Southern New Jersey Fishing Report
July has arrived and while most are planning Independence Day celebrations, the ocean fluke bite has begun to heat up with many anglers citing decent bites along the reefs and wrecks. Warmer water to the south has really fired up the bite in Cape May County, and recent hot weather has helped initiate a steady bite for anglers in Atlantic and Ocean counties. Meanwhile, the canyons are alive with yellowfin and bigeye tuna from the Spencer to the Wilmington. There has been a decent push of warmer water to the north, so expect some the northern canyons to start firing in the coming week or two. Beach and bayside fishing continues to produce catches of fluke, bluefish and even a few weakfish.
Here is this week’s rundown:
Hook House Bait & Tackle in Toms River had excellent reports of fluke being caught off the beaches from Seaside to the Barnegat Inlet. The area along the inlet has produced some nicer ones along with bluefish and striped bass to 28 inches. Fishing the incoming tide has been the key for bass and blues.
Creekside Outfitters in Waretown had good reports of fluke being caught in the bay, surf, and ocean reefs. The reef sites have started to produce some better fluke fishing over the past week in terms of both quality and quantity. Offshore, bluefin are being caught roughly 40 miles out and yellowfin are in at the canyons. Shark fishermen have cashed in on the thresher bite, and one weighing 540 pounds was brought in to Hoffman’s Marina.
Reel Reaction Sportfishing out of Waretown had a few trips over the past week with most outings averaging 30 to 40 fluke with 4 to 6 keepers. With the bite starting to pick up in the ocean, the skipper will begin running the other, larger vessel for ocean fluke.
The Super Chic out of Barnegat Light said they will be running offshore tuna trips, depending on the weather, as well as fluke trips. The skipper said the schedule is getting tight with a few dates left for July and bookings can be made through the website.
Tony’s Bait & Tackle in Manahawkin said the summer flounder fishing has been outstanding for most parts of Barnegat Bay with the areas around the inlet starting to produce. The LBI surf is loaded with fluke and some kingfish are starting to show. Crabbing has also picked up after a slower start through June. The mid-island bridges are producing some fluke during the day while the night bite has been small striped bass and weakfish.
Tackle Direct in Egg Harbor City said the reef sites and wrecks are alive with fluke, sea bass, and triggerfish. Gulp baits tipped on 3- to 6-ounce jigs are working well in the 60- to 70-foot depths. Beach fishermen are finding good numbers of fluke, kingfish and croakers from Brigantine to Ocean City. Nighttime has been the right time for large sharks in the surf, and whole kingfish or just the heads are working well. Offshore action has been red hot for yellowfin, along with some mahi and deep-dropped tilefish from the Spencer to the Baltimore.
Tight Lines Bait & Tackle in Somers Point said it was a good week fishing with lots of flounder being caught in the bay and at the ocean reef sites. Fishing in the bay, especially around the bridges, has been exceptional. The shop weighed in a pending record sheepshead at 10.1 pounds, which was caught on 4-pound test. Offshore action has bluefin and bonito at the lumps off Sea Isle, where trolling is producing the best results.
Badfish Charters in Ocean City said he had a busy week working the backwaters on the flood tide to find cooperative striped bass and some blues on the fly. The skipper also added a few weakfish and fluke to the mix. He continues to run for light-tackle and fly opportunities, so give him a ring to get on the schedule.
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The Cape May and Fortescue area had excellent summer flounder action at the Delaware and Wildwood reef sites. Good numbers of shorts with keepers to 8 pounds are being caught with regularity. As you navigate up the bay, croakers, spot and small blues are being landed along the Delaware Bay beaches. Weakfish are around in decent numbers this year, and although it’s mostly smaller fish, there are a few up to 20 inches in the mix. The EP Tower, Miah Maull Light, and False Egg Point are some spots to try for flounder. Crabbing has been excellent in the tidal creeks, but make sure to bring gallons of bug spray as the green-heads will carry you away.
South Jersey Fishing Forecast
The best bet for the weekend will be fluke fishing at one of the local reef sites via head boat, charter, or personal vessel. Bucktails, jigs, or fluke rigs tipped with large strip baits or Gulp is the ticket to putting a decent catch together. Anglers working some of the wrecks will also put sea bass and triggerfish in the box; just remember, the daily limit of sea bass is currently 1 per angler.
If you’re set on fishing the suds, hit the beaches before the crowds arrive to land a few flatties, croakers, or weakfish. If you hit a morning high tide, don’t be surprised if you land a resident striped bass as there are a few hanging around in the surf. Offshore anglers have their best shot at landing yellowfin around Spencer Canyon—and don’t forget your tilefish gear! The deep-drop tile action has been epic. Regardless of what you choose, enjoy our freedom and some time on the water this holiday weekend…there is no better place to be. Good luck, be safe, and tight lines!