Southern New Jersey Fishing Report - October 25, 2018

We are finally seeing some good Striped Bass water temperatures, especially in the back bays. The outgoing tides have been proving better with the cooler temperatures as these have the bass on the feed. The inlets and adjacent jetties have been very good areas to target. False Albacore and Bonito have been taking metals off the surf and from the boats. Seaside to Long Beach Island have reported consistent action on these fish. Although it has been very challenging for most due to the winds, the inshore wrecks and rock-piles seem to be loaded with good quantities of Sea Bass, Blackfish, and Porgies. With the Halloween approaching next week, hopefully mother nature has pulled its last “trick” of the season with this weekend’s predicted coastal storm, and we’ll be treated to some great fishing for the rest of the fall.

South Jersey Fishing Report

Fisherman’s Supply in Point Pleasant had very solid reports of jumbo Porgy and Sea Bass action occurring from most of the wreck and reef sites within the 55- to 80-foot depth ranges. Some of the bigger Sea Bass have been hitting AVA and other diamond jigs with reckless abandon. Slender metal jigs have been devastating on False Albacore and Bonito when worked off of the beaches of Seaside. There has been lots of bird-play and the fish are moving fast as Long Beach Island has also been reporting action. Striped Bass fishing is getting better with bigger fish starting to be caught on the troll from the Shrewsbury rocks south to Seaside. Most of these fish are on or close to the 3-mile line, and are being caught on trolled Bunker Spoons and Mojo’s. Jason said the “run” has started, but we just need some lighter winds so anglers can make it out.

Capt. Bill’s Landing in Point Pleasant Beach had good reports of False Albacore action off the beaches and some decent Striped Bass action from the Manasquan and Shark River inlets. The bridges have also been producing good quantities of Striped Bass at night around these areas. Soft plastics, plugs, and live eels have all been effective. The Point Pleasant Canal has been very good on Blackfish over the past week.

Norma K III in Point Pleasant Beach has been out of action due to a mechanical engine issue in which the diesel mechanics have been working on with purpose. The boat should be back into action this upcoming week, but it is still best to call them for the most updated information.

The Gambler out of Point Pleasant Beach reported a tough go with the weather this past week as most of the offshore canyon trips had to be rescheduled. The crews feels the cooler temperatures will have the tuna more concentrated in the coming weeks. November should be good for Yellowfin and Longfin tuna, so if interested call the boat for dates.

The MIMI VI out of Point Pleasant has been making it out to the local wrecks targeting Black Sea Bass and dinner-plate sized Porgies. The Porgy bite has been exceptional the past few weeks. The boat has some open dates available starting with this Friday with a 7 a.m. departure.

Jersey Hooker Outfitter in Brick reported Striped Bass and Bluefish being caught on artificials in the Manasquan Inlet and slightly further back. Bluefish have been up to 21 inches and Striped Bass to 31 inches. The Point Pleasant Canal has been holding a considerable amount of Tautog on both crab-baited rigs and jigs.

Grumpy’s Bait & Tackle in Seaside Park reported some Tog being caught off the Manasquan and Shark River inlet jetties. Some of the Tog have weighed close to 3 pounds. Striped Bass have been hitting baits better during the dawn hours and there have been some Bonito caught along the Seaside beaches. The shop is loaded with fresh Mullet, Clams, and Bunker baits.

Lacey Marine in Forked River had good reports of schoolie Striped Bass action from Oyster Creek to the bridges of Route 72. Small Stripers have been popping and picking picking off Mullet and Peanut Bunker around these areas. Storeowner Dan said it’s best to target them with small 4- to 5-inch plugs or soft plastics in pink or white, especially around when the wind drops out.

Super Chic in Barnegat Light had similar reports as last week in terms of good action on keeper Sea Bass and Porgies with anglers able to get their limits. The winds have made it tough to get out and some trip rescheduling has occurred.

