I can’t believe that the season has entered the last week in July—it is going way too fast. The fishing has been getting steadily better over the past several weeks, and after this full moon, look for the flatties to start moving closer to the inlets as they pile up for their journey to the Continental Shelf. The reef sites and individual wrecks should be peppered with fish over the next several weeks. Inshore sharking is still holding strong for anglers wanting to play catch and release with these brown bruisers. The nearshore fishery for Bonita and small Mahi has kicked into gear with a variety of midshore lumps and ridges holding fish. It’s been a busy, productive week in terms of fishing, so let’s hope it continues. Lastly, now is a good time to start thinking about penning up some of your “primo” fall baits aka Spot.
So here is the rundown for this week:
The crew at Gates Bait & Tackle in Point Pleasant Beach said it has been hot fishing for Fluke at the local reefs with the Axel Carlson and Sea Girt Reef sites leading the way. Many boaters have gotten word of the bite and have been running 10 to 15 miles to boat limits of Fluke. The beach has had some activity on small Bluefish and short Stripers at night, but it has mainly been on the colder incoming tide.
Fisherman’s Supply in Point Pleasant uttered the same in terms of the red hot fishing at the Axel and Sea Girt Reef sites with bucktails tipped with Gulp boxing the most keepers. The shop advised working the corners of the reef sites for the greatest success. There has been some Spanish Mackerel, Bonita, and small Mahi at the Manasquan and Barnegat Ridges for anglers trolling feathers. The night bite at the bridges continues on small schoolie Striped Bass. Soft plastics Swim Shads or Fin-S have been the lures of choice.
The Gambler out of Point Pleasant has been on the Fluke for most of it’s half day fishing trips. There has been some nicer sized fish making their way into the nets in the 4- to 5-pound range. The notable catch of the past few days was Kyle Miller of Medford, NJ catching a beautiful 8.5-pound doormat. There has also been some nice keeper Sea Bass making it over the rail up to 3 pounds. Squid spearing combo seems to be the best bait, especially in some of the deeper water spots. The night wrecking trips have seen their fair share of good size Ling. The nighttime Bluefishing has been a little slow, with mostly smaller ones around.
The Norma K III out of Point Pleasant had some good Fluke fishing this past week with Green and Nuclear chicken Gulp jigging grubs catching the most of the keepers on the boat. Anglers using squid and spearing have been catching a few as well, but they seem to catch more shorts. Pool winners have been in the 4- to 5-pound range. The night Bluefish scene at has been very tough with a pick of 1- to 2-pounders.
The MIMI VI out of Point Pleasant has been putting in the time on bottom fishing and has scored some nice, quality doormats along with Winter Flounder, Ling, and a few Cod. The boat will be sailing all most everyday over the next few weeks. They do have some Open-Boat dates (Aug4th & Aug 8th), but we advise to check out the website or call the Captain for details.
The report from Betty and Nick’s Bait & Tackle in Seaside Park has been gorgeous weather, some flies, and pick on Fluke, Bluefish, and an occasional Bass. The Stripers are mostly taken at night or around the high tide. Several boats have been working the jetties for Striped Bass on the colder incoming tide. The crabbing remains excellent, and the Fluking has been steadily picking up at the beaches.
The crew at Dock Outfitters in Seaside Park explained the calm “after” the storm in regards to the slight uptick on biting Fluke around Barnegat Inlet and off the beaches. There have been some very large rays along the surf, and Kingfish and Fluke still have taken top honors on recent catches. There has been some guys shark fishing along the beachfront. Crabbing remains good, but there still aren’t a lot of snappers and Blowfish according to the most recent reports.
Moving back across the bay, Lenny from Capt’n Hippos in Toms River reported good crabbing along the west and east sides of Barnegat Bay. He has had some word of Blowfish being caught in commercial crab traps and as by-catch, so it might be time to target them. The Fluke fishing has been fair in the bay, but solid in the ocean. Barnegat Light reef and some wrecks around have produced fish in the keepable range.
The mates of the Carolyn Ann III in Barnegat Light said it has been pretty good after the Full moon when drifting conditions are right. It all depends on the wind speed and wind direction regarding biting keepers. There has been lots of shorts in the mix, which is plenty for anglers to have fun.
