We have had epic fishing on all fronts this past week with lots of keeper fluke being landed on the reef sites, yellowfin tuna at the mid-range lumps and good numbers of fluke in the bays. Most areas have been experiencing excellent fluke fishing closer to the inlets and outside on the inshore structure pieces. The surf has been good for short fluke, cownose rays, and sharks at night. Beachgoers on Island Beach State Park witnessed a white marlin chasing bait in the surf zone which was all over social media during the past week. The inlets and bridges have been holding some nice sheepshead, schoolie striped bass, and tog. Recently, the state of NJ has updated the Cobia regulations to one fish at 37 inches or greater.
Fishing Report For Southern New Jersey
Lacey Marine in Forked River received great reports of yellowfin tuna being landed at the mid-shore lumps and Spanish mackerel trolled up on the Barnegat ridge. Fluke fishing has been excellent from Axel Carlson and surrounding areas and anglers making the run from Barnegat Inlet have been rewarded with quick limits of fluke. There has been some schools of small bluefish around the inlet during the incoming tides.
Creekside Outfitters in Waretown had reports of pelagics being caught around the mid-shore lumps over the past week. Anglers trolling spreaders, clark spoons, and feathers have been doing well, especially during the early morning. Fluke fishing was solid along the main channels in the bay and at the ocean reef sites. The shop has seen some nice fluke up to 7 pounds being weighed in at the shop. Bay blowfishing has heated up and anglers reported good numbers of puffers in the back bay.
Reel Reaction Sportfishing out of Waretown/Barnegat Light has been running 2 to 3 charters a day and has been producing between 4 to 7 keepers per 4 hour trip. Both the bay and ocean have been producing consistently and the charters will begin to focus more on the ocean as the bite has begun to heat up.
The Super Chic out of Barnegat Light has been running charters for a few different species depending on their clients preference. Over the past week, the inshore tuna trips have been producing good numbers of yellowfin tuna. Capt. Ted ran a couple of those trips and then a few bottom trips for fluke which produced good numbers of keepers to 6 pounds. The skipper added that the website has been updated, so check it out.
Tony’s Bait & Tackle in Manahawkin reported local offshore canyon action has been hot for yellowfin tuna with trolling and jigging working equally. Anglers throwing metals just outside the Barnegat Inlet found cooperative bluefish and Spanish mackerel. On the inshore and surf shark scene, there have been good numbers of sand tigers, black tips, and threshers. The reef sites have been producing more on the keeper front. Crabbing has been pretty good towards the west part of the bay and around the lagoons.
One Stop Bait & Tackle in Atlantic City reported a good week off the jetties with some nice flounder being landed on Gulp and minnows. A few anglers stopped in and reported yellowfin tuna being landed at the mid-shore lumps. The great MJ was in town last weekend for the Jimmy Johnson tournament and his boat ended up landing a 120-lb white marlin.
Tackle Direct in Egg Harbor City reported flounder fishing has been hot on the incoming tides around some of the bridges and main channels of the ICW. The shop added if you planning on bringing some home, then upsize to bigger baits to target keeper fluke. Offshore action has been excellent in the canyons and boats have been consistently limiting out on yellowfin. The state of NJ recently updated their cobia rules, so be sure to pay attention as they are around.
Tight Lines Bait & Tackle in Somers Point had some nice fluke being weighed in at the shop which were taken on Gulp from the Atlantic City reef. The AC reef has been red hot for keeper fluke and bucktails tipped with 6-inch Gulp has been the lure of choice. There are good numbers of sheepsheads and dropping crab around the bridges or bay sod-banks. The offshore bite for yellowfin has been red hot and the shop just received a shipment of butterfish and sardines.
Sterling Harbor in Wildwood was busy over the past weekend as the shop ran their annual Duke of Fluke tournament. The biggest fluke was 7 1/2 pounds for the tournament and the five heaviest was just over 22 pounds. Anglers not fishing for fluke reported decent action on weakfish, sheepshead, and some small striped bass around the bridges.
Cape May Bait & Tackle in Cape May said anglers are reporting plenty of flounder off the beaches in Cape May, however most of them are shorts. The CM surf and jetties are producing kingfish, croakers, and weakfish on bloodworms. There has also been a few snapper bluefish showing up as well. Keeper flounder are showing at the Cape May and Wildwood reef sites and anglers fishing bucktails tipped with Gulp or squid strips are producing. The 5-fathom lump has been producing Spanish mackerel and bluefish on trolled or jigged lures. The canyons, especially Wilmington and Baltimore, have been red hot for yellowfin tuna on the troll.
South Jersey Forecast
It looks like we have another full weekend of options for anglers fishing South Jersey. Anglers looking to score some yellowfin steaks should hit the inshore and offshore canyons. Jigs, cut sardines, butterfish or trolled spreaders are the top choices to box a good number of tuna. Flounder or fluke fisherman should specifically target two areas to find keepers with the reef sites and inlets being the locations to hit. Bucktails tipped with large Gulp or strips of bait are the definite way to go to find keepers. The Axel Carlson, Atlantic City, and Wildwood reef site have been excellent for keeper fluke, so if one of these is in range from your port – give it a shot. Beach fisherman are not left out as the surf has been very good for kingfish, croakers, and snapper bluefish in the Cape May area. Kingfish heads make excellent night-time shark baits and the bite has been exceptional. Just remember to keep them in the water and get a quick picture for a healthy release. Good Luck, Be Safe, and Tight Lines.
