The big news this past week has been the Bonito and False Albacore invasion which have been hitting trolled lures and worked jigs from Sandy Hook south to Long Beach Island. Although False Albacore are poor table-fare, they will go on drag-burning runs and area blast to catch and release. With multiple seasons closed (Fluke, Sea Bass) or reduced to one fish (Tautog/Blackfish) anglers have been targeting Porgies, Bluefish, and Triggerfish. With September water temperatures, most jetties in our area are holding good numbers of Blackfish and Triggerfish. Peanut Bunker and Mullet are schooling in the backwaters with short Striped Bass and some decent sized Weakfish on them. Although it’s been tough to pry exact locations from angler’s mouths, I would recommend fishing the shadow lines of our area’s bridges at night.
Here is this week’s rundown:
The Golden Eagle out of Belmar has been running to the inshore grounds to catch Bonito, False Albacore, and Mackerel. The fish were caught on both bait and jigs. Although weather depending, the boat will be running offshore Tuna trips to the canyons on Sundays.
Fisherman’s Supply in Point Pleasant reported great fishing at night in the Manasquan River with Striped Bass to 39 inches on live eels and Bluefish to 38 inches. There are tons of Blackfish, small Sea Bass, and some Triggerfish in the Point Pleasant Canal with most being landed on clam. Anglers have been hooking up with Bonito and Albacore from Sandy Hook down through Island Beach State Park. Slim styled jigs worked quickly through the water column have accounted for most of the hookups. The Bonito and Spanish Mackerel have been trolled up at the Manasquan and Barnegat Ridges. The shop is fully loaded with offshore Tuna gear as the canyons usually heat up during late September through October.
Norma K III in Point Pleasant Beach reported good fishing on their 3/4-day trips on Porgies and a few keeper Blackfish. There were a lot of nice Sea Bass caught and released as the season is closed. The boat has been using both crabs and clams. The night Bluefish trips are starting to see more big Bluefish move in on each trip. Most of the fish have ranged from 2 to 10 pounds.
MIMI IV in Point Pleasant Beach had some last-minute Hudson Canyon Tuna trips on Monday and Tuesday. The skipper will be searching for Tuna and Mahi as long as the weather and sea conditions cooperate.
The Gambler in Point Pleasant reported some decent trips this past week with Bonito and Albacore. Most were caught on bait or jig and anglers also had shots at Bluefish in the 1- to 3-pound range along with a few Mackerel. In addition, anglers have also been catching some nice sized porgies to add to the mix of fillets. The boat will be sailing everyday 7:30am to 2:30pm for their 3/4-day trips.
Betty and Nick’s Bait & Tackle in Seaside Park reported anglers still getting Bluefish along Island Beach State Park and close to Barnegat Inlet. Most action has been caught on cut Bunker or Peanut Bunker with less being caught on lures. Blackfish and Triggerfish are being landed from the rocks of Barnegat Inlet. Crabbers working the backwaters are picking at blueclaws and there has been some short Striped Bass caught along the sod banks.
Carolyn Ann III in Barnegat Light took a few days to complete routine maintenance in preparation for the fall season. The vessel will be working the bottom structures for Blackfish, Porgies, Croakers, and Triggerfish starting this weekend. The boat departs at 8am and returns by 1 p.m.
Creekside Outfitters in Waretown reported good numbers of Bluefish to 36 inches in Oyster Creek channel with most of the action occurring closer to Route 9. The Barnegat Inlet has been giving up a variety of bites with Triggerfish, Blackfish, Bluefish, Fluke (out of season) being caught by both jetty and boat anglers. Boats working the Barnegat Ridge have been landing Bonito and Albacore on trolled lures.
Tony’s Bait & Tackle in Manahawkin reported Bluefish from eight inches to ten pounds are being caught along the bridges lining Route 72. There has been plenty of snapper Bluefish in the lagoons of Beach Haven West and Barnegat. Fresh Spearing on a snapper popper rig or casting small silver lures on ultra-light tackle has been the way to go. The larger bayside blues are being caught on chunks of bunker or live lining juvenile bunker. There have been some confirmed reports of Blowfish in the area, but they have been tiny. Crabbing is still going strong, but is starting to show some signs on slowing up. Barnegat Inlet is holding a wide range of Bluefish along with a tremendous amount of small Tautog. False albacore have been caught within a mile of Barnegat Inlet and areas south along LBI with better reports as you move a few miles offshore.
Riptide Bait & Tackle in Brigantine reported good conditions from the Brigantine surf as Kingfish, Bluefish, and Spot are being landed. There are still some decent sharks around with anglers reporting hooking them on the beach and in the back on kayaks. Striped Bass has been relatively quiet, except for a few shorts caught in the back. Resident Stripers should start moving once the Mullet run begins.
Fin-Atics in Ocean City reported decent numbers of Striped Bass in the back bays and around Corson’s Inlet, Longport bridge, 9th Street bridge, and Route 52 bridge. There has been some Weakfish and a lot of small Bluefish around the same areas. Most are caught on Pink and White Zoom plastics. Tautog or Blackfish have been landed around the jetties and rockpiles, but currently you are only allowed 1 to bring home. Inshore boaters have found Albacore and Bonito a few miles from the beach to the Ridges.
The Wildwood and Cape May area had small Bluefish show up in plentiful numbers at Cape May Point with most being 1/2 to 2 pounds. The blues have been taking bait, snapper zappers, and small metals. The area is starting to see some Mullet at the creek-mouths in the Delaware Bay and with some cooler weather should start moving south. There are still some Bluefish at 5-Fathom Bank ranging from 2 to 5 pounds. The East Lump has still had a pretty good run of False Albacore and Bonito on trolled Clark spoons and small feathers. The offshore action has started to heat up at the canyons with the Baltimore having a good number of White Marlin and Wahoo up to 90 pounds. There has been a sporadic bite on Tuna, but not any concentration of fish in any area.
South Jersey Fishing Forecast
Unfortunately, we are in the heart of hurricane season, so it seems as if every week I’m mentioning some type or name of a tropical system. I’ll just say, “Stay away Jose!” The window is here if you want to go out and box a few Bonito or release a few Albacore as most are within 15 miles of our coast. Offshore anglers may want to hit the Baltimore and Wilmington Canyons for the best opportunity to catch pelagic species such as White Marlin, Wahoo, and Tuna. But you don’t have to run 90 miles to get into fish, as most inlet rocks are producing a variety of species such as Blackfish, Triggerfish, and Bluefish. Striped Bass and Weakfish are being landed mostly at night or prior to 5am on soft plastics and live-lined peanut bunker and some of the best places to work are the creek-mouths and bridge structures. Good Luck, Be Safe, and Tight Lines!