Southern New Jersey Fishing Report - September 17, 2020

2020 was one of the best fluke fishing seasons in recent memory for almost all of South Jersey.  Unfortunately, “all good things must come to an end” as we have been winded or swelled out of the last two critical weeks of the season.  With the predicted forecast, the inlets may be the only option as the big ground swell has the flatties off the bite.  This past week was one of the slower weeks in terms of ocean reports, but bay action for small striped bass and bluefish began to heat up with the passing cold fronts.  Crisp morning temperatures in the mid to upper 40’s will surely cool down back bay temperatures and facilitate the migration of many different baits.  Tog fishing is still doing well off the jetty rocks and they are a blast for catch-and-release after you box your 1-fish limit.

Here is this week’s rundown:

Creekside Outfitters in Waretown reported some triggerfish being caught from the jetties off Barnegat Light.  Tog fishing has been good off the inlet, but you must put your time in to box keepers.  The ocean fluke bite has been tough of late due to the ocean swell, but anglers are still picking at fish in the bay and inlet.  The season is set to close this Saturday, so hopefully the weather will allow for some final hour fishing.

Bobbies Boats in Barnegat Light still has boats to rent as there is plenty of action in the bay.  Small bluefish, pufferfish, and a few weakfish have been caught from some of the rental boats.  The fluke season ends this Saturday, and some of the areas close to the shop are perfect places to drift.

Reel Reaction Sportfishing out of Waretown / Barnegat Light reported some success on a recent scouting trip for the 3hr light tackle evening charters.  The crew found striped bass, fluke, bluefish, and even some small sea bass.  The striper fishing should get better as the temperatures begin to slide.

The Super Chic out of Barnegat Light a tough go this past week as the large groundswell has made the fluke resistant on the bite.  The skipper has some dates available for fall sea bass and striped bass.

Fisherman’s Headquarters on Long Beach Island reported some weakfish being landed from the area bridges during the late-night shift.  Most of the action has been on small soft plastics and there have been blues and small stripers in the mix.  The ocean reports have been a little slow due to the adverse sea conditions with not many anglers getting out.  Tog fishing remains solid along the Barnegat inlet and most are picking keepers on green crab.

Absecon Bay Sportsman in Absecon reported a slower week as winds and heavy ground swells has literally shut the door on the last days of the summer flounder season.  There has been some striped bass caught in the back marshes on soft plastics and poppers during the early morning and dusk hours.  Tog fishing is still very good off the jetty rocks in Atlantic City.

Offshore Bait & Tackle in Atlantic City had a slower week as most fluke fishermen have been stuck in the bay due to the sea conditions.  There has been lots of bait moving around with mullet, peanut bunker, and spearing starting to stage.  The inlets have been the best places to produce flounder as well as keeper tog off the rocks.

Fin-Atics in Ocean City reported decent Tog fishing along the bridges and jetty rocks from Longport to Sea Isle City.  Flounder fishing has been excellent at front, but the winds and swell have been a season-ending damper on the fishing as of late.  The surf continues to provide good action on small bluefish, flounder, and kingfish.

Badfish Charters in Ocean City has been fishing the back creeks and marshes targeting schoolie striped bass and the skipper has been finding them.  They have some prime dates available for the fall, so give them a ring.

Sea Isle Bait & Tackle in Sea Isle City said the mullet run is in full swing as anglers can cast net traveling mullet off the inlet and beaches.  There are some nice striped bass that have been eating baits during the night bite.  The recent swell has the ocean fluke on the “hit or miss” kind of bite.

Avalon Hodge Podge in Avalon had some decent reports of small striped bass and bluefish along some of the back channels.  The key is to work the “marshy” areas where the creek mouths are located.  Some of the same areas are still holding sheepshead.  Unfortunately, the heavy ground swell has made it difficult for most anglers to get out and has made for tough feeding conditions for the summer flounder.  The shop has plenty of fresh mullet baits in stock as the run has begun.

Peace Token Fishing Tackle in Cape May Court House reported Delaware beach action on small weakfish, croakers, and snapper bluefish.  Boat anglers able to work some of the common areas (Old Grounds, Reef Site #11) are finding keeper flounder.

Jim’s Bait & Tackle in Cape May had some anglers working the reef sites for keeper flounder, but the fish have been off the bite due to the recent swells.  The Delaware Bay has plenty of action on weakfish, croaker, spot, and some flounder.  Crabbing should get better after the New moon for anglers looking for blue claws.

Greenhorn Outdoors in Bridgeton reported some good fishing for croakers, weakfish, and spot around the Egg Island Point Light and Maurice River Buoy #1.  The creeks have been good for small striped bass and white perch.  The shop has a full line of your fall fishing items as striped bass fishing should get even better.

South Jersey Fishing Forecast

This might be the toughest weekend to fluke fish as the current forecast model is predicting high northeast winds from Friday through Monday.  It’s a shame as Saturday is New Jersey’s last day to keep fluke for the 2020 year.  But if you’re not ready to throw in the towel and can weather the winds, hitting the inlets safely by foot or boat will be your best chances to box keeper flatties.  Fluke are still exiting the bays and will use inlets as their highways to the ocean.  I recommend working the edges of the jetties or inlet structures to give you the best possible chance of catching.  These same areas, within rocks, can be great places to locate keeper Tog — so don’t forget the green crabs or sand fleas.  Unfortunately, with the forecast pretty much all anglers will be stuck in the bays, so try to make the best of it.  Good Luck, Be Safe, and Tight Lines!