Southern New Jersey Fishing Report
Although we have been blessed with solid weather for most of the summer flounder season, Mother Nature gave us a serious shot in the gut during our last week and final chance at boxing a few more flatties. Hopefully, you have enough vacuum-sealed for winter dinners; otherwise, you’ll need to hit the local seafood market. The five-day nor’easter that slowly meandered up the coast brought some rain, but mostly strong winds, treacherous sea conditions, and coastal flooding to the Jersey Shore. Even our bay fishery was out of commission with the heavy winds and churned-up water. A few striped bass were caught at some of the local spots around bridges, lighted docks, and piers. Crabbing has been exceptional for most of the season and, once the bay cleans up, should provide a solid October if temperatures remain stable. As we lose the ability to keep fluke, the upside is that the sea bass limit opens up to 10 fish per person.
Here is this week’s rundown:
Hook House Bait & Tackle in Toms River reported good blowfish action throughout much of Barnegat Bay, along with some fluke, but with the winds, most anglers are not fishing. The shop worked on getting the fall striped bass gear ready, and this week’s nor’easter should jump-start the striped bass fishing in the bay, but that remains to be seen.
Creekside Outfitters in Waretown reported a slow week due to the weather, so the shop worked on inventory and stocked up for the fall fisheries. The tog fishing from the inlet has been decent with good action, but few keepers. There have been some large bull sharks around picking off hooked fish, with several anglers watching bluefish and tog get stolen by 8- to 9-foot sharks. Sea bass fishing should be good once the seas settle, but it may take the bottom a few extra days to clear up.
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Reel Reaction Sportfishing out of Waretown worked the bay just prior to this week’s blow and put anglers on some solid fluke action with live baits. Some of the trips opted for a fluke and blowfish combo, and the skipper reported blowfish counts ranging from 88 to over 200 per trip. Unfortunately, five of their remaining fluke charters this week had to be cancelled due to the coastal storm. Once the low pressure moves off, the crew has trips scheduled in the backwaters for blowfish and bluefish, and in the ocean for tog and sea bass.
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The Super Chic out of Barnegat Light did not fish this past week, as the boat was tied to the dock. The skipper and crew spent the week changing over tackle to be ready for sea bass and triggers once the seas lay down.
Tackle Direct in Egg Harbor Township remarked that the bay was pretty churned up, with solid 3–footers throughout. Fluke season ends Friday, but it’s not clear whether anglers will get a wind window or enough water clarity to give it a shot. Tog and sheepshead were picking up crab baits off the bridges, and they should still be around once the bay clears up.
Tight Lines Bait & Tackle in Somers Point received a fresh shipment of mullet for fluke, striped bass, and bluefish off the surf. However, with this week’s weather and fluke season closing tomorrow with no fishable window in sight, those baits will likely be used for only striped bass and bluefish. Some of the bridges are holding a few stripers, along with tautog that are taking green crabs. The shop has restocked its shelves for sea bass and striped bass, so stop in.
Waterfront Marine in Somers Point was busy during the week helping customers and friends tie up extra lines and pull boats. Fishing-wise, reports have been non-existent due to the coastal storm, but striped bass should become much more active now that bay temperatures have begun to drop.
Captain Brian Williams of Badfish Charters in Ocean City reported that flounder and some smaller bass have been in the surf chasing migrating mullet, which the skipper observed while surfing over the last few days. Capt. Brian anticipates targeting striped bass and tautog by the beginning of October.
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Captain Joe Hughes of Jersey Cape Guide Service in Sea Isle City was off this week due to the storm but used the time for some routine maintenance on the vessel. The skipper is heading up to Montauk next weekend and hopes the weather will have cleared by then.
The Cape May and Fortescue areas did not have much fishing to report during the storm, but beforehand, anglers were catching some decent numbers of weakfish. Bluefish, kingfish, and croakers were being caught off the surf, along with some decent-sized spot. Offshore, there was solid tuna action to the south and only a few mahi to the north, but all of that goes out the window with the coastal storm.
South Jersey Fishing Forecast
The best bet for this weekend will be to stow the fluke gear and prep the sea bass rigs and rods for the wrecks once the seas finally calm and clear up. Shore anglers can start dusting off their striped bass gear and readying the soft plastics and plugs. Of all our fisheries, striped bass may be the one in play this weekend if you can find clean, moving water. Late Saturday or Sunday night would be your best shot. But again, it all depends on the strength and duration of the low-pressure storm, which has been classified as a hybrid low/subtropical system. Boat owners with slipped boats should definitely be checking and readjusting lines, as the tides are much higher than normal due to the full moon. Good luck, be safe, and tight lines!