I think we have officially hit the summer doldrums with only 1 more week of July before we get into August. All of the usual areas are being inhabited by anglers to targeting a variety of Jersey species. As with most of the Jersey shore, anglers are seeking the local inlets to target fluke and Bluefish during this time of the season. This week saw mixed reports on the offshore action with some boats reporting from the Toms, Spencer and Lindenkohl canyons of some nice Yellowfin. Aside from the fishing news, Crabbing is off the charts from Berkley south to Cape May and many crabbers have reported buckets of crabs within a few hours.
Southern Jersey Fishing Report
Fisherman’s Supply in Point Pleasant reported another tough week on the ocean front for fluke fishing. The northeast corner of the Axel Carlson had a few keepers, but overall it was very challenging for most of the anglers who stopped in the shop. The Manasquan River has been much better for fluke for individuals drifting bucktails tipped with Gulp. Triggerfish have been around most of the same wrecks where sea bass are typically targeted. There have also been some Triggers reported from the inlets and jetty rocks. The offshore wrecks around the Mud Hole and Glory Hole have been exceptional for Winter Flounder and Ling which have been reported by some of the local head-boats.
Capt. Bill’s Landing in Point Pleasant Beach reported good Fluking in the Manasquan River on minnows and Gulp tipped on a 1/2 to 3/4oz bucktails. Anglers have been reported a fair number of fish between 19 to 24 inches coming from the channel edges with lots of shorts. Striped bass are still hitting from the bridges and in the Point Pleasant canal. The offshore scene has been good as of late with anglers running to the Toms Canyon to hit Yellowfin and Bluefin.
Norma K III in Point Pleasant Beach reported that the fluke were picky for last few days as they have been very finicky on the bites. There were some good size sea bass that came up while anglers were fluke fishing. Most of the pool-winning fish have been around 5 pounds. The boat has been picking up most of the keepers around rough bottoms, so be sure to bring plenty of tackle. The Friday and Saturday bluefish trips caught a few blues and anglers did drop to the bottom to box a few sea bass and Ling.
The MIMI VI out of Point Pleasant has been hitting some of Capt. Ken’s choice wrecks to provide full boat limits of sea bass for his clients. Recently, they had the West Windsor baseball team out on a wreck charter and the team crushed the sea bass. The boat has some open dates remaining for July and August, so give them a ring.
Jersey Hooker Outfitter in Brick reported similar results as of last week with fluke hitting bucktails tipped with Gulp in the Manasquan River and small Striped Bass hitting plastics and small plugs at night around the bridges and in the Point Pleasant Canal.
Grumpy’s Bait & Tackle in Seaside Park reported decent fluke action off the beach with several keepers to 4 pounds being weighed in at the shop. Most of the fish are being caught on Gulp and anglers are having to contend with lots of cow-nose rays. There have been some small Striped Bass hitting soft plastics and artificials in the early morning. During the day and evening hours, there has been schools of cocktail Bluefish hitting small baits in the suds.
Lacey Marine in Forked River reported a slight slowdown on Barnegat Bay fluke with some of the usual spots only producing a limited number of short fish and a occasional keeper. The fish have been slightly off with the recent new moon and heavy rains. The offshore tuna bite has slowed down as not as many anglers have made it out to the canyons.
Super Chic in Barnegat Light has been busy hitting the wrecks for fluke and sea bass, but the bite has been spotty as reported by the skipper. sea bass and Ling have been very cooperative with many hitting the angler’s coolers.
Creekside Outfitters in Waretown reported tough fishing as of late in Barnegat Bay for fluke. Although there has been some keepers caught, it’s been a very slow pick in all of the prime areas. The Barnegat Light reef has shown some life with fish to 24 inches being caught if your in the right place when they decide to bite. There are tons of cow-nose rays in the ocean and bay as many anglers have complained of getting spooled by them. Striped Bass have been patrolling the flats on the morning incoming tide, so bring plenty of plugs and soft plastics for some shallow water fun. Crabbing is absolutely excellent with tons of male and she-crabs for backfin soup, you just have to get out there.
Tony’s Bait & Tackle in Manahawkin reported good Striped Bass fishing around the Route 72 bridges at night on slim soft plastics and live peanut bunker. The ICW has been consistent for fluke, but you have to find the right tide when they decide to bite. Most keepers have been caught on bucktail and Gulp combinations. The crabbing along most of the sod banks and sedges has been very good along with depths in the 5 to 6 foot zones.
Riptide Bait & Tackle in Brigantine in Brigantine reported decent fluke fishing with some of the local anglers catching fish up to 6 pounds in the inlet and backbay areas. The fish have been taking mostly Gulp and minnow combinations. The areas around Harrah’s and under the bridge are producing keeper fluke. The inshore reef sites have been spotty at best. The sharks are still in the Brigantine waters and the bite starts as the sun goes down. It has been very good at night on mackerel or Kingfish heads. Crabbing behind Brigantine and Great Bay has been very good for traps and hand-lines.
Fin-Atics in Ocean City reported Summer Flounder starting to inhabit the deeper water areas in the back-bays of Sea Isle and Avalon. Anglers should shoot for depths in the ranges of 12 to 15 feet. The Great Egg Harbor and Ocean City reef sites are starting to see a higher amount of fish and they have been biting on Gulp, Minnows, mackerel, and cut Squid. There are a few keeper sea bass being caught around the reef sites. Striped Bass have been coming out at night only off the bridges and sod banks in the bay and they have been hitting soft plastics. Kingfish have been hitting bloodworms and sandworms in the surf zone. There is a good tuna bite still happening at the Spencer Canyon and 40-Fathom line for Bluefin, Yellowfin, and Bigeye tuna.
Peace Token Fishing Tackle in Cape May Courthouse reported a mix of Kingfish, fluke, Croaker, and Bluefish have been taking baits off the Cape May beaches. There has been a few weakfish caught along the jetties on soft plastics. sheepshead and triggerfish have been pretty bountiful around the jetties, rock-piles, and docks. The tuna bite is still good at the canyons and the shop received reports of some more Yellowfin and Bluefin tuna showing up at Massey’s Canyon and the Hambone.
Hands Too Bait & Tackle in Cape May reported a tough “go” on fluke from most of the local reef sites, but the Delaware reef sites have fared better. Reef site “10” and “11” have been holding keeper fluke, but they have been ultra close to the structure. Most of the fish have been hitting bucktails tipped with white Gulp. Anglers are still picking up Weakfish from the jetties and rock-piles on soft plastics, shedder crabs, and bloodworms. Small Striped Bass are still around the jetties, but are only hitting during the night-time. Most of these fish range from 14 to 20 inches and are only around during the cooler tides at night.
Southern New Jersey Fishing Forecast
The weather doesn’t look great for this weekend, so most anglers might be stuck targeting fluke in the bays or trying for sheepshead & triggers off the inlet rocks. Most of the fluke seem to be moving around in the back and anglers are finding them in the 8 to 12 foot depths. Surf fishing has been very good for Kingfish, fluke, Sand-Tigers, and Cow-nose rays. Boaters can also try for shark at night around some of the deeper channels from Little Egg to Wildwood as these species make for a great catch and release option for our back bays. I obviously love fishing, but this weekend may be a great weekend to catch a bushel or two of blue claws. Good Luck, Be Safe, and Tight Lines!