If you live at the shore in southern New Jersey, you surely felt the winds over the past few days. The ocean was downright ugly and the bays weren’t too far behind which made the fishing scene almost non-existent. But we do get a reprieve with this weekend’s weather looking pretty good for ocean or bay sorties. Our bays are loaded with bait – spearing, peanut bunker and mullet. Fluke and striped bass are feeding heavily on these fish and if you plan on hitting the bay, grab the cast net. Ocean fluke fishing should resume as it was very good on keepers prior to the swell, so look for a good bite when things settle down. Gulps and fish bellies are the way to go to tackle large “doormat” sized fluke. Yellowfin fishing was excellent at the Hudson and the Bacardi last weekend, but it will be a dice roll for tuna seekers this weekend. The ocean city, Somers Point, and Sea Isle areas have been the hotbed of sheepshead action and fish were still biting as of Tuesday.
Fishing Report For Southern New Jersey
Hook House Bait & Tackle in Toms River reported the lagoons are packed with 4 to 5 inch peanut bunker and mullet. The bridges have some striped bass action on the incoming tides during the night. The beaches of IBSP have been tough to work with the heavy winds and waves, but prior fluke and some bonita were caught. The rocks of Barnegat Light are producing tautog on green crabs.
Salty Love Sportfishing in Forked River has been busy with off-the-water activities (boat shows) and prepping gear. The skipper did run out to hit the bay for some blowfish action and reported a good number of fish with spot and a few kingfish mixed in. With better weather, the crew is looking to get out this weekend.
Creekside Outfitters in Waretown said some of the crabbing spots along Barnegat docks are producing nice-sized jimmies. Fluke fishing was good at the reef sites, but unfortunately the winds and sea conditions have kept everyone tied to the docks. The bay, especially the inlet area, has been producing some nice keepers on live spot. Blow fishing ramped up prior to the blow with the “BI” to “BB” markers producing the best results with heavy chum and clam strips. Togging has been slow on keepers at the inlet, but there are plenty of shorts to keep the rod bent.
Reel Reaction Charters out of Waretown worked the bay waters with the company’s skiff to produce solid fluke action on fish to 5 pounds, even in the heavy winds. The charters averaged 25 to 35 fluke with keepers between 2 to 5 pounds caught on live bait. The crew should have the new engine broken in and ready to finish out ocean fluke and the start of the sea bass season.
The The Super Chic out of Barnegat Light was tied to the dock during the week due to the winds, but they did make it out Sunday and reported sporty sea conditions. Even with the conditions, fluke were biting at the spots the boat worked landing several nice fish to 6 pounds. The boat will be at it again this weekend and will also be looking to start running some offshore yellowfin tuna trips.
Tackle Direct in Egg Harbor City reported most of the action has been in the bay due to the winds and even that fish was tough this past week. Flounder are still being caught around the inlets and channels leading up to the inlet, but live bait is a must. Peanut bunker, mullet and live spot are the top three baits to use when drifting for fluke. The bridges are holding tog, small sea bass and sheepshead. The Mullica and areas in Great Bay have excellent numbers of white perch being caught on Fishbites, bloodworms, and grass shrimp (best bait).
Tight Lines Bait & Tackle in Somers Point restocked with plenty of AVETs for the upcoming sea bass and tautog season. The shop has been busy with anglers working the bay for fluke and sheepshead, but the weather the last few days has had other plans. The cooler air has some back bay striped bass and blues picking on mullet and peanut bunker. The bridges and any of the manmade structures in the bay have been holding tautog, sheepshead, and some striped bass.
Badfish Charters in Ocean City had good fluke fishing prior to this week’s wind anomaly with clients picking up some fish to 5 pounds along with some ocean bonita. The skipper will begin plying the backwaters for fly and light-tackle action this month. Capt. Brian said there were a few dates available remaining in September, so give him a shout on the phone or Instagram.
Jersey Cape Guide Service in Sea Isle City was out over the past weekend and said his clients worked the bay. They had good rod-bending action on fluke, small sea bass, and dogfish.
The Cape May and Fortescue area didn’t have too much activity this past week due to the strong winds and seas. The back bay islands and sedges are holding some nice blue claw crabs for anglers working off the boat and bank. A few anglers tried for striped bass at night along some of the local, lit bridges – but activity was pretty slow with a few blues being caught. Fishing at the reef sites has been producing good sized fluke, triggerfish, tautog and even some cobia as far back as last week. Hopefully once the seas settle, the fishing will get back in the swing, especially with the flounder season ending soon. The Delaware bay has a mix of species with kingfish, croakers, weakfish, and flounder being caught.
South Jersey Fishing Forecast
There are quite a few options for this week depending on your location, but for most anglers via boat, bank or beach should have flounder on their minds. The season ends in almost two weeks and anglers looking to put a few fluke fillets in the freezer should hit the ocean reef sites with Gulp baits and bucktails or the inlets with live bait. Tautog are extremely plentiful in terms of rod-bending action and there is no better place to catch them than New Jersey’s jetties and bridges. Green crabs are the bait of choice tipped on small jigheads or rigs. Offshore shots should be available Sunday into Monday at the canyons and nearshore stops. Yellowfin in the deep on chunked butters or sardines will produce the best bites, but don’t count out casting a jig in the slick for some shots at larger ones. Always remember this important date and enjoy your freedom on the water! Good luck, Be Safe, and Tight Lines!
Any redfish/red drum being caught?