The rain, foggy, and soggy conditions have continued for another week with only a few breakthroughs of sun and no precipitation. Boy, we need a change in the weather pattern. Hardy anglers are still getting out and finding some fish at our local inlets. The ever-cooperative Bluefish continue to provide blistering runs on light tackle, and a few quality Stripers have starting showing up. Anglers chunking bunker at night or fishing clam on the moving tide are catching bass to 20 pounds. The spring Tog season has ended and serious Toggers will have to wait until July, meanwhile Fluke and Sea Bass are less than twenty days from opening. The fishing should only get better over the next few weeks.
Gates Bait & Tackle of Point Pleasant Beach reported a continuous onslaught of Bluefish coming over the wall of Manasquan Inlet. Anglers have been bailing Blues since last week it continues with most of the choppers weighing 10 to 15 pounds.
Jason from Fisherman’s Supply in Point Pleasant recommends taking bucktails or metals to Manasquan Inlet to have “guaranteed” shots at gator Bluefish over 15 pounds. There have been some anglers banging shorty bass on SP Minnows and Tsunami Swim Shads while walking and casting the beaches. The shop will be running an ODM surf rod casting demo day this upcoming Saturday (May 7th) from 9am to 1pm.
The MIMI VI had some decent Blackfish action to close out the Spring Tog season. The boat will now be concentrating on Striped Bass with open boat trips this week. Again, it is best to call ahead to check with the boat.
The Gambler has been sidelined most of the week due to the coastal sea and wind conditions, but once the weather pattern breaks the crew is ready to look for Blues and Stripers. The boat will be running a special trip on Friday (May 13th) sponsored by ACCURATE reels, so call the crew for details.
The Norma K III was at it on the last day of Blackfish and had anglers boxing up to 3 keepers each on the last trip of the Spring Blackfish season. The boat will be now sailing every day for Ling and Cod until May 21.
Brian from Betty and Nicks Bait & Tackle report quality Bluefish being hammered from mid Island Beach State Park to Barnegat Inlet on bucktails, metals, and chunked bunker. The south end of IBSP has been producing consistent action on artificials. There have been some Striped Bass to 15 pounds taken on clam and fresh bunker.
Dock Outfitters had surf anglers crying the Blues over the weekend and into this week. There are blues from Manasquan Inlet to Barnegat Inlet being taken by surf fisherman on cut baits and assorted artificial lures. The bay remains a pick of blues and small bass in all the usual spots, with some bigger bass of late being taken on clam. Nighttime chunking has given up some decent fish for our bridge regulars and recently Joe Odelli landed a nice 39 inch 37 pound beauty on a bunker chunk.
Capt Ted of the Super Chic said he is checking his last minute punch list and should have the boat up and running “very soon”. He wanted to reminded if interested in booking a trip to call the boat for details.
Gina of the Carolyn Ann III had toggers fishing hard over the last two days of blackfish season and the conditions were rough. The boat had to contend with some steep waves close together which made the bottom-feel next to impossible. Even in the tough conditions some fish were taken and Teddy Aires of Mt. Holly, NJ clinched the pool with a 4 pound blackfish. Bob Pinetti of Manahawkin, NJ, won the pool with a nice 7.2 pound Blackfish. The boat closed the Spring Blackfish season on a high note and will be unfortunately tied to the dock until May 23rd due to fisheries closures. Once the Black Sea Bass season opens the boat will start sailing one-day 6 hour trips.
Creekside Outfitters reported good Bluefish close to the inlet, in the inlet, and along the beaches of both Island Beach State Park and Long Beach Island. Some bigger Striped Bass in the 15 to 20 pound range have been caught by boats clamming the bay channels. Even with the crazy weather, there have been some good numbers of Blue Claws landed near the Oyster Creek outflow. The shop is hosting a Tony Maja seminar this Saturday (May 7th) from 11am to 1pm, where trolling techniques for Striped Bass will be discussed.
Tony’s Bait & Tackle reported tough fishing conditions over the last several days in the Long Beach Island area. The majority of the surf reports from shop regulars state the water is very dirty and needed a lot of lead to hold. There have been a few Bluesfish caught along the inlet and also some fish around the Causeway bridges in the afternoon. The White Perch fishing is still showing results over the past couple of days at dusk. Grass shrimp fished on a float setup is the best way to box the perch.
Riptide Bait & Tackle reported some Bluefish and Striped Bass caught recently and it seems we are finally seeing some consistency in the bite, according to Andy. The low pressure system hopefully doesn’t change things as things are just starting to heat up. Harry Creamer stopped in to weigh a 11-pound Bluefish, while Mark Hansen weighed in a 39-inch Striper which weighed close to 19 pounds. This fish put him in second place for the shop’s Striper and Bluefish Tournament.
Dave from Absecon Bay Sportsman had big Bluefish in the bay and it’s also been hot in the Atlantic City area for fish. There is some good action on Striped Bass back in the tidal marshes and creeks with artificials and Gulp Nemesis being the “go-to” lures. The shop is still getting some really good reports from the Mullica on Striped Bass.
Noel from One Stop Bait & Tackle says, “It’s BANG-IN down here!” The Melrose and T-jetties are on fire with Bluefish and some decent sized Striped Bass to 38 inches. Blues are still being caught on 322 in the back of Atlantic City High School, in addition to the T-jetty. Madison Avenue jetty has been ultra hot on Striped Bass. There has also been some Weakfish landed on the ocean side which is a good sign.
Fin-Atics of Ocean City reported a good end to the Tog Spring season around the 9th Street area. The Bluefish are continuing to bite on the first light morning around the Corson’s and Townsend’s inlet. Most of the fish are in the range of 10 to 15 pounds, with some smaller 3 to 4 pounders mixed in and are hitting on soft plastics, metals, and SP Minnows. On the Striped Bass scene, it’s been mostly small fish (12 to 15 inch) with a few bigger ones mixed in. The white Gulp Nemesis has been the hot bait and the 9th Street Bridge has been the hot location on the outgoing tide. The surf has seen has pick of small ones during the day, and some bigger fish caught at night. Drum continue being caught from the bank along Ohio Drive (Pebble Beach) in Great Bay off Radio Road, and a few are also inhaling clams in Grassy Channel. Top weights in these areas has been to 65 pounds.
Matt from Jim’s Tackle in Cape May reported a decent amount of Stripers being taken on the North Cape May side up the beach to Pierce’s Point. The fish have been caught on both sides of the tide and have been chasing bait on top. There have been quite a few slammer Blues landed along side some nice Stripers in the 40 inch range. The reports have been spotty for the Point and Cape May beach, but bayside has still provided the best action. There have been some Drum caught this past week, but it has slowed with the recent water temperature drop.
Fishing Forecast for Southern New Jersey
Bluefish with a side of Striped Bass seems to be your best option for this weekend. The Striped Bass fishing has definitely increased in intensity, but hopefully all of this recent rain doesn’t put a hamper on the bite. Although our extreme southern beaches are reporting some better action, the bay still seems like the most viable option. Slinging bunker chunks or fresh clam bellies should get you a Striper bite, but also be ready for drag-screaming Blues. If you want Blues, then hit one of the inlets on the outgoing. I don’t want to jinx it, but it’s almost guaranteed. Good luck, Be Safe, and Tight Lines.
Please tell me were the best fishing spot in NEW Jersey is