We are nearing start of the start of July with this upcoming weekend and anglers will be allowed to keep two Sea Bass per person at 12.5 inches. The Fluke bite remains solid for most of South Jersey backwaters as most anglers are able to find a keeper or two per trip. The key has been working the channel edges and you would be amazed on how shallow some of the keepers have been. Anglers have been reported fish biting hard in as little as three feet of water. There are still some Bluefish around at most of the area inlets, and the dropping tide has been producing better results. It seems Tuna and Shark fishing is on fire according to most offshore vessels, with the canyons and “chicken” canyons lighting up with fish. Crabbing has been exceptional for most of the southern locales with multiple shops reported stellar catches. It is definitely an up year for Blueclaws, but just remember to only harvest what you plan on eating.
South Jersey Fishing Report
The Golden Eagle docked in Belmar reported a good bite with cooperative Bluefish as of late. The boat has been consistently hooking up on fish with multiple angler hookups. The fish have ranged from 3 to 8 pounds. The hot lures have been Crocs and hammered jigs.
Fisherman’s Supply in Point Pleasant reported a good offshore Bluefin Tuna bite at the Triple Wrecks, Resor Wreck, and Chicken Canyon. Anglers have been boating Bluefin up to 100 pounds on a variety of techniques from trolling to jigging. There has been some good Mako action offshore and the shop is loaded with chum and all of your sharking needs. There has been a steady Fluke bite in Manasquan River during the change of tides. Striped Bass have been pretty good in the Manasquan for bass under 30 inches, especially around the Route 35 bridges and inlet area. Fluke on the oceanfront has been a little slow due to the colder water temperatures. Depths in the 35 to 50 foot range over “lure-snagging” bottoms has offered the best shots on keeper Fluke, but you have to work your rigs or bucktails slow.
Norma K III in Point Pleasant Beach reported a pick on the Fluke and some nice keepers when the conditions are right. The South wind hasn’t helped, but the water temperatures are slowing climbing into the 60’s. Spearing and squid has been a good combination as has bucktails tipped with Gulp. Bluefish has been tough, but the boat has been getting more solid reports and it should be game on for this upcoming weekend.
MIMI IV in Point Pleasant Beach reported non-stop red hot Ling and Winter Flounder action for a majority of their trips this past week. Capt. Ken has been working some of his favorite wrecks and snags offshore. The boat has some availability next week and the following week.s
The Gambler in Point Pleasant reported some days of slow bites, but it started to get better as of late. The boat has seen some nice keepers coming over the rails up to 5 pounds with short fluke, sea robins, sundials and sand sharks in the mix. Pool winner fluke have been in the 3 to 5 pound range. The boat still has room on the Shark in the Dark trip coming up on July 9th.
Betty and Nicks Bait and Tackle in Seaside Park reported red hot crabbing in the backside of Island Beach State Park and in Barnegat Bay, and ice-cold water temperatures on the surf. There has been a few Kingfish and Fluke caught, but it’s been a slow-go due to 58-59F water. Barnegat Inlet has had a good number of Bluefish on both the jig and bunker chunk on the outgoing.
Creekside Outfitters in Waretown reported some nice-sized flatties coming from the “BB” to “BI” buoy on minnows and chartreuse Gulp. There has been some big Bluefish on poppers from the North Jetty during the outgoing tide. The Barnegat Light reef has given up some Fluke, but overall a slower than normal bite due to cooler ocean temperatures. Crabbing has been red hot off the Barnegat docks with 12 to 24 crabs per 2 hour session. All you need is crab traps and Bunker, and your into them.
Tony’s Bait & Tackle in Manahawkin also reported good crabbing along the Sedges on the West side of Barnegat Bay. There has been some solid Fluke caught in the main channels around the bridges leading into Long Beach Island. Striped Bass and occasional Weakfish have been caught on soft plastics mid-island at night. The South end of LBI has had some nice Fluke along the Inter-coastal Waterway (ICW).
Carolyn Ann III in Barnegat Light reported a slower week in terms of Fluke, but the boat has been releasing some beautiful Sea Bass. In the coming week, specifically July 1st, anglers will be able to box 2 Sea Bass per man. The Fluke have been a little slow on the chew due to the colder water temperatures. They are picking a few nice sized keepers, but you have to work for them. Gina hopes the action will continue to get better with the warming water temperatures. There has also been sea robins, squid, sharks, and skates, so the action is there.
Riptide Bait And Tackle in Brigantine in Brigantine reported some nice doormats coming through the shop doors as of late. Phillip Notto and his buddy Larry Smith nailed a 5 pound 25 inch flounder in Absecon Inlet. The bigger Flounder have started biting in the inlet areas and along the backside of Brigantine. The shop also recommends working the deeper cuts and channels along the Intercoastal Waterway with white bucktails tipped with Gulp and Spearing. There has been some Kingfish and
Fin-Atics in Ocean City reported has been getting solid reports of Fluke from anglers fishing 5 to 10 foot of water. Fluke have been ranging from 3 to 6 pounds this past week. Rainbow channel, Ships channel, and around Corson’s inlet have been some of the good spots, but water temperature is a factor. The 65 to 71F water temperatures are critical, so try to stay with those temperature breaks as the water moves. There has been some Kingfish and Sharks reported from the surf, but it is spotty right now. There has been some Striped Bass around the bridges during the night shift.
The Wildwood and Cape May areas reported solid Tuna fishing when the weather and sea conditions permit safe fishing. This past week the best offshore action for our boats was in the Baltimore Canyon with Yellowfins, Bluefins, Bigeye and a few Longfin Tuna. There has even been a few White Marlin brought up into the trolling spreads. Inshore vessels have been getting Bluefin and Yellowfin on the troll on the Hot Dog and Hambone. The Old Grounds have been hot on Fluke, with the fish congregated on top of the structure. Delaware Reef Site #11 has also been good on Fluke the past week. There are some Kingfish starting to show up in the Delaware Bay around the Punk Grounds along with some Spike Weakfish. The Spikes are also in the Bayshore Channel and sometimes in the Rips. The beach bite in Cape May is pretty slow, but there are a good number of Fluke in the surf at Cape May Point and Sunset Beach. There are still Weakfish on the Point jetties, but it is usually an early morning bite and it ends shortly after daybreak.
South Jersey Fishing Forecast
As of the latest weather and wind reports, this weekend looks very good with light winds and calm seas predicted. If you have opportunity, this might be a great weekend to head East in search of Bluefin inshore and Yellowfin offshore. Mako shark is another option and have been caught from 20 to 45 miles off the coast depending on your port location. As for anglers less apt to venture to the deep blue, Fluke and Weakfish are a good play in most back areas. Early morning to sunrise has been the optimal time for Weakfish on soft plastics and Bloodworms. With the inshore ocean temperatures being so cold, back-bay Fluke are providing the best action for fisherman. Anglers working the temperature breaks and 5 to 10 foot depths are hooking up with quality keepers and this seems to be consistent for most of South Jersey. Good Luck, Be Safe, and Tight Lines!