We are past mid-June and the fishing is starting to shape up. The surf zones from Point Pleasant to Cape May were just starting to become very active for Fluke and Kingfish (LBI south), but a few days of 20-plus knot South winds have put the brakes on the bite. With cooler water temperatures, the baits or lures need to be worked ultra-slow. Once the winds turn northerly, the fish should be back on the feed. The hottest bite of late has been the offshore Tuna and Shark bite that has most boats being able to get into the action on any given day. Anglers working some of the inshore lumps 20 to 40 miles out have been able to box limits of Bluefin Tuna. I hate to get negative, but Mother Nature was definitely not with us for the last day of the Sea Bass season, as most boats (personal, charter, and some headboats) did not make it out with the forecasted conditions this past weekend. On a positive note, there should be a ton of fish out there with the poor conditions, so we will get them when the season opens up again.
So here’s this week’s rundown:
Fishermen’s Supply Co in Point Pleasant mentioned slow to picky Fluke conditions from the Shrewsbury Rocks to the Axel Carlson. Anglers who have been successful have been working the 2 to 3 ounce bucktails tipped with Gulp over structure. Striped Bass are almost non-existent with only a trickle of bites occurring late at night or during that tiny sliver of time before sunrise. Sharks continue to provide fisherman with solid, almost predictable, action from 8 miles to the Chicken canyon. It is critical to set a good chum slick drifting over various humps and lumps, but there are plenty of Threshers inshore and Makos offshore.
Norma K III in Point Pleasant Beach reported picky Fluke over the last few days especially with the recent hard South winds. With the right conditions, the shorts action increases with a keeper in between. Fish have been caught on bucktails tipped with Gulp and rigs tipped with squid and spearing combinations. The boat has picked away at 2- to 4-pound Bluefish over the weekend with all of the fish coming on jigs.
MIMI IV in Point Pleasant Beach reported decent wreck fishing at the offshore sites. Capt. Ken has been targeting Flounder, Cod, and Ling on some of his choice snags. The crew has some Open-Boat dates available with limited numbers. This upcoming Monday (6/26), Wednesday (6/28), and Thursday (6/29) are available with a $75 fare for all day fishing.
The Gambler in Point Pleasant reported similar conditions for Fluke with spotty bites on keepers, although some over 3 pounds made it over the rail. The night trips Bluefish trips have improved with most anglers catching lots of 3 to 5 pound choppers. Most of the Blues have been caught on lures over rocky bottoms where they have been feeding on small sand eels.
Betty and Nicks Bait and Tackle in Seaside Park had several anglers reporting keeper Fluke up to 3 pounds from the surf, along with a 3- to 6-pound Bluefish. Unfortunately, the recent South winds have chilled the water temperatures to a bone-chilling 58 degrees, but this may trigger the resident Striped Bass to get on the feed. Crabbing in the back has been very good for trap and hand-liners, catching plenty for the steamer in a 3- to 4-hour session.
Creekside Outfitters in Waretown reported good Fluke fishing from the “BB” buoy to the “BI” Buoy, but you have to be out there when they are on the feed. The Fluke have been picky as of late and hard South winds haven’t helped by increasing the turbidity of the water. Bluefish are still around the inlet and crabbers are nailing keeper Blueclaws in the back. It is best to work close to the mainland.
Tony’s Bait & Tackle in Manahawkin reported good Fluke fishing in the Barnegat Light area along Double Creek and Oyster Creek channels and along the Inter-coastal waterway behind Beach Haven and south to Little Egg Inlet. It is key to work the channel edges to find bigger, feeding fish. There has been some Bluefish action along the beaches, and the nighttime shark bite has been going on bayside. Crabs continue to be plentiful along the mainland side and along the western sedges.
Carolyn Ann III in Barnegat Light had some Sea Bass towards the end of the season, but anglers had to pick through lots of shorts to find keeper fish. There was a decent sized ground swell over the weekend, which made angling a little tough. The boat will be targeting Fluke with 2 half-day trips, starting at 8am and 1pm.
Riptide Bait & Tackle in Brigantine reported average Fluke fishing for this time of year, but the crabbing remains excellent. Crabbers are getting 30 to 50 crabs per session with a good portion making it into the steamer. Bluefish are still hanging around the inlet and surf waters along Brigantine. There has been a decent number of Kingfish caught along the beaches and the big “toothed” critters should be showing up anytime.
Fin-Atics in Ocean City reported good Fluke fishing in the surf this past week prior to the South wind blow. Fluke ranging from 3 to 10 pounds have been taken in the surf by anglers casting and retrieving bucktails tipped with squid and Gulp. Kingfish have been showing up from 15th through 34th street with some spike Weakfish mixed in with them. Flounder fishing in the back bay has been better in the 8 to 10 foot range with the steady 70-degree water temperatures. Corson Inlet, Ship’s Channel, and cuts around 16th and 17th streets, which have produced solid action on 2 to 4 pound Fluke. Offshore action has been solid on Makos in the 40-fathom depths, which seems to have more Makos.
The areas around Avalon including Townsend inlet had good Fluke fishing again with some nice 5 to 6 pound Fluke making it to the scales at some of the local tackle shops. Jigging Gulp and drifting Minnows has been the best baits of choice. Kingfish are starting to show on the beaches and can easily be caught with Bloodworms.
The Wildwood and Cape May areas had a good Bluefin Tuna bite, which turned on for the inshore Lumps and in the canyons for BigEye and Yellowfin. Areas from the Poorman’s to the Hot Dog reported good pelagic action. The 20 to 40 fathom line had some nice shark fishing as of late for Makos. Fluke reports are getting better from the Old Grounds with the fish localized over structure making short-drifts a necessity. Jigging bucktails over the structure has produced the best bite of late and the fish are also holding on the Cape May reef, with the South side producing better. Brown Sharks and Sand Tigers are starting to show up in the surf, which can be real fun for anglers that are going for Bluefish. Don’t forget the heavy leader if you know what I mean.
South Jersey Fishing Forecast
If the surf temperatures warm, this might be a good weekend to start hitting the beaches from Brigantine southward to go for those “big toothy” critters at night. But if the surf heavyweights are not you’re thing, then work the cuts and bars for Fluke during the morning and early evening tides. Fan-casting bucktails is the best way to cover lots of ground and work an area properly. Bay fishing is pretty solid for most of our areas; so hit those 8- to 12-foot drop-offs where Fluke will be ambushing passing baitfish. Some of the backwaters have had spike to 4 pound Weakfish mixed in. The best bite of the weekend may be the offshore and inshore scene as the tuna and shark bite has been popping. Depending on your location, areas from the Mudhole to the Chicken Canyon and the 20 to 40 fathom line have had Bluefin Tuna and Mako shark. Threshers are being caught from 5 to 8 miles offshore. Meanwhile, Yellowfin and BigEye are hitting in the canyons. Good Luck, Be Safe, and Tight Lines!