Things are beginning to heat up and I’m not talking about the temperatures. Larger striped bass have officially arrived in many parts of South Jersey, with fish to 47 inches being released. Anglers trolling mojos and bunker spoons have began finding cooperative fish from Cape May to Island Beach State Park. A good sign for future seasons is the mix of different size classes seen by anglers this year as there has been good variance in sizes. Hopefully, this translates into good year classes for our future. Saturday is the big day as the sea bass season opens with lots of anglers hoping to target inshore structure for large humpheads. Next week will provide another opening with the summer flounder season beginning May 22nd, so fluke anglers should get their gear ready.
Here is this week’s rundown:
Lacey Marine in Forked River had some reports of some big striped bass being caught off the beaches of Long Beach Island and Island Beach State Park. Anglers chunking bunker have been doing the best at the northern part of LBI. Crabbing has been getting better for parts of the upper Barnegat bay and the local commercial crabbers have been reporting better numbers.
Creekside Outfitters in Waretown received reports of bluefin within a few miles of the beaches off Manasquan Inlet and reminds anglers that you must possess a NOAA permit and report any bluefin catches. There has been some bigger bluefish landed around the inlet to 12 pounds and striped bass to 27 inches are still hitting in the backwaters.
Reel Reaction Sportfishing out of Waretown/Barnegat Light ran a few bay trips over the weekend to produce striped bass to 26 inches on light-tackle artificials and bait. The skipper has the skiff ready for the upcoming summer fluke opener.
The Super Chic out of Barnegat Light will be officially starting the sea bass season this Saturday with trips booked from return clients. The skipper plans on targeting sea bass and ling at some of his favorite wrecks.
Tony’s Bait & Tackle in Manahawkin reported bluefish being caught around the inlets along with a few striped bass on fresh bunker chunks. Anglers working clam baits from Little Egg Inlet to the old stink-house have been finding some nice black drum along with striped bass. Customers have been stopping in the shop to pick up clam baits for the upcoming sea bass season opener and the weather looks great through the weekend.
One Stop Bait & Tackle in Atlantic City has anglers dialed in on weakfish to 5 pounds with bloodworms and soft plastics as the top baits. Striped bass to 42 inches are beginning to be caught from the jetties as the AC area gets another wave of fish according to shop owner Noel. Surf fisherman have even reported a few kingfish in the mix on pieces of bloodworm, but it’s still early for those.
Tackle Direct in Egg Harbor Township continued to receive good news on weakfish as the bite has been very good for parts of the Sea Isle and Ocean City bay areas. The bridges have been an excellent spots to try, but you need to hit the hours of dawn and dusk with no boat traffic. The bite has been on when traffic is slow. Striped bass to 40 inches have started to be landed from the beach and boats as more bass migrated into our areas. Bluefishing is a little slow on the larger size class, but there has been more numbers of cocktails around.
Tight Lines Bait & Tackle in Somers Point had some quality reports of drum, weakfish, and striped bass being caught in the bay. There were no specific locations given, but the shop said to target some of the deeper drop-offs. Bloodworms, kettle creek and Zoom soft plastics have been working for weakfish during the early and late evening tides. Drum chum is the way to go to bring the boomers to your boat and don’t be surprised if a few bass follow the slick.
Sterling Harbor in Wildwood said there was good word of nice bass moving into the Delaware bay and along the Cape May beaches. Anglers plugging the suds have found striped bass up to 38 inches on 6 to 7 inch swimmers. Boaters chumming clam are also finding some nice drum up to 70 pounds. The bridges and some of the bay channels are supporting solid weakfish action during the quiet hours of the morning and evening.
Cape May Bait & Tackle in Cape May reported a solid week for anglers targeting drum in the Delaware Bay with a good number of fish being reported. There have been some weigh-ins in the 50 to 60 pound range. Some of the usual sloughs have been good and most days anglers will see a fleet of boats working the bay. Striped bass fishing has gotten better with some bigger fish filtering through our area. Plugs, chunked bunker, and eels have been working on these fish. Most anglers are awaiting the opening on the sea bass season which occurs this Saturday, so get your rigs and clam ready.
South Jersey Fishing Forecast
Sea bass, sea bass, and more sea bass which is on the minds of most Jersey anglers is probably the best bet for the weekend. I would recommend getting out early and hitting your nearest wrecks. Limits should be pretty easy the first week, so when limited, be polite and move off for the next guy. Striped bass trolling is in full swing with migratory schools arriving in our area. Mojos and bunker spoons have been working equally well. If you like the tranquility of the morning or evenings, then targeting weakfish would be the best bet. There was quite a few 5 pound fish caught this week from Atlantic City south to Sea Isle and be sure to work the bridges with soft plastics or suspended bloodworms. Anglers in the extreme southern part of our state will find cooperative drum, so anchoring and getting the slick going will produce. If your new to Cape May drumming, check out YouTube as there are quite a few videos to get you in the game. Good Luck, Be Safe, and Tight Lines!
NICE weakie!