Fishing Report For South Jersey
Another solid week of fishing for coastal New Jersey as the tuna and fluke bite has been on absolute fire. Yellowfin and Bluefin have been providing consistent and tremendous action for anglers trolling and jigging lures from 25 to 60 miles out. Tuna and mahi are hitting at the canyons, but most of the action has been from the mid-range lumps and wrecks. Flounder fishing has been phenomenal at the reef sites and wrecks and just about every spot has fish on them. We had one day of strong south winds last week causing an up-welling which dropped the surf temperatures down to low 60’s. The influx of cold water did wonders for the bay flounder bite which was slowing due to the stifling high temperatures. Anglers working the suds are finding bluefish, flounder, kingfish, and sharks during the evening hours. August will hopefully provide similar opportunities for anglers.
Lacey Marine in Forked River had another solid week of reports on fluke action from the local reef sites and wrecks. Anglers making the run to the Axel are finding tremendous numbers of short fluke and keepers with ratios running 6-8 to 1. The surf bite off IBSP has been very good for fluke, small bluefish, and the occasional sand tiger. Anglers working Barnegat bay found decent numbers of short fluke and some keepers along with lots of blowfish.
Creekside Outfitters in Waretown had good reports of bluefin and yellowfin coming around the Atlantic Princess and Little Italy spots on jigs. Anglers have also seen some nice sized cobia around some of the lobster pots. Inshore action has been very hot on fluke with consistent reports coming from the local reef sites. Crabbing and blowfishing has been excellent in Barnegat bay along with good action on short fluke.
Reel Reaction Charters out of Waretown and Barnegat Light ran a full week of double charters and the action in the bay has been excellent for sheer numbers of fish. The skipper has been finding 45-50 shorts with keepers ranging from 3 to 7 per 4 hour trip. Recent ocean trips produced limits of fluke to 6 pounds and limits of sea bass to 20 inches. It has been EPIC fishing on both boats and the skipper has opened up dates for sea bass in October and Tog in November/December.
The Super Chic out of Barnegat Light has been busy hitting the midshore tuna grounds and yellowfins have been coming over the rails. When the skipper isn’t running offshore, the fluke and sea bass fishing has been good on the inshore trips.
Tony’s Bait and Tackle in Manahawkin said the fishing has been outstanding for fluke from both ends of Long Beach Island. Anglers running outside have been fairing better for keepers from the reef sites and the Atlantic City reef site has been excellent for big keepers. Nighttime sharking off LBI has been steady on browns and sandtigers during the night and kingfish by the day hours. The bridges have had some small bluefish, weakfish, and fluke around the pilings. There was word of a few sheepshead caught on crab near the pilings.
One Stop Bait & Tackle in Atlantic City had excellent reports of big fluke caught on the shop’s minnows and Magictail jigs. Bloodworms have been excellent for kingfish off the beach and there has been a few croakers. Shop-owner Noel said the action has been excellent this month and August should be just as good.
Tackle Direct in Egg Harbor City reported excellent tuna bites occurring offshore on yellowfin from the mid-shore lumps and canyons. The lobster pots in the deep are showing good numbers of mahi. Fluke fishing continues to be red hot from the reef sites off Ocean city and Wildwood. The bay fishing has been productive for shorts along the ICW with some bigger keepers
Tight Lines Bait & Tackle in Somers Point reported good numbers of keeper flounder being caught along the deeper channels in the ICW. The bite has been better for anglers dragging big minnows or live-lined peanut bunker. Some fish have been up to 27 inches in the bay channels, but for more consistent keeper action the shop recommends fishing the inshore reef sites.
Sterling Harbor in Wildwood had another week of good fishing according to local anglers as the flounder bite has been excellent from the reefs and inlets. Anglers working the inlet tides have been finding bigger fluke on live-lined spot or peanut bunker. The jetties have been very good for weakfish on fresh shedder crabs. Offshore action continues to produce yellowfin, marlin, and mahi at the canyons.
Cape May Bait & Tackle in Cape May received a few shipments of shedder crabs which have been producing some decent sized flounder and weakfish over the past week. There has been plenty of kingfish caught on the Cape May beaches along with a good number of shorts. Weakfish were caught from the jetties off CM and north Wildwood over the past week to 22 inches, and shedders have been the hot baits. Small striped bass have been cooperating from the local bridges on 4 to 5 inch soft plastics.
South Jersey Fishing Forecast
The weather looks excellent for the weekend and the best bet to put fish on the deck would be to hit the midshore lumps for early morning tuna action. A bunch of the lumps in the 30 to 60 mile range are holding excellent water and fish. Most of the fish have been eating sandeels and squid, so if you find the bait schools usually the tuna will not be far away. Fluke fishing is another solid option for this weekend, and the best chance to find keepers will be to hit the inshore reef sites as the water temperatures and life on them have been consistent. Anglers dunking 3 to 4 oz bucktails are finding the best action around wrecks. Beach or jetty fisherman will have the best shots at keeper fish around the inlets, and it wouldn’t be a bad option to bring fiddlers or sand fleas as triggerfish and sheepshead have been caught on most of the South Jersey jetties. Good Luck, Be Safe, and Tight Lines!
