Southern New Jersey Fishing Report
What a tumultuous week as most are recovering from last week’s Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission meeting on the future regulations of striped bass, and lackluster fishing conditions. Major schools of striped bass pushed south past Brigantine and anglers reported pretty good bassing from Atlantic City to Ocean City. Unfortunately, the action that Ocean County saw earlier in the week fizzled to nearly zero activity due to lack of fish and poor conditions. Anglers who were able to seek the weather windows reported fairly decent togging with some nice fish over 10 pounds being landed on white leggers. Bluefin are still being caught, but it seems some of the fish have pushed further south with boaters from Atlantic City to Wildwood seeing bluefin up to 70 inches. I spoke to a few headboat captains and they are excited for the winter sea bass trips.
Here is this week’s rundown:
Hook House Bait & Tackle in Toms River has been getting shipments of bloodworms and local anglers have been cashing in on the white perch bite occurring along parts of upper Barnegat Bay. Beach fisherman reported slower activity off Island Beach State Park and some of the beaches north. There has been isolated bird action, but it’s been too far offshore for surf fishermen.
Creekside Outfitters in Waretown had a slower week in terms of striped bass reports. The inlet has been very slow with a few packs of seals patrolling, so most anglers are having to run way south or north to find isolated schools of stripers. Togging off the jetties has slowed down considerably and the fish have turned on to white crabs in deeper water. Local wrecks in 35 to 55 feet are producing according to the shop.
Reel Reaction Sportfishing out of Waretown had clients out looking for tautog as opposed to striped bass due to lack of fish. The tautog fishing was excellent with limits of tog up to 9 pounds for return clients. The skipper said they were averaging fish in the 6- to 8-pound range.
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The Super Chic out of Barnegat Light reported a slower week with the area being between striped bass schools. As of now, there are some dates available, but the crew did say they would be shutting it down for the season soon.
Tony’s Bait & Tackle in Manahawkin reported blackfishing off the inlet is still occurring, but it has definitely slowed down. The incoming tide is the best tide to work as the water temperature is much warmer than the outgoing. Boaters working the wrecks in the 45- to 55-foot depth ranges were producing better, but sea and wind conditions have been an issue for most trying to target tog nearshore. Striper action was hit or miss from south of LBI to Manasquan Inlet. It seems there is another wave of striped bass north of Sandy Hook with more in the bonus tag size range, so keep the faith.
Tackle Direct in Egg Harbor City reported good back bay action on live eels and spot on the incoming tides, but once it changes to outgoing the bite quickly dies. Anglers working parts of the Mullica River have been rewarded with good action for striped bass on the eels. Meanwhile, anglers fishing within 2 miles from the beach have been finding some fish in the 20- to 30-pound range.
Tight Lines Bait & Tackle in Somers Point said live baits have been doing the best in the bay for striped bass, but mostly on the incoming tide. Anglers who made it out to the ocean did find some striped bass in the 40-inch range on the troll. Mojo and umbrella rigs have been working on the fish in deeper water. Ava jigs up to 4 ounces have also been working, but sea conditions have been the issue for most boaters left in the water. The wreck and reef sites from Little Egg south to Wildwood were great for tog up to 14 pounds, but the key has been finding the calmer condition windows.
Badfish Charters in Ocean City said striped bass action has been good on light tackle in the backwaters on certain tide windows. The skipper has been finding plenty of cooperative bass, while out front is producing much larger specimens. As long as the weather stays stagnant and the fish are around, the skipper will be targeting stripers.
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Wildwood to Cape May area has seen a nice surge of larger and mid-size striped bass over the past week. Unfortunately, most of the fish have been at, near, or past the 3-mile line, so they have to be left alone. However, anglers fishing just inside on the troll or jig hooked bass up to 30 pounds.
It’s been bluefin mania from 1 to 6 miles offshore and trolling ballyhoo on blue/white rigs are scoring tuna up to 65 inches.
The rocks and inlet jetties are still producing a large number of tautog on green or white crabs, but white-leggers are producing the better numbers of keepers.
South Jersey Fishing Forecast
The weekend looks great with light west to northwest winds and calmer seas, and with the projected forecast the best bet would be to target tautog on the inshore wrecks. White legger crabs are an absolute must for bigger and better numbers of keepers, so if you can’t get them, plan on targeting striped bass.
Striper hunters should work the beaches or 1 to 3-mile line in search of migrating schools of striped bass. It seems Ocean City and points due south are producing large striped bass, while north of Manasquan Inlet has a larger school of fish that fall within the bonus tag. AVA jigs, metals, and white swimming plugs are the top lures to work ocean striped bass. Bay fishermen south of Brigantine are still finding good numbers of striped bass on the incoming tides. Just pack the live eels and spot! Good luck, be safe, and tight lines!