Creekside Outfitters in Waretown reported Striped Bass starting to show up off of Seaside this past week. Some of the fish have approached the 40-inch mark with a majority of them being caught on trolled Bunker Spoon or Mojo rig. Big Sea bass are being caught on alot of the wrecks off Long Beach Island south to the Atlantic City reef. There are some bigger Bluefish off Seaside and in the inlets. False Albacore have been hitting 1/2 to 1 oz metals in the inlets, surf, and from the jetties. The back bay is still producing a fair number of Blowfish.

Tony’s Bait & Tackle in Manahawkin reported Striped Bass around the bridges at night and Blowfish still biting in the back bays. Some anglers have been doing very well on schoolie Striped Bass just north of the Route 72 bridges around some of the marsh islands. There has been a good quantity of bait around to keep these fish active. The offshore bite has started to heat up on Bluefin Tuna which are being landed from the Mud Hole to the Chicken Canyon. The wind has kept the vast majority of offshore tuna anglers tied to the dock.

Fisherman’s Headquarters in Ship Bottom had multiple anglers stopping in the shop to pick up small metals for False Albacore and Bonita which have inundated our area. Striped Bass are behind these fish and should make for a great November. Savy anglers have been catching Stripers on eels at night around the island Sedges and some of the deeper holes near Barnegat and Holgate inlets. The inshore wrecks and reef sites are still loaded with a good number of keeper Sea Bass and Tog.

Riptide Bait & Tackle in Brigantine remarked that boaters continue to do well in the back waters around Brigantine. Most of these fish have been caught on Live Spot during the day and Eels at night with fish to 33 inches being landed. It seems most of the bigger fish are biting towards the bottom of the tide. Soft plastics in the 4- to 6-inch range have been producing a fair number of Striped Bass in the back with the Gulp Nemesis in New Penny being “red-hot”.

Fin-Atics in Ocean City reported cooler temperatures have dropped the back-bay water temperatures and provided a tremendous uptick on Striped Bass activity. There have been tons of schoolie Stripers caught around the bridges at night with some keepers approaching 31 inches. The inlet, jetties, rockpiles, and pilings are still producing very good Tog action on live Green Crab. The Ocean City and Great Egg reef sites continue to provide quality Sea Bass action for boaters.

Peace Token Fishing Tackle in Cape May reported a continued pickup on the Sea Bass fishing, but the only issue has been the uncooperative sea conditions. The inshore wrecks are still producing a good number of Sea Bass, Triggers, and Porgies. Small Bluefish have been caught around the Cape May rips and Ferry terminal entrance. Schoolie Striped Bass are being caught in the backwaters of Cape May and Wildwood on drifted Live Spot or anchored Clam. Anglers throwing soft plastics around the inlet rock structures are picking up small Bluefish and the occasional Striper.

Hands Too Bait & Tackle in Cape May had fresh mullet deliveries over the weekend and anglers have been using Mullet rigs to catch 2- to 5-pound Bluefish and Striped Bass to 26 inches. Sea Bass continue to hit clam and diamond jigs off of the inshore wrecks in the 100 foot depths, along with Triggerfish and some Porgies. Anglers casting pieces of Bloodworm or clam have been hooking Kingfish off the Wildwood and Cape May beaches.

South Jersey Fishing Forecast

The best bet for this weekend for most non-hardcore anglers would be to throw in the towel as Saturday looks like a total washout. Some fishermen will continue to target Tog off the local jetties and brave the surf conditions prior to the storm Saturday morning. I would bet you would find some feeding fish with the dropping barometer. Sunday will be a rebound day, but the jetties, docks, and pilings will still be in play for keeper blackfish. Another safe option would be to fish the bridges from land during the night tides as they should give you good opportunities to bend the rod on schoolie striped bass and small bluefish under the lights. It’s definitely not a boating weekend, so land-locked anglers get the “W” this weekend. Good Luck, Be Safe, and Tight Lines!