August is officially upon us! Our coastal bays and oceans are providing a lot of options to south jersey anglers when the weather cooperates. The fluke fishing has been solid for bending the rod in the backwaters, but not so good on keepers. Ocean fluke fishing is pretty much better action on keepers with most running 4 to 15 miles to find them. Blackfish season has opened back up and anglers are allowed to keep 1 at 15 inches, which gives jetty fisherman another option. Offshore anglers have been catching Bluefin from 40-60 miles and Yellowfin, BigEye, and Mahi at the offshore canyons.
Southern New Jersey Fishing Report
Fisherman’s Supply in Point Pleasant had good reports of fluke at the Sea Girt and Axel, but the recent South winds had dramatically cut the bite. The offshore bite has picked up on Bluefin with more being caught closer to short at the Chicken Canyon, Glory Hole, and the Atlantic Princess wrecks. The Hudson Canyon still has a decent body of Bigeye tuna hanging around. Striped Bass fishing has been very good at night around the bridges on soft plastics and crabbing has been excellent in the back.
Capt. Bill’s Landing in Point Pleasant Beach reported a decent number of anglers hitting fluke off the surf and headboats doing well on Ocean fluke. Surf fisherman have been able to catch good sized Rays and Brown sharks at night off the surf. Cocktail bluefish have been hitting small silver metals worked quickly in the surf and near the Manasquan Inlet.
Norma K III in Point Pleasant Beach reported decent fluke action for anglers bouncing bucktails and Gulp. Most fish have been 2.5 to 5 pounds with pool-winning fish in the 7 pound range. The winds on Wednesday made fishing in the morning difficult with fast drifts, but some good sized fluke made it over the rail. The boat is sailing every Friday and Saturday for night-time bluefish from 730pm to 1am.
The MIMI VI out of Point Pleasant has been busy hitting the inshore bottom snags and Captain Ken has been putting anglers on fluke, Ling, and sea bass. There are some Open-boat dates coming up this week (August 6th, 8th, 9th) and the boat will be leaving at 7am.
Jersey Hooker Outfitter in Brick reported fluke being caught off the surf from Manasquan to Island Beach State Park. The ocean fluke was pretty good, but the recent south winds put a minor damper on the bite. The crab bite has been good, especially from Bayville to Barnegat.
Grumpy’s Bait & Tackle in Seaside Park reported a decent amount of keeper fluke being caught off the beaches of Seaside and Island Beach State Park. There is plenty of action in the surf to keep anglers busy with some kingfish, bluefish, and fluke. Rays and sharks have also been seen in the surf zone. The ocean fluke bite has been getting better with a big push of fish that moved out over the last several weeks.
Lacey Marine in Forked River reported lots of action in the back bays from the BB to the 42 and close to the inlet. Most of the fluke have been in the 13 to 17-inch range, but anglers are able to box 1 to 2 for the table. The action has been on light bucktails tipped with Spearing or Minnow. The Barnegat Inlet has some small Striped Bass and cocktail bluefish on the incoming tide which have been going after small metals and soft plastics.
Super Chic in Barnegat Light has been busy taking charters for fluke and sea bass on some of Capt. Ted’s favorite snags. The boat has been working 50- to 85-foot depths in search of keeper fluke.
Creekside Outfitters in Waretown had anglers reporting good amount of short fluke in Barnegat Bay, but not too many making it home for the table. Storeowner Liza said, “the ocean bite has been much better for keepers.” Bucktails tipped with minnow & squid or Gulp have been responsible for most of the keepers outside. Crabbing is still excellent in the 4- to 6-foot depths, and there has been reported a ton of pregnant females which should mean good crabbing for years to come. Blowfish is still a bit spotty, but anglers have been bringing a few home for the table.
Tony’s Bait & Tackle in Manahawkin reported the Beach Haven West and Long Beach Island lagoons and the Causeway bridges are loaded with snapper blues. Bobber fishing with fresh spearing on a plain hook works great or casting & retrieving small silver lures. Crabbing in the bays is very good with the best reports coming from the sedges along Mud City and Beach Haven West. fluke fishing in proximity to both Barnegat & Little Egg Inlets is decent, but many more throwbacks than keepers. Live minnows, live spots, peanut bunker and fresh spearing are the baits of choice. Gulp and OtterTails are working on the synthetic side.
Fisherman’s Headquarters in Ship Bottom had anglers reporting good short fluke action around Barnegat Inlet and Little Egg Inlet with most of the fish being under 17 inches. The ocean has been much better for fluke with anglers hitting the pipes of Ship Bottom and Seaside. Crabbing and clamming in the back has been excellent this summer. Offshore anglers are picking up Bigeye, Yellowfin, Mahi, and some Wahoo on both trolled lures and chunked baits.
Riptide Bait & Tackle in Brigantine had good reports of keeper fluke out on the reef sites off Atlantic City and just a tad further. Most of the keepers have been ranging 3 to 5 pounds with a few bigger ones in the mix. There are some nice Cobia being reported from Sea Isle to Brigantine while anglers are fishing offshore for fluke, so be sure to bring some heavier gear. The bite inside has been very good on short fluke with most fishermen catching 20 to 40 a day, but only 1-2 keepers making it home. The surf has been decent for short fluke, kingfish, bluefish, rays, and sharks at night.
Fin-Atics in Ocean City reported Flounder still hanging around the back bays, but most are under 18 inches. Most of the bites are coming on Gulp and minnows. Small sea bass are biting on clams and squid in the back which make great fun for the little ones. Triggerfish and Sheepshead are showing around the bay’s rockpiles, jetties, and bridges. Brown sharks and cownose rays have been thick off the inlets and beachfront and most have been hitting mackerel or bunker.
Peace Token Fishing Tackle in Cape May reported good Flounder fishing at the Old Grounds and Reef Site #11 over the past couple of days. The backwaters are still producing a good quantity of fluke, but slower on the keeper side of things. The surf has had kingfish, bluefish, Flounder, and Brown sharks hitting baits at night.
Hands Too Bait & Tackle in Cape May received good reports of keeper fluke from the Cape May Reef, but anglers had to pick through short fish. Cape May Harbor and the ICW near Wildwood have been producing some decent amounts of fluke. Crabbing in the back of Wildwood to Cape May has been excellent over the past week. The offshore bite is still going strong with Bluefin hitting trolled baits at Massey’s Canyon and the overall canyon bite has been okay for Yellowfin. There have been some marlin caught in the Wilmington.
South Jersey Fishing Forecast
This weekend looks promising as the South winds have finally died down and should provide opportunities for boats to make it outside. Anglers should be checking the reef sites and other areas that provide good feeding opportunities for fluke. Most catches have been in the 50- to 60-foot depths. Anglers fishing from shore have plenty of options from the surf for fluke, kingfish, and shark, while jetty fisherman can bag Blackfish, Triggerfish, and Sheepshead. Offshore fisherman should plan on running 40 to 65 miles for keeper Bluefin, as there have been very positive reports this past week.
Any thoughts on if Rays in the surf keep the fluke away? Also can you recommend any setup for fluke that the rays would not be interested in? Been using BT with a teaser and keep hooking the rays. Thanks