Southern New Jersey Fishing Report
Most anglers are feeling as banged up as the Eagles’ roster, with back-to-back nor’easters making ocean fishing by boat treacherous and surfcasting nearly impossible. But all is not lost, as the weather systems have ushered in some new striper activity, and dropping temperatures are helping fuel the bite. Some areas are seeing a good showing of bass, while in others, fish are few and far between. This time of year is perfect for working the night bite around Southern New Jersey’s bridges with soft plastics. Anglers casting up-current of shadow lines can usually find success on the drop. Bottom fishing was almost nonexistent beyond the inlets this past week, though bridges and inlet jetty rocks are holding some tautog, with better keeper ratios the farther south you go. The good news is that next week’s forecast looks much better, with calmer winds and seas on the way.
The Maryland striped bass survey results are out, and we had another weak year class. The bright side is that it was a few percentage points higher than last year’s, but it’s still low, to say the least. Conserve and rebuild for more stripers in the future—we’ve got this!
Here’s this week’s rundown:
Hook House Bait & Tackle in Toms River reported some striped bass action along the beaches, though most of it came early in the nor’easter. The latter part of the week looks better for calmer surf conditions, which should be good for anglers plugging for stripers from Seaside Heights to Island Beach State Park (IBSP). Tautog are being caught in excellent numbers from the IBSP jetty, so stop in for green crabs and tog jigs if you plan to fish the state park’s rocks.
Creekside Outfitters in Waretown reported a very slow week, with anglers stopping in to stock up on gear and try to secure a few dozen crabs for the condo bite. Striped bass fishing has been very slow in the backwaters of Barnegat Bay, as has inshore sea bass action due to the rough ocean conditions. The shop did mention that sand fleas are working as well as, if not better than, green crabs for Barnegat Inlet tautog. Liza also reported that the state of New Jersey stocked one of the lakes in Waretown with about 180 large rainbow trout, so stop in and grab some trout gear.
Reel Reaction Sportfishing out of Waretown was tied up due to four straight days of strong northeasterly winds. The skipper was able to sneak out for one charter, during which clients released quite a few tautog and boxed a few keepers. Unfortunately, they struck out on striped bass due to the tides. The skipper is hoping to get back out over the weekend as conditions improve following this past week’s nor’easter.
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The Super Chic out of Barnegat Light remained tied to the dock, as the vessel had to cancel its sea bass charters to the inshore wrecks, as well as an overnight tuna trip to the canyons. The upcoming week looks much better, according to Capt. Ted White, so he’s planning to get back out and bend a few rods.
Tackle Direct in Egg Harbor Township reported that some herring were caught around the Brigantine and Atlantic City inlets early in the week, with a few stripers feeding on them. Bass are in the backwaters, but anglers need to work plugs and soft plastics to get them to bite. Some of the deeper channels are producing stripers on live eels at night and spot during the day. Togging remains solid around the Atlantic City rocks. Green crabs have been hard to come by, but sand fleas are doing the trick.
Tight Lines Bait & Tackle in Somers Point reported slightly lower angler participation this week due to the weather and strong northeast winds. The main action has been in the bays, where striped bass are biting around the flats, tidal creeks, and some of the sedges for anglers willing to brave the chop. Tautog are very active around the rocks and bridges, with a few triggerfish mixed in. Green crabs, which have been tough to come by, and sand fleas have been producing fish.
Waterfront Marine in Somers Point reported a much slower week, with anglers opting to get maintenance done or stock up on gear for the fall run. Ocean fishing has been largely off the table, whether from the beach, inshore waters, or offshore. Bay stripers are still in play, with fair to good action along the sod banks and creeks, but anglers need to work the outgoing tides as the water cools. Tautog are readily taking green crabs and sand fleas during the slower portions of the ebb and flood tides.
Captain Brian Williams of Badfish Charters in Ocean City braved the “dry” northeast winds at the start of the week and reported decent bay striped bass action on plugs and soft plastics. The skipper said the fall run is beginning, so check with him for available dates.
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Captain Joe Hughes of Jersey Cape Guide Service in Sea Isle City is currently away from New Jersey, running charters farther north in Montauk and targeting false albacore and striped bass. Capt. Joe said the approaching nor’easter had the bass feeding actively this past week.
The Wildwood and Cape May areas saw some striped bass action in the backwaters, with most bites coming on lures, including small swimbaits, finesse baits, and 4- to 5-inch swimming plugs. Anglers working depths of 3 to 10 feet adjacent to tidal flats and creeks found solid action. The winds made fishing the ocean and Delaware Bay challenging, so there wasn’t much to report on that front. Tog fishing around the rocks and inlets continues to produce solid numbers of tautog on green crabs, when available, and sand fleas.
South Jersey Fishing Forecast
The best bet this weekend is for most anglers to tackle their chores on Saturday and hit the water during the second half of the weekend. On Saturday night, bridge anglers may have a good shot at bass by working plugs and plastics around the structure. Remember, shadow lines are prime areas, but don’t overlook deeper cuts or shallow flats leading adjacent to structure. Nautical charts and online bathymetric maps can help you identify potential spots, so put them to use on bad-weather days.
Sunday looks much better for surf anglers to start casting lures for migrating bass. We’re just on the cusp of the fall striper migration into our area. If you want to ensure you bend a rod, stop by your local tackle shop and pick up live or frozen sand fleas for tautog fishing around most local inlets. A few spots in northern New Jersey have been producing good-sized tautog and triggerfish, so get out there and bend a rod.
Good luck, be safe, and tight lines!