Southern New Jersey Fishing Report - August 9, 2018

Even though this past week had a few days of tough southernly winds, the Fluke fishing seems to be steadily improving with more and more fish moving to the inshore wrecks and reef sites. The back bays are mostly loaded with throwback fluke, but some of the deeper holes and areas with structure are holding keeper Fluke. In terms of pelagic species, boaters are seeing small mahi at some of the area reef sites and bluefin tuna continue to inhabit the mid-range areas. Anglers are still catching yellowfin and bigeye tuna from the canyons. Surf anglers are seeing quite a few different species depending on the tide and the time of day. There are lots of options to wet a line, so now is the time to get out there.

South Jersey Fishing Report

Fisherman’s Supply in Point Pleasant reported a decent bite on Fluke from the Axel Carlson and Sea Girt reef sites. The corners of both sites seem to be producing the most keepers for anglers jigging 2 to 4oz bucktails tipped with Gulp and strip baits. The same areas are producing some keeper Sea Bass and an occasional Triggerfish. Mahi are being caught from some of the boats at the reef sites and beyond. The Point Pleasant surf is faring well on keeper Fluke and snapper Bluefish during the day. The Point Pleasant Canal and area bridges are still holding a good number of 12- to 18-inch striped bass which will take many soft plastic offerings, but it’s completely a night bite. The shop heard of some nice Bluefin caught from the Chicken Canyon over this past week.

Capt. Bill’s Landing in Point Pleasant Beach reported quality fluke fishing at the Sea Girt and Axel Carlson reef sites. Some of the better Fluking has been outside of the reef sites. Most of the fish have been going for bucktails tipped with Gulp. Crabbing has been very good from Point Pleasant south along Island Beach State with lots of “jimmies” making it home.

Norma K III in Point Pleasant Beach reported Fluke being a pick with the heavy south winds this week. The boat picked steadily at keeper Fluke with some of the pool winners averaging over 6 pounds. Most of the fish have been over stickier bottoms, so be sure to bring some extra bucktails and Gulp.

The MIMI VI out of Point Pleasant had some Open-boat trips and charters this past week and the skipper had the groups busy boxing Cod, Winter Flounder, and Sea Bass. There are a few open-boat dates coming up next week and the following week with the boat planning on targeting bottom-fish.

Jersey Hooker Outfitter in Brick reported good offshore fishing at the canyons with anglers hooking Bigeye and Yellowfin on Joe Shute lures and spreader bars. The midrange lumps and canyons are holding good numbers of Bluefin Tuna.

Grumpy’s Bait & Tackle in Seaside Park reported decent Fluke fishing off the surf with anglers being able to catch 10 to 15 while keeping a few. Most of the fish have been hitting white or chartreuse Gulp. There are a few small Bluefish around which also make great baits for bigger Fluke. Sharks and rays are still being caught off the surf on Bunker or Mackerel heads.

Lacey Marine in Forked River reported a high number of short Fluke being caught in Barnegat Bay in areas off the main channels and around the inlet. Anglers have been weeding through 20+ shorts to pick one keeper. All of the colors have been working with equal success, but bring plenty of bait. It’s a better bite on keepers in the ocean with fish up to 6 pounds being landed from the usual reef sites.

Super Chic in Barnegat Light has been busy running back to back trips for Sea Bass and Fluke. The skipper has already started to book his Fall Striper trips, so give him a ring.

Creekside Outfitters in Waretown had similar report for the bay fishing in Barnegat Bay with lots of short Fluke keeping anglers busy. The ratios have been 20 throwbacks to 1 keeper, so you have to put in your time and pick through them. The ocean bite was very good this week at the Southern wrecks with the Garden State South and Garden State North having a decent amount of action. Anglers are still finding Bigeye and Yellowfin around the Hudson and Bluefin at the Princess and Chicken canyon. Crabbing and clamming are very good with lots of both species making it home.

Tony’s Bait & Tackle in Manahawkin reported another solid week of good crabbing along the mainland side of Barnegat Bay. There are some small Blowfish and snapper Bluefish being caught around the Causeway bridges during the day and small schoolie Striped Bass being caught at night. Most of the schoolies have been hitting soft plastics and small plugs along the light-shadow lines. Fluke fishing has been good around the inlets, but a little challenging to find keepers. Keeper action has been at the Little Egg and Garden State South reef sites. Small Mahi have been reported at some of the wrecks targeted for Fluke.

Fisherman’s Headquarters in Ship Bottom reported a slow pick on keeper Fluke from Barnegat Light to Little Egg inlets, but there are quite a few shorts to keep the rods bent. The incoming tide is producing small Striped Bass with an occasional keeper. Some anglers have been live-lining snapper Bluefish for big Fluke and keeper Stripers off the rocks. Bluefin Tuna have been caught from the Glory Hole, AC Princess, and Chicken Canyon as they have been in the same areas over the past few weeks. Crabbing on the backside of Long Beach Island is good, especially near the marshes and sedges on the mainland.

Riptide Bait & Tackle in Brigantine reported Kingfish being caught with regularity in the surf along with big rays and sharks. The Flounder bite has been good in the surf with keepers to 3 pounds hitting squid and Gulp combinations. are still in the surf along with the big rays and sharks. Boaters that hit the reef sites and wrecks were rewarded with some nice keepers to 6 pounds. Most of the inshore Flounder are biting on squid and spearing combinations.

Fin-Atics in Ocean City reported that the fishing has been tough with the recent string of bad weather, but the area is starting to finally see an increase. There are lots of fluke still in the back bays, with a small amount of the larger fish being caught in deeper waters to 20 feet. Most keepers are biting on Gulp, mackerel or minnows. The shop has seen quite a few Snapper Bluefish and small Sea Bass around from Longport to Sea Isle City. Crabbing is still running strong in Ocean City and Sea Isle in the 5- to 6-foot depths around marshes.

Peace Token Fishing Tackle in Cape May reported good sized Fluke being boxed at the Cape May reef and anglers had fish up to 10 pounds over the weekend. There are some keeper Fluke being caught along the Delaware Bay beaches and off Cape May Point. The jetties are providing some light tackle action on Kingfish and small Bluefish during the day. Anglers working these same areas at night with soft plastics are seeing a few schoolie Striped Bass on the incoming tides.

Hands Too Bait & Tackle in Cape May had anglers casting small bucktails tipped with Gulp or strip baits for Fluke along Cape May Point. The shop reported some small Kingfish in the surf and sharks are still patrolling taking Kingfish or Bunker heads at night. The inshore reef sites are producing decent numbers of quality Fluke along with some Mahi and Cobia around the pots. Bluefin and Yellowfin have been caught at Massey’s Canyon and the Lobster Claw. Crabbing in the back of Cape May and behind Wildwood are still providing good numbers of keeper “jimmies”.

South Jersey Fishing Forecast

The best bet for this weekend is for boat anglers to hit those artificial reef sites as there has been a big push of Fluke out of our inlets and bays. Bucktails tipped with Gulp or Squid should do the trick on these hungry predators. The surf is seeing a lot more keeper Fluke making their way onto the sands, so this is where land-locked anglers should target. Summer Flounder rigs or bucktails tipped with squid or Gulp can be worked around the deeper holes and cuts along the surf. It seems most areas are reporting that this year is one of the best crabbing years, so on your way out drop those crab pots to collect a bushel on the way back from your fishing excursion. Just may sure you have license if using a crab pot. Good Luck, Be Safe, and Tight Lines!