Southern New Jersey Fishing Report
I can’t believe we are already halfway through the month of October. Our area has been getting reports of large migratory striped bass harassing isolated schools of adult menhaden out front. Backwater bass are around and sometimes cooperative, but some NE winds should push in more and more bass in the coming weeks as water temperatures drop. In the back bays, live baits such as spot or eels are productive this time of year, as well as swimbaits and subsurface plugs.
On the wreck fish side of things, togging took a recent hit with the stormy seas, as the fish have hunkered down due to the swell and less-than-ideal water clarity. Hopefully, things clean up before our next dose of wind and weather.
Anglers willing and able to hit the canyons should have a shot next week as it looks like Mother Nature will shut off the fan for a few days. A big cold snap is coming this weekend, so look for better fall fishing ahead, even if you have to reluctantly change to the flannel sheets.
Here is this week’s rundown:
Hook House Bait & Tackle in Toms River said that after the ocean calmed down following last weekend’s blow, some albies have moved south along parts of IBSP. There were reports of striped bass around the Mantoloking area, but their numbers were sparse. Barnegat Bay action has some striped bass being caught around the bridges on small 3-inch swimbaits, and there are a few stripers being trolled up behind IBSP.
Creekside Outfitters in Waretown reported a less-than-fair bite on tautog at the jetties around Barnegat Inlet with green crabs and sand fleas producing a few bites. Anglers working the rocks said a combination of tide, water clarity, and lack of fish has resulted in slower action for all. Striped bass are in the back and around the inlet, but fishing has been tougher for most with the stirred-up water from the recent storm. Surf fishermen did report some false albacore along Long Beach Island and Island Beach State Park in the early morning. The shop has live spot and limited green crabs available, so call ahead.
Reel Reaction Sportfishing out of Waretown was back on the water after the weekend blow, but the water was churned up. The bay charter went 1 for 6 on stripers to 31 inches along with some released out-of-season fluke. Tog fishing was subpar, with a slower bite and a fair number of short fish to 14 inches, as the ocean swell had them off the bite and the tide was much too strong on the inside. The crew will be back out this upcoming week working combination striped bass and tog trips, and they are running new 3-hour weekday afternoon striper trips that include 18 to 20 live baits.
- Want to get in on the bite? Find an OTW-approved Charter Fishing Captain in New Jersey
The Super Chic out of Barnegat Light said the recent new moon tides made sea bassing more challenging for anglers, along with rod-bending short life. However, some nice sea bass in the 18-inch range did make it over the rail. There have been a few porgies around, and the ones they’ve caught have been good-sized.
Tackle Direct in Egg Harbor Township had slower reports on tautog this past week as the back-to-back storms have definitely stirred things up in the backwaters. Striped bass are around, and drifting live spot during the day or eels at night has been producing some fish from 25 to 32 inches, but you have to work for them. Ocean-wise, the best sea bassing has been occurring at the deeper wrecks ranging from 100 to 130 feet, but the new moon made the bite a bit challenging.
Tight Lines Bait & Tackle in Somers Point just received a load of fresh bunker and live sand fleas. Chunked bunker has been working in the surf for resident stripers, but you have to fight through a few doggies. Tog are around the bridges and some of the rock piles, but the water has been a little on the tinged side for anglers. Sea bassing remains strong on the days anglers can get out, but you definitely have to pick through a lot of shorts, so bring plenty of clam baits.
Waterfront Marine in Somers Point reported similar action in the backwaters with tougher tautog bites at the bridges. When anglers find cleaner water and lower current, the bite has been better. The bay water temperatures have been hovering in the low to mid-sixties, which has helped the bite on artificials for striped bass.
Captain Brian Williams of Badfish Charters in Ocean City reported that the water has been in the low to mid-60s, which has helped the striped bass a tad, but they are still finding throwback flounder in the low 20-inch class. The skipper has been fishing flats and some of the deeper holes working topwaters and subsurface plugs for bass. There has been a ton of small spearing around, but it seems the storm pushed out the schools of peanut bunker. The skipper has light-tackle striped bass openings for October and November, so give him a ring.
View this post on Instagram
Captain Joe Hughes of Jersey Cape Guide Service in Sea Isle City is currently away from New Jersey and is running charters up north in Montauk targeting false albacore and striped bass.
The Cape May and Fortescue areas received solid reports of white perch hitting Fishbites and small pieces of bloodworms along tidal rivers. Backwater striped bass action slowed this week due to off-colored water from the recent storms. Some of the bass caught recently have been showing sea lice, which means they are migratory bass that have moved into the bay from the ocean. Sea bassing continues to be solid from Wildwood to Delaware, with anglers making 25- to 35-mile runs to fish deeper wrecks. Most deepwater structure has been producing a good number of sea bass with short-to-keeper ratios running between 8:1 and 10:1. Clam baits have been working, but green crabs are outproducing on keepers. The weather had the ocean stirred up due to large swells, so tuna reports have been sparse at best.
South Jersey Fishing Forecast
The best bet for fishing this weekend looks to be Sunday, as the weather looks dicey on Friday and Saturday. North to northwest winds will have the beach and boat in play for Sunday, though the water may be a little churned. Anglers working clam baits on wrecks may have to wait a little longer for quality bites, and bringing a few setups rigged with small epoxy jigs or metals should be good for any albie pop-ups. Surfcasters can try working metals and plugs during the late-afternoon tides, which will give the water a tide cycle or two to clean up. Another solid option may be to fish the bridges for cooperative tautog, particularly from the Atlantic City area and south. If you can fish live eels during the evening, the sods or sedges on an outgoing tide should have striped bass in the crosshairs. Good luck, be safe, and tight lines!