Southern New Jersey Fishing Report - July 12, 2018

Well, we are starting to get into the summer doldrums as Fluke fishing has started to get better in most of the ocean artificial reefs and a good portion of anglers will head right to these spots for the remainder of July and August. Trust me, there is still plenty of fish in the bay with anglers getting fish consistently in the 6 to 10 foot areas. Weakfish have been around and caught on soft plastics along with some hitting live peanuts intended for Fluke. Offshore has still been on-fire for Bluefin, Yellowfin, and Bigeye. But it remains to be seen, how Hurricane Chris will impact the bite. Hopefully in a good way, by pushing for pockets of the warm Gulf Stream closer to shore as the nearshore ridges are in the need of a good pelagic bite.

Southern Jersey Fishing Report

Fisherman’s Supply in Point Pleasant had reports of hot and cold Fluke fishing from the Axel Carlson and Sea Girt reef. The ocean swell caused by Hurricane Chris definitely has something to do with the slower bites. The Manasquan River is very good on Fluke from behind the shop to west in the canal many anglers stopped by and reported limits of Fluke. Striped Bass fishing has been exceptional around the bridges at night on small soft plastics. Anglers are hooking into 14 to 22 inch bass which are an absolute blast on light-tackle setups. Offshore action still continues at the Hudson for 30 to 70 pound Yellowfin with some Bigeye in the mix. Bluefin are a little sporadic as of more recent reports, but the best spot has been the Northeast corner of the Chicken canyon.

Capt. Bill’s Landing in Point Pleasant Beach had anglers stopping by the shop for more 5” and 6” Gulp baits as the Fluke fishing in the Manasquan River has been excellent. There are a lot of shorts which provide good action and some of the keepers have been up to 25 inches. The ocean fluke fishing has been fair, but should start to pick up. Sea bass fishing is very good and 2-fish limits are pretty much the norm. Yellowfin and Bigeyes were reported from the Hudson and Toms south to the Wilmington canyon, whereas Bluefin have been much closer at 30 to 45 miles.

Norma K III in Point Pleasant Beach reported good Fluke fishing when the conditions are right, but the large ground swell has not helped. There has been a small improvement for both Fluke and Sea Bass for anglers bouncing bucktails and Gulp. The night time Bluefish trips have been tough, but the skipper is hearing of some schools south of us. When the fishing is slow, the boat has anchored and wreck fished for Ling.

MIMI VI out of Point Pleasant has been putting anglers on the meat with Capt. Kenny fishing the structure hard for big Sea Bass, Fluke, Winter Flounder, and Ling. The boat has a few trips available this week and next.

Jersey Hooker Outfitter in Brick reported fluke hitting bucktails tipped with Gulp in the Manasquan River from Osborne Island to the Inlet. There are lots of shorts, but some have been up to 25 inches. The inlets have had some small Bluefish around, but they are not too plentiful as of yet.

Grumpy’s Bait & Tackle in Seaside Park reported good Fluke fishing along the beach over the past week from Seaside to Island Beach State Park. Surf anglers are reporting lots of shorts and action in the surf and most of the fish are spitting up sand-eels and sand fleas. The Gulp 4” and 5” Swimming mullets have been the best bait to use. These same areas are producing small Striped Bass in the morning hours. Early in the week there were some nice sharks and big Rays taking baits, but the shop recommends getting the baits out far.

Lacey Marine in Forked River reported some sporadic Fluke bites this past week in Barnegat Bay with some days giving up keepers, while other days keepers were few and far between. There are some Weakfish around with anglers catching them on chummed grass shrimp and soft plastics.

Super Chic in Barnegat Light has been hitting the inshore wrecks for Sea Bass and Fluke with the boat getting some nice keepers to 5 pounds. The skipper has been running both nearshore bottom-fish (Ling, Cod, Sea Bass) and inshore Fluke & Sea Bass trips.

Creekside Outfitters in Waretown reported that boaters are still picking up Fluke in the bay channels on Gulp, Minnows, Spearing, or strip baits. Outside has been slow, but there are more fish starting to show each day on the local reef sites. Crabbing is good in the bay off the docks, lagoons, and near the BB and BI buoys. Tuna fishing has been hot with lots of Yellowfin and Bluefin out in the deep. Most of the Yellowfins are 70 to 90 miles from shore, while the Bluefin are much closer from 35 to 60 miles. This past weekend the shop it’s annual customer appreciation day with free hot dogs and refreshments along with some lure give-aways.

Tony’s Bait & Tackle in Manahawkin reported quality Fluke fishing from the middle of Long Beach Island to Little Egg Inlet along some of the cuts off the Intercoastal Waterway (ICW). The mid-island bridges are loaded with 15 to 24 inch Striped Bass which are hitting a variety of soft plastics at night. Crabbing is off to a very good start in July and should continue throughout the rest of the month.

Riptide Bait & Tackle in Brigantine had good reports of big sharks hitting the surf and making for excellent battles for anglers. They will definitely test your tackle. Keeper Flounder are a little tough to find in the backwaters, but the shop received some better reports from the local reefs with anglers coming home with a few fish.

Fin-Atics in Ocean City reported similar results as last week with Fluke hitting in the deeper channels as they have started to move for cooler water with the bay temperatures. The docks and bridges are holding schoolie Striped Bass and Sheepshead. The canyon bite has been very good for Bluefin, Yellowfin, and Bigeye and most of the canyons from the Carteret to the Wilmington are holding fish.

Peace Token Fishing Tackle in Cape May Courthouse reported some good fishing at the Old Grounds this past week with multiple boats getting limits. The important thing is the amount of throwbacks providing action to anglers. Fluke are being caught along the Delaware Bay beaches, jetties, and inlet. Although the fish are mostly in the short range, there have been a few keepers in the mix. Offshore action is still red hot for Yellowfin and Bigeye Tuna in the canyons and the mid-shore Bluefin bite has come on strong. The surf has been a little slow I terms of keeper Fluke, but the good news has been the large number of rays and sharks to keep anglers busy.

Hands Too Bait & Tackle in Cape May reported some better Weakfish action along the jetties and off of Cape May Point on Bloodworms. Pink soft plastics have been working well in the early morning and late evening hours. Fluke fishing has been pretty solid at the Old Grounds along with some nice Sea Bass at the Delaware Reef site #11.

Southern New Jersey Fishing Forecast

The best bet for this weekend is to start fishing the inshore wrecks and reefs as Fluke fishing is slowly getting better each day in the ocean. I recommend 5” to 6” Gulp baits such as the Swimming Mullet or Grub Tail tipped on a bucktail and be sure to work the structure hard. Surf and jetty fisherman have excellent shots at keeper Fluke as fish have been reported from Seaside to Cape May taking worked bucktails and rigs in the surf. Look for those deeper holes and cuts while walking the beach as these areas generally funnel baitfish. The weekend looks good for offshore fisherman to get back after the Tuna and should only have to deal with a smaller remnant swell of Hurricane Chris which has exited stage Right! Good Luck, Be Safe, and Tight Lines!