Southern New Jersey Fishing Report - May 17, 2018

We should have some good striped bass fishing by now, but it’s still pretty slow from Island Beach north, especially for boaters. The Cape May area continued its barrage of striped bass, with many fish over 35 inches making their way to bait shop’s scales. So far, the biggest disappointment this season has been the severe lack of bluefish, which normally arrive to our area by late April and early May. Some coastal areas are seeing better bluefishing than others, but it’s pretty slow across the board. Sea bass looks promising as there have been a number of fish caught at the closer to shore reef sites. We are a little more than a week away from fluke season, and all the signs are pointing to an epic start. There have been lots of quality fluke released when jigging for back-bay stripers.

Here is this week’s rundown:

Fisherman’s Supply in Point Pleasant had very consistent reports of small striped bass in the backwaters from 14 to 22 inches on soft plastics and small plugs. Basically, anywhere on the Manasquan River that has structure and is fished at night. The Point Pleasant canal had some Stripers to 18 pounds earlier in the week, but you had to put in quite a few hours to get them to bite. Bluefish are still a major disappointment as most of the fish have been between 2 and 5 pounds. It seems that there are some around, but they are very hesitant to feed. Striped Bass fishing out front has been dismal, except for a few caught near the Shrewsbury rocks on trolled mojos and spoons. Sea Bass fishing was a pick at most of the inshore reef and wreck sites.

Capt. Bill’s Landing in Point Pleasant Beach reported small Striped Bass hitting plugs, soft plastics, and fresh baits. Anglers fishing the beach with clam and bunker have been getting Striped Bass to 10 pounds, but the shop has heard of some bigger fish around the Island Beach State Park area. Bluefish in the back are still hard to find, and if you do find them, they seem hesitant to bite. Boats haven’t been doing well as quite a few anglers have trolled south of Manasquan Inlet only to find a few good marks, but it should get better as the fish move up the coast.

Norma K III in Point Pleasant Beach reported a good start to the Sea Bass season, but some spots should good “marks” though not too many were interested in biting. The crew picked a few at each spot, and it should get better as the water warms. The boat has some schedule adjustments and they switch over to 2 half day Sea Bass trips on May 20th, and will start targeting their Friday, Saturday, and Sunday Bluefish night trips on May 25th.

The MIMI VI out of Point Pleasant had good fishing for bottom fish such as Ling, Cod, and there are definitely some keeper Sea Bass around. The skipper will be running “open-boat” Sea Bass trips this upcoming week and has the following dates listed on their website (May 18th, May 21st, May 22nd, May 23rd, and May 29th). The crew recommends calling to reserve your spot.

Jersey Hooker Outfitter in Brick reported schoolie Striped Bass hitting 4 to 5 inch soft plastics from Seaside to the Point Pleasant Canal. There have been some keepers caught off the beaches south of Manasquan Inlet, but mostly a good number of smaller fish. The only trolling action the store has heard off was up off the Shrewsbury Rocks, as most going southward have been scoring goose-eggs. Bluefish are around, but they are tricky to put a big catch together.

Grumpy’s Bait & Tackle in Seaside Park reported a good amount of Striped Bass off the surf from 28 to 38 inches. Most of these fish have been hitting either clam or bunker baits. There are some Bluefish on the bayside being caught on plugs and SP-minnows, but it is much slower than it was last year. Anglers really have to work for them as they are slow to bite. The start of the Sea Bass season was slower on the offshore wrecks than the inshore ones. It seems the best bites were in 45 to 65 feet of water, but you have to weed through the Dogfish.

Lacey Marine in Forked River reported schoolie Striped Bass being caught in the backwaters and near Barnegat Inlet. There were a few bigger Striped Bass caught from boats anchored up and clamming near the sedges. Anglers trolling Striped Bass out front are finding some bigger ones along Island Beach State Park, but it is still a slow pick. It should get better as more and more bass move into our area. Bluefish are starting to bite with more consistency, but the issue has been finding them as they are very spread out. Crabbing is still getting better each week, although the recent heavy rains might have disrupted the bite.

Super Chic in Barnegat Light took a few prospective trips for Striped Bass prior to the start of the Sea Bass season. The skipper said it was slow on Striped Bass, but the inshore wrecks have had a good number of Sea Bass on them. The boat has some future dates open in May and June, so give them a call.

