Tropical Storm Hermine helped kick start the Fall bite with an influx of False Albacore and Bluefish up to 15 pounds. Although the fluke bite has slowed anglers, are landing some nice doormats up to 7 pounds. The key has been to working deeper water as most of these Fluke have pushed further out. The mullet run has officially started as some of our bays are loaded with them. Canyon fishing also regained steam and we got some decent reports of Yellowfin and Mahi action. Unfortunately, the Fluke countdown has begun with only 10 days left in the season. BOO! But I can’t end on a negative, resident Striped Bass must have gotten word that the fall run is beginning because there were a few caught up and down the coast. Yes, the Fall run is getting closer!
So here is this week’s rundown:
Gates Bait & Tackle of Point Pleasant Beach had good reports of Weakfish and Snapper Bluefish around Manasquan Inlet, while the big Blues have officially arrived offshore. There has been a flurry of False Albacore around with a few Spanish Mackerel in the mix.
Fisherman’s Supply of Point Pleasant reported the Fluke bite did a quick turnaround after the Tropical Storm passed us and the seas calmed down. Keeper-sized Fluke are being landed from both the Axel Carlson and Sea Girt reef sites. Jigging bucktails tipped with Gulp have been the ticket for a majority of the keepers. Inside has had decent action of Striped Bass for anglers willing to fish the night shift. Soft plastics and swim-shads have been taking Stripers, with some a few pounds shy of 20 in the Point Pleasant Canal.
MIMI VI out of Point Pleasant has been working rough bottoms for Porgies and Fluke with some dinner-plate sized Porgies making it over the rail. The boat did a few trips to the Canyon for nice Yellowfin up to 60 pounds and some nice sized Mahi. The boat will be sailing for Canyon Tuna, but it is best to either call or check the website for details. Open-boats spots will generally fill up rather quickly, so don’t hesitate.
Gambler out of Point Pleasant was back at it and fishing is getting better since the storm. It was a little slow right after, but now Fluke up to 6 pounds are making it over the rail. There were some nice Sea Bass caught, but unfortunately had to be thrown back due to the season being closed. There were some 1- to 3-pound Bluefish in the mix. The boat will be sailing for their first Tuna trip on September 19th. The dates for Jumbo Sea Bass have been released, check the boat’s website for details.
Norma K III out of Point Pleasant had similar results in terms of the bite getting better, and some of the keeper Fluke have been good size up to 7 pounds. Most fish being caught have been on cut bait or whole squid. The boat has been fishing rough bottoms, so be sure to bring some extra tackle. The night bluefishing has finally broke wide open with nice 8- to 15-pound Bluefish being caught and it should only get better.
Betty and Nick’s Bait & Tackle of Seaside Park reported good fishing off Island Beach State Park with anglers able to work some Fluke through the wash. There were keeper Fluke, short Striped Bass, and Bluefish up to 20 inches caught along the rocks lining the north side of Barnegat Inlet. Blowfishing in Barnegat Bay has been hit or miss, but when you get into them it’s been very good.
Dock Outfitters of Seaside Park said that shoreline has been very lively on Fluke all along Island Beach State Park and Seaside. There has been some medium sized Bluefish and small Stripers taking along the beaches, but the jewel has been a few nice False Albacore screaming drags in the surf the past few days. Crabbing remains slow but catches of keepers are possible if you put in the time.
Capt. Hippos of Toms River had decent reports of Fluke outside for anglers willing to run several miles offshore. The inside bite has been extremely slow as most fish have pushed out, but there are Blowfish and Kingfish around as long as you hit the tide right.
Super Chic out of Barnegat Light took care of some maintenance during the TS Hermine, but has been back out since putting some solid Fluke over the side. Most of the keepers have been in the 3- to 4-pound range. The boat has a few October Tuna trip dates left, so it is best to check with the boat or the website for details.
