Summer is flying as we are already approaching the 4th of July next week. I’m sure the 4th celebrations will start this weekend with nice weather predicted. The fishing over the past has slowly improved on the bay and inshore Fluke or Summer Flounder front. It seems we are finally seeing less dramatic temperature swings. It should only get better! The amount of small Striped Bass is staggering which have been hitting small baits in the shallows at most locations up and down our coast. Most of these fish have been in less than 6 feet of water. Hopefully these fish will grow up to be the 40 pounds we catch 10 years from now. Bluefish are continuing to provide action for anglers looking to get a metal wet. Offshore action is still hot from the deep canyons to the 15- to 20-fathom lines for Bluefin, Yellowfin, and Bigeye. Most of the shark tournaments were successful over the past week for Mako’s and Threshers. It’s great that summer is finally here, so get out and enjoy the water.
Southern New Jersery Fishing Report
Fisherman’s Supply in Point Pleasant had lots of anglers targeting the cocktail Blues that are still in the Manasquan and around Treasure Island. Small 1/2 metals are working well on these fish. Fluke fishing is very good along the Manasquan River and the Barnegat Bay as compared with the slower ocean areas. The reef sites (Shark River, Axel, Barnegat Light Reef) are still relatively slow as the bottom temperatures are colder. “These areas should begin to heat up as we head into July”, remarked Jason. In the river, it’s the white 1- to 2-ounce bucktails tipped with Gulp which have been hooking the most keepers. Some of these fish have approached 8 pounds caught in both the river and bay. Anglers are still catching Striped Bass along the Point Pleasant Canal and around the bridges. Most of these fish have been between 16 to 23 inches, while some keeper bass are being caught on live eels drifted at night.
Capt. Bill’s Landing in Point Pleasant Beach reported good shark fishing over the weekend for a variety of the Mako tournaments. Winning Mako sharks have been in the 200- to 300-pound ranges, while Threshers have been over 450 pounds. The shop is fully stocked with all your inshore and offshore sharking needs. Fluke fishing has been doing well from the Point Pleasant Canal to the Manasquan Inlet with anglers reported some daily limits of keepers. Bluefish are hitting small metals off the sides of the inlet and along the jetties.
Norma K III in Point Pleasant Beach reported a couple of good days with short Fluke keeping anglers and mates quite busy on both the morning and afternoon trips. There have been some nice keepers netted and daily pool winners have ranged from 5 to 6 pounds. As the water warms, the inshore Fluke fishing should only get better. The boat is sailing 2 trips per day for Fluke and Friday/Saturday nights for Bluefish. They will also be sailing for the 4th of July Fireworks and some other weekly Firework specials, check with their website or Facebook for details.
The MIMI VI out of Point Pleasant has been busy with its open boat overnight Tuna runs where the skipper is taking a limited number of anglers to the Hudson Canyon for Yellowfin, Bigeye, and some Bluefin. The skipper said that there will be some more dates posted on the boats Facebook and website, so stay tuned.
Jersey Hooker Outfitters in Brick reported a good number of Fluke being caught in the Manasquan River and Inlet area on Gulp tipped bucktails. Some of the Fluke weighed close to 7 pounds which have been hitting more baits on the incoming tide. Surf fisherman are still picking at Striped Bass to 35 inches on chunked Bunker. Most of these fish are hitting during the night or early morning tides.
Grumpy’s Bait & Tackle in Seaside Park reported a good number of 3- to 4-pound Fluke being caught in the wash on bucktails and Gulp. The Fluke have been hitting a variety of Gulp colors as long as they are fished on a white or pink bucktail. The shop recommends running a teaser on top to increase the likelihood of hooking up. Striped Bass fishing has been slow off the surf, with better fishing occurring at night. There have been small 2- to 5-pound Bluefish invading the surf and inlet for anglers looking to catch these predators. Small metals or bucktails tipped with small strips of Mackerel have been working well. Crabbing in the back is doing well for both traps and hand-lines and Bunker has been the bait of choice.
Lacey Marine in Forked River reported Fluke hitting worked bucktails and strip baits in a variety of locations from Barnegat Inlet to the BB and 42 buoys. It has been a sporadic bite with not a huge concentration of fish as most are spread out. Most anglers are reported that the keeper Fluke are feeding on grass and sand shrimp. Bluefish are around and can be easily targeted throwing small poppers off the flats and on plugs at the inlet. Some of the first Sand Tigers have been caught off Long Beach Island this week on whole Bunker and Mackerel. Offshore anglers have been getting Tuna consistently along with some nice Thresher and Mako shark. Storeowner Dan reminds to be cognizant of the new shark regulations.
