Southern New Jersey Fishing Report
It was an incredibly hot week both in terms of weather and fishing with a variety of species making anglers happy. The fluke bite was on fire the past few weeks, especially in the ocean with some of the reef sites producing full limits every day. The Axel, AC Reef, and Wildwood are producing large numbers of keeper fluke along with some triggerfish. Hopefully the bite will maintain its momentum as we head into August. The jetties and beaches are giving up good numbers of fluke, rays, and even some puppy drum. However, kingfish, spot, and some spike weakies are the top surf species being caught in our southern counties.
Offshore, tuna fishing is in full swing, and there are probably an equal amount of anglers targeting bluefin and yellowfin. Tilefish are still banging deep-dropped baits along the muddy canyon walls.
Here is this week’s rundown:
Hook House Bait & Tackle in Toms River received good reports from surf anglers working the suds for fluke. The best times to fish are early morning before the beachgoers hit the sand. Crabbing has been very good on both sides of the bay and there have been some snapper blues around some of the docks at night.
Creekside Outfitters in Waretown reported excellent fluke fishing at the reef sites over the past few days with plenty of keepers being caught. Anglers are also picking fluke in the bay, but there are a lot of shorts around. Gulp, minnows, and live spot have been the best for keeper fluke. Bluefin tuna are within 30 miles of the local inlets along with some bonito at the closer ridges. The canyons are alive with yellowfin and large mahi, according to the shop. Surf fishing off of Long Beach Island is producing kingfish, fluke and even some puppy drum by the inlet.
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Reel Reaction Sportfishing out of Waretown reported a good week on the fluke grounds with ocean trips boxing a whole lot of keepers. The short-to-keeper ratios in the ocean are running about 5 to 1, whereas the bay is much higher. A few recent bay trips released over 110 fluke while boxing 8 fish to 24.5 inches. July and August are sold out, but there are dates remaining for fluke in September.
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The Super Chic out of Barnegat Light has been mixing it up between inshore wreck fishing for fluke and sea bass, or running to the canyons for tilefish and tuna. The skipper will be running another open boat tilefish trip soon, so give them a shout to inquire about availability.
Capt. Cole of Salty Love Sportfishing in Forked River reports: “I’ve been running some inshore and offshore trips and we’ve been getting into a good mix of fish including yellowfins, mahi and a pretty sweet tile on our latest trip.”
Tony’s Bait & Tackle in Manahawkin reported a good ocean fluke bite at the reef sites and drifting with Gulp and fish bellies has been working the best. Some of the fluke have been up to 7 pounds. Anglers working natural baits are also catching some triggerfish and sea bass at the wrecks. Bay fluking has brought plenty of action with a good number of short fish around, but anglers need to sort through them for the keepers. The main channels around Barnegat Light and the edges of the ICW leading to Little Egg Inlet have some fish. Striped bass are around the inlet rocks during the early morning taking small plugs and soft plastics.
Tackle Direct in Egg Harbor City said the fluke bite in the bay and around Atlantic City has been exceptional for anglers fishing along the jetty rocks. Boat anglers drifting parts of the ICW are finding keepers on white Gulp and minnows. There have been a few weakfish around and pink jerk shads are doing the trick. The reef sites are popping with fluke, sea bass, and some triggerfish. Offshore, the yellowfin chunk bite has produced fair results, while there are some nice bluefin around at the midshore ridges and lumps. Deep dropping for tilefish is still on fire and there were some beauties landed this past week in the hot weather.
Tight Lines Bait & Tackle in Somers Point had excellent numbers of 3- to 5-pound fluke coming through the shop this past week. Most have been caught along Ships Channel and some areas leading to Great Egg Harbor Inlet. Gulp, minnows, and strip baits have been working best. The beaches have a mix of fish during the day, and nighttime anglers are catching some toothy critters on kingfish heads. Sheepshead fishing has been excellent, especially using small jigs tipped with fiddler crabs along some of the area’s bridge pilings.
Badfish Charters in Ocean City said it’s been fun flounder fishing with plenty of fish around in the bay and ocean. The bay has plenty of sheepshead and triggerfish as well as some bycatch tautog, which should be a good option once the season opens.
Jersey Cape Guide Service in Sea Isle City reported that fluke fishing continues to be excellent. While there are still fish in the back bay, ocean fishing has been much better. The inshore reef sites and wrecks have been producing; they’ve had fish up to 6 pounds this week. As as usual, there are more throwbacks than keepers, but there are plenty of solid fish mixed in. Shark fishing has been excellent with lots of spinner sharks and sandbar sharks; even hammerheads have been in the slick and on the hook. Mahi fishing will be in full swing this month as August is prime time for the inshore mahi bite. Call Capt. Joe at (609) 827-3442 for availability and info.
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The Cape May and Fortescue area was red hot this week with some nice flatties being caught at the Cape May and reef site #11. Fish to 7 pounds have been very tight to structure and have been falling for pink shine Gulp baits. The reefs have plenty of short flounder along with keeper sea bass and triggerfish. Mahi are starting to show at some of the potted wrecks, so get out early to nab one. Offshore fishing continued to be decent for billfish and some yellowfin at the canyons. There are even more mahi around at the offshore pots to help fill the coolers.
South Jersey Fishing Forecast
The best bet for the weekend will be to fish the second half of the weekend due to strong northeast winds expected Friday. Ocean fluke fishing at the reef sites is the safest bet for keeper flatties. Anglers dropping 3- to 4-ounce bucktails tipped with Gulp are scoring fluke worthy of the scale. If you’re interested in fishing the bay, the Somers Point area has been on fire this past week with a concentration of 4-pound fish. White, pink shine and chartreuse Gulp baits have been the ticket.
Another solid opportunity is the opening of the summer tautog season, but grab at least 2 dozen crabs, as the bite can been fast and furious this time of year. Fish the cooler incoming tide if you’re hoping to get your one white-chin limit. Good luck, be safe, and tight lines!