The past week provided great action on flounder for most of the region with the reef sites gaining some major steam, especially in the Cape May area. The Wildwood and Cape May reef sites had very good action on keepers to 6 pounds. Bucktails tipped with Gulp and belly strips produced the best results. Offshore action has been very hot at the southern canyons as yellowfin have invaded the deep ledge. Surf fishing continues to be excellent for kingfish, flounder, and small bluefish and best fishing has been during the morning. The bridges are pretty active for striped bass and weakfish during the night, and sheepshead during the day. One of the shops even reported triggerfish being landed along the inlet jetties.
Fishing Report For Southern New Jersey
Lacey Marine in Forked River had reports of fluke being caught the Intercoastal Waterway (ICW) from the BB to the 42 buoy. The main channels have slowed down as it seems the fluke are more spread out. The inlet has had some good action on striped bass and bluefish during the incoming tides. The ocean fluke fishing has been slower with an influx of cooler water over the past few days.
Creekside Outfitters in Waretown had slow reports on bay fluke fishing this past week as anglers reported challenging bites during the day. Most of the keepers have been reported from the BI and BB buoys on S&S bucktail jigs. There has been some weakfish caught towards the southern end of Long Beach Island and anglers fishing the north jetty have found cooperative bluefish and striped bass.
Reel Reaction Charters out of Waretown and Barnegat Light was busy again running double trips and the double charter days have been yielding 10 to 17 keepers. Most have been in the 18 to 22 range, but there has been some bigger fish boated some in the 24 inch range. With the ocean bite slowly gaining steam, the crew will begin plying the wrecks in the coming weeks.
The Super Chic out of Barnegat Light has been busy this past week working the wrecks for sea bass and fluke. The boat is also sailing for yellowfin at the canyons, but there is only a few dates remaining on the skippers calendar.
Tony’s Bait and Tackle in Manahawkin had very similar reports to last week, except with the additional offshore action heating up at the canyons. Anglers making the run have been rewarded with limits of yellowfin. Fluke fishing remained good at both inlets, but anglers working repeatedly over some of the areas have been doing better. The LBI beaches are producing some keeper fluke, small bluefish, kingfish, and sharks during the night tides.
One Stop Bait & Tackle in Atlantic City continued to report weakfish being taken from the jetties and around the AC bridges. Anglers dipping bloodworms and soft plastics have been scoring on these fish during the early morning hours. The surf and jetties are also seeing nice sized flounder and kingfish. The shop is fully loaded with baits and lures to get anglers on the bite and Noel will tell you exactly where to go.
Tackle Direct in Egg Harbor City reported good action on small sharks, flounder, and kingfish off the beaches. The deeper channels from Atlantic City to Somers Point had good action on flounder and most anglers are reporting 10 to 1 ratios. Offshore action has been red hot at the canyons, especially the southern ones. Anglers working spreader bars on the troll and chunking butterfish during the night tides are producing decent numbers of tuna.
Tight Lines Bait & Tackle in Somers Point had great reports of fluke, striped bass, and sheepshead coming from the sod bank behind Ocean City to Atlantic City. Flounder have been biting on the incoming tides on bucktails tipped with Gulp. Offshore action has been hot at the canyons as anglers have been limiting on yellowfin tuna.
Sterling Harbor in Wildwood had flounder are still being caught in the back bays, and live minnows or bucktails tipped with mackerel worked well for them this past week. Flounder in the back of Wildwood are ranging from 2 to 3.5 pounds. The ocean has been getting better as the Cape May and Wildwood reefs have been producing a good number of keepers. The beaches have had plenty of kingfish on Fishbites and small pieces of clam. The Wilmington and Baltimore canyons provided good action on yellowfin tuna. Crabbing remained excellent from the docks over the past week.
Cape May Bait & Tackle in Cape May received excellent reports of flounder from the Cape May and Wildwood reef sites from the ocean. The bay was good also along the ICW and around the bridges. Gulp, minnows, and squid have been working for the flounder. Crabbing bayside has been absolute excellent over the past week.
South Jersey Fishing Forecast
The best bet for the weekend will be to weather the remnants of Elsa, but the weekend looks like it will be fishable, especially in our bays. With the inside temperatures being on the high side, it’s crucial to work some of the deeper channels for flatties. Weakfish are providing another great option and should be in play during the later tides. Anglers should work the bridges, lighted areas, or deep holes to find them. Casting along the shadow line from land or jigging soft plastics in the holes are great ways to catch summertime weaks. If the offshore scene is your prerogative, then waiting a few days for the seas to calm down would be the best bet. Once calmer, then hitting the Baltimore and Wilmington canyons are great areas for yellowfin tuna. Land fisherman have great options this weekend and working the jetties should produce flounder, kingfish, and sheepshead. Good Luck, Be Safe, and Tight Lines!
