Southern New Jersey Fishing Report
The month of June came in like a lion and has remained that way as someone forgot to turn off the fan. This past week we saw steady days of 25-knot south winds, which has chilled the water down so much you’d think the fluke would have icicles hanging from their fins. Bay temperature swings have been averaging nearly 20 degrees with the tide fluctuations, which hasn’t boded well for fluke anglers. Striped bass fisherman have been getting an extra reprieve with the colder upwelling temperatures and most inlets are supporting striped bass life on the incoming tides. Ocean fluke fishing has been extremely challenging with a double-edged sword of high winds and cold water temperatures. Offshore had yellowfin beginning to show up at the Lindy and the bluefin bite has ramped up inshore. Although shark week is about two weeks away, there have been a few great white sightings, but most are juvenile sharks in the 8- to 9-foot range. Threshers are on the bunker schools, and if you can find the bunker or the bunker boats, you will find the sharks.
Here is this week’s rundown:
Hook House Bait & Tackle in Toms River said crabbing has been excellent in the western parts of Barnegat Bay from Bayville to Toms River. Bluefish and striped bass are still being landed from the surf from Island Beach State Park on chunked bunker thanks to the colder surf temperatures. Surf anglers casting small jigs tipped with Gulp or squid have been able to find a few small fluke, but the retrieve has to be slow.
Creekside Outfitters in Waretown had reports of slow bay and ocean fluking with the conditions, but some anglers are finding a keeper or two at the typical spots. Long drifts from the “42” to the “BI” and “BI” to the “BB” have been producing some fish. Surfcasters are finding some striped bass to 29 inches and bluefish to 24 inches on artificials. Crabbing remains pretty solid on the incoming or outgoing tides if you’re on the west side of the bay. Tuna fishing was starting to pick up at the canyons with yellowfin being caught, but that bite has subsided due to the weather. However, late last week before the blow, one of their customers caught a couple bonito and a quality Spanish mackerel on the troll.
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Reel Reaction Sportfishing out of Waretown has been running two charters a day daily, but it’s been a tough go with the heavy south winds, dirty water, and temperature swings. Short to keeper ratios have been running 15 to 1, but hopefully that improves with better conditions in the near future.
The Super Chic out of Barnegat Light has been tied to the dock until July when the boat will begin targeting ocean fluke and sea bass. The crew took the week to work on some routine maintenance on the vessel.
Tony’s Bait & Tackle in Manahawkin said it’s been a slower week in terms of summer flounder, but striped bass and bluefish are being landed along the inlet. Bay fluking was slower due to the winds and water quality. The bridges had some keeper fluke around as well as some resident stripers being caught and released during the night tides. The surf has been giving up a few striped bass up to 28 inches and fluke are slowly picking up Gulp baits.
Tackle Direct in Egg Harbor City reported the flounder fishing took a slight dip in productivity due to the winds and dirtier water. Anglers working the deeper channels have been finding better success. Beach fishing has been solid with a few nice kingfish being caught along with spot and some bluefish. Canyon action was steadily getting better, but the week of strong winds has hampered the bite.
Tight Lines Bait & Tackle in Somers Point had some positive reports on bigeye tuna at the canyons a few days ago, but recent conditions have kept most anglers tied to the dock. Anglers working the backwaters are finding fluke to 22 inches, but the bite has been a tad slower this past week. The beaches are providing action on kingfish, bluefish, and some fluke on small jigs and Gulp baits. The bridges are very hot on sheepshead, but you have to find the right conditions for the bite.
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Badfish Charters in Ocean City worked the channels and flats for bluefish and striped bass on lightweight plastics and plugs the past week. Fly fishing has been tougher with winds, but the skipper said when the conditions are right they will get back to the fly.
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The reports from Cape May to Fortescue has kingfish, bluefish and flounder being landed off the ocean front and bay beaches. Boaters are finding flounder and weakfish off some of the deeper bay channels. One of the shops in Fortescue reported some cobia being caught around Delaware Bay bunker schools. The shop recommends carrying heavier gear for the cobia as there has been some big ones in the mix. Canyon action continues to slowly ramp up with bigeye and yellowfin being caught. Bluefin are still being targeted and caught along some of the inshore lumps off of Sea Isle City.
South Jersey Fishing Forecast
The best bet for this weekend might be to target some kingfish off the beaches with small pieces of blood worms tipped on rigs. The Delaware Bay and Cape May beaches are probably the best spots to look for these fish. But bring a few different soft plastics such as the Fin-S Fish or Zoom Flukes for potential weakfish. Anglers looking for sheepshead should grab some crabs or sand fleas and hit the backwater bridges. Fluke fishing seems to be slower everywhere this past week, so focusing on other species will get the nod this week. If you have a hankering for Old Bay steamed crabs, grab bunker from a local tackle shop and hit the bays or tidal creeks for Jersey blue claws—crabbing has been on fire! Good luck, be safe, and tight lines!