Southern New Jersey Fishing Report
Striped bass fishing has slowly become better off the beaches from Cape May to Island Beach State Park, with fish hitting fresh clams and even some swimming plugs like SP Minnows. Stride glide baits worked pretty well during the night tides from the Seaside bridges to Point Pleasant Canal with some nicer fish caught, but anglers had to move around to find the schools. Togging has been a tale between north and south, with ultra-slow action from the Long Beach Island area, while the Cape May wrecks and reefs have been on fire. It’s definitely been a water temperature dependent bite. Anglers soaking clams for drum have been seeing a few bites, but it’s only the beginning of the run and the hot spot will be Delaware Bay in the next week or two. We are awaiting the opening of fluke season on Monday, May 4, as many shops and fishermen are amped to get the season started.
Here is this week’s rundown:
Hook House Bait & Tackle in Toms River reported a good plug bite for striped bass along the Point Pleasant Canal for both shore and boat anglers. The local bridges have been good on bloodworms soaked at night with some fish to 40-inches being landed. Tautog fishing at the Barnegat Inlet has been a tad challenging due to stronger moon tides, slime/algae, and cold water.
Creekside Outfitters in Waretown ran a great first-time event at the shop this past week in which 30 kids ages 8-13 got a free 2-hour fishing clinic. Pure Fishing helped out and donated rod/reel combos to every kid. The shop said tautog fishing has been slower than normal with some just-barely-keeper fish being caught. The striped bass bite has been hit or miss, although the island did see a few more caught off the sand.
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Reel Reaction Sportfishing out of Waretown helped out at Creekside Outfitters/Pure Fishing event during the week to provide casting assistance to youth anglers. The crew had two tog trips cancelled over the weekend due to the weather, but will be out this coming week working the waters for fluke. The skipper said May and June are completely booked out for fluke and sea bass, but there are a few dates remaining for the months of July and August.
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The Super Chic out of Barnegat Light and crew are primed and ready to start the sea bass season. The captain said the boat is sound and the fishing gear is ready to drop for tasty sea biscuits. There are a few openings on the books for May, so now is the time to make the call.
Tackle Direct in Egg Harbor City said striped bass to 28 inches are being caught in the bays on a variety of tackle and techniques. Bloodworms, plugs, and small soft plastics worked in and along the marshes are producing bass. Anglers are not noticing many smaller fish, which has been somewhat disconcerting to the South Jersey shops. Togging is solid if you run 10 to 20 miles south of Brigantine, where warmer water temperatures have the white chins chewing. Wrecks from 30 to 50 feet have been outproducing the deeper ones, and white leggers are the top baits. The shop has a full lineup of fluke rigs and Gulp, so stock up for the season opener next week.
Tight Lines Bait & Tackle in Somers Point received a shipment of fresh bunker which has been working well for striped bass anglers chunking off the beaches. In addition, crabs are active along parts of the western bay and a few nice ones have been netted on hand-lines. The shop said most anglers that are doing well on tautog have been running 10+ miles south of the local inlets to find cooperative white chins, with green and white legger crabs working with equal success.
Waterfront Marine in Somers Point had similar reports of striped bass picking up small soft plastics in the backwaters and around some of the lighted bridges. There are rumors of a few weakfish in the area and with the full moon on Friday, they should be around in better numbers. The shop said most customers are awaiting the fluke opener and hoping for a great season.
Captain Brian Williams of Badfish Charters in Ocean City said some bigger bass to 20-pounds-plus have moved in, but they are not really seeing much over 35 pounds. Striped bass are cooperative in the shallows on soft plastics, glide baits, and small plugs. The skipper said the snot algae has been tough to deal with at times and he hopes it clears before the fluke season opens. He has openings for fluke and striped bass over the next few weeks, so give him a call before he books up.
Captain Joe Hughes of Jersey Cape Guide Service in Sea Isle City reported that bass have been chewing in the backwaters and falling tides are the best times to target them. The skipper also remarked that 4- to 5-inch soft plastics have been working well for bass. He is currently booking fluke trips for the season.
The Cape May and Fortescue area continues to be the spot for striped bass with bloodworms doing most of the good work on bass to 40-inches plus. Clams are working also, but the soak time has been much longer. Drum continue to slowly trickle in, and a few weakfish are being landed on soft plastics, but both bites have been on the slow side. The wrecks along Wildwood and Cape May are the hot spots for tog with quite a few northern (trailerable) boats hitting the area over the past week. The tautog bite has been excellent, so traveling 60+ miles south on the parkway has been well worth it before the season’s end.
South Jersey Fishing Forecast
The best bet for the weekend will be to target striped bass along the beachfront. This past week saw a dramatic increase in bass and angler activity. I recommend bringing two surf sticks—one for soaking baits, and the other for plugging. Keep your drag loose and be ready to sprint for the dead-sticked rod.
With tog now out of season (as of today, 4/30) and two new seasons fast approaching, another option would be to prep your gear for fluke and sea bass. Tie some rigs, pour a few weights, string up your rods, or stop into your favorite tackle shop to pick up Gulp or frozen bait. Good luck, be safe, and tight lines!