We had a rough go this past week as the northeasterly storm created some dirty water conditions over the weekend and a leftover swell for the better part of the week. The fishing was very tough at the beginning of the week but slowly started to rebound. This is the perfect time of year to cast-net peanut bunker and mullet for a variety of late-summer species. Weakfish have been caught in most locations in South Jersey, although the numbers aren’t great at least they are around. Sheepshead, triggerfish, and blackfish are great species to target during specific parts of the tide.
Fishing Report for Southern New Jersey
Creekside Outfitters in Waretown reported a slowdown on the ocean bite as the groundswell triggered a severe lockjaw on shorts and keepers at most of the reef sites. Anglers fishing several hours reported less than a dozen total fish. On the bayside, there are still plenty of cooperative blowfish and crabs to keep the little ones busy.
Bobbies Boats in Barnegat Light had a slower weekend with the storm, but some of the rental boats during the week reported some short fluke, pufferfish, and crabs around. The shop did weigh-in a solid 9.25-pound fluke caught with one of their big minnows. Some anglers were able to catch short and keeper tog using green crabs at the inlet and the shop carries live greenies.
Reel Reaction Sportfishing out of Waretown / Barnegat Light reported a slower weekend due to cancellations from the Nor’easter. The crew got out a two days after the storm to have clients box 6 nice keeper fluke 5 pounds from the ocean. Another trip in the bay produced 5 keepers for the Steve Ross family. The skipper has weekday afternoon / magic hour skiff trips available through the month of September and October. These focus on striped bass, bluefish, and potentially weakfish caught in the back bay areas.
Fisherman’s Headquarters on Long Beach Island reported a slow week for most fisheries as the weekend’s storm churned up the LBI waters. The blowfish and crab bite stayed strong directly after the storm, and by mid-week, the bay fluking started to recover. The shop reported good catches of short fluke around the inlet and some tog off the rocks. The store has cast-nets as this is the time of year to catch peanut bunker and mullet.
Absecon Bay Sportsman in Absecon received good reports of fluke feeding on peanut bunker around the some of the back estuaries. Capt. Dave was out netting some finger mullet which are perfect for fluke and also caught some striped bass to 24 inches. The Atlantic City jetties have been producing some decent numbers of fluke, kingfish, and tog. The offshore action was slowed due to the recent storm.
Offshore Bait & Tackle in Atlantic City had slower reports this week due to the storm. There have been some tog caught off the local jetties on green crabs. With the yellowfin tuna bite on fire to the North, the shop is hoping the solid northeast winds have pushed some tuna down to the South. There has been some nice wahoo caught on the edges of the canyons prior to the blow.
Fin-Atics in Ocean City has been busy at the shop as the bay and ocean has been excellent for the better part of the season. The weekend’s storm put a halt on the ocean fluke and sea bass bite, but fish are still picking up baits in the bay. Anglers working the Corson and Townsends inlet are picking up a variety of fish (striped bass, flounder, weakfish, etc) and crabs are producing sheepshead and tog.
Badfish Charters in Ocean City worked some of the dinner time tides to produce flounder, striped bass, and weakfish. The skipper caught some amazing sunsets during his expeditions. Capt. Brian has dates available August and September for flounder and striped bass.
Sea Isle Bait & Tackle in Sea Isle City had a nice 4.5 pounder weighed in this past week which caught around the Townsend Inlet on live minnows. There have been some more fluke caught in the bay in the 22-inch range and it seems the bay bite was less affected than the ocean. The past week’s blow dulled the ocean bite and fluke have finally begun to bite at the wrecks. Weakfish and striped bass were caught in the back and the bridges / tidal creeks are the areas to target.
Avalon Hodge Podge in Avalon had a fresh batch of green crabs arrive as the tog fishing is good along the jetties and inshore wrecks. Many anglers can quickly get 1-fish limits and even cull their catches for bigger white-chins. Flounder fishing in the back and out front resumed after the past weekend storm. The wrecks are slowly coming back online and working bucktails close to the structure is the best way to catch keepers. The shop hasn’t received much word on
Peace Token Fishing Tackle in Cape May Court House reported slower fishing off the wrecks during the past week. The offshore canyon bite restarted and some boats reported numbers of yellowfin and mahi. The backwaters are still producing short fluke along with keepers, but fish are definitely pushing out.
Jim’s Bait & Tackle in Cape May had reports of fluke starting to bite again from reef site #11 and some of the other reef sites. It’s been slow on fish, but there are keepers around. Bucktails tipped with 6-inch Gulp baits are the best choice for anglers. Yellowfin and mahi are still picking up trolled spreader bars and small tuna feathers. Anglers working the surf had a tough week as the water has been dirty due to the storm, but prior catches were flounder, weakfish, croakers, and some kingfish.
Greenhorn Outdoors in Bridgeton reported good flounder bites along some of the obstructions and wrecks in Delaware Bay in the 30-foot depths. Anglers working jigs or rigs tipped with Gulp are producing as well as rigs tipped with minnows. Crabbing is on fire from the Cohansey to Fortescue along some of the back creeks and fresh bunker is the bait of choice.
South Jersey Fishing Forecast
The best bet for the weekend will be to hit the ocean wrecks and reef sites as the ocean fishing should rebound. The week of stable weather should help as the fish have slowly begun to bite after the storm. Anglers should be using large strip baits or Gulp baits tipped on bucktails, jigs, or rigs. The placement of these lures are critical to catching as these need to be right on or next to the wrecks. Anglers looking to hit the offshore areas will have a nice window for Saturday and yellowfin have been on the feed. If the bite is tough, hit the pots or markers for mahi and don’t forget to bring the minnows or peanut bunker. I have seen lots of sharks over the past two weeks during my ocean fluke charters, so anglers looking to play catch-n-release should have no problems. Good Luck, Be Safe, and Tight Lines!