The tuna bite remained hot this past week and weekend with boats reporting solid limits of yellowfin to 80 pounds. One angler reported 10 to 20 yellowfin swimming off the back of the boat during the night chunk, and multiple hookups were common. Sea bass fishing remained fair, only because of large throwback to keeper ratios. But in terms of action, bring a ton of clam because you will need it with the drop and reel fishing. The porgy action has also been exceptional over the past week with plenty of chops going to the table. The striped bass bite wained over the weekend, but regained some steam in parts of northern jersey. Let’s hope these bass stick close to the beaches over this upcoming weekend.
Here is this week’s rundown:
Hook House Bait & Tackle in Toms River had some reports of smaller striped bass and bluefish being caught from Island Beach State Park. The bridges and parts of the Toms River are holding good numbers of schoolie striped bass along with some white perch.
Lacey Marine in Forked River reported a phenomenal yellowfin bite over the weekend for anglers working the canyons. The chunk bite was on as most boats had limits of tuna along with coolers full of mahi. The tog bite from the inlet rocks has been exceptional with green crabs and sand fleas working. Keeper ratios have been averaging 30 to 1, so bring a lot of crabs.
Jerzey Buoyz Sportfishing found a pile of porgies over the weekend for some of his clients as the skipper worked a few inshore wrecks. The crew have openings for weekdays in November as all of the weekends are booked out.
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Creekside Outfitters in Waretown said that was a good bite at the canyons over the past few days. Anglers have been stopping in the shop for flats of butterfish to use on the night chunk bites. The beaches have been hit or miss for striped bass, but there are some blues around to keep anglers busy.
Reel Reaction Sportfishing out of Waretown was working some of the wrecks this past week to put limits of sea bass, porgies, and some bluefish on the deck. The boat is booked out for striped bass and tog through mid-December, but evening striped bass trips are available during the week.
The Super Chic out of Barnegat Light has been busy running offshore trips targeting yellowfin tuna, mahi, swordfish, and tilefish. The boat has been loading up on the tuna and mahi as the action at the canyons has been top-notch.
Tony’s Bait & Tackle in Manahawkin reported a decent bass bite mid-island as the shop counted a good number of boats and land-based anglers working the bridges. Most of the fish have been under 28 inches and small swimshads were the hot lures. Yellowfin and mahi have been plentiful at the canyons and the tog bite off the Barnegat Inlet remains hot!
Tackle Direct in Egg Harbor City had anglers reporting a good bite in the backwaters of the Mullica and Great Bay for striped bass and even a few white perch. Small soft plastics such as Gulp and 4-inch swimshads have been working. Bluewater fisherman found good numbers of yellowfin and mahi at the Toms, Lindy, and Spencer canyons. The sea bass bite has been challenging for keepers, but the porgy bite has picked up the slack with lots of chops being boxed.
Tight Lines Bait & Tackle in Somers Point received a huge shipment of sand fleas for anglers looking to target tautog off the rocks or bridges. Small bass have been very active along the marshes and around the bridges at night. Boaters found good numbers of sea bass, porgies, and bluefish from the wrecks in 80 to 100 feet.
Badfish Charters in Ocean City worked a bunch of the backwater cuts with soft plastics and saltwater flies finding good numbers of schoolie striped bass. The skipper has some dates available in the coming weeks, so give them a ring.
The Cape May and Wildwood area had another solid week for deepwater sea bassing and porgies as most boats reported excellent action. Clam baits and diamond jigs are the two hot baits. Striped bass are being picked up by boats around the rips and also off the beaches of Cape May and Wildwood, but action is better along the ICW and some of marshy areas. The bite of the week had to be the yellowfin and mahi action in the canyons. There were quite a few boats reporting limits with an hour or two of being out there. Tog continue to be excellent off the jetties and inshore wrecks with green crabs or sand fleas.
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South Jersey Fishing Forecast
The best bet for the weekend will to target sea bass as the season will be closing on the 26th. Most wrecks are also providing good porgy and triggerfish opportunities so you should be able to put some in the cooler. I recommend working wrecks or rockpiles in the 80 to 120 foot range. It seems the further you run offshore, the better the numbers of keepers. Another good option if you have the means or a friend with a large vessel is to hit the canyons for yellowfin and mahi. We didn’t have any crazy weather events, so the bite should still be on. Fisherman looking to stay more grounded will have excellent opportunities at tog off the local jetties with green crab or sand fleas.
Good Luck, Be Safe, and Tight Lines!