The Super Chic of Barnegat Light has been busy running trips to either hit Bluefish, Fluke, or anything in between. The captain has been working some choice wrecks and has been rewarded with some nice keepable fish.
Creekside Outfitters in Waretown reported some nice crabbing in Blowfish towards the docks of Barnegat (mainland). Fluke have been everywhere from the BI to BB to the inlet, but you just have to find a pile of feeding keepers. The Fluke fishing outside remains solid with some decent fish caught from the Axel Carlson to Garden State South. One notable catch the past couple of days was Rich Johnston who caught a nice Fluke caught on squid off the Barnegat Lighthouse.
Tony’s Bait & Tackle reported having the summer doldrums for Fluke. The bay fluking in has moved closer to the inlet. But depending on which tide you fish is really the determining factors on putting keepers in the box. The incoming tide has pushed colder water from the ocean into the bay and moves the strike zone back into Double & Oyster Creek channels. The outgoing tide has more fish being caught closer to and in the inlet. The reef sites have some keeper Fluke, but more throwbacks along with some sea robins. The surf zone still has a load of cow nose rays along with sandbar & sand tiger sharks and the inshore trolling bite is slowly coming alive with bonito, small dolphin and chub mackerel on and near both the North & South Barnegat Ridges.
Riptide Bait & Tackle of Brigantine has been busy with fish coming through the door. Local angler Jeannie Genovese was high hook and was fishing in the Absecon Inlet. She ended boxing her first 5-pounder. There has been a lot of action along the inlet for Fluke, small Bluefish, and Kingfish. The beaches continue to provide decent action for rays, sharks, Fluke, and Kingfish.
Absecon Bay Sportsman reported good fishing along the Absecon Inlet and also at the local artificial reefs. Little Egg, Great Egg, and the Atlantic City reef have been the hot choices for boaters. The shop advises most anglers to bring plenty of bucktails and Gulp as most of the keepers have been from anglers getting “jiggy” with it. The offshore ridges are starting to produce Bonita and small Mahi, while the surf zones have had there share of Brown, Dusky, and Sand Tiger sharks.
One Stop Bait & Tackle of Atlantic City reported “excellent” fishing this past week from Caspian Avenue jetty to the T-Jetty. There are some nice-sized Flounder around, but you need to stay very close to the edge of the jetties. Kingfish and a few lone Croakers have been landed on Bloodworms or Fish-bites. The shop has a wide variety of tackle and bait options, but it is recommended to stop by or call for information.
Fin-Atics reported good fishing along the beaches and at the inshore reef sites. The Great Egg, Ocean City, and Wildwood sites having been seeing quite a few fish well over the 18-inch mark. Squid, Spearing, and Fresh mackerel strips have been boxing some of the bigger fish along with bucktails and the 6-inch Grub tail Gulp. Rainbow Channel and the Route 52 Causeway still have been solid on Fluke especially on the cooler incoming. The surf zone has been giving up some nice Kingfish, small Bluefish, and occasional resident Striped Bass.
The Wildwood and Cape May area have experienced some decent fishing over the past few days with a lot of anglers making out to the reef sites to enjoy good Flounder action and some nice Sea Bass to 4 pounds. The Cape May reef and Wildwood reef have been good on Flounder, but bucktailing is the absolute key to putting bigger fish in the box. There are lots of Sea Bass inhabiting the wrecks sites, so it should be easy to get your 2 fish limit. There was word of some nice sized Cobia to 70 pounds making their way to the gaff on a couple boats fishing for Flounder. With the water temperatures warming, it is not a bad idea to have one or two rods rigged to target offshore pelagics such as Cobia or Mahi.
South Jersey Fishing Forecast
If you’re in search of doormats or “area” rugs as ESPN Rack and Fin radio host calls them, then Sabiki yourself some snapper Bluefish. Drop these snappers to deeper holes and channels in and around the inlet areas, and you may be rewarded with fish up 10 pounds. The amount of Kingfish in our southern locales still seems to be the hot ticket for surf anglers fishing Fish-bites or Bloodworms. And don’t forget, Blue-Claws, as there has been consistent action on some nice #1’s. Good Luck, Be Safe, and Tight Lines!