Southern New Jersey Fishing Report - October 6, 2016

“Dismal” is the best word to describe the conditions this past week which have prevented a lot of private, charter, and headboats from making it outside. With a lull in the migratory action and season closures, most anglers have either concentrated on prep work for the upcoming fall run or focused on “non-fishing” chores or “honey-dos”. But there has been some good action, especially for fisherman hitting the suds, Bluefish and some resident Stripers have been providing great action in rough conditions. Metals, Swimming Plugs, Poppers, and fresh Mullet have been the key baits or lures of choice. And yes, we have another system brewing but the latest forecasts put it far away from New Jersey. Let’s keep it that way, we don’t need anything to foul up our Fall as it’s just getting started.

So here is this week’s fishing reports:

Gates Bait & Tackle in Point Pleasant Beach reported good Blackfishing in Manasquan Inlet along the rocks with Green crab and Sandworms. Most of the fish have been in the 5 to 6 pound range. Anglers heaving bucktails and swim-shads have been hitting Striped Bass in the 20 to 30 inch range. The False Albacore action that was occurring has since dropped off after the blow as the fish have probably moved offshore.

Fisherman’s Supply in Point Pleasant had reports of a slow pick in the surf on poppers and swimmers, but fishing at night with live eels have been the ticket around the bridges and in the Manasquan River. The Point Pleasant Canal has also had a pick on Striped Bass, but again live eels have been the bait of choice. The shop recommends fishing them at night and with the lightest weight possible. They are loaded with eels and will help set you up with the right rig.

MIMI VI out of Point Pleasant had tough weather conditions to contend with which kept most of the head and charter boats dockside over the past week. The vessel will be running an open-boat bottom fishing trip October 13 & October 14 with the targets being Porgies, Cod, Ling, and Winter Flounder. There are a few Hudson Canyon Tuna trips remaining with Yellowfin as the main target and Capt. Ken has an open-boat trip available October 21st (space is limited).

Gambler out of Point Pleasant was tied up over the weekend and the crew is raring to get back out there. The vessel has some limited openings for Canyon Tuna, and they recommend calling the boat for information.

Norma K III out of Point Pleasant was held dockside over the past few days due to rough ocean conditions. The boat will be back at bottomfishing 730am to 230pm everyday and running Friday/Saturday night Bluefish trips.

Betty and Nick’s Bait & Tackle in Seaside Park said there was some tough conditions in the Island Beach State Park surf, but it has dropped down and is fishable again. Anglers walking the sands are nailing Bluefish on Mullet from Seaside Park to Barnegat Inlet.

Dock Outfitters in Seaside Park reported small Bluefish are increasing in both size and quantities for anglers plying the Island Beach State Park surf zones. Fresh Mullet and cut Bunker remain the top baits, followed by topwater poppers and metals. The backbay is giving up small Striped Bass for anglers working swimming plugs and topwaters during the slack tides. There are still a few Blueclaws around, but you have to put a lot of time in to put together a catch.

Capt. Hippos in Toms River had minimal reports from the Barnegat Bay area with most boaters opting to stay at home. Of the few that did take a shot at it, they reported Bluefish and some Striped Bass especially along the Barnegat Light condos and Coast Guard station at night.

The Super Chic out of Barnegat Light did not sail due to poor weather conditions, but will be back at it this week. They still have some Striped Bass, Bluefish, and Blackfish dates available.

The Carolyn Ann III out of Barnegat Light has been at the docks getting some maintenance completed as the crew awaits the opening of Sea Bass. The vessel will not be sailing due to current regulatory closures, but will resume it’s normal 6 hour schedule starting October 22nd.

Creekside Outfitters in Waretown has been starting to hear of some Striped Bass and bigger sized Bluefish being picked off the Barnegat Inlet on swimming plugs and topwaters. Anglers have been live-lining Peanut Bunker and Mullet to catch short Bass with a few keepers in the mix. Crabs have been there, but in much smaller quantities and there has also been a slow down in the Blowfish bite off Barnegat which could be attributed to the weather or the high amount of boats fishing for them. There are some Tog around the inshore wrecks if you can make it out.

Tony’s Bait & Tackle in Manahawkin reported small Blues at both inlets north and south of Long Beach Island. There has been positive reports of Northern Puffers and small Sea Bass from boaters fishing along Beach Haven slightly off Post Island. There are some good holes off the 3rd and 4th bridges of Ship Bottom and some Striped Bass being had from anglers drifting eels off the bayside point in Ship Bottom. Crabbing is still going strong with warm bay temperatures.

Riptide Bait & Tackle in Brigantine said that it has been a little slow on the fishing front as of late. There are still a few Bluefish around and anglers who are targeting them are having tired arms by the end of their sortie. The entire coast of New Jersey has been plagued by steady NE winds over the past week which have put some resident Striped Bass on the feed, but unfortunately make areas unsafe for boating anglers.

Absecon Bay Sportsman in Absecon had good reports of Striped Bass hitting morning and night from Leeds Point and up the Mullica River. Most of the fish were falling hard for Chartreuse Gulp on 1/2 jigheads worked slow along the bottom and a few were close to 15 pounds. There has been some Bluefish action along the beachfronts and in the inlets as they chase and crash on migrating Mullet. This should only get better as Fall moves forward.

One Stop Bait & Tackle in Atlantic City said Blackfish have been on fire along the areas rocks and jetties, while surf fisherman have been cashing in on Kingfish and short Striped Bass. There are lots of Bluefish around for anglers to have fun with on metals, cut Bunker, and fresh Mullet. The shop is loaded with bait and has live “greenies” for your togging needs. Shopowner Nowell guarantees he will point you in the right direction to help put you on fish.

Fin-Atics in Ocean City reported a lot of small Bluefish and some Striped Bass around the inlets and bridges. There has been Weakfish hitting at night along the shadow lines on purple and pink soft plastics. There has been some nice Blackfish taken up to 6 pounds from the inshore rockpiles and jetties. Green crabs have been the hot bait.

Jim’s Bait and Tackle out of Cape May had most of the action reported off the areas surf zones as most boats were held to the dock due to poor weather conditions. The Mullet run is in full swing as they are pretty thick around the rockpiles along Cape May and the Point. There has been some nice Weakfish and Croakers around early in the week. A few Red Drum have been caught this week both at the Cape May Point and in North Wildwood. The headboats are still working the Cape May Rips for small Bluefish and Weakfish. The offshore Tuna bite has been steady as of late in the Baltimore and Wilmington Canyons, but the only problem has been the poor sea conditions keeping most dockside.

South Jersey Fishing Forecast

It looks like we have another “windout” weekend with winds predicted up to 20 knots with the latest NOAA forecast. The inside would definitely be your best bet and if you have an opportunity to fish inlets’ rocks around the high tide would give the best shot at Striped Bass. White bucktails tipped with Otter Tails, Tsunami “pearl” Swim-shads, and Hogy Epoxy Jigs are the hot lures. Bucktails should be worked slow, and immediately set the hook upon the strike. Another weekend option will be Blackfish along the rocks, jetties, and bulkheads fished around the slack or slowing moving tide. The key is to find areas inside that have similar structure, but are sheltered from the winds. Green crabs, Asian shore crabs, Hermits, and Sand worms have been working. Last, if you want to fish out front along the surf work the higher tide whitewater for Bluefish and Striped Bass. Good Luck, Be Safe, and Tight Lines!