We have officially entered the middle of June and the Striped Bass fishing remains strong from Manasquan south through Island Beach State Park. Fluke on the other hand have been a different story due to the heavy winds over the past weekend. Many boats either stayed dockside or were literally blown past hungry fluke. There are fluke loaded on the bayside shallows as they haven’t received much pressure yet this season. The offshore scene has been pretty good for Makos, and Threshers have been harassing bunker pods inshore.
So here is this week’s rundown:
Gate’s Bait & Tackle of Point Pleasant Beach reported that Manasquan inlet had some Fluke being nailed on squid and spearing combinations. There are some 2- to 5-pound cocktail Blues hitting metals and small jigs. Striped Bass fishing continues to be good at night in the Manasquan River on soft plastics and swimming plugs. It’s been a relatively tough week off the beach for Striped Bass as there has been a low number of anglers trying the area. Sea Bass, Ling, and Winter Flounder remain pretty good at the local wrecks.
The crew at Fisherman’s Supply in Point Pleasant mentioned that the Manasquan Inlet had some quality size fluke over the past week to 4 pounds. It’s been steady and productive for anglers fishing 3/8 to 1/2 oz bucktail tipped with Gulp. On the boat Striped Bass scence, it’s been pretty good for snag-n-drop action off Asbury Park with classy Stripers to 40 pounds. The Point Pleasant Canal bridges have been productive with soft plastics for Striped Bass.
Capt. Ken of the MIMI VI had a good week hitting the bottom wrecks for Sea Bass, Ling, Cod, and Winter Flounder. There were even a few Mackeral that were boated at a few of the snags. He has been moving from wreck to wreck to put clients on the meat. The boat will be running several open-boat bottom fishing trips for Winter Flounder, Ling and Cod, so check the boat’s website for details.
The Gambler out of Point Pleasant had some nice Fluke fishing the last few days. There has been lots of action on Fluke with Sea Bass in the mix. One of the notable catches was Donna Brown’s beautiful 8.5-pounder falling for a bucktail-Gulp and squid & spearing combo. The boat has been working over muscle bed bottoms with some changing contours. This has been the ticket with a good number of keepers between 3 and 5 pounds. The “TGIF” Thursday and Friday night Striped Bass trips have producing some nice Stripers to 30 pounds. The Bass have been in the mood for live bait, and there has also been some 2 to 3 pound Bluefish making it over the rails.
The busy crew of the Norma K III reported steady action on Fluke at some of the ocean stretches. When the strong south wind comes up it makes tough drifting conditions, but there were a fair amount of shorts and keepers coming over the rail. Brian Vida from Bayonne, NJ landed a 8.56-pound Fluke that took over the lead in the boat’s monthly pool. Gulp and squid-spearing combinations have been working the best. The boat will be sailing every night looking for choppers aka Bluefish, so give them a call to reserve a spot.
Betty and Nick’s Bait & Tackle of Seaside Park reported decent fishing along the sands of Island Beach State Park for Striped Bass ranging from 10 to 17 pounds. Boaters have been doing most of the “catching” at or near the 3-mile line off Seaside and points north. Mojo’s and Maja’s have been the lure of choice. There has been some snag-n-drop action, but it all has been in the wee hours of the morning with some big bass on bunker schools. The shop got word that the crabbing has really come on strong in Barnegat Bay.
Dock Outfitters of Seaside Park said that fishing seems to be in a June holding pattern. Island Beach surf anglers are seeing small to medium size Blues along side of short to keeper sized Stripers. The boats and kayaks continue to catch some nice size Stripers to 40 pounds by chasing the bunker schools. Crabbing remains pretty steady from the shop’s dock and surrounding area. Fluking remains a slow pick around the inside of Manasquan and Barnegat Inlets. It’s not that the fish aren’t there, but more of a lack of fisherman due to the Striped Bass and the weather.
Lenny from Capt’n Hippo’s off the Toms River reports spotty Bluefish action in the Toms, but better closer to Barnegat Inlet. Most of the fish have moved out, replaced by the smaller 2 to 5 pound variety. There has been some Blowfish boxed around the BB and Research bouys in Barnegat Bay. Don’t forget to chum them up! The shop hasn’t had much word on Fluking due to the recent winds, but the crabbing is picking up in the public dock areas around Beachwood.
