Southern New Jersey Fishing Report
Memorial Day weekend is early this year and it will be more stripes than blues as bass have been much more consistent than the elusive bluefish. Unfortunately, the weather probably won’t be too cooperative until at least Sunday afternoon. It’s not all doom and gloom though, as the 3-day Nor’easter should help the sea bassing and push more fish—fluke, blues, stripers, and much needed baitfish—into the bays. Our sea bass fishery has been outright challenging for locations from Long Beach Island northward while better fishing occurred from Atlantic City to Cape May. The bottom temperatures are a major factor, with non-feeding fish lighting up the sonar. There has been a mix of ling and throwback tautog on the sea bass grounds.
Fluke fishing continues to share many of the same characteristics of our sea bass—better fishing from Atlantic City south due to warmer bay temperatures. Barnegat Bay fishing has been very challenging as indicated by most, if not all of the truthful tackle shops. We have heard from a few commercial folks that there were huge amounts of fluke taken from commercial fishing operations along the ridges during the winter months prior to the freeze, which may be contributing to anglers in Barnegat Bay having such a hard time finding fish. Hopefully, that’s not the case. But there are plenty of other options out there and it should only get better as the water warms.
Here is this week’s rundown:
Hook House Bait & Tackle in Toms River reported very tough fluke fishing for most anglers working the sod banks, bay beaches, and backwaters. Striped bass fishing has been much better along the Island Beach State Park surf, and the upcoming weekend’s NE winds should be perfect conditions to sling some clam out for bass or safely work plugs along Barnegat Inlet.
Creekside Outfitters in Waretown said fishing has been very slow locally for most anglers, with better action south of Atlantic City. The bay has been exceptionally cold, which may be hampering the fluke bite, along with just a general lack of fish in the area. Sea bassing has been tough, but anglers willing to run from Barnegat Inlet to off Ocean City are finding cooperative sea bass. Crabbing has started up with the recent heat blast and some of the marshy areas are producing better numbers.
Reel Reaction Sportfishing out of Waretown worked a bunch of charters from the end of last week through the early part of this week. Sea bass wise, it was slow, with the charter covering over 24 miles to boat only a few sea bass and 10 nice ling. Bay fluke charters have been tough due to cool water temperatures and anglers are having to work through 12 to 24 shorts to find a keeper. The most recent trip fared better, with the group boxing 4 solid keepers to 22 inches and releasing about 23 shorts; the skipper said the numbers are “way off” from prior seasons.
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The Super Chic out of Barnegat Light hit the wrecks at various depths and the skipper said the fishing has been slow due to colder temperatures. The boat worked through short sea bass, but boxed a few keepers as well as a handful of ling. They did see a few spots loaded with sand eels, which should bode well for both sea bass and summer flounder. The boat may be tied to the dock this weekend due to weather, but they expect to be out next week with calmer seas in the forecast.
Tackle Direct in Egg Harbor Township said fluke fishing has been solid in the bays with fish biting on the warmer part of the tide. The shop said the minnow/Gulp combination has been the best bet to put keepers in the box. Anglers fishing from Brigantine south, around Wreck Inlet and parts of Somers Point, have found the best success. Striped bass are also being caught along some of the back bay marshes on soft plastics and paddletails. Bluefish have been very sporadic with a fish here or there, but a few local anglers reported some schools of smaller blues.
Tight Lines Bait & Tackle in Somers Point got a nice shipment of live baits, from sand fleas to spot. Anglers have been catching striped bass up to 32 inches in the backwaters around the bridges by drifting live spot. Glide baits, both the hard and soft varieties, are catching striped bass in the bay and outside. Sea bassing has been pretty good inshore, but better fishing is occurring 15+ miles offshore. The fluke bite has been very good for larger keepers in the 4- to 6-pound range, though there are not a ton of shorts around. Minnow and Gulp combos are the top baits to drag for fluke.
Waterfront Marine in Somers Point reported striped bass in the backwaters and they have been crashing on plugs and glides in the shallows. Big blues are around, but the bite has been very sporadic due to fish being spread out. The shop is hoping for a big influx of fluke, blues, and baitfish with 3-days of northeast winds ahead. Sea bassing, they added, was pretty good 15 to 20 miles out and south of Somers Point.
Captain Brian Williams of Badfish Charters in Ocean City had a few trips working glide baits for post-spawn striped bass. There are bluefish around and some of them are pushing 30 inches, but the action has been tough due to the lack of bait. Flounder are being picked up on bucktails and Gulp in the backwaters. The skipper is hoping for a solid push of newcomers into the area with the 3-day NE winds.
Captain Joe Hughes of Jersey Cape Guide Service in Sea Isle City reported similar happenings on the bass, bluefish, and flounder fronts. Recent temperature swings have made things a tad challenging, but when the fish want to eat, the bite has been solid. Striped bass are hitting swimming plugs and topwaters, glides, and soft plastics in and around the shallows.
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The Cape May and Fortescue areas seem to be on repeat as striped bass from 30 to 43-inches are being caught (and the overs released) on bloodworm baits. Stripers are still pushing out of the Delaware River and some of the river shops are reporting the bass action is drying up due to the exodus. Drum fishing has been spotty, but it’s very good if/when you can find the schools. The most productive angling has been in 10 to 15 foot depths, but the winds and moon tides were ripping this past weekend. Fluke fishing is slower in Delaware Bay, but better in the shallow backwaters behind Wildwood and some areas north of N. Wildwood. Sea bass fishing on the wrecks from 100 to 150 feet has been game on for most anglers, with many reportedly catching their limits.
South Jersey Fishing Forecast
The best bet for the weekend will be to don the Grundens or waders if you want to wet a line, as the surf, inlets, and bays will be firing in terms of wind and rain. Unfortunately, Saturday looks like a complete washout, but Sunday afternoon may offer the best shot at fluke in the backwaters or soaking clams for striped bass off the beaches and around the inlets. Sea bass are out this weekend due to hazardous sea conditions, but at least next week the seas seem to calm down and should offer better bass bites. Good luck, be safe, and tight lines!