Southern New Jersey Fishing Report
The air temperatures have been up and down like a Great Adventure roller coaster, but at least water temperatures have begun to slowly increase, which has helped the tautog bite. The closer reef sites are offering better shots recently, although wrecks in the 20-mile range have been producing fish over 7 pounds. White leggers and green crabs have recently started to work, so hopefully the month finishes strong on the tog front. Striped bass action has been spotty depending on the location, with “epic” fishing occurring in parts of Raritan Bay and Delaware Bay. Barnegat Bay has been fishing well along some of the western stretches of the bay, but it seems there is definitely some snot algae inhibiting the bite. Clam and bloodworm baits soaked along some of the dead end streets along Forked River, Waretown, and Barnegat have been producing striped bass to 27 inches.
Here is this week’s rundown:
Hook House Bait & Tackle in Toms River said clams and bloodworms soaked along the entrance to the Toms River and around the bridges are catching fish to 40 inches. The bridges have been better during the evening and early morning tides for anglers slinging bait, but small plugs have also been working well lately.
Creekside Outfitters in Waretown had some reports of striped bass caught on soaked clams at the outflow of the power plant. White NLBN paddletails in the 3– to 5-inch sizes are also working, but the shop advises to work the baits slowly for cooperative bass. Togging seems to be hit or miss, depending on the wave and wind action, but when they are biting it’s been a lot of shorts and anglers are having to pick through a few for keepers.
Reel Reaction Sportfishing out of Waretown ran an afternoon striper charter this past week and the clients had good action for about an hour before the wind came up and killed the bite. The crew worked the bay for the last hour drifting baits, but reported lots of fouled baits with heavy algae or as some call it, “snot grass”. There are a few openings left in July through October, but the rest of the season is currently booked out.
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The Super Chic out of Barnegat Light continues to prep for the upcoming sea bass and fluke season. The captain also told me they are setting some dates for tilefish and tuna, so give them a ring to get a trip on the books.
Tackle Direct in Egg Harbor City said the bite has been pretty solid for striped bass as well as black drum along parts of Great Bay (like Graveling Point) and there were even a few caught off the beaches north of Brigantine. Clam baits are working for both striped bass and drum, but you have let them soak for a while. Soft plastics, glide baits, and SP Minnows worked slowly along the tidal creeks and river entrances have been catching striped bass up to 26 inches. The bridges, especially if lighted, are consistently holding striped bass, too. Anglers dropping sand fleas and green crabs along the rocks are reporting a few tog being caught, though it’s been slow on keepers.
Tight Lines Bait & Tackle in Somers Point has been extremely busy keeping baits in stock with jumbo bloodworms working for striped bass, and green crabs for tautog. Clam and cooked shrimp are also good for tog, which have been very cooperative on the shallower wreck and reef sites. Striped bass are spread out in the bay and it’s best to work the marshes and entrances to any of the tidal creeks, as well as the bridges. The shop is fully stocking the shelves with tons of new summer flounder gear in preparation for the opener in a few weeks.
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Waterfront Marine in Somers Point had similar reports of tautog chomping on green crabs and white leggers (if you can get them) at the wrecks and jetties. Anglers working soft plastics and plugs from the local bridges are finding a few stripers during the night tides until the sun breaks the horizon. Boat anglers drifting bloodworms and clams have been finding a few stripers along the western side of the ICW.
Badfish Charters in Ocean City said the bass in the bay are more active, pursuing lures on and off the flats. The skipper has been actively working his favorite holes to find schools of striped bass. He told us that he’s been getting them on soft plastics, plugs, glide baits, and some flies—but it’s a tad early for a consistent topwater bite. Capt. Brian has openings through May, so give him a ring before the schedule fills up.
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Jersey Cape Guide Service in Sea Isle City is fully “Jersey-fied” as he’s back full-time from Florida and began working the Sea Isle waters for striped bass in the bay. The tog bite has been a tad slow, but he saw a nice uptick this past week with fish hitting green crabs. He is hoping we start to see a few bluefish in the area over the next week or two.
The Cape May and Fortescue area have been the absolute hot zone for striped bass off the Delaware beaches, with a pile of fish from 31 to 40 inches coming on bloodworms. Anglers are releasing large striped bass almost every day off the bay beaches over the past week. If you can find jumbo bloodworms, they have been the top baits for most anglers, but a few have also been caught on clams. Cape May reef sites and some of the wrecks have also been the prime stop for anglers looking for “toggy” town. The water is a tad warmer off Cape May and the tog are on the feed. A few straggler drum have been landed and the bite should begin to ramp up in the coming weeks, especially around the full moon phase.
South Jersey Fishing Forecast
The best bet for the weekend is beginning to sound like a repeating record player, but the Raritan Bay and surrounding rivers have been on fire for consistent striped bass action. The Cape May, Delaware Bay, and Fortescue areas come in a close second for striped bass on bloodworms—most of these fish are over the 31-inch maximum. Tautog fishing seems to be getting better in most locations as the shallow wrecks ranging from 45- to 60-foot depths are producing better than the deeper wrecks. Green crabs, white leggers crabs, and clam baits are the top takers for toggers. If you’re in the mood to soak a few clams for drum, try the Toms River bridge area, Island Beach State Park, and some of the beaches along LBI.
Good luck, be safe, and tight lines!