Capt. Ted of the Super Chic in Barnegat Light reported steady wreck fishing for Sea Bass with lots of shorts to keep customers engaged and enough keepers to keep them happy. There has been a few Ling mixed in around the same snags. The boat has also been able to jig some small bluefish in the 2- to 4-pound variety on some of its snag-n-drop Striper trips. They had some good fishing with Stripers up to 30 pounds on live-lined bunker off Island Beach State Park.
Gina from the Carolyn Ann III in Barnegat Light reported some quality Sea Bass a few of the boats special spots. There has been enough shorts to keep everyone busy, but you have to be patient and pick through them to get to the keepers. Many of the patrons ended up with 4 to 6 keepers. The boat will be sailing every day, but check the website for updates.
Creekside Outfitters in Waretown had a few busy mornings weighing in quality Striped Bass to 46 pounds on the Maja-Mojo combination trolling rig. Most of the Striped Bass action has been off of Island Beach State Park and the Seaside Pipe at or near the 3 mile line. Fluke have been slowly turning on in the main channels and across from Myers Hole. 1/2 to 1 oz. bucktails tipped with spearing or minnow have been the trick. The Barnegat docks and marker 42 have been the place for Blowfish, and crabbing has been absolute quality around the Oyster Creek Outflow.
Tony’s Bait & Tackle of Manahawkin reported good trolling along Island Beach State Park and to the North on Maja’s and Mojo’s. Fluke are in the shallower areas in the back and can be boxed on both ends of Long Beach Island. Crabbing is starting to pick up along the west side of Barnegat Bay. The shop is now carrying S & S Bucktails for your fluking needs.
Across Long Beach Island to the shores of Brigantine there has been decent surf fishing according to Riptide Bait & Tackle. The surf has seen Striped Bass, Blowfish, Kingfish, and a few Drum up to 20 pounds. Most of the action has been on clams or bloodworms. The back of Brigantine has been slow on Flounder, but some anglers have been able to find them up to 7 pounds.
Absecon Bay Sportsman recommends to fish shallow and warmer water for Flounder. There has only been a pick on flounder and your best bet is to fish the shallows and flats. There has been a strong resurgence of Weakfish caught along the Intracoastal Waterway in the range of 4 to 6 pounds on soft plastics, pink finesse, and sheddar crab. Kurt did hear of some nice Drum being caught along the beaches and near the Mullica River. Striped Bass have been pretty good along the beach for boats trolling bunker spoons. Drifting eels at night has been the hot ticket for Striped Bass in the river.
One Stop Bait & Tackle of Atlantic City has seen a steady pick of Weakfish from 18 to 24 inches and consistent Striped Bass action at night. There has been more anglers reporting catches of Kingfish with 6 to 10 per person and an occasional Croaker. Bloodworm and fresh Clam have been the action-producing baits. Although it is a little slow to start, Flounder are still in the back and Nowell believes it will be another banner year off the AC jetties for big doormats. There are a lot of different species around right now and enough to keep anglers happy.
Fin-Atics of Ocean City had good reports of flounder around the Kennedy Park and Rainbow channel area. White bucktails tipped with Gulp or Minnows have been producing the best on keepers. There has been a “quietly” productive nighttime bite on Weakfish around the area’s bridges and lighted spots. Soft plastics such as the Pink Zoom or Pink Finesse have been producing. There have been some Striped Bass caught at night on the beaches with fish in the mid-teens.
There were some good reports of Flounder from some of the reef sites off Wildwood and Cape May with fish weighing up to 5 pounds. The jetties had some action on Weakfish at night around the Cape May Ferry Terminal. The reef sites are loaded with Sea Bass and most anglers have been able to catch close to their limit. The trick has been trying to get out when it’s not blowing, but this upcoming week should offer some calmer winds. With most shark tournaments in full swing, it has been pretty good for finding sharks offshore. There have been some nice Makos close to 400 pounds caught and a few Thresher’s in the mix. Crabbing has picked back up in the back-bay marshes and should increase on the next moon cycle.
Fishing Forecast for Southern New Jersey
Hopefully this weekend offers a lot less wind than mother nature gave us last weekend. If it’s calmer, then fishing for Fluke or Flounder in shallow water should be the ticket for some nice sized keepers. A 3/8-ounce bucktail tipped with either Gulp or Spearing can be deadly when jigged the right way. With the lack of pressure, it should be GAME ON for flatties. If you still have a touch of Bass Fever, then get out early to have your best shot at snag-n-drop Stripers especially from Long Beach Island northward. Most of our inlets seem to have a good mix of 2 to 5-pound Bluefish which are perfect for young children. Good Luck, Be Safe, and Tight Lines!