Tropical Storm Hermine has finally started to exit our region in which the tropical system had left most anglers stuck at the docks or on the Honey-Do-Lists for the prior week. The ocean and bays will need some time to calm down and clean up from all of the wave action. Let’s hope the Fluke are still here as everything was popping prior to Hermine’s arrival. It was a little light on the reports this week due to the weather shenanigans, so you will probably here “storm” a lot in this week’s reports. On a side note, I was able to get out during the tail-end of the storm to fish the bay with my wife and son, and we caught over 60 fish with Blowfish and small Sea Bass keeping my 8-year-old busy.
So here is this week’s rundown:
Gates Bait and Tackle in Point Pleasant Beach had good reports of Weakfish in the inlet on small metals (A007s, A017s) and pink Fin-S artificials. Unfortunately, the storm shut most of that down during the past week and no one was making it out the inlet.
Fisherman’s Supply in Point Pleasant reported good Fluke fishing at the Axel Carlson and Sea Girt Reef sites and some False Albacore and Bonita at the Ridges prior to the storm. There was also some action on small Bluefish and Weakfish in Manasquan Inlet during the same time period. The storm pretty much shut most fisheries down, but it should quickly rebound this upcoming week.
MIMI VI out of Point Pleasant was held dockside due to the weather. Capt. Ken was able to catch up on some maintenance and will be primed and ready for this Saturday/Sunday’s bottom fish trip. Prior to the storm, the boat had good Sea Bass action on the last day of the season and excellent Yellowfin Tuna action at the area’s canyons.
The Gambler out of Point Pleasant was also held dockside this past week. The boat will resume trips on Thursday (Sept 8th) for Fluke sailing twice a day (830-1230pm) and (2-630pm). The Thursday night wreck and Friday/Saturday Bluefish trips will run 730pm-1230am.
Norma K III out of Point Pleasant stayed dockside the last few days, but will be out on Thursday, Sept 8th. The Northeast wind did stir things up and the big Bluefish should start showing up, as last year similar NE conditions pushed the Blues in.
Betty and Nick’s Bait & Tackle in Seaside Park had lots of life prior to the blow with small Striped Bass, Blackfish, small Fluke, and snapper Bluefish being caught from the Island Beach State Park beaches and Barnegat Inlet area. The water is milk chocolate right now, but hopefully it cleans up by the weekend.
Dock Outfitters in Seaside Park had similar reports from anglers of Striped Bass, small Fluke, and snapper Bluefish caught from the beaches, jetties, and bridges prior to the storm. There wasn’t much action this past week due to the big swell and high water in the back.
Capt. Hippos in Toms River had reports of Fluke, Blowfish, and snapper Bluefish prior to the storm. A few of Lenny’s diehards did go out to wet the line, but there wasn’t much going on. The bay should clean up by this weekend, so anglers should have some shots at fish.
Super Chic out of Barnegat Light was held dockside during the past week and Capt. Ted completed maintenance on both the boat and fishing gear as he gets ready for Fall Tuna action.
The Carolyn Ann III out of Barnegat Light stayed tied up during this past week, but will be back at it on Thursday (Sept 8th) for Fluke. The vessel will begin sailing one 6-hour trip per day until the remainder of fluke season which ends on September 25th. The boat will be leaving at 8am returning around 230pm.
Creekside Outfitters in Waretown reported “not” much going on this past Labor Day weekend with remnants of TS Hermine hanging around. There are Blowfish, Sea Bass, and some Weakfish being taken in the bay.
Tony’s Bait & Tackle in Manahawkin reported poor conditions the past few days from the wind, wave, and current produced by TS Hermine. There are a lot of small fish to be caught in our bays. There were some reports of anglers hitting small Sea Bass and Blowfish in the Morrison’s area of Beach Haven. There were identical reports on both sides of the Drawbridge in Ship Bottom. Crabbing has definitely picked up during this run of tropical weather.
Riptide Bait & Tackle in Brigantine reported Kingfish, Spot, Bluefish, and Weakfish prior to the storm. Some guys did fish through the weather, but had limited success. The shop will be running its Riptide Fall Striped Bass/Bluefish Derby with the 3 heaviest Striped Bass and Bluefish receiving cash prizes starting September 8th and running through December 23rd.
Absecon Bay Sportsman reported “not many trying” with some small fish (Kingfish, Spot, Croakers) being caught from the beaches of Brigantine down through Sea Isle City. Fishing in the Mullica and Egg Harbor Rivers had solid reports of schoolie Striped Bass. There were some big White Perch further up the river taken on shedder crab. The fishing should quickly rebound as the water cleans up.
One Stop Bait & Tackle in reported Kingfish, Croaker, small Flounder, and snapper Bluefish from the area’s around Harrah’s which are closer to the backwaters. Kingfish have been very good prior and through the storm for some of the shop’s diehard anglers.
Fin-Atics in Ocean City had reports of Kingfish from the beaches of Ocean City and Sea Isle, which there have been some Blackfish caught around the jetties and pilings. The storm has slowed the fishing down to a crawl.
Jim’s Bait & Tackle in Cape May had Fluke fishing dropping off before the storm, which was possibly from the building swell of Hermine. There were a couple of nice Fluke weighed in with Mary Coglin of Dennisville, NJ with a nice 7.66 pounder caught at Wildwood reef. The inshore troll bite held up prior to the storm, especially around the Sea Bass pots in the 20-mile range with some nice Mahi. Massey’s Canyon had some Wahoo. But who knows what will happen after the week-long rough conditions. The surf was giving up a few nicer Weakfish and the shop starting to see some nice 2 to 3-pound fish being caught. There was a few small Fluke at the Point along with a few Croakers and Kingfish.
South Jersey Fishing Forecast
I think this week’s forecast is wide open due to nobody fishing and better weather conditions, just go out there and try. Most of our bays are holding combinations of small Sea Bass, Weakfish, Fluke, Kingfish, and Blowfish. Fluke may be the biggest question-mark as they either moved out or stayed put, but the only way to know is by fishing areas that were holding them prior to the storm aka Reef sites. One positive caused by the NE flow might an increased bite with Bonito and False Albie, so try trolling those inshore Ridges. Good Luck, Be Safe, and Tight Lines!