Another solid week of fishing for most of South Jersey as the summer flounder season got off to a great start. There have been good numbers of fish from 17 to 22 inches with a few larger specimens in the mix. Gulp, minnows, and mackerel strips have been the ticket for most anglers. Striped bass fishing has become more consistent especially at the inlets and on the beach front. Fish have taped out from 46 inches to 26 inches and are hitting a variety of baits and lures. We had a nice infusion of larger bluefish with the several that I heard measured 29 inches caught in Barnegat Bay and Great Bay. The drum bite is beating along in Cape May, and even a few caught north of the Long Beach Island bridge.
Here is this week’s rundown:
Hook House Bait & Tackle in Toms River reported a mix of striped bass and bluefish being caught off the beaches of Island Beach State Park. Fresh bunker and plugs worked for a good portion of the bites. Fluke are being caught in the bay, although there were a few landed on the ocean front. Smaller striped bass are hanging on the backside of IBSP and around the 37 bridge.
Lacey Marine in Forked River had good reports of bluefish being trolled up in Barnegat Bay from the “BB” to the “42” marker on pony tails and plugs. The fluke bite was very good this past week a good number of keepers were landed in Oyster Creek and Double creek channels.
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Creekside Outfitters in Waretown reported a solid week fluke fishing for anglers working Barnegat bay. Areas around the inlet and areas south of the bridges are producing a decent number of flatties. Minnows are the ticket for most as the store has been blowing throw gallons. Striped bass and bluefish are also hitting along some of the channels, but they move around so you got to find them. Crabbing has started with some nice reports of blueclaws from the Barnegat docks.
Reel Reaction Sportfishing out of Waretown had a great start to the fluke season with the crew boxing 47 keepers for the first three days of flounder charters. Small jigs tipped with live baits have been the ticket and the biggest has been in the 24 inch range. The skipper has weekday afternoons available for the next few weeks, so give them a call.
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The Super Chic out of Barnegat Light posted on social media that they are primed and ready to start the season with the Sea Bass opener next week. The crew has dates available throughout the sea bass season.
Tony’s Bait & Tackle in Manahawkin reported excellent fluke fishing from the channels around Barnegat Inlet and the clam stakes off the fish factory. Small jigs, Gulp, and minnows was the ticket for most of the bites. A few weakfish have been landed on Gulp baits intended from fluke in the deeper holes. The bridges are holding some striped bass, but the beaches are providing better action. Bluefish are being trolled up from the BI to the BB on small plugs and feathers.
Tackle Direct in Egg Harbor City had solid reports of flounder fishing in Great Bay and the clam stakes have been producing excellent numbers of keepers. Small jigs, darts, and minnows on floating jig heads are producing quality fish. Small bluefish and some nice weakfish have been landed from the deeper holes off the ICW. Striped bass up to 32 inches have been landed off the beaches. Chunked bunker and clam are working, but anglers have to put the time in on the incoming tides.
Tight Lines Bait & Tackle in Somers Point received positive news on the fluke front with some of the shop regulars catching keepers up to 23 inches. Gulp tipped on small bucktails and minnows are the top baits. The 6 to 10 foot depths are holding pockets of fish on both sides of the tide. Striped bass and bluefish continue to be in play at the area bridges, but it’s more of a night bite. There have been a few weakfish caught around the inlets.
Badfish Charters in Ocean City worked small top-waters to striped bass in the backchannels of Ocean City and Somers Point. Most of the bass have been in the 20 to 26 inch range, but there has been a few larger ones to 32 inches. The crew also boxed a few flatties while working the backwaters. The skipper has some open dates in the new few weeks, so give Capt. Brian a call.
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The Cape May area has been solid for black drum and the most boats are able to pick a few each trip. Clams are a little tough to get, so make sure you call around to a few local shops to pre-order. Striped bass fishing continues to be solid on fish to 46 inches being released off the Cape May and Delaware bay beaches. Chunked bunker, clam and bloodworms are still responsible for a good portion of these fish. Summer flounder fishing has been very good along and off of the ICW. Gulp and live bait worked along the 5 to 8 foot depths are producing some nice flatties to 22 inches.
South Jersey Fishing Forecast
We look to have a solid weekend in terms of weather and fishing, so the best bet may be to try the backwaters, sods, and land-based areas for summer flatties. The action has been excellent and it should continue through the weekend. Small jigs with either Gulp or live minnows seems to be producing the best in terms of keepers. New penny shrimp, white swimming mullet, and some of the pink curly tails are the top choices, but each day is a little different. Anglers looking to score on drum, should hit the Cape May / Delaware bay as the bite has been very consistent on clam baits. The fleet of boats have been working some of the usual sloughs and drop-offs. Another option is striped bass fishing with the inlets and beaches being a great place to start. Chunked bunker and clam baits are producing as well as jumbo bloodworms if you can get them.
Good Luck, Be Safe, and Tight Lines!