June is starting to produce on schedule as the middle of the month has had a very good bite on offshore pelagics (Yellowfin and Bluefin Tuna). The canyons have been the hottest location from the Toms south to the Wilmington. Trolled lures are working best in the early morning hours just as the sun is rising. The 35- to 60-mile shark bite is also producing a decent number of Mako sharks, just pay attention to the new regulations. Fluking remains solid in the bays when you find the temperature that they have been biting on. It’s narrow, as the bite will quickly shut down when it drops or rises one degree. The Sea Bass bite was also very good this week for anglers working the “less-peppered” wrecks. Some charters have reported limits of up to 70 fish on a single 6-hour trip. A good number of Weakfish have been taken in extreme south Jersey, but now some more are starting to be caught up through Berkley which could be a good sign for the summer-time sparkler bite. Last, I want to wish all the dads out there a wonderful Father’s Day, hopefully you get on the water and take your daughter or son fishing.
Southern New Jersey Report
Fisherman’s Supply in Point Pleasant reported a good number of Fluke hitting bucktails in the Manasquan, Shark, and Navesink Rivers. There are a lot of short Fluke, but some of the keepers have approached 11 pounds. The Sea Bass fishing remains very good for boats hitting the wrecks in the 40- to 60-foot depths and some reports have had anglers bailing over 100 fish with full boat limits. The offshore shark and tuna bite has been quite hot at the Baltimore, Toms, and Wilmington Canyons. The surf and inlet areas have had Bluefish hitting worked metals and small bucktails.
Capt. Bill’s Landing in Point Pleasant Beach reported short and keeper Fluke in the Manasquan River and short Striped Bass hitting artificials in these same areas at night. The bridges have been producing on soft plastic lures at night.
Norma K III in Point Pleasant Beach reported that bottom fishing has started to improve this past week with more bites occurring each day and more keepers in the mix. There has consistently been some nice keeper Sea Bass boxed as most of the stops. The skipper feels the bite should only improve as the water temperatures have been hovering at or close to 60 degrees. Anglers using green feathers or hair on bucktails tipped with Nuclear Chicken Gulp are faring the best. Bluefishing is still very tough, but the boat has been able to hit some nighttime Ling spots. The boat is sailing 2 trips a day for Fluke and trying for Bluefish on Friday and Saturday nights.
The MIMI VI out of Point Pleasant had some very good trips on the skipper’s favorite wrecks and secret snags which produced a good number of Sea Bass, Flounder, and a few keeper Cod. The boat will be sailing a few open-boat trips to the end of the 1st Sea Bass season and it’s best to give Capt. Ken a ring.
Jersey Hooker Outfitter in Brick reported small schoolie Striped Bass hitting soft plastics around the Route 70 bridges and Point Pleasant canal. Fluke are biting in the Shark and Manasquan Rivers with keepers in the 20- to 23-inch range. The inshore wrecks have had good numbers of keeper Sea Bass. Offshore bites have been great for Yellowfin and Bluefin Tuna on trolled spreader bars.
Grumpy’s Tackle in Seaside Park reported an improvement in fishing, although nothing crazy, with a steady pick of Bluefish to 6 pounds. There have been a few Striped Bass caught and with some making it over the 28-inch mark. There was some good Bluefish caught on bunker chunks around the park area. The rivers have been loaded with Fluke and most keepers have ranged from 19 to 22 inches caught on white bucktail tipped with Gulp.
Lacey Marine in Forked River reported a good offshore bite on Bluefin and Yellowfin Tuna from the Toms to the Wilmington as many boats reported good catches from multiple areas. Makos are hitting baits in good numbers at your nearshore areas 30 to 55 miles out. Fluke fishing has been up and down mainly due to strong tides, wind, and the recent rain. Anglers are having to work hard for a few keepers. Small Striped Bass and Bluefish to 5 pounds have been taking lures from both sides of Barnegat Inlet. The Barnegat Light surf is red hot for Fluke as multiple limits have been reported from the suds.
Super Chic in Barnegat Light has been busy taking charters to some of the local wrecks and reported good quantities of Sea Bass and Ling. Capt. Ted has a few June dates left for the month, so give him a call.
