Southern New Jersey Fishing Report
We had not one, but two coastal storms work their way north and east in the Atlantic, making the mid-week opener for sea bass nonexistent. With seas to 10 feet, head boats, charters, and private recreational vessels were tied to the dock on Wednesday. Hopefully, the sea bass will be primed and ready once the seas lay down and anglers hit the inshore wrecks in the coming days. The past weekend did find some bluefish around on the dinnertime tides, but anglers struggled during the morning incoming at some of the inlets. Blackfish have been very plentiful in terms of fish to 14 inches, but toggers had to work to find keepers. There was a small window in the offshore game and anglers took advantage of the epic yellowfin bite just shy of the canyons. Surf fishermen are still landing a variety of species including kingfish, bluefish, fluke (which must be released), and even some striped bass at night.
Here is this week’s rundown:
Hook House Bait & Tackle in Toms River reminded us that the 7th Annual Barrier Island Beach Brawl surf fishing tournament is on next weekend, and anglers can stop in the shop for information. The fishing has been slow this week, with a few striped bass caught in the flats behind IBSP and off the beach. Anglers also caught a few white perch and small bass on bloodworms in the back.
Salty Love Sportfishing in Forked River said they were unable to get out due to the weather, but heard the yellowfin bite has been red hot about 77 miles out of Barnegat Inlet. The crew will be looking to sail once the ocean swells subside.
Creekside Outfitters in Waretown said it was yellowfin central last weekend with flats of butterfish and sardines flying out the door. The bite has been hot from 60 to 80 miles out, just short of the canyons, and chunk baits have produced easy limits. Togging has been good at the “condos” off Barnegat Light and along the walkway out to the south jetty. Bayside action has been spotty for blowfish as it seems most have pushed out, but anglers are picking a few along with some kingfish.
Reel Reaction Sportfishing out of Waretown ran their last blowfish charter of the season and the anglers picked 38 blowfish along with 3 kingfish. The crew had 4 sea bass trips cancelled due to the swell, but will be back at it over the weekend. With October in full swing, night striped bass trips are in full effect, so give them a call.
The Super Chic out of Barnegat Light was tied to the dock mid-week due to the gnarly swell, which forced the crew to reschedule their booked sea bass trips. The skipper said the weekend looks promising to hit the inshore wrecks for sea bass.
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Tackle Direct in Egg Harbor City reported good togging off the jetty rocks with green crabs tipped on 3/4-ounce jigs. Some of the better fish are being pulled from tight crevices, so take note and tighten up your drag. Bluefish and some weakfish are around in the back on some of the bridges and deeper holes along the ICW. The yellowfin bite has been on fire from 65 to 85 miles out.
Tight Lines Bait & Tackle in Somers Point had excellent reports of yellowfin being caught 70 to 80 miles from the inlet. The shop said it’s been a great chunk bite on butterfish sprinkled with cut sardines, and anglers jigging in the slick have also been scoring. The back channels, thoroughfares, and cuts have some striped bass while bluefish are cooperative on the incoming tides at the inlet. Triggerfish and tautog are being caught off shallow wrecks and rocks on clam and green crabs.
Waterfront Marine in Somers Point was short on reports due to the storm swell as no one sailed for sea bass. The backwaters, however, are producing some striped bass, weakfish, and blues on soft plastics and plugs. They said the sea bass should be good once the swell dies out.
Captain Brian Williams of Badfish Charters in Ocean City said tog fishing in the bay has been decent around some of the piers, bridges, and mussel beds. There are some striped bass hitting poppers on the flats, but action has been slower than years past. The skipper is hoping for a big wakeup call with the recent temperature drop.
Captain Joe Hughes of Jersey Cape Guide Service in Sea Isle City has been busy with his teaching duties and prepping for the trek to Montauk. Capt. Hughes said he will be heading to “The End” this weekend and relayed that the striped bass bite has been pretty good up there.
The Cape May and Fortescue area continues to be very good for tautog off the inlets, piers, and bridges with plenty of action on short fish and some keepers to 18 inches. Green crab and clam have been working, but the bite has been fast. The Delaware beaches and Cape May surf have some kingfish, croakers, and spot around on double-hook rigs tipped with small pieces of bloodworm. As far as inshore bottom fishing, it’s the same story with most boats tied to the dock, but the wrecks were loaded with sea bass before the storm swell and it should be a good start once boats can get out. The marshes are holding resident schoolie striped bass that are hitting 4- to 5-inch soft-plastic stickbaits, with white and pink working well. The offshore bite has been excellent on yellowfin, but finding enough of a window to get out remains a struggle.
South Jersey Fishing Forecast
The best bet for the weekend looks to be jumping on a head boat or private vessel to box a quick limit of sea bass. Anglers dropping two and three-hook rigs baited with salted clams should be able to pick up multiple keepers at once. If you’re looking to target even larger specimens, try a diamond jig with a green, white, or red tail. Pink Gulp grubs and mullets are always a favorite of humphead sea bass.
Surf fishermen are enjoying the mullet run along parts of Island Beach and Long Beach Island, and there are some nice bluefish around during the day.
The 70-mile run offshore may be a tad sporty, but if the yellowfin bite continues post-swell, a few flats of butters and sardines will put a limit of tuna in the box.
Sea bass, tuna, stripers in the back, and post-season baseball—life is good in October! Good luck, be safe, and tight lines!