Southern New Jersey Fishing Report
Our area got beat up this past week with a coastal low that tracked eastward, followed by Hurricane Erin which took its time and toll on fishing as it meandered up the coast. Most headboats and charters were tied to the dock which gave some time to perform maintenance and even prep for the upcoming fall season. Hardy anglers reported bay action on short fluke and a few keepers, but drifts were incredibly fast with the high winds. Anglers working green crabs around the slack tides found some tautog, but away from the swell-laden inlets. I did receive reports from a few of the shops of some blue crabs, spot, and kingfish being caught from the bay docks. But overall, it was a much slower week due to the winds and weather, and hopefully this ends up being the last of it so we can get back on the ultra-hot, pre-storm fluke bite.
Here is this week’s rundown:
Hook House Bait & Tackle in Toms River reported crabs being caught from some of the public and county park docks with bunker in traps. Hand-lines work, too. Blowfish and kingfish are being caught with some regularity at the usual open bay spots (pre-storm), so fishing should look better for the upcoming weekend.
Salty Love Sportfishing out of Forked River has been tied to the dock this past week with the weather, but the crew is looking to get out next week and get back on the action.
Creekside Outfitters in Waretown had some solid reports of blowfish and kingfish near the “BI” and “BB” buoys. Fluke fishing was great in the ocean (pre-storm), but the shop hasn’t heard of much angler participation due to the weather. A few anglers got some nice sheepshead and tautog off the inlet jetties during the storm the past few days. Tuna-wise, the shop reported yellowfin at the canyons and at the Triple Wrecks, bluefin in some of the offshore shipping lanes, and bigeyes at the Toms. This was all just before the weather and seas went south.
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Reel Reaction Sportfishing out of Waretown had some great ocean action leading into last weekend, putting 6 to 14 keeper fluke up to 27.5 inches in the box. The crew added limits of sea bass and triggerfish. Bayside fluke fishing has brought fast action from short fish, but it’s been slower for keepers with most trips averaging 2 to 4 for the table. During this foul weather, the crew will be upgrading to a new outboard for the bigger boat; there are some weekday openings in September to close out the fluke fishing season.
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The Super Chic out of Barnegat Light will make the call on their upcoming tilefish trip next week, but it may not be in the cards due to Erin. The skipper said to give the boat a ring for updates. Inshore wreck fishing has been solid with fluke to 5-pounds and some nice sea bass coming over the rail for charters.
Tony’s Bait & Tackle in Manahawkin reported a tough go for anglers due to the two storm systems which impacted our area. Even with the current conditions, tautog and sheepshead are biting at the inlet and anglers using 1- to 2-ounce jigs tipped with green crabs are producing nice fish. Fluke were very active off the beaches until the weekend, but hopefully after everything clears up that bite will resume with a vengeance. Crabbing has been a tad slower off the area docks and marshes, but crabs traps tipped with bunker are producing better results.
Tackle Direct in Egg Harbor City reported a slower week due to the storm; some anglers stopped in to restock their tackle bags with Gulp and to buy soft plastics for the upcoming fall run of striped bass. Pre-storm fluke fishing was excellent at the wrecks and reefs in the 65- to 80-foot range with some fish between 5 to 7 pounds caught on Gulp and fish bellies. Anglers also reported a good number of quality sea bass and triggerfish. There were a few cobia up to 50 pounds that were reportedly caught around the inshore ridges. Bayside fluke action continues to be hot in Great Bay along the deeper channels, and anglers working small, live spot in 20 to 25 feet of water are producing good-sized flatties.
Tight Lines Bait & Tackle in Somers Point was busy stocking shelves over the past week, but some anglers did get rewarded for working through the winds. The bay is giving up some keeper fluke around the top of the tides, and the bridges are producing tautog and sheepshead on sand fleas, fiddler, and green crabs. The shop didn’t receive too many ocean or boat reports this past week due to the weather.
Captain Brian Williams of Badfish Charters in Ocean City said prior to the recent blow, ocean fluke fishing at the reef sites has been excellent. He reported some decent action with fish to 7 pounds. The bay also has plenty of fluke action along with some nice sheepshead and tog to bend the rod. The skipper was tied up this week due to the weather, but looks to break it wide open this upcoming weekend.
Captain Joe Hughes of Jersey Cape Guide Service in Sea Isle City was tied to the dock for the majority of the week due to the winds and sea conditions. Ocean action prior to the storms was exceptional for fluke at some of the skipper’s favorite spots, as well as a decent inshore shark bite. He hopes to get out next week with better ocean conditions, and wanted to let anglers know that he will be fishing in Montauk from mid-September through the end of October. He recommends anglers give him a ring for advanced bookings on these trips.
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The Cape May and Fortescue area had some anglers working the bridges and back bay docks for kingfish and flounder, but the fishing was slow. The rocky inlet areas toward the west side of the bay are producing safer conditions for tautog on green crabs. Offshore action had been very good (prior to the storms) with quality yellowfin, mahi, and some wahoo being caught. A few boats had over 10 billfish (white marlin) released in the tournaments leading up to the weekend and it seemed most of the canyons have been firing on all cylinders.
South Jersey Fishing Forecast
The best bet for the weekend will be to play it safe and wait until the seas calm down before heading out. The fluke bite may take a few days to rebound in the ocean, but they should be ready to eat in the bay and inlet areas as the NE/E winds may have pushed in a few new batches of fish. The rocks are on fire for tautog and sheepshead, so grabbing some type of tog-favorite crustacean will be a good choice. Smaller jigs tipped with fiddlers will provide better shots at sheepshead, and don’t be surprised if you pull a few triggers.
Surf fishing may be a little slow as the seas take time to clean up. Offshore fishing for tuna, mahi, and billfish may not see a good window until the middle of next week; if it’s in your future, take the weekend to prep all of your gear.
Finally, there are a bunch of local fluke/flounder tournaments scheduled for this weekend, but some have been cancelled and some are still on; please check the sea conditions prior to leaving the dock. Good luck, be safe, and tight lines!