Creekside Outfitters in Waretown reported Fluke hitting worked 1/2 to 1oz bucktails from the BB to the BI buoys and around some of the bay channels. Bluefish have been caught around Barnegat Inlet on the top of the tides using bunker chunks, small metals, and plugs. The key is to look for the bird action. Shark fishing was pretty good 30 to 60 miles out, but anglers had to create their own drift with the lack of winds last Saturday. These same areas should hold fish for the next few weeks.
Tony’s Bait & Tackle in Manahawkin reported that the back-bay Fluke bite is still hot, but is much better south of Long Beach Island. The backwaters of Little Egg Inlet and sod banks behind Brigantine are producing a lot of fish as these areas typically see less pressure. There are small Striped Bass in the bays are they are hitting worked soft plastics on the cooler incoming tides, especially around the bridges mid-island. Many anglers went out to the deep blue this past weekend and were rewarded with Bluefin and Yellowfin Tuna. There was word on some Bluefin. Back bay fluke fishing is spectacular in all our area bays. Crabbing has been pretty good, especially around the sod bank areas on the west side of Barnegat bay.
Riptide Bait & Tackle in Brigantine reported some nice sized Drum hitting clam baits in the surf and backwaters of Brigantine. The Connolly’s had a blast with the big drum that have been swimming in the Brigantine waters. Striped Bass to 33 inches have been caught off the surf on bunker chunks and clam baits, and these fish have been mostly on the north end of the island. Flounder have been hitting worked bucktails around the jetties and backwaters.
Fin-Atics in Ocean City reported Flounder hitting Gulp baits with reckless abandon in 8- to 10-foot depths of water off Ships channel and the 16th Street area of Ocean City. The beach scene has Bluefish hitting small metals and mackerel tipped bucktails. Most of these fish have been in the 3- to 6-pound range. There are Kingfish off the surf from 21st street and south in Ocean City which are biting on bloodworms. The offshore canyons are producing Bluefin, Yellowfin, and some Bigeye Tuna on trolled spreaders and feathers. It was a hot bite this past weekend.
Peace Token Fishing Tackle in Cape May Courthouse had quality reports of Flounder in the backwaters hitting worked 1/2oz to 1oz bucktails tipped with white and chartreuse Gulp. The key has been to work the shallower channel edges in the 4- to 8-foot depths. Weakfish are hitting bloodworms at some of the jetties off the Delaware Bay and around the ferry terminal. Sea Bass fishing has been excellent in the 50- to 90-foot depths, but you must find pieces that haven’t been cleared out.
Hands Too Bait & Tackle in Cape May reported Weakfish are hitting bucktails tipped with soft plastics and bloodworms under bobbers around the local inlets and jetties. There have been a few Summer Flounder caught in these same areas. The Delaware Bay has been pretty good for Flounder and anglers working the 18- to 25-foot depths are finding success on keepers. Most of the fish have been caught on worked 1 to 3 oz bucktails tipped with minnow or Gulp. There have been a few Drum caught in the deeper holes of the bay, but the bite has slowed down. Offshore fishing is excellent with both Yellowfin and Bluefin Tuna being hooked on trolled feathers and spreader bars in the early morning. A 47.5-inch Cobia was caught on fresh surf clam by Rich Schmidt while he was fishing for Drum in the Delaware Bay.
South Jersey Fishing Forecast
This weekend looks great in terms of weather with mostly light winds which should bode well for anglers working the suds or drifting the backwaters for Fluke. The hottest baits have been 1/2 to 1oz white bucktails worked along the 4- to 10-foot ranges in most locations. The cooler incoming impacts the bite, so make sure you find the warmest water during this tide cycle. As we move away from the new moon, the tidal currents should begin to lessen which should help the fluke bite. Sea bass is a great option if you have a boat or want to jump on one as there has been lots of fish caught within 5 miles of the coast. Clam baits, diamond jigs, and mackerel strips have all been working well on keeper Sea Bass. Offshore anglers have another great weekend to target Bluefin, Bigeye, and Yellowfin at the 30 to 50-fathom lines. Trolled Spreader bars, ballyhoo, and feathers are sure-fire ways to put these pelagics on ice.