Southern New Jersey Fishing Report
Let the stars and stripes fly this Memorial Day weekend and enjoy some time on the water. This past week saw some pelagics making their way up the coast, as large bluefin were reported by a number of boats in the 14- to 20-mile range from Seaside to Ocean City. A few boats did catch them on trolled ballyhoo, but most tuna were spotted by sea bassing folk. Sea bass fishing was lights out for most, but not all boats that made it out, as the seas were packed a little tight over the weekend.
The surf and inlets have been the scene for striped bass with clam and bunker chunks working on migrating fish. Live spot, if you can get them, are also working for inlet stripers on both sides of the tide.
Fluke fishing was solid for most of the state from Manasquan Inlet to Cape May. The bays are the locations to work right now; small bucktails or jigs tipped with strip baits like squid or salted salmon bellies seem to be producing the best results. Anglers dragging minnows and/or floating jigs or bare hooks tipped with Gulp also produced good results on the channel edges and along the bottom.
Here is this week’s rundown:
Hook House Bait & Tackle in Toms River said some big blues navigated along the backside of Island Beach State Park, invading the shallows. These fish were being caught on small poppers worked quickly along the flats. The beaches, on the other hand, are giving up some striped bass to 35 inches on soaked baits like clam and bunker. The bridges are also producing some schoolies during the night tides and crabbing started to ramp up off the docks in Seaside.
Creekside Outfitters in Waretown said fluke fishing has been very good with both sides of the bay producing. The shop had reports of bigger fish being landed just north of the “BB” buoy in 6 to 12 feet of water for anglers drifting minnows and squid strips. Gulp swimming mullets have been working better than other types, with white being the top producer. Sea bass fishing was very good for most boats fishing wrecks in the 50- to 65-foot range. Anglers looking to take a shot at bluefin should head east and start looking around Barnegat Ridge out to 22 nautical miles offshore.
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Reel Reaction Sportfishing out of Waretown continued to ply the local waters in search of fluke and the skipper’s charters have been boxing some quality fish, with several approaching pre-doormat status at 25 inches. Most charters are catching between 35 to 60 fluke and up to 12 keepers per 4-hour trip. The rest of May is booked out and the only dates left in June are the 10th/12th, so give a call if you want to book.
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The Super Chic out of Barnegat Light reported excellent sea bassing and quick limits as some nice humpheads were brought over the rail and in the pail to start the season. The boat has been running on every good weather day, so if you’re interested in boxing some sea bass, give Capt. Ted a call or text.
Tony’s Bait & Tackle in Manahawkin had excellent reports from the Tuckerton area with some nice fluke to 7 pounds being caught along the western parts of the bay. Anglers working the clammy areas with drifted minnows have been producing the best results, followed by floating jigheads tipped with Gulp swimming mullets. Bluefish, striped bass and drum are still being caught along the shores of Long Beach Island and the shop has been selling a good number of surf clams and fresh bunker to surfcasters. Sea bass fishing remained excellent from the Little Egg, Garden South and North reef sites, with salted clam and diamond jigs producing fish to 21 inches.
Tackle Direct in Egg Harbor City said the Atlantic City jetties have been on fire with striped bass, bluefish, and even some nice fluke being caught on minnows and fish bellies. Anglers working the backwaters are finding good action with both sides of the tide working equally for most. Beach fishermen reported some striped bass and a few drum being landed on clam bellies—Brigantine and Ocean City had the best results. Weakfish are in, too; pink soft plastics worked well in the Sea Isle area during the night tides. The shop said it’s worth a try from any of the local, lighted bridges.
Tight Lines Bait & Tackle in Somers Point received a fresh shipment of bunker from the local boats, and anglers working the suds are seeing better striped bass and bluefish action. There were a few drum landed on clams, but it’s been a slower pick on the boomers. Gulp baits are flying off the shelves with the new Turbo Shrimp in the shop and they expect good results on fluke. The shop said the 8- to 12-foot depths along the ICW and marshes are holding some nice keepers to 6 pounds. Anglers working Wreck Inlet (north) down through Wildwood are finding good numbers of fish according to customer reports. Boats hitting the reef sites have been finding near-guaranteed action on keeper sea bass.
Badfish Charters in Ocean City had excellent action on glide baits for bigger striped bass and bluefish out front and in the bay. The skipper has also been finding some nice fluke on the jig in skinny water and nailed a few striped bass on the fly. Capt. Brian said the action is heating up with lots of options and good numbers of fish. The skipper has some openings in his schedule, so give him a ring.
The Cape May and Fortescue area held some solid fluke action this week. Flounder fishing has been good along parts of Fortescue with strip baits and minnows. The back bays and parts of the Wildwood ICW are holding flounder as well. The tidal creeks along Cumberland and Cape May counties are producing good numbers of white perch on small pieces of bloodworm. Weakfish are being landed on shedder crabs around the ferry terminal and Cape May point, and the best way to catch them has been casting jigheads tipped with crabs and working them slowly along the bottom. The drum bite has been hot and cold each day with some bites on clams, but it seems the night bite has been producing better results.
South Jersey Fishing Forecast
The best bet for the weekend depends on the areas you plan on fishing. The Cape May area is the place to go for drum action. The Delaware Bay shoals to 40 feet are producing good numbers on anchored clam baits. If you reside in the western part of South Jersey, hitting the local tidal creeks with bloodworms is producing some nice, fat white perch and these fish can be accessed by foot, boat, or kayak. Flounder fishermen should be able to pick some keepers along most of the southern locations, and I would recommend targeting the 8- to 15-foot depths. If you can find an edge, work it on both sides of the tide. I’m not sure if the seas will be fishable, but sea bass is pretty much guaranteed. Good luck, be safe, and tight lines!