flounder fishing sounded better a little farther North in Avalon, Stone Harbor, and North Wildwood. Sea Bass opened on Monday and the bite has been very good in the 80- to 120-foot depth wrecks with the bigger fish coming from the deeper water.
Fishing Forecast for Southern New Jersey
We may finally have a weekend with good weather on both days which will make for a lot of anglers, boaters, weekenders using our waterways. This means getting out early or fishing late afternoon may be your best shots at connecting with Striped Bass, Fluke, and Bluefish. After talking to a lot of the captains, it seems that our local wrecks are peppered with Sea Bass.
Your two best options will be to find Striped Bass on bunker schools which seems to be pretty consistent from North to South, or hit the tidal creeks, rivers, and backbays for early season Fluke. Remember, the outgoing tide will have the warmest water which generally equates to feeding Fluke. Good Luck, Be Safe, and Tight Lines!
The Delaware Bay is now full of Horseshoe crabs doing there thing ,can’t get the line in without hooking one of these dinosaurs,spent many hours at Corsons and only saw a few large blues being hauld in.They are doing road repairs at 12 street so you can’t get in there. Caught noting at the 9th street bridge either. They are putting in new bulk heads along the Absecon Inlet on the Atlantic City side and it is almost imposable to get into the jetties there also .The water has been moving out on the outgoing tide at at tremendouse speed that an 8oz sinker wont hold bottom.Trying to keep the lines tight I will fine the fish some of these reports cant be right I ve been everywhere man and saw for myself what is going on its a fishish ocean no fish of any numbers being caught, I talk to everyone I come across whie I am out and get the same answers from most anglers .Yes the water is still on the cool side and a little cloudy but where are all the fish they are takling about. Thanks for letting me rant, I will fish on no matter what.I have the fishing fever.