It’s been a tough week with the weather and sea conditions, but at least we only got scathed by the remnants of Florence. Fluke fisherman will have their last shot this Saturday as the season closes and based on the weather predictions, most boaters should be able to get out. The swell has definitely pushed them further off, but some are still getting a few keepers in the inlets. The good news is that our bays are stacked with bait from Cape May to Seaside, so it should be a good indicator of the fall to come. Jetties have been pretty consistent for Blackfish on Green Crab, and that should only get better as the water cools down.
Here is this week’s rundown:
Fisherman’s Supply in Point Pleasant reported a slower week on the Fluke front, but boats did push as far as 15 miles off to find big flatties to 9 pounds. Most of the fish have been in the 80 to 110 foot depths and hitting on 4 to 6-oz bucktails tipped with 6-inch Gulp grub tails. The jetties and rock walls near the inlets have been very good on 2 to 6 pound Bluefish and some Bonita. A-007s, A-17s, and 1/2oz. Hogy jigs have been working for these fish worked sub-surface with a fast retrieve. Striped Bass have been hitting soft plastics and small 4-inch plugs close to the bridges and Point Pleasant Canals. The beaches have had Bluefish on Mullet rigs, Fluke on bucktails and Gulp, and an occasional Brown shark being caught from baited rigs.
Capt. Bill’s Landing in Point Pleasant Beach said small 2 to 5 pound Bluefish have been cooperating with anglers from the Manasquan Inlet on metals along with some Bonita. The shop is stocked up on Green Crab for Blackfish off the jetties and wrecks.
Norma K III in Point Pleasant Beach reported a sluggish start to the week after being tied to the dock for the better part of last week. They did see it improve a little as the week went on in terms of Fluke fishing. The Bluefish have shown up after the most recent blow and are averaging 2 to 6 pounds on bait and jigs. The skipper has seen a big improvement from the last few weeks with lots of fish around and it should get better as bigger blues filter in. The boat will be running everyday for Fluke through the close of the season on Saturday and will then change to a 3/4 day schedule for Porgies and Blackfish.
The MIMI VI out of Point Pleasant was tied to the dock due to the sea conditions, but has been slowly getting back to it this week with better weather. The crew is ready to go for Cod, Ling, and Blackfish.
Jersey Hooker Outfitter in Brick had good reports of crabbing going very strong in both the upper and mid portions of Barnegat Bay. The shop is loaded with crabbing supplies and frozen Bunker for the big Blueclaws. Anglers fishing eels at night around the Manasquan and Shark River bridges produced Striped Bass to 26 inches with consistency.
Grumpy’s Bait & Tackle in Seaside Park reported some Fluke being caught off the surf this past week up to 18 inches on Island Beach State Park. The crabbing and blowfishing in Barnegat Bay has been very consistent. The shop did receive a bunch of Hogy Epoxy jigs for targeting Bluefish, Bonita, and False Albacore and we should get a decent run in the next few weeks through October.
Lacey Marine in Forked River had slower reports this week for Fluke as the water near the inlet has been dirty after the rough weather last week. Anglers fishing chartreuse and pink Gulp baits had the best success on the few keeper Fluke that were caught. Blowfish fishing has been absolutely excellent in terms of numbers, but you have to pick out the bigger ones. Double anchoring and clam chum are a must. There are some small Striped Bass around the lagoons at night which have been hitting topwaters and soft plastics.
Super Chic in Barnegat Light has also been dockside most of last week and the beginning of this week due to the weather, but they are running a few charters for the last days of the Fluke season. The captain is booking October Sea Bass trips for the re-opening of the fishery.
Creekside Outfitters in Waretown has been getting word from anglers that there are keeper Fluke in the Barnegat Inlet to 3 pounds and around some of the close wrecks. The problem has been that many anglers haven’t been out due to the weather and sea conditions. Blowfish has been exceptionally good from the BI to the 42 buoys on clam and cut squid pieces. The shop is having a storewide 25% off sale on Fluke and Gulp this week. Liza said she will be gearing up for False Albacore, Bluefish, and Striped Bass for the fall.
Tony’s Bait & Tackle in Manahawkin reported lots of action in the Barnegat Inlet on small Bluefish and some Striped Bass. Small bucktails and metals have been the most effective lures when targeting these fish. Live Spot have also been working for some small Striped Bass. With the recent weather pattern, it has been a bit to rough for most to venture out so ocean Fluke reports have been minimal. The swells have surely given alot of the Fluke lockjaw. In the bay, Blowfish are abundant off Waretown, Forked River, and around the Causeway bridges. The crabbing has been excellent along the sod banks on the west side of Barnegat Bay and along Beach Haven West.
Fisherman’s Headquarters in Ship Bottom reported small Striped Bass and snapper Bluefish around the Route 72 Causeway bridges at night. Soft plastics or live-lined Peanut Bunker has been working for these 18 to 26 inch bass. Fluke fishing has started to pickup in the ocean at some of the inshore wrecks, but the season does close this Saturday. The store currently has 30% off sale on all Gulp products which can also be used to target Striped Bass, especially in the bay.
Riptide Bait & Tackle in Brigantine reported a variety of species being caught from the surf and the most productive Flounder fishing has come from the North end of Brigantine. Snapper Bluefish and good-sized Pompano have been caught on small pieces of cut bait. Schoolie Striped Bass have been caught in the backwaters around tidal creeks and the jetties along Atlantic City, but this has been strictly a night bite. There is some Mullet starting to move around and Bluefish have been hammering them off the surf.
Fin-Atics in Ocean City reported a slower week due to the rough weather, but the backbay bite still remains strong for Flounder and small Bluefish during the day. Small Sea Bass, Blackfish, and some Triggerfish have been caught along the bridges and rocks. Striped Bass continue to hit 3 to 5 inch soft plastics at night, but these are mostly in the 16 to 25 inch range. They are great on light tackle. The shop is having a sale on kayaks and they recommend stopping by to see their latest specials.
Peace Token Fishing Tackle in Cape May reported slower than normal week on the Fluke front as not too many boats made it out. The jetties from North Wildwood to Cape May have been lively for Blackfish to 17 inches on Green Crab baits. There has been some short Striped Bass hitting poppers and soft plastics in the backwaters during the early morning and evening.
Hands Too Bait & Tackle in Cape May reported Bluefish hitting metals and small Striped Bass off the beachfront on Clams and Mullet. Most of the Striped Bass have been shorts with an occasional 28 to 29 inch bass. Fluke fishing rebounding for boats who made it out to the deepwater reef sites such as Reef Site #11. Anglers working bucktails tipped with Gulp baits caught Fluke to 10 pounds. The owner wanted to let anglers know to pay attention to the store’s Facebook page as they will be running a few Striped Bass gear sales.
South Jersey Fishing Forecast
The best bet for this weekend will be to target Fluke as the season closes Saturday, so get the 4 to 6 oz bucktails and Gulp ready. With all of the weather, I would suggest targeting some of the deeper wrecks from 80 to 140 feet, depending on your location in South Jersey. Inlets will still be in play, but live bait is the key to catching keepers. Be sure to have Mullet or Peanut Bunker.
If your not a flat-fisherman, than the jetties are still a viable option for keeper Blackfish and the tidal creeks and sod bank edges can produce decent bites on short Striped Bass. Small poppers, plugs, and soft plastics worked with the current or during the slack period are the way to go. Bluefish are very cooperative at the inlets on 1/2 to 1oz metals, and they will get you tuned for the fall run of False Albacore. Good Luck, Be Safe, and Tight Lines!