Can it get any better? Great sea bassing over the past week as the weather and sea conditions finally cooperated for anglers. Clams, squid strips, and jigs all worked for nice humpheads and most boats reported solid limits of fish along with some porgy and triggerfish. The yellowfin tuna bite regained some of the steam that occurred prior to the week long NE winds. The canyons are living up to the red hot month of October with solid yellowfin and mahi. The Hudson, Toms, and Wilmington all had good reports of tuna. Bluefin tuna have also been around the 10 to 15 mile range off of Island Beach State Park. Surf fishing was slower, but the water began to clean up later in the week and catches of out-of-season fluke, bluefish, and some striped bass were reported. With so many shops reporting excellent numbers of baitfish, the fall should shape up nicely and if all signs point in the right direction – it may be as good as last season!!
Over the past week, students of Central Regional High School teamed up to fish and crab Barnegat Bay at Berkeley Island Park in Ocean County. Twenty five students of the fishing club and eleven special education students spent the school day working together to bend the rod and trap a few crabs. A ton of different species were caught and safely released which included: spot, bluefish, fluke, blowfish, dogfish, blue crabs, and black sea bass. It was a great day on the bay with a ton of smiles, and a huge thanks to all involved: Phys. Ed teacher Mike Gara, Guidance counselor Jeff Mangold, Special Education teachers Laura Ambrogio and Liz Smith, Fishing Club advisor Brett Taylor and all of the para-professionals that helped!
Here is this week’s rundown:
Hook House Bait & Tackle in Toms River said they are getting a flat of jumbo bloodworms in by the weekend for striped bass in the back and off the Island Beach State Park. Anglers are starting to see some mullet in the surf, but they have been sporadic. Bluefish and some tog were caught off the northern jetty of Barnegat inlet.
Creekside Outfitters in Waretown had some porgies and sea bass weighed in for one of the local fishing clubs. Sea bass fishing has been solid at the reef sites and anglers are also getting a mix of triggerfish and bluefish. Yellowfin tuna fishing resumed over the past few days and the Hudson was still hot. Crabbing and blowfishing is still going strong with the water in the upper 60s and anglers are starting to see some quality blowfish.
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Reel Reaction Sportfishing out of Waretown has been working the ocean for sea bass when conditions are good and the bay for northern puffers (blowfish) when the ocean is out of play. Recent trips had quick 5-man limits of sea bass in the ocean and 60+ blowfish in the bay. The skipper noted the cooler water in the bay pushed out alot of the small blowfish and juvenile sea bass.
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The Super Chic out of Barnegat Light said October is the time for offshore tuna and when the weather windows are good the boat is sailing. Sea bass fishing has been solid on the wrecks outside the inlet. Capt. Ted said there are some open dates for canyon tuna, so give them a call.
Tony’s Bait & Tackle in Manahawkin had good sea bass fishing from the southern wrecks and reef sites. Anglers reported excellent numbers of sea bass with some larger ones on the jig. The bayside bridges started to produce some better numbers of schoolie striped bass and bluefish. There was word of a Minke whale being in shallow water around Conklin Island.
Tackle Direct in Egg Harbor City received some quality reports for yellowfin at the canyons and bluefin from the nearshore lumps to 80 pounds. Sea bass has been on the minds of most with the season opening over the last week. Striped bass and weakfish have been feeding on mullet and peanut bunker along the bay marshes. White perch are in play along some of the off-channel “marshy” areas with blood worms doing the trick. Surf fishing slowed up after the storm with a few croakers, kingfish, and out-of-season flounder being caught. Tog fishing slowed through the weekend due to dirty water conditions, but rebounded mid-week for fisherman dunking greenies and sand crabs off the jetties and bridges.
Tight Lines Bait & Tackle in Somers Point reported better fishing after the recent blow as there has been good movement of mullet and peanut bunker in the back. Striped bass and some weakfish to 15 inches have been landed from Avalon to Stone Harbor. Jetty and bridge fishing remained at a good pace for action on tog and green crabs continue to be producing excellent bites. The shop advised to bring a bunch because there are quite a few small ones around. A few anglers jumped on headboats and reported good sea bassing offshore. The shop is loaded with gear for the fall run, so stop in when in town.
Badfish Charters in Ocean City had some solid backwater action on topwater poppers, plugs, and soft plastics as the striped bite turned on with the recent drop in bay temperatures. The skipper looks forward to the coming weeks as more fish become active at some of his favorite spots. Capt. Brian has limited availability, so give him a ring quickly if you want to jump onboard.
The Cape May and Fortascue region had a slower start with the weekend swell, but as conditions became better boaters were able to get out for the Fall sea bass opener. The sea bassing was excellent with good limits for boats hitting the wrecks in the 60- to 100-foot range. The inshore water has been a tad dirty, but tog have been fairly cooperative at the inlet rocks. Green crabs tipped on rigs or small 1/2- to 3/4-ounce jigs worked best and the bite has become better over the last 2 days. There are loads of baitfish around with mullet, spearing, and peanut bunker hanging around lighted docks and bridges. Small striped bass and even some weakfish have been picking at them. Anglers working small 3 to 4-inch storm shads have been working for schoolie bass around the bridge abutments.
South Jersey Fishing Forecast
The best bet for the weekend will be to hit the wrecks or reef sites for sea bass in the 60- to 70-foot range, but try for bigger fish out in deeper water. It’s been a “mad-dog” bite as the sea bass, porgies, and triggerfish have been ravenous on the wrecks. Another good tip is to look at the sounder if you are on a personal boat as sea bass may be suspended or slightly off the piece depending on current. The only issue for the weekend will be the expected windy forecast which may keep alot of smaller boats tied to the dock. Larger headboats may so trek out to the deep, so it’s best to call around and see if boats are sailing. Anglers working the surf or backbays have excellent shots at schoolie striped bass and weakfish of the larger variety. A live-lined peanut bunker or mullet will do wonders when worked around lighted bridges, piers, or docks. Good Luck, Be Safe, and Tight Lines!