Southern New Jersey Fishing Report
It’s tilefish mania on the offshore fishing grounds as described by most shops, head-boats, and bluewater battlewagons. The weather and seas were very cooperative over the past week allowing deep drops to the mud flats in the canyons. One local charter out of Barnegat Light area boasted 57 keeper tiles over the weekend. Closer to home, the action has been sporadic for sea bass with much better fishing occurring further out and to the north. The Atlantic City reef site had a few keepers and a good number of ling for anglers willing to make the run. Surf action has slowed down on the striped bass front off the ocean beaches, but fluke fishing has slowly gained some traction. The inlets and the jetties produced the best results during the week. Fluke action continues to remain steady in Barnegat Bay, but much better in the bay areas south of Great Bay. There is also word of a “hush-hush” bluefin bite within 15 miles of some of our South Jersey ports.
Here is this week’s rundown:
Hook House Bait & Tackle in Toms River received a shipment of new striper plugs for the big ones currently hanging around the 3-mile line. Fluke have been picking up bucktails tipped with Gulp off parts of IBSP. There have been a few bluefish around both the front side and backside of IBSP too. Anglers working the night shift are finding a few striped bass at night along parts of the Toms River and the bridges.
Creekside Outfitters in Waretown said it’s been a pick on keeper fluke using minnows and Gulp baits. Anglers have been saying there were a fair number of fish being released in the 17-inch range. The 7- to 10-foot depths produced some keeper flatties, and a few bluefish have been caught off the main channels. The jetties have been producing some striped bass action on clam and schools of blues were off both jetties as well. Offshore fishing was good for tilefish at the canyons, but anglers have been awaiting the tuna bite; some inshore spots are producing action on mid-sized bluefin. Shark fishermen have been able to find some nice thresher sharks in the 50- to 60-foot range on bunker.
Reel Reaction Sportfishing out of Waretown worked some of their favorite spots during the week to put anglers on fluke with 3 to 6 keepers being boxed. Anglers had to go through 25 to 30 shorts on each trip and the biggest of the week was 23 inches. The skipper is booked out for June and July, but has dates for bay or ocean fluke in August.
The Super Chic out of Barnegat Light worked the wrecks for sea bass and has been picking through a good number of shorts to box some nice keepers for clients. The boat continues to run 2 to 3 sea bass trips a week and is currently booking canyon tilefish trips. The tilefish bite has been “on”, and the skipper said they have a few openings available, but it’s best to give them a call.
Tony’s Bait & Tackle in Manahawkin said it was another solid week for crabbers working the back bay areas. Bunker in traps and hand-lines were the hot techniques for the week and a few families reported up to 45 crabs. Fluke fishing has been slower north of the bridges, but slightly better south to Great Bay. White, pink and chartreuse Gulp baits were working, along with minnows and spearing. A nice report came in from a local who caught weakfish from 7 to 8 pounds on live spot and jigs tipped with shedder crabs.
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Tackle Direct in Egg Harbor City said: “Tiles, tiles, and more tiles”, as the shop explained the sub-canyon bite was epic for most vessels making the run. The inshore pieces are producing sea bass in the 10- to 20-mile range, but don’t forget the bluefin gear, as there have been a few around. The bluefin bite continues to heat up with some unders and overs being landed; check out the shop’s most recent reports on social media. Flounder fishing continues to be very good from Margate south to Wildwood, with lots of fish caught in the secondary channels off the ICW. Small jigs and bucktails tipped with Gulp and minnows, or just minnows, have been working for fish to 23 inches. The shop did hear of a few sheepshead being caught from the bridges on fiddlers and light jigs.
Tight Lines Bait & Tackle in Somers Point said the fluke (or summer flounder) bite has been on fire in the area, with minnows and Gulp baits doing most of the catching. The bay channels from 6 to 12 feet produced the best. The bridges are producing some striped bass and weakfish during the night tides. Offshore sea bass fishing has been a slower pick, but there have been some really nice bluefin tuna in the same area. The beaches are producing a slow pick of small striped bass, with a mix of bluefish and some fluke to 17 inches. The shop has a big inventory of baits and gear for tilefish as the bite at the canyons has been “en fuego”!
Badfish Charters in Ocean City has been cruising the back bays for striped bass and a few bluefish on the fly. The skipper said a few weakfish have been around, and they’re being caught on lightweight soft plastics. Bass fishing has been consistent, as has flounder fishing along the skipper’s favorite flats, especially on the fly. The crew has dates available next week, so give them a ring.
The reports from Cape May to Fortescue came in with better news on the flounder front from some of the beaches and shallow areas of Delaware Bay and west to Fortescue. The horseshoe run is still going strong on some of the beaches, but bluefish and flounder have been caught in between the mine field of crabs. The creeks and rivers are still producing solid numbers of big white perch with live bloodworm and small crappie jigs working best. Kingfish are starting to show off the DE bay and Cape May beaches with squid and FishBites working with some success. The reef sites are starting to produce numbers of fluke with a few keepers in the mix. Gulp and bucktails worked, but anglers reported it was a slower take due to the temperature of the water. Drum are still biting, but they are definitely on the move with some beach areas seeing a strong run and others seeing no action.
South Jersey Fishing Forecast
The best bet for this upcoming weekend will be working the beaches and jetties on Saturday with the marine weather looking a little windy. Grab the surf gear and sling chunked bunker or salted clam to cash in on a roving striper or bluefish. The best way to go is to bring two setups, with one being staked in the sand awaiting blues or striped bass, and the other being put to use with light bucktails for fluke. The beaches are starting to show better action for flatties—Gulp and 3/4-ounce bucktails are the ticket. Sunday should bring better winds for offshore tilefish trips or hunting for inshore bluefin and threshers. Bay fisherman should look to get out early to beat the Father’s Day traffic and hit the channel edges for fluke, or the marshes for crabs. Regardless of what you plan, appreciate the dads in your life, and have a happy Father’s Day. Good luck, be safe, and tight lines!