This is the last official weekend to target Summer Flounder or Fluke as the seasons last day is September 25th. The NOAA forecast looks alright for the weekend with light North to Northeast winds which should make for good drifting conditions. Most of the fluke being reported are coming from our inshore to deeper water wrecks, as most have moved out of the backwaters and inlets. In regards to offshore fishing, the yellowfin tuna bite has been a little off, but the Mahi has picked up the slack providing cooler-filling potential.
Here is this week’s rundown:
Gates Bait & Tackle in Point Pleasant Beach reported good signs of Fall fishing with some big Bluefish a few miles offshore. Anglers were able to get them jigging, and there were a few False Albacore mixed in. Some of the inlets have had Alby’s popping up, but the bite is quick and sporadic. Fluke continues to be a pick at the inshore snags and coastal Reef sites.
Fisherman’s Supply in Point Pleasant reported a slow but steady pick for most species this past week. Blowfish have been a good bite in the backwaters of Barnegat Bay and there has been some Weakfish mixed in. There has been a pick on keeper Fluke at the inlet, and at the Sea Girt and Axel Carlson reef sites. The night bite has provided Striped Bass action on mostly short fish around the bridges and in the Point Pleasant Canal on soft plastics.
The MIMI VI out of Point Pleasant has been busy targeting bottom fish at Capt. Ken’s choice snags with decent sized Fluke to 6 pounds and Porgies making it over the rail. The boat will be targeting Fluke, Flounder, Cod and Ling in the coming days. Capt. Ken said to either call or check the boat’s website for details on Open-boat bottom and offshore Tuna trips.
The Gambler out of Point Pleasant ran some 30 miles offshore to check for Mahi around the Lobster buoys, but ended up catching Mackerel and False Albacore. The canyon trip saw some breaking Tuna, but unfortunately could only muster Mahi up to 20 pounds. The boat will be fishing for Fluke the rest of the week until the close of the season, and then will be making back to back offshore trips until the start of Striped Bass season in November.
The Norma K III out of Point Pleasant had a decent week targeting Fluke with shorts being released, and a keeper here and there. Some of the keepers have been approaching 7 to 8 pounds. The vessel’s Bluefish trips have been successful with most Blues ranging from 8 to 15 pounds, and a few approaching 18. This is the last week for Fluke, and the boat will switch to Porgies, Ling, and Cod after the end of the season (Sept. 25th).
Betty and Nick’s Bait & Tackle in Seaside Park reported solid beach action with small Blues and Fluke in the suds. There are a few resident short Stripers around, but they are hitting mostly early morning or late night. The bay is still loaded with Mullet and Peanut Bunker, but they should start moving out in the coming weeks.
Dock Outfitters in Seaside Park said the Mullet run remains a trickle so far as the bay is still loaded. The Barnegat Inlet has had some 20-inch Bluefish around and short Striped Bass on the incoming tides. The bay has had Blowfish, but there is a ton of boats targeting them so be sure to chum heavily.
Capt. Hippos in Toms River had reports of some small Bluefish around both the bay and oceanfronts. Crabbing has picked up along the marshes, and Blowfish are fairly consistent in the bay. It doesn’t matter where you go, but chum heavily and if your not getting them move around.
Super Chic out of Barnegat Light was out hitting up some keeper Fluke on the areas wrecks and snags. There has been some solid fish making it over the rail with Gulp Jigging grubs on bucktails being the best bet. There are some nice sized slammer Bluefish around offshore, so the boat has some openings after the close of Fluke season.
Carolyn Ann III out of Barnegat Light had decent fishing on Wednesday. The morning started out very good with shorts and a pick of keepers. As the day went on, it slowed down, but the boat continued to get a few here and there.
Creekside Outfitters in Waretown reported Fluke out front and the Barnegat Light reef has been producing keepers to 4 pounds. The bay is loaded with Blowfish but you have to find your spots as lots of anglers have been targeting them. Crabbing is still solid off the Barnegat docks, and for boats staying close to the marsh edges.
Tony’s Bait & Tackle in Manahawkin had Fluke anglers picking up Gulp and S&S Bucktails for the last shot of the season. Inshore reef sites and deeper wrecks are the places to target keeper Fluke. The inshore troll bite has been fair for small Bluefish and False Albacore within 3 miles of the beachfront from Island Beach State Park to Long Beach Island. Small feathers and Zukers are producing most of the hookups. As for crabbing, hands down, it is the best of the year at the moment with both hand-lines and traps taking equal shares.
Riptide Bait & Tackle in Brigantine had some Striped Bass being caught along the inlet and jetties on cut bait and artficials. There has been a decent Weakfish bite in the back on Pink Zoom or live-lined Mullet/Peanut Bunker. There have been some Flounder caught beachfront along with Bluefish.
Absecon Bay Sportsman in Absecon reported Striped Bass in the back busting on Mullet. Anglers were able to connect with them with soft plastics and the Daiwa SP Minnow. Keeper Fluke are being boxed on the inshore reef sites (Little Egg/Great Egg/Townsends/Atlantic City) and some have been approaching 8 pounds.
One Stop Bait & Tackle in Atlantic City had Striped Bass by night and Tog during the day. Anglers casting artificials around the jetties at night are connecting on Bass and pink soft plastics tipped on 3/8-ounce jigheads are doing the trick. The tog bite has been hot on Green crabs. There are still lots of Kingfish and Flounder being caught from both the beaches and jetties, along with a few Triggerfish. There was a hot bite on the Atlantic City reef site this past week for boaters who were able to make it out.
Fin-Atics in Ocean City reported lots of small Sea Bass hitting baits in the back. There are still lots of Flounder in the back, but it is almost impossible to find a keeper. Corson’s inlet, Atlantic City, OC, and the Wildwood Reef sites had a very good bite this past week for keeper Fluke up to 8 pounds. Deep-water wrecks outside of Cape May had good picks of Fluke. Offshore along the 40-Fathom line had anglers trolling up White Marlin and Wahoo, and the Spencer and Baltimore have been hot for Yellowfin.
The Cape May beaches out front and along the Delaware Bay have seen a mix of Flounder, small Bluefish, Kingfish, and some Croakers. Bigger Flounder have been caught close to the jetties for anglers working bucktails or jigs in the zone.
South Jersey Fishing Forecast
I think it’s obvious this week – Fluke/Summer Flounder is the target of choice as you won’t be able to box these guys or gals until 2017. Fishing from a headboat, charter, or private vessel is your best bet as most of the keepable fish have moved offshore. If you are land locked, then fishing the inlet rocks around the high-water slack will give the best results. Offshore seems a crapshoot for Tuna, but you can always fall back on Mahi. But for whatever you choose, have fun and Good Luck, Be Safe, and Tight Lines!