The third week of August was slightly hampered by Hurricane Gert as it churned well off the East coast of the United States. The tropical system produced a good-sized ground swell and current for those venturing to our ocean reefs and wrecks. It may take a few days as bottom-dwelling species will wait it out until it calms before going back on the feed. Let’s hope any future tropical systems fail to develop or at the most stay well offshore. The Fluke bite was solid prior to the swell with 6- to 8-pounders being boxed from most locations. The Yellowfin Tuna bite has been steady at the Massey’s and Lemke’s canyons.
Here is this week’s rundown:
The Golden Eagle out of Belmar reported hot fishing again with a nice mix of Bluefish, Bonito, Mackerel, and Spanish Mackerel. The boat also caught sharks and some rays on bait. Most of the boat has enjoyed consistent action throughout much of the trip and all the fish have been caught on hammer jigs and bait. If the weather is good, the boat will be sailing.
Fishermans Supply Co in Point Pleasant, reported Fluke on the East side of the Sea Girt Reef in 48 to 62 feet of water. Anglers have to pick through the shorts to find decent keepers to 6 pounds. The Manasquan River produced pretty good results this past week for keeper Fluke. The offshore bite continues to be consistent with Yellowfin and Wahoo hitting trolled lures 60 to 100 miles out depending on your home port. Anglers closer to shore are finding small Bluefish to 3 pounds mixed with snappers around the inlet. The night Striped Bass bite is still producing some small Bass on soft plastics during the late hours.
Norma K III in Point Pleasant Beach reported great Fluke fishing when the conditions are good between wind and current. The recent ground swell from the tropical system dialed back the bite a couple of degrees. In addition to Fluke, some nice sized Sea Bass have been coming over the rail. The night Bluefishing trips have been consistent with 1- to 3-pound Blues hitting light tackle and the crew is hoping that the big ones are not far behind.
MIMI IV in Point Pleasant Beach has been fishing inshore and offshore structure to put together nice catches of Fluke, Flounder, Ling, and Sea Bass. The boat has some Open Dates available, but Capt. Ken recommends calling for details.
The Gambler in Point Pleasant reported decent Fluke fishing on most of the recent trips when the conditions are right. The boat is catching a fair number of keeper Fluke amongst the shorts and some have weighed as much as 5 pounds. The night wreck fishing trips have been okay with Ling up to 3 pounds and some squid coming over the rail. The boat has been fishing the 90- to 110-foot depths. The Bluefish trips have been steady with small Blues and Mackerel making it into the cooler.
Betty and Nicks Bait and Tackle in Seaside Park mentioned that crabbing has slowed and Blowfish have still not shown up as many bay anglers are still waiting to box some puffers. Bluefish in the 2- to 3-pound range have been plentiful off the beach and around the Barnegat Inlet area. Fluke to continue to pummel worked bucktails and drifted rigs around the inlet. Cast netters are finding that Peanut Bunker are very plentiful and have been accounting for more of the keeper Fluke. The shark bite off the beach as slowed up since the Full Moon, but hopefully it returns to its pre-Moon status.
Carolyn Ann III in Barnegat Light reported good Fluke fishing up until the persistent swell turned the bite cold. Fluke were coming over the rail and in the pail at a good rate, including Jeff Bauer’s tournament-leading, 8-pounder. Gina is hopeful that the bite will rebound after the seas subside.
Creekside Outfitters in Waretown reported good crabbing along the Barnegat and Waretown mainland areas and along the Oyster Creek outflow. Bluefish to 35 inches are still taking chunked Bunker and Bunker hand-lines (meant for crabs) in the OC outflow. The Tires and Barnegat Light reef were still holding Fluke to 7 pounds, but it has been more of a pick. The Garden State North and Garden State South reefs have been a pick for Fluke, Tog, and keeper Sea Bass. The bay has been very slow for Blowfish, but snapper Bluefish are very plentiful and are great doormat Fluke baits if live-lined.
Tonys Bait and Tackle in Manahawkin reported the wrecks and reef sites holding keeper Fluke as the they have been migrating out of both inlets. Sand Tigers and Brown Sharks are still picking up baits off the Long Beach Island surf at night. The 30 and 35 Fathom lines has continued to produce Yellowfin and sporadic Bluefin on chunked Butterfish and flat-lined Sardines. Tuna jigs have also worked when they have been in the mood. Crabbing is very solid with lots of keepers coming in and crabbers have been reporting of throwing back the 5 inchers to keep the 5.5 and 6 inchers. Remember, crabs are measured from point to point on their shell.
Riptide Bait And Tackle in Brigantine reported good action on Kingfish and Spot off the Brigantine surf. Surfcasters using small pieces of Bloodworms and FishBites are producing good decent catches and consistent action. The inlet rocks are producing small Tog and quality Triggerfish on Green Crab and Clam. Boaters drifting the inlet and closer reef sites such as the Great Egg and Atlantic City reef are catching keeper Flounder to 6 pounds. Crabbing remains “off the hook” in the backwaters with crabbers catching up to 4 dozen solid keepers per outing.
Fin-Atics in Ocean City continues to be touting a good Kingfish, Spot, and Croaker bite off the beach on Bloodworms and FishBites. The evening surf has produced a fair number of Brown and Sand Tiger sharks on Bunker and Mackerel chunks. The Corson and Great Egg inlets have been good for snapper Bluefish on Kastmasters and small metal spoons and also have producing a good number of keeper Fluke. The Great Egg, Ocean City, and Townsend’s Inlet Reef sites have been producing keeper Fluke. Offshore has the Massey’s, Lemke’s canyons and the 19-Fathom lump being the places to be for Yellowfin Tuna. Closer to shore has the Mullica River is giving up White Perch on Bloodworms or Grass shrimp.
The Wildwood and Cape May area had decent Fluke fishing over this past week with the two hottest areas being the Old Grounds and Delaware Reef Site #11. Many boats fishing these areas have been reporting limits of nice Fluke to 10 pounds. Yellowfin Tuna reports slowed down a bit this past week with most of the better reports coming from the Spencer and Wilmington Canyons. The surf zones had some nicer Fluke showing up at Cape May Point with fish up to 21 inches being caught around the rockpiles on live minnows or Gulp baits. Croakers and Kingfish have also been plentiful along the surf on clams and bloodworms.
South Jersey Fishing Forecast
The best bet for this weekend will be to continue to work the inshore reef sites and wrecks for quality Fluke, and with only a couple of weeks left, it’s time to fill up the freezer. Think Big! Bucktails tipped with big baits or 6-inch Grub tails will help to put keeper Fluke in the box. It is important to keep the boat at a good drift speed and use the engine help slow or speed up the drift. I advise to work and pepper small areas when you are catching keeper Fluke as sometimes the bite can die with a subtle change such as wind speed or direction. Offshore anglers should have good shots at Yellowfin, Marlin, Wahoo, and Mahi, but it may be a crapshoot due to the storm. Look in those logbooks for the mid to late August historic pelagic areas and hit’em up. Good Luck, Be Safe, and Tight Lines!