We had another windy weekend which kept most either close to the beach or tied to the dock. Anglers working close to the beaches, especially north of Long Beach Island, found some false albacore and bluefish. Tog fishing continues to be excellent along most of our jetties and we are finally seeing some cooler water on the ebb tides which should help the bite. Beaches are still seeing kingfish with the water temperatures still hovering in the upper 60’s, but with this week’s lower temperatures, we should finally start seeing a drop. Striped bass have been active in the back along some of the sods and bridges, but overall it’s been relatively slow along the jetties and ocean fronts. Once we hit the 60’s, then our surf scene should begin heating up. And saving the best for last, the yellowfin tuna fishing offshore has been absolutely phenomenal with multiple head, charter, and recreational boats boasting limits.
Fishing Report For Southern New Jersey
Lacey Marine in Forked River had good reports of bluefish to 6 pounds along with some albacore in the Barnegat Inlet and along the beaches of Island Beach State Park over the past few days. Boats running out to the 100-square are finding good numbers of yellowfin and there has been some bluefin along the 20-fathom line.
Creekside Outfitters in Waretown reported blowfish still being active in the bays, but there has been definitely more small ones as compared to keepers. Striped bass continue to be active from the inlet to the bridges on soft plastics and plugs. Offshore action was lights out for anglers hitting the canyons as quick boat limits of yellowfin are being caught.
Reel Reaction Charters out of Waretown and Barnegat Light was supposed be out over the weekend, but the extended small craft advisories had a few of the charters cancelled. The skipper and his son/mate Luke did hit the jetties for a quick limit of tautog to 18 inches. The boat will be out Thursday through Sunday this up-coming week.
The Super Chic out of Barnegat Light has been hitting the sea bass wrecks when the boat can make it out as the winds and seas have made it difficult. The skipper has been finding better sea bass action at the wrecks further offshore, but there are still a lot of smaller ones in the mix.
Tony’s Bait and Tackle in Manahawkin had good reports of striped bass action from the bridges during the night tides over the past week and there has been some small bluefish mixed in. During the day, anglers working the bridges are finding small sea bass and tautog. The water temperatures are still warm, but the area has seen an influx of bluefish, especially along the beaches and inlets.
One Stop Bait & Tackle in Atlantic City reported “on-fire” action off the jetties for striped bass from the schoolie size to 31 inches as anglers fished live bloodworm and clam baits. The water is still warm as a few keeper fluke were caught and released in the same areas. Tautog fishing is pretty good with better numbers of keepers being landed off the jetties and bridges on green crab baits. Anglers working the Brigantine and Atlantic City surf are finding good numbers of kingfish and bluefish in the 2 to 4-pound range.
Tackle Direct in Egg Harbor City had anglers reporting that the sea bassing was good, but you need to run over 25 miles out to find keepers. Tautog fishing has been good off the jetties with green crab and the keepable sized fish have increased. The tidal rivers are holding lots of smaller striped bass and every bend or drop-off is worth casting soft plastics too. Anglers have been catching 20 to 30 bass to 18 inches, but there are some tag-able fish in the mix.
Tight Lines Bait & Tackle in Somers Point received quite a few shipments of new lures for the fall, so the shop is definitely ready to go for the striped bass run. Tautog fishing has been very good, especially as the bay temperatures have begun to slide. Keepers are more numerous off the jetties and bridges, though you can only harvest one. The mid-October canyon bite has been exceptional for yellowfin tuna. The beaches of OC are still holding some kingfish, along with 2 to 4 pound bluefish.
Sterling Harbor in Wildwood reported excellent offshore action at the northern and southern canyons based on the charter and headboat reports. Yellowfin and several mahi have been landed and provided limits for anglers. The sea bass fishing has been challenging inshore as most of the wrecks are covered up with smaller fish up to 8 inches. Green crabs or shore crabs tipped on jigs has been outstanding along the rocks of Cape May and around some of the bridge and jetty locations.
Cape May Bait & Tackle in Cape May received word of some small striped bass, bluefish, and weakfish to 17 inches being landed off the Cape May and Delaware Bay beaches. Most of the action has been during the hours of dawn and dusk. Sea bass fishing has remained solid, but anglers are having to ride quite a ways to find more keepers. The inshore wrecks are loaded with 6 to 10 inch fish, so bring lots of clam baits. Offshore action at the canyons remained on the “epic” scale for another solid week with lots of yellowfin being caught. There have been a few swords and bigeye’s in the mix. The inshore lumps in the 20 to 40-fathom lines have had spotty bluefin tuna action.
South Jersey Fishing Forecast
If you are willing to make a run, then either sea bass or yellowfin tuna would be the best bet as we finally have a windless weekend. Most offshore wrecks in the 120-plus foot range are holding better numbers of sea bass than the inshore grounds. Meanwhile, anglers looking to hit the canyons should keep the radar on to locate schools of boats as most fleets have been on the fish and there have been plenty to go around. The surf is providing some prime opportunities to work plugs, poppers and darters during the times of early morning or just after sunset. The bays are still producing good numbers of smaller, resident stripers in the backwater creek and channels as long as you have moving tide. Finally, anglers casting epoxy jigs or metals should have shots at bluefish and albacore around most of the northern inlets in South Jersey. Good Luck, Be Safe, and Tight Lines!
