The Sea Bass season officially opened this past week, but most boaters had to contend with a big ocean swell caused by the churning of an offshore storm. The results were mainly positive for boats fishing the deeper wrecks, while the inshore wrecks are far outnumbered by keeper Porgies and Triggerfish. Bluefin Tuna have been caught from some of the inshore ridges along with False Albacore. From talking to the local shops, it seems that most of our coastal South Jersey is teeming with bait which should make for a great Fall. With a change in the temperatures, we are finally getting more Fall like conditions which should jumpstart the fisheries.
South Jersey Fishing Report
Fisherman’s Supply in Point Pleasant had good reports of Blackfish hitting the crabs along the Point Pleasant Canal and rockwalls along the Manasquan Inlet. Striped Bass continue to hit 4 to 6-inch soft plastics and plugs worked around the bridges. Boaters drifting live eels at night in both the Manasquan and Shark River Inlet are producing Striped Bass with some in the keepable range. The inshore reefs and wrecks are showing good signs of Porgies and Sea Bass with local head and charter boats reporting good catches. There was word of some Bluefin surfacing around the Shark River reef, so be sure to have at least one Tuna setup on the boat. The shop reminds anglers that you need to possess a NMFS Tuna permit if you plan on keeping a legal fish.
Capt. Bill’s Landing in Point Pleasant Beach reported Striped Bass picking up live-lined eels in the Point Pleasant Canal during the night and Blackfish hitting S&S Crab jigs during the day. Offshore has been good for Tuna and Albacore for boats trolling around Little Italy and Mahi are abundant everywhere offshore, especially around the Chicken Canyon.
Norma K III in Point Pleasant Beach reported a slow week as the boat was down for maintenance and the skipper did say they will be back at it this coming Saturday targeting Sea Bass.
The MIMI VI out of Point Pleasant has been hitting up the Sea Bass and Porgies at some of the crew’s favorite wrecks. The boat has some last minute spots available for Sea Bass, but it is best to call ahead to see what’s open.
Jersey Hooker Outfitter in Brick reported excellent blowfishing in the backbays and rivers. Anglers have been catching them consistently on clam pieces while chumming heavy. Blackfish have been hitting crab baits and jigs in the Point Pleasant River. There have been small Striped Bass hitting soft plastics around the bridges, but most of the action has been at night.
Grumpy’s Bait & Tackle in Seaside Park reported lots of Mullet invading the surf along with small Bluefish. The shop has been loaded with fresh Mullet which have been good baits for Bluefish off the Island Beach State Park surf. The shop is loaded with live Green Crabs which have been fantastic for Tog off the jetties and along the Point Pleasant Canal. The shop has weighed a couple of Blackfish to 6 pounds.
Lacey Marine in Forked River has Green Crabs for targeting Blackfish and the inlet jetties and pilings are loaded with Tog to 5 pounds. The inshore wrecks have been producing Porgies and Blackfish, with the wrecks to 20 miles out producing keeper Sea Bass. The Barnegat Bay is still loaded with Blowfish and anglers are picking up Striped Bass off the rocks with live baits.
Super Chic in Barnegat Light had a few trips this past week with the start of the Sea Bass season, but the swell has been keeping the bite down. The boat did have the Southern Regional High School fishing club onboard for an overnight canyon trip. The kids of the local club caught Mahi to 12 pounds, lost a tuna, and caught some nice Golden and Blueline Tilefish. The boat will be out the rest of the week targeting Bluefish and Sea Bass.
Creekside Outfitters in Waretown had some nice reports of large quantities of Blowfish hitting clam baits. Most have been in the 3 to 5 inch range, but anglers sticking through the bite have caught ones to 9 inches. Striped Bass have been picking up soft plastics casted along the shadow lines at some of the lighted bridges along with small Sea Bass and Bluefish. Tog have very good on green crabs during the slack tides at Barnegat Inlet. Anglers working the wrecks in the 90 foot range are reporting decent quantities of keeper Sea Bass, Porgies, and Triggerfish.
Tony’s Bait & Tackle in Manahawkin had similar reports to last week with anglers catching small Bluefish around the surf and inlets. The inlet jetties have been very good for Tog fisherman, but make sure only to keep your 1 fish limit. The back-bay bridges are still holding a decent number of finicky Striped Bass and these have been better targeted during the late-night hours. There is a ton of juvenile Bunker around the local lagoons and bridges. The water is still very warm in the bay and crabbing continues to be good.
Fisherman’s Headquarters in Ship Bottom reported a Blowfish smackdown in Barnegat Bay from the Barnegat Inlet to Little Egg Inlets. Anglers have been reporting up to 200 fish for a little more than 2 hours of fishing. Residential Striped Bass are cooperating on soft plastics, plugs, and flies for about an hour for the pre-dawn bite. The inshore & offshore wrecks are producing Porgies, Triggerfish, and Sea Bass.
Riptide Bait & Tackle in Brigantine has lots of fresh Mullet and Blood worms in stock. There has been quite a few Bluefish, Pompano, and Kingfish caught along the beaches. The back-bay areas are holding good numbers of Striped Bass to 22 inches. Some boaters have been finding keeper Striped Bass to 29 inches while drifting live spot or eels during the night. The jetties of Atlantic City are holding good number of Blackfish.
Fin-Atics in Ocean City reported lots of small fish around which has been typical due to the water temperatures this Fall. The surf has been good for small Bluefish, Kingfish, and Pompano. The back-bay bite continues to produce keeper Tog around the 9th street bridges and along the pilings. The inshore reef sites have fair for Sea Bass with wrecks further out producing better results. Mahi are hanging around the Sea Isle Lump, Sea Isle Ridge, and areas in the 15- to 20-mile range. Night time Striped Bass fishing has been very good from the North end around the jetties and bridges in Ocean City.
Peace Token Fishing Tackle in Cape May reported Bluefish hitting metals and Mullet along the Wildwood and Cape May surf. There have been some small Striped Bass hitting soft plastics in the backwaters around any type of structure holding bait.
Hands Too Bait & Tackle in Cape May had reports of quality Sea Bass from the offshore wrecks in 100 feet or deeper. Fresh Clam, salted clam or cut Squid has been the baits of choice. The inshore wrecks have been holding Triggerfish and some keeper Sea Bass. Tog fishing has been relatively slow, but that should improve as the water temperatures begin to drop. The beaches continue to hold lots of Bluefish which are biting mullet rigs and Krocodile metals. There has been some Striped Bass to 30-inches picking up soft plastics and topwaters in the back.
South Jersey Fishing Forecast
The best bet for this weekend may be to stay local and prep all of your gear for the upcoming Striped Bass run. It looks like we may get some remnants of Hurricane Michael, but with it brings cooler Fall like temperatures on the backside. Tog fisherman should still be able to target the jetties, rockpiles, bridges, and pilings to find keeper Tog. Green crabs, Fiddlers, and Asian Shore crabs are excellent baits for these fish. Striped Bass continue to be a good option for anglers looking to target the night-time backwaters, but you may have to wait a day or two for the bays to clean up.
Great reporting keep up the good work. Also, when will you start showing that map with the colors showing where the striped bass are and what size they are.