“School’s back from summer,” just a slight lyrical change from Alice Cooper’s “Schools Out” hit, but that also means fewer beachgoers and more room for surfcasters looking to work the suds. Spanish mackerel, bonito, bluefish have been pretty solid for parts of Island State Park and Long Beach Island over the past week while southern areas had more croakers and kingfish off the beaches. Fluke fishing really turned on with the ocean reef sites providing a steady pick of keeper fish to 6 pounds. Inlets are also showing a good number of flatties along with some better sized weakfish which have been hanging around schools of mullet. The offshore bite continued its epic pace with plenty of yellowfin to 90 pounds being caught at the canyons along with plenty of mahi. Anglers jigging, trolling, and popping are finding some solid bluefin action within the sight of land off of Seaside. As we had into September, there are plenty of angling opportunities to keep you busy.
Here is this week’s rundown:
Hook House Bait & Tackle in Toms River reported a solid week for anglers working metals for bluefish and some Spanish mackerel being caught off Island Beach State Park. Fluke are still being caught with some consistency from the surf with better number of keepers around the inlet. Blowfish and northern kingfish have invaded Barnegat Bay as both are being caught from boat and land-based fisherman. The route 37 bridge had some small striped bass and snapper blues around during the night tides.
Creekside Outfitters in Waretown has been getting great reports from anglers hitting the offshore deeper fathoms for yellowfin and the inshore lumps for bluefin. Mahi fishing was in full swing over the past week with fish being reported as close as 4 miles from the inlet. The fluke scene has been very good for ocean fisherman and the bay bite regained some steam with better numbers of keepers being caught around the inlet. Anglers fishing the rocks are finding large numbers of tautog with a triggerfish and sheepshead in the mix.
Reel Reaction Sportfishing out of Waretown reported another solid week of fluke fishing in the ocean with client limits to 6 pounds along with hump-head sea bass. Bay fluke charters are averaging 40 to 50 fluke with the number of keepers ranging from 3 to 4. With teaching duties back on the table, the crew’s schedule changes to weekday afternoons and weekends for the rest of the season.
The Super Chic out of Barnegat Light had several groups out for bottom fishing action over the past week. The boat worked several wrecks and reef sites to put a solid number of keeper fluke on the deck up to 6 pounds. Sea bass, bluefish, and some bonita were also caught. With some weather to end the week, the boat will not be sailing into Saturday. The skipper said September is the time for offshore yellowfin, so give them a ring to get on the schedule.
Tony’s Bait & Tackle in Manahawkin had several quality reports of anglers catching fluke up to 6 pounds from the GSN, GSS, and LE reef sites. The ocean fishing has been at a great pace and 6-inch jigging grubs tipped on jigs are working for anglers. Large strip squid strip baits are also doing well on this body of fish as there has been some nearly live squid seen in the stomachs. Kingfish, pufferfish, and several croakers are being landed from the LBI beaches along with fluke and small bluefish. The bridges are holding snapper blues and some tog during the day.
Tackle Direct in Egg Harbor City reported bluefin tuna to 60 pounds inshore while offshore canyons are hot on yellowfin, mahi, and a good number of white marlin. Side-trackers, trolled ballyhoo and tuna jigs have been working on yellowfin up to 80 pounds. Inshore action on flounder continued to be better over the course of the week with more consistent numbers and angler limits coming from the reef sites. Ocean City, Townsends Inlet, and Wildwood reefs had decent action. Kingfish, croakers, and flounder are being caught in the surf.
Tight Lines Bait & Tackle in Somers Point said tautog and sheepshead fishing has been off the charts for anglers. Green crabs, fiddlers, and sand fleas are all providing excellent action on all three species. Flounder fishing was slightly better this week in the bay and closer to the inlets on keepers. 5 to 6 inch Gulp tipped on jigs has been working along with minnows or live spot dragged in the deeper holes. The offshore bite was hot at the canyons for yellowfin and mahi, but anglers have been finding mahi at some of the pots within the sight of land. Surf fisherman have been getting into solid action with kingfish and croakers taking bloodworm baits.
Badfish Charters in Ocean City was busy on the water in the bay and ocean catching fluke to 5 pounds. He said bonito have moved in around the 5- to 6-mile mark and within 2 miles from the inlet, he has been finding Spanish mackerel and sharks. He said he would begin targeting bay striped bass in the backwaters toward the end of September once the boat traffic subsides. The skipper has openings for September and October, so give him a ring
Anglers fishing Cape May to Fortescue areas had a decent week with flounder action from the boats and around the bridges, while beach fisherman have been tangling with croakers, weakfish, kingfish, and large rays. Nighttime shark fishing has been excellent for fisherman paddling kingfish heads to deeper waters. Flounder fishing was good around the reef sites and along some of the 50 to 70 sloughs with strip baits and artificial Gulp working well. Offshore action has been hot and heavy with yellowfin, marlin, wahoo and mahi at the canyons. The southern canyons have been better for wahoo and billfish, but it seems most have some type of action to keep bluewater anglers engaged.
South Jersey Fishing Forecast
The best bet for this upcoming weekend will be to fish the bays or inlets for fluke as the most of the South Jersey will get a northeast blow. The best tactic will be to jig larger baits along the deeper inlet channels to pick up keeper fluke moving out to the ocean. But don’t forget your live bait action as live spot or peanut bunker are also top choices to drag for end of the summer doormats. Sunday does look fishable for the ocean as of the writing of this report, so chart the course to your nearest artificial reef site and work tight to the structure to box your limit of fluke. Land-based fisherman also have excellent opportunities to target sheepshead, tautog, and even triggerfish at rock-based jetty lined inlets or bay bridges. Offshore boats will have to take a break from the hot action, but next week show provide another good fishing window. Good Luck, Be Safe, and Tight Lines!