Our New Jersey Fluke season has come to a close with sort of a lackluster ending. It was more of a weather-ending event as the sea conditions kept most anglers stuck inside. Most bottom fishing anglers are in a holding pattern able to pick at Porgies until the Sea Bass season opens. On a brighter note, the recent change in weather to more Fall-like conditions have prompted our resident Striped Bass and migrating False Albacore bite. I hate to end on a bad note, but the offshore Tuna have been almost non-existent over the past week, let’s hope that changes as October is usually a prime month for Canyon Tuna.
So here is this week’s synopsis:
Gates Bait & Tackle in Point Pleasant Beach reported cocktail Bluefish in the inlet and Blackfish off the rocks. False Albacore have been within casting distance for anglers throwing metal. Short Stripers were being caught off the beaches on artificial plugs, and spearfisherman have been getting keepers along the wall. The wreck fishing boats have been getting into “dinner-plate” sized Porgies.
Fisherman’s Supply in Point Pleasant had False Albacore from Sandy Hook to Island Beach State Park, but they are much thicker north. There have been some Striped Bass in the surf in the mornings on poppers. The Bluefish have been in the 12- to 16-pound range, but it’s a considerable distance as most have to run 18 to 20 miles East.
MIMI VI out of Point Pleasant was busy bottom fishing when I called and the Captain couldn’t give a detailed report, but said the boat has been bailing good sized Porgies on most of the wrecks. The boat will be targeting Canyon Tuna through October, and October 20th-21st still has spots available.
Gambler out of Point Pleasant ended the Fluke season with a few nice keepers to 6 pounds. The boat will be focusing on 20 to 40 mile “exotics” and Fall Tuna through October before switching over to Striped Bass.
Norma K III out of Point Pleasant reported that the weather has been a little tough, especially to close out the Fluke season. The boat will be concentrating on bottom fishing and they are already picking away at the Porgies which they will continue to do until Sea Bass opens.
The Bluefish trips have provided some nice ones to 15 pounds, but it has been a little on the slow side.
Betty and Nick’s Bait & Tackle in Seaside Park reported small Bluefish in the 1 to 3 pound range hitting mullet in the surf. Schoolie Striped Bass have been hitting plugs and poppers at night and in the wee hours of the morning. There have been a few Albacore around, but it is better as you move IBSP north. It’s hard to target them as they are “here and gone”, so just bring slim metals while your surf fishing and have at the ready if they pop up.
Dock Outfitters in Seaside Park said that the Mullet run is in full effect out-front as they are starting to pour out of the inlets. Some keeper Stripers have been taken on swimmers, but they have only been up to 29 inches. Bluefish in the 2 to 5 pound range have been hitting metals, mullets, swimmers, and poppers along Island Beach State Park and the Barnegat Inlet.
Capt. Hippos in Toms River reported some Weakfish in the Toms River to keeper size on fresh Spearing and soft plastics. There were some small Striped Bass around the backwaters from Beachwood to Mathis Park.
The Super Chic out of Barnegat Light reported Bluefish and False Albacore around with some Striped Bass being caught around the inlet. The boat has some Bluefish and Canyon trips coming up, and Capt. Ted has a few weekday dates available in November for either Striped Bass or Blackfish.
The Carolyn Ann III out of Barnegat Light reported some tough ocean conditions to end the Fluke season, but they were able to box a few up to 5 pounds. The did have the Barnegat High School fishing aboard as a afternoon charter and the kids were able to box keepers up to 22 inches along with Bluefish and Porgies.
Creekside Outfitters in Waretown had good reports of Blowfish in Barnegat Bay from the “BB” to marker “42”, but you need to chum hard. There have been reports of Weakfish for guys anchoring in Myers Hole and there have been some Striped Bass taken up to 30 plus inches in the inlet area.
Tony’s Bait & Tackle in Manahawkin had Blowfish participation increasing since the Fluke season ended and the shop has received plenty of positive reports from Brant Beach to Waretown. Small blues are showing up at every venue: back bay, inlets, surf & ocean. Anglers fishing the Long Beach Island surf have found a few Kingfish around.
Riptide Bait & Tackle in Brigantine reported small 1 to 3 pound Bluefish hitting finger Mullet and artificials off the beach. There have been some short Striped Bass around with a few 28 to 29 inchers mixed in. Most of the fish have been landed on soft plastics and swimming plugs. Andy noted that one of his regulars banged a nice 6 pound Fluke under the Brigantine bridge to end the season. Guys are doing very well in the back when they target Weakfish, especially if slow jigging soft plastics or jigheads tipped with sheddar crab.
Absecon Bay Sportsman in Absecon reported good Kingfish action in the surf zone and small Bluefish and Striped Bass hitting the same areas late night. There is a ton of different species around (Triggers, Sheepshead, Weakfish, Tog, Kingfish, etc), so anglers will have good shots at fish these coming weeks.
One Stop Bait & Tackle in Atlantic City had good reports of keeper Tog off the Atlantic City jetties and local Striped Bass have been keying on the Mullet run. Along with Bluefish, good sized Weakfish up to 28 inches have been in the same areas keying on the “exiting” mullet.
Fin-Atics in Ocean City reported reports of Spot and Kingfish from the surf, and anglers have been getting into short Striped Bass around the jetties and bridges. There are some Weakfish to be had for anglers throwing pink soft plastics. Tog, Sheepshead, and Triggerfish have been hitting hard-shelled baits along the rocks.
Jim’s Bait and Tackle out of Cape May reported the Fluke fishing ended about the same as it has been the past couple of weeks. The boats who did the best were running to the wrecks on the 20 Fathom line. There have been a few more Croakers showing up and some are just outside of the inlet and in the Rips. The Cape May Rips have been very good for small Bluefish and Weakfish. There are mostly Small Blues on the beach front and Cape May Point has good numbers of Bluefish, Weakfish, and small Striped Bass. The offshore bite for billfish have been good in the Baltimore and Poorman’s Canyons. There has still been “no” word on Tuna with only a few being boated in the Southern canyons.
South Jersey Fishing Forecast
The weather will probably be the biggest factor for this upcoming weekend as it looks most boats will be held to the bay. Blowfish, Kingfish, and Weakfish are hitting in most backwaters, but you either have to get out early or try to stay around from the crowd. Striped Bass, Bluefish, and Tog are hitting from the rock-lined inlets, so if they are “fishable” it’s the place to be. Good Luck, Be Safe, and Tight Lines.