Carolyn Ann III out of Barnegat Light got right back out there was the seas calmed down and the Fluke were definitely on the feed with lots of keepers making it over the rail. There have been a few anglers on multiple trips with limits of Fluke and quite a few anglers able to box 2-3 keepers. There have been several fish over 5 pounds and the pool winners have been close to 6 pounds. These fish are biting on everything but seem to be more aggressive with bucktails and Gulp tipped with Spearing.
Creekside Outfitters of Waretown reported solid Blowfish and throwback Sea Bass in the bay along with some Weakfish being boxed. There are Kingfish around, but you may only get a few shots in a 4-hour window. Fluke action has been hot at both the Garden State North and South Reef sites with fish to 4 pounds being boxed.
Tony’s Bait & Tackle of Manahawkin had good blowfish reports from Ship Bottom down to areas adjacent to St. Francis on Long Beach Island. Ocean Fluke fishing has been excellent in 70 to 80 feet of water. Garden State North reef site has had the hottest action off LBI for anglers jigging Bucktails tipped with Gulp or fresh Spearing. Snapper blues in the bay are eight to twelve inches and have been prevalent around all the Bridges. Weakfish are being picked off on small jigs tipped with shedder crab or live-lining baby bunker in the back bay areas of Barnegat bay and Little Egg Harbor. Crabbing is still very good in all our bays for crabbers working areas south.
Riptide Bait & Tackle of Brigantine reported a variety of action from the beaches with a few Fluke and snapper Bluefish being caught from the suds along with Kingfish and a few Croakers. There has been some Weakfish in the backwaters, but not too many Fluke being caught inside. Most Fluke have been caught a few miles out. There are a few sharks around for anglers wanting to fish for “big bluefish” at night.
Absecon Bay Sportsman of Absecon had reports of keeper Striped Bass in the Mullica River up to 11 pounds. Fluke have been slow too sporadic in the back, but the bite at the reef sites has been very good as most of these fish have started to move. The shop is loaded with gear for the Fall Striper run, so stop by.
One Stop Bait & Tackle of Atlantic City reported the bite has been “on-fire” from the Atlantic City jetties with Summer Flounder, Kingfish, Weakfish, and Tog being landed. The Tog bite has been so good that anglers, even novices, have reported up to 15 fish per hour. The Tog have been chomping on Green Crab, and some nice ones up to 24 inches have been taken. It would be unfortunate for the Army Corps of Engineers to close these ultra-productive areas, so stop by the shop or find them on Facebook to get information on signing the petition as the closure limits public’s access to fishing areas.
Fin-Atics of Ocean City reported slow back bay Flounder fishing with most of the fish moving eastward, but Townsends Inlet reef, Ocean City, and Wildwood reef sites have been on fire for big flatties. Anglers jigging bucktails tipped with Gulp and Spearing have been successful when working structure 55 to 90 feet. Keep working until you find them. There have been Kingfish and some Croakers caught off the surf, with some Brown sharks at night.
The Flounder bite in Cape May quickly rebounded after the storm with deepwater sites offering the best shots at doormat quality keepers. Reef site #10 and #11 have been producing along with the Cape May reef site. A few weakfish have been landed along the jetties with the Ferry terminal producing during the late evening. The Delaware Bay has some schools of small Bluefish around so look for bird action or mark them to find the schools. Offshore action has been good for Yellowfin Tuna and Mahi at the Lindelkohl, Baltimore, and Wilmington Canyons.
South Jersey Fishing Forecast
If the weather holds out, it should be a great weekend to target some nice sized doormat Fluke. It seems from the week’s reports that jigging Bucktails is the best option for catching and keeping, so stop by a local tackle store to get the inside scoop. Anglers working the jetties, whether by boat or feet, should have good shots at Tog when the current slacks, but don’t forget to bring some Tsunami swim shads or similar soft plastics to target Striped Bass and possibly Weakfish. You got to love the start of Fall! Good Luck, Be Safe, and Tight Lines!