This past week saw our toughest fishing of the summer given the rain and heavy winds. Most of our areas had a decent amount of rain which has made bay waters dirty and full of eel grass. The cleaner, incoming tide has been the better tide to fish. We had decent fishing prior to the blow with most inlet areas producing some keeper fish amongst the many shorts. Yellowfin and Bluefin were still hitting baits and lures offshore, but the bite had spread out a bit. The first reports of Mahi hitting trolled feathers within 15 to 20 miles our coast. Fishing will change a bit after the bad-weather week, but only way to find out is get out there and make your own reports.
Southern Jersey Fishing Report
Fisherman’s Supply in Point Pleasant had some decent reports of keeper fluke caught from the northeast corner of the Axel Carlson and some areas of the Shark River reef site. The Manasquan River still has a good number of Fluke hitting bucktails and Gulp on the incoming tide. There are some small cocktail Bluefish around the inlet which have been hitting small soft plastics and AVA jigs. Offshore action was good prior to this week’s windy conditions as anglers were catching yellowfin, bluefin, and some mahi with regularity on trolled daisy chains and spreader bars. The shop has a hard time keeping the Chatter Lures in the store as they have been the hot bluewater bait as of late.
Capt. Bill’s Landing in Point Pleasant Beach had some time to re-stock the shelves with new S&S Bucktails used for Fluke. The shop has reported fluke biting in the Manasquan and some slower bites at the Axel Carlson reef site. There has been some short Striped Bass biting along the Point Pleasant Canal on the incoming and around some of the bridges.
Norma K III in Point Pleasant Beach reported good sized keeper Fluke being netted prior to the recent blow. Bucktails, Gulp, and fresh bait have all been working with equal success. The Friday and Saturday night bluefish trips have been picking a few along with some Mackerel and Squid. The weather has kept the boat at the dock over the last couple of days, but they will be back it the rest of the week.
The MIMI VI out of Point Pleasant has been tied to the dock over the past few days due to the rough weather. The skipper rolled out a few more Open-boat dates for Sea Bass, Flounder, Ling, Cod, and Pollack with a 7 a.m. departure. The skipper has July 30, 31, and August 1, 6, 8, and 9 available. The skipper recommends giving them a call and getting to the boat early.
Jersey Hooker Outfitter in Brick reported decent action on Fluke in the Manasquan River, but you have to pick through the shorts. Most of the fish have been hitting bucktails tipped with natural or Gulp baits. Stripers have been hitting soft plastics in the canal and around the area’s bridges during the night. The incoming tide has provided some of the better action.
Grumpy’s Bait & Tackle in Seaside Park reported some good Fluking off the surf prior to the heavy surf. Anglers have been catching Fluke up to 23 inches on Gulp and bucktail in the suds. There were some anglers out over the past few days and the shop received word of some biting shorts and keepers over the past few days. Most of the fish have been caught on Gulp and jigs. Crabbing is still good in the back and there are lots of snapper Bluefish around in the back lagoons.
Lacey Marine in Forked River reported lots of shorts in Barnegat Bay and around the Barnegat Inlet, but most anglers have had a tough go on finding keepers. The ocean hasn’t faired any better with some shorts, sea robins, skates, and a few keepers. The good news is there are some Blowfish around from the BB to the 42 buoy, but you have to chum heavy with clam. Striped Bass and Bluefish have been hitting on the colder incoming tides at the inlet, but it’s usually prior to the slack water. Crabbing is still very good as most locations from Forked River to Manahawkin are reported good numbers of keeper “jimmies”.
Super Chic in Barnegat Light has been working some of the inshore snags to put his clients on keeper Sea Bass and Fluke. The fluke bite has been a little slow, but there are plenty of Sea Bass to make up for it. The skipper has some open dates coming up, but it is best to call him directly.
Creekside Outfitters in Waretown reported spotty Fluke fishing outside as some anglers played with shorts and Sea Robins at our local reef sites. There are just not alot of fish over 18 inches feeding right now or they are getting out competed by the smaller fish. Hopefully that changes with the recent blow as maybe a new pile of fish will arrive. Crabbing remains very good off Forked River and Waretown, and commercial style traps are producing some Bllowfish, which is a good sign for anglers. Offshore was a tough week as most boats did not make out as the weather windows were to small
Tony’s Bait & Tackle in Manahawkin reported excellent crabbing near the islands across from the Route 72 bridge with most boaters getting a bushel of keepers per outing. Short Striped Bass and some Bluefish have been caught from the bridges at night, but it depends alot on the tidal movement. The night bay fishery has some bigger sharks towards the south end of Long Beach Island and anglers are even getting some off the land on the backside of Holgate. The bay Fluke bite has been hit or miss and most short to keeper ratios have ran 20 to 1.
Riptide Bait & Tackle in Brigantine had sharks and rays coming off the surf this past week. Most of the sharks have been caught using Kingfish or Mackerel heads during the night shift. There have been a few Flounder caught in the surf, but the back-bays of Brigantine remain the better areas for keepers. Even though the surf was rough over the weekend, the annual kid’s Hooked on Fishing surf tournament went on and the kids had fun catching a few different species. Prior to the blow, the inshore bite was pretty good for Sea Bass and a few keeper Fluke in 80 to 90 feet of water.
Fin-Atics in Ocean City reported Kingfish biting on bloodworms in the surf, although this past week has been tough with the rough surf and heavy winds. There are decent size Brown and Sand Tiger sharks being released in the evening and early morning. Most of these have been hitting mackerel, bunker, or kingfish heads. The bridges have some Weakfish and small Striped Bass during the incoming tides at night or early morning hours. Fluke are being caught on the channel edges in 8 to 15 feet of water.
Peace Token Fishing Tackle in Cape May Courthouse reported Flounder and Sea Bass biting in 80 to 110 feet of water around structure. Most anglers have been using 6-inch Gulp grub tails on painted jig-heads. The surf has some Kingfish, Croakers, and small Flounder. Keeper Flounder have been landed around the jetties and inlet areas. Anglers fishing around the ferry terminal have been reporting some Weakfish hitting soft plastics and floated bloodworms at night.
Hands Too Bait & Tackle in Cape May reported a few sharks being caught off the surf in Cape May during the nighttime hours. There have been some Kings and Flounder caught with an occasional keeper Flounder. Most anglers have been fishing squid and spearing combos or Bucktails tipped with Gulp and Spearing. The backwaters are still provided good action on Flounder, but the latest blow has stirred up the waters. Crabbing remains good in the back-bays of Cape May and Wildwood. Anglers fishing some of the reef sties prior to the heavy winds and seas reported a good number of Triggerfish hitting baits.
South Jersey Fishing Forecast
This weekend looks a bit better compared to the week we just had, but it may take a little while for the bay waters to clear up. It’s definitely best to fish the incoming tide where you will find the cleanest water. Sea Bass seem to be the best as most areas are catching lots of fish with limits of keepers whereas Fluke are a bit more challenging. The ocean temperatures cooled down a bit with the latest South winds, but hopefully it rebounds through the weekend. The inshore reef sites and further off wrecks are showing some better signs of life, and they may be worth the run out. Good Luck, Be Safe, and Tight Lines!