Creekside Outfitters in Waretown had more of the same to report for the Barnegat Bay vicinity. There are some keeper Striped Bass starting to slowly show at the Barnegat Inlet, though most are still in the 15 to 24 inch sizes. Bluefish remain sporadic taking plugs, poppers, and trolled pony tails, but it is absolutely “nothing” like last year. Anglers putting in a few hours are only being rewarded with less than an 1/2 dozen fish. Crabbing remains good, but we will see how the New Moon affects the bite. Sea Bass opened up and anglers are catching them in 45 to 65 feet on the inshore wrecks and debris fields. On the trophy Striped Bass front, it’s been another slow week with anglers fishing but not a whole lot of action.

Tony’s Bait & Tackle in Manahawkin reported a continued “hot” bite on White Perch in Beach Haven West on live or fresh grass shrimp. The bite has been best on the hours of dusk as the fish really turn on and hit on nearly every cast. The Long Beach Island surf bite has been consistent in catching small Striped Bass along with some bigger Bluefish. Surf Clam and Bunker chunks have been working with equal success. Bluefish have hit a few worked metals in the surf zone, though it’s been very sporadic.

Riptide Bait & Tackle in Brigantine reported a pick of Striped Bass, Bluefish, Drum, and released Flounder this past week. Anglers fishing clam baits in the bay picked at fish with Stripers up to 15 pounds. The shop has both fresh clam and bunker daily, but it’s best to call the shop for details. Jackie Bernado caught a nice 11-pound Drum off the seawall in Brigantine on a soaked Riptide clam.

Fin-Atics in Ocean City reported big Bluefish invading Great Egg and Corson’s inlets on the incoming tides. Anglers throwing metals or bunker chunks are finding success. Small Striped Bass continue to be caught on the surf and in the back around sedges and bridges. Most of these fish have been caught on soft plastics on 1/2 oz and 3/4 oz jig-heads at night in these locations. Sea Bass having been hitting clam baits at the local reef sites with Ocean City and Great Egg reef sites. The surf zone has been getting a variety of fish from Kingfish and Blowfish on bloodworms to Striped Bass and Bluefish on clam and bunker. Some anglers have caught Fluke “accidentally”, and there seems to be alot around which should be good for the start of the season.

The Avalon and Stone Harbor area had some nicer Bluefish this past week for anglers throwing metals off the jetties and surf. Some of these blues have been up to 12 pounds. There has also been some smaller Striped bass in the same locations for anglers throwing plugs and soaking clam or bunker. The positive news has been the increased arrival of Bunker which should bring the bigger bass to the area.

Peace Token Fishing Tackle in Cape May Courthouse reported similar results to last week’s Striped Bass bite. Bass are hitting clam and bunker baits along the surf and boaters are starting to get them on bunker pods. The sizes vary between just keepable to close to 50 inches. Sea Bass fishing was solid for the start of the season and some of the inshore reef sites have loads of fish on them. There has been lots of life, but you have to pick through them to find the bigger ones.

Hands Too Bait & Tackle in Cape May had another busy week of weighing in quality Striped Bass off the Cape May and Delaware Bay surf. Most of the Stripers have been between 30 and 48 inches, and they have been hitting soaked clam or bunker. Additionally, quite a few of these fish are hitting worked plugs and poppers in the early morning and dusk hours. The shop didn’t report too many Bluefish this week, but had better intel on Weakfish around the inlet jetties. The Delaware Bay drum bite is red-hot, especially around some of the deeper channels. The key is to get there early and start your clam slick.

South Jersey Fishing Forecast
The Wildwood and Cape May areas take the prize again this week as their shops have been busy weighing in quality Striped Bass, with a lot coming from the surf. The good news is that it seems the schools have been ever-so-slowly trickling up the coast. With the water temperatures beginning to warm to the mid-50’s on the oceanside, now is the time to break out the trolling gear (Mojos, Bunker Spoons, and Stretches). Backbay action still remains about the same if your North of Cape May with small schoolie bass hitting soft plastics, plugs, and live bloodworms at night. It is key to target night-time areas around structure and shadow lines as striped bass and weakfish will use these locations as ambush sites on small baitfish swept by the current. Another good area or species to target this weekend will be the Drum in the Delaware Bay with most boaters reporting an “epic” bite on clammed baits. Of course, Sea Bass are a good option as the season recently opened and most areas are not picked over yet. Let’s just hope the weather cooperates as the forecast doesn’t look so hot right now.
Good Luck, Be Safe, and Tight Lines!