Super Chic in Barnegat Light has been concentrating their efforts on Bluefish inside and outsider the inlet and most of the fish are easily caught on jigs. The blues have been running in the 2- to 5-pound range. With the Sea Bass season closed till July, Capt. Ted will be focused on running inshore Fluke trips.
Creekside Outfitters in Waretown reported tougher fishing in Barnegat Bay with the quantity of short Fluke far outnumbering the number of keepers. Some anglers did do well, but most have been having to go through 15 to 20 fish prior to finding a keeper. There are Bluefish and Striped Bass in the backwaters which can be targeting by finding the birds swarming baits in the shallows. The shop also received nice reports of Mako’s on the midrange humps and drop-offs. Crabbing is pretty good with most locations reporting a good number keepers for a couple hours of soaking.
Tony’s Bait & Tackle in Manahawkin reported back-bay Fluke doing well for anglers fishing the shallow areas which have depths of 2 to 5 feet. Live minnows, Spearing, Gulp, and Strip baits have been equally effective when targeting these fish. Some Fluke have been in the 6-pound range in these areas from Barnegat Light south to Brigantine. There has been much better fishing reported towards the Little Egg Inlet areas, just work those shallows around the towards the mainland side. The crew of the Retainer took the Thresher Calcutta in the Mako Fever tournament with a 316-pound Thresher caught on a whole Bluefish.
Riptide Bait & Tackle in Brigantine reported a large number of toothy critters hitting the surf before a picture and prompt release. The Brigantine surf has been on fire for Sand Tiger and Brown sharks as they have been taking Mackerel heads, Bluefish, and chunks of Bunker. The shop highly advises to use wire leader attached to a 7/0 to 10/0 hook. Remember, these species are protected and should be released immediately if “ACCIDENTALLY” caught while targeting Bluefish with 10/0 hooks. Fluke fishing has been good in the backwaters for with most successful anglers targeting depths in the 6- to 10-foot range. The surf does have small Bluefish, Fluke, and some Kingfish around.
Fin-Atics in Ocean City reported a good number of Flounder being caught in the 6- to 10-foot depths around Ships Channel and the 9th Street bridge area. Most of the keeper flatties have been falling for white bucktails tipped with Gulp and minnow combinations. There are some being caught off the reef sites, but the water is still a little cold which tends to slow down the bite. Bluefish are being landed from the surf, inlet, and back-bays and these make great strip-baits for doormat flounder. There are Sand Tigers and Brown sharks being landed off the surf and near the inlet on chunked Bunker, Mackerel, and Bluefish.
Peace Token Fishing Tackle in Cape May Courthouse had good reports of Fluke coming from the Wildwood reef and the Delaware Reef site “11”. There are more keepers starting to hit jigged bucktails and strip baits. The backwater scene is still pretty good on flatties in the 4- to 10-foot depths. The jetties are producing Weakfish and small Striped Bass with Pink soft plastics and bloodworms. The area is starting to see a few Sheepshead along the rocks, jetties, and bridges. The offshore Tuna bite is still productive in the canyons for Yellowfin, Bluefin, and Bigeyes. Most of these fish have been caught on the troll or chunked up at night.
Hands Too Bait & Tackle in Cape May reported Fluke being caught in the backwaters and towards the Cape May Inlet along with keeper bites occurring at the Wildwood reef sites. Kingfish are showing up along the surf at Cape May Point and in the Rips. Weakfish are still being caught along the jetties on the Delaware bay side with most being caught during the night-time hours on floated Bloodworm or worked jig-heads tipped with pink or pink/white soft plastics. Offshore action still is pretty good on Bigeye and Yellowfin at the canyons, and Bluefin are hitting trolled spreaders and feathers along the 20-Fathom line. The shop is loaded with bait and they just received a fresh shipment of minnows this past week.
Southern New Jersery Fishing Forecast
The best bet for this weekend will be to work the surf zones for Fluke, Bluefish, and Kingfish during the daytime hours as the water temperatures have crept close to 70. At night, the same areas will produce Sand Tigers and Brown sharks and the bite has been hottest from Long Beach Island southward to Brigantine. Local sharpies have been using Mackerel heads and 2-pound Bluefish to entice these toothy beasts. The Fluke bite has been much better in the Northern parts of South Jersey with the Manasquan and Shark River boasting keepers to 7 pounds. Small bucktails to 1oz tipped with Gulp and fresh bait have had the greatest success for keepers. I find working the edges of the channels “off the beaten path” provide the best opportunities as these areas do not see nearly as many lures. Don’t be afraid to explore and try new areas. It’s summertime and if you have kids, there is no better species to target than Bluefish as they provide instant gratification which kids crave. The bay areas have lots of schools around and small terns will point you to actively, feeding fish. Small Ava’s and metals work well to catch these fish, and a few cocktails do not make bad table-fare with those Jersey-Fresh vegetables.