Now that tautog season is finished, anglers have begun to focus on the re-opening on our black sea bass season (May 15th) and the summer flounder season opening May 22nd. This past week striped bass up to 32 inches have been more cooperative along the beaches and Cape May is starting to see better numbers of bigger bass as the Delaware river post-spawners round the tip. Drum fishing has been better since the last moon phase in April and the next several weeks should be “game on” for the boomers of the night. Bluefish continue to entertain most jetty and inlet fisherman with the incoming tide being the best bet to find them. Weakfish, weakfish, and more weakfish are being landed from jetties and bay areas from Atlantic City to Cape May. Unfortunately or fortunately, the word is out on the weeks.
Fishing Report For Southern New Jersey
Lacey Marine in Forked River received some word of summer flounder being landed off the south jetty of Barnegat Inlet and off the north end surf. Anglers released the fish, but it’s a great sign that they are in the area. Bluefish have been sporadic at Barnegat Inlet, but much better from the railroad bridge in the Manasquan. Striped bass are around in the bay with anglers finding better action during the early morning or evening hours.
Creekside Outfitters in Waretown in Waretown had another solid week of striped bass reports in the backwaters and along the bridges off Long Beach Island. Crabbing has started with more coming out of the mud after the past moon phase. Bluefish have been hitting on the incoming tide around the north and south jetties with metals and a few boats reported backwater action.
Reel Reaction Charters out of Waretown and Barnegat Light was out for a few trips over the weekend and the skipper was able to put clients on striped bass to 26 inches. Most of the fish came from shallow water areas on live bait and S&S Rock Hoppers tipped with grub tails.
Want to get in on the bite? Find an OTW-approved Charter Fishing Captain for New Jersey.
The Super Chic out of Barnegat Light will be starting the season for the opening of sea bass and the crew is looking forward to getting back on the water.
Tony’s Bait & Tackle in Manahawkin had some reports of small bass and a few lone bluefish from the LBI bridges. 3 to 4 inch soft plastics tipped on light jig heads worked along the shadow lines are producing the best results. Striped bass and bluefish have also been caught from the north and south ends of the island. Crabbing has been getting better along the west side of Barnegat bay.
One Stop Bait & Tackle in Atlantic City remarked that anglers have been dialed into the AC bass with quality keepers coming off the jetties. Plugs, plastics, and jumbo bloodworms have been doing most of the damage. But the big news the past week have been the jumbo weakfish caught on worms and some have been in the 5 to 7-pound range.
Tackle Direct in Egg Harbor City received quality reports of weakfish being landed from Atlantic City and Sea Isle City with some being in the five-pound range. Bloodworms, small swimshads, and soft plastic finesse have been the hot baits. Striped bass are being caught with more regularity from the surf compared to last week.
Tight Lines Bait & Tackle in Somers Point received a nice order of Bass Assassins which have been the hottest lure this spring for weakfish and striped bass. Anglers are also bagging some bluefish from the inlets on small metal lures. Clam and bunker soaking from the suds produced a few bass in the 32-inch range along with unwanted dogfish.
Sterling Harbor in Wildwood had some nice weakfish being reporting from the jetties. Striped bass fishing has been very good in the Delaware Bay with some nicer-sized fish moving in. Small bass are still being landed in the back bays, along sod banks, bridges, and around some of the docks. Soft plastics or clam baits have been the ticket. The drum bite has kicked off and anglers working the clam slicks are producing in the evening. The water has been a little dirty but should improve as will the bite.
Cape May Bait & Tackle in Cape May reported weakfish being landed on bloodworm from the local jetties along the Delaware bay. There are also some keeper striped bass around on bloodworm and pink soft plastics. Drum fishing has been getting better along the bayshore channel and the shop is one of the sponsors for the Villas Fishing Club’s annual drum tournament which is scheduled for this Friday and Saturday. Anglers can call the shop for detailed information.
Want to get in on the bite? Find an OTW-approved Charter Fishing Captain for New Jersey.
South Jersey Fishing Forecast
There are quite a few options for a sure-fire fish-catching weekend with the Cape May area being on top of the list. If you choose the road to Cape May, then grab soft plastics and blood worms as these are the best bets to find weakfish and striped bass. The DE bayside jetties are the locations to be around the top of the tides. Boaters in the area will have good shots at bay drum when anchoring along some of the shallow – deep depth changes as drum will move off some of the shallow flats during the tide. Anglers after bluefish should look more north with areas from Long Beach Island to Manasquan producing better results. The Atlantic County area has been producing weakfish, striped bass, and some bluefish from most of the inlet areas. Good Luck, Be Safe, and Tight Lines!
