We had a tough week on the ocean with large swells caused by a “very” active Atlantic and several tropical systems generated big waves and higher than normal tides for most of South Jersey. Many anglers were only able to fish the bay waters which have been a little dirty due to the heavy chop. Most of the jetties are producing decent tog bites and anglers can easily bag their 1-fish limit of these tasty fish. With the cooler temperatures, most have seen a rise in the number of striped bass hitting artificials worked during the evening tides. Some areas of Cape May County are experiencing good kingfish, croaker, and spot action off the beaches.
Here is this week’s rundown:
Creekside Outfitters in Waretown reported an excellent bite for tog off the inlet jetties and blowfish are still biting in the backwaters. Anglers reported some weakfish in the Myers hole area around the inlet and also between the BB and BI buoys. The bay has a good amount of snapper bluefish chasing spearing and mullet.
Bobbies Boats in Barnegat Light received a fresh shipment of green crabs and will have spot for the upcoming fall. Vince said Tog fishing has been very good off the Barnegat Inlet jetties and back towards the condominiums.
Reel Reaction Sportfishing out of Waretown / Barnegat Light has geared up both vessels for fall fishing. The skipper will be running light tackle back bay trips for striped bass, weakfish, and blues on the skiff and trips for sea bass, tog, and striped bass on the Parker. This past week clients were in the bay catching bluefish and keeper blowfish for the table.
The Super Chic out of Barnegat Light has been dockside due to the recent sea conditions, but the skipper is looking to get offshore for the September and October tuna bite. There are dates available for fall sea bass and tog, so give them a call.
Fisherman’s Headquarters on Long Beach Island reported a solid bite for Tog off the inlet jetties and some of the submerged rock piles off the beaches. The beaches have started to come alive for short striped bass and bluefish, especially during the last 2 hours of daylight. Anglers have been waiting to get offshore as the tuna bite should resuming in the canyons.
Absecon Bay Sportsman in Absecon reported an uptick on the striped bass fishing around some of the sod banks and tidal creeks. Bass are hitting lead heads tipped with the Gulp Nemesis baits and there has also been a good amount 10- to 15-inch snapper bluefish. Tog has been absolutely outstanding off the inlet jetties for Atlantic City and tog jigs tipped with green crabs are the top baits.
Offshore Bait & Tackle in Atlantic City reported a slower week for boaters due to the high seas and winds, but bay anglers have still been able to cash in on the action. Striped Bass and bluefish are actively feeding at most of the sod bends and cuts during the last stages of the incoming and first hour of the outgoing. Anglers working the jetty walls and rocks off Atlantic City are finding generous amounts of tog with a good number of keepers in the mix. Anglers have had an easy time of boxing their 1-fish limit.
Fin-Atics in Ocean City has received similar reports an excellent tautog fishing from most of the rocks, jetties, and bridges. The water temperatures have the fish very active on the bite and the shop recommends being ready as soon as the bait hits the bottom. The sod banks, sedges, and tidal creeks have been prime locations to target morning or evening striped bass.
Badfish Charters in Ocean City has been having a blast in the back creeks and estuary as lots of bait are starting to move and striped bass are responded. The bay temperatures have been in the mid-60’s which has helped the bite as the skipper has been working some of his choice spots. They have some openings for the fall, so give Capt. Brian a ring to book your date.
Sea Isle Bait & Tackle in Sea Isle City had excellent reports of anglers catching tautog around the brides, rockpiles, and piers over the past week. Green crabs or fiddlers tipped on tog jigs have been the bait of choice. The fish are very active right now with the temperatures in the mid-60’s. Striped bass and bluefish have been terrorizing pods of peanut bunker and mullet. Topwater or small swimming plugs are perfect for targeting these fish.
Avalon Hodge Podge in Avalon had good reports of striped bass and bluefish hitting topwater poppers along some of the bends in the sod banks during the slack high tides. There has been lots of mullet movement over the past week and hungry blues and bass have been on their tails. The offshore scene has been slow due to the high winds and seas, but anglers should still have some nice shots at mahi at some of the offshore pots and floating structure.
Peace Token Fishing Tackle in Cape May Court House reported small striped bass, bluefish, and some weakfish being landed during the night tides. Areas with lights and structure have been holding bait and are great places to work small soft plastics. The tautog bite has been excellent over the past week from the jetty rocks. The shop has a full selection of tog jigs to get in on the fall action.
Jim’s Bait & Tackle in Cape May had good reports of tautog from the jetties and rock piles around the Cape May inlet and some of the bridge areas. Green crabs tipped on jig heads or rigs are prime baits during this part of the season. Striped bass and small bluefish continue to keep anglers busy from some of the sod banks on the West side of the bay and some of bridge structures are great places to work soft plastics during the early morning or evening slack high tides.
Greenhorn Outdoors in Bridgeton reported kingfish, croakers and spot continuing to pick up small pieces of bloodworm or Fishbites off the Delaware bay beaches and most of Cape May. The recent winds made fishing particularly tough this past week, but anglers were still able to fish some of the protected tidal creeks for striped bass and white perch.
South Jersey Fishing Forecast
The winds and weather for this weekend finally look doable for anglers to head offshore and pry the canyons for mahi and yellowfin. Mid to late September is usually a great time of year to target offshore pelagics and don’t forget to bring minnows or live peanut bunker, as mahi love them. The best bet for inshore anglers will be to stay local to our inlets and beaches as tog and schoolie striped bass have been very cooperative. Plugs, metals, and epoxy jigs are perfect lures to work around the surf and inlets. I wouldn’t be surprised if a few anglers find false albacore or bonito off some of the northern beaches. The tog bite is perfect for anglers looking to relax on the rocks, docks, or piers as anglers can easily catch a good amount during this month and October. Use 1/2- to 1-ounce Tog jigs tipped with green crabs during the last parts of the incoming and first parts of the outgoing. Good Luck, Be Safe, and Tight Lines!