New Jersey & Delaware Bay - Central New Jersey Fishing Reports

Capt. Joe said the Jamaica II found sea bass early in the day on Monday, though the bite slowed through the afternoon. Porgies added some variety to the catch. Tuesday saw more porgies showing up while anglers searched for sea bass. Strong currents made getting the fish to the boat a bit more challenging, but some anglers still managed to put fish in the cooler. Wednesday started with decent porgy action and a few quality sea bass mixed in before the bite gradually tapered to a pick. The afternoon proved slow, with few bites despite fish still marking beneath the boat. Thursday's fishing was slower than earlier in the week, while Saturday brought a decent morning bite for both sea bass and porgies. As had been the trend throughout the week, afternoon action remained sluggish.

Mike at the Reel Seat reported a strong push of larger striped bass moving into the area as the fall run gets underway. The Shrewsbury Rocks area has been holding some impressive fish, with bass measuring 40 to 50 inches making an appearance. Sea bass reports have been limited, though anglers may be picking up a few. False albacore are also making their presence known around the windmills, where bonito are mixing into the action. Bluefish continue to prowl the inlet, but their numbers appear to be thinning as they begin moving out of the area.

Jason at Fishermen’s Supply reported a solid push of striped bass this week, with most of the action occurring north of the inlet up to Sandy Hook in 15- to 40-feet of water. Anglers are targeting bass by live-lining bunker, jigging large flutter spoons, and working big metal-lip plugs. Sea bass fishing proved more challenging, though the better action appeared to be around the Klondike area, where most fish were taken on bait. Blackfish action in the canal remains excellent, with plenty of anglers limiting out amid steady bites. Green crabs are in stock for those looking to get in on the tog bite. The same stretch of the canal is also producing striped bass and bluefish after dark, with soft plastics rigged on 1- to 2-ounce jig heads accounting for fish.

Capt. Bob on the Gambler reported a frustrating stretch in the tuna fishery, with the last three trips producing no tuna. As he noted, “We know it’s frustrating to hear, but that’s tuna fishing. This fishery can turn on overnight — and until these fish decide to cooperate, we’ll keep putting in the work.” While tuna have been elusive, mahi have kept the action exciting. Squid are also still showing up at night, a promising sign that plenty of bait remains in the area. For now, anglers will have to stay persistent and wait for the tuna bite to fire back up.

Capt. Alan of Mushin Sportfishing reported that a great ocean-side striped bass run is already underway, offering anglers an exciting opportunity to get in on the fall action. Limited dates remain for October and November, with open-boat trips available on November 2, 13, and 16. Anglers looking to get aboard should book soon before these remaining dates fill up.

Capt. Tom reported a challenging start to the week aboard the Norma K III, with a couple of shots at fish but no takers. Sea bass provided mixed results, as some anglers headed home with a few keepers while others managed only shorts. As the week progressed, several stops produced the now-familiar pattern of plentiful short sea bass with an occasional keeper mixed in. Porgies helped round out the catch. Toward the end of the week, anglers encountered large schools of bunker with snapper bluefish mixed in, but no striped bass were landed. The crew shifted to bottom fishing, where results remained inconsistent. Some anglers managed five or six keepers, while others finished the day without a keeper in the box.

Capt. John Zema at Yankee Rose Fishing reported landing their first striped bass of the fall season on live bunker, an encouraging start to the autumn run. Upcoming trips will target striped bass with live eels before switching gears to bottom fishing for sea bass, porgies, triggerfish, and blackfish. With a variety of species on the agenda, anglers will have plenty of opportunities to bend a rod as the fall fishing season gains momentum.

Frank at Gabriel Tackle reported that Saturday brought excellent fishing conditions, with plenty of anglers enjoying productive days on the water. Striped bass were being caught just outside the Manasquan Inlet, where trolling and live-lining tactics were getting the job done. Sea bass fishing remains strong on local wrecks and reefs, with blackfish also showing up in the mix. The Point Pleasant Canal continues to produce a variety of action, including blackfish, bluefish, and striped bass, with live eels proving to be the bait of choice for stripers. Surfcasters are also seeing plenty of life along the beaches, with bluefish keeping rods bent and the occasional striped bass adding to the excitement.

Our friends at Jersey Hooker Outfitters reported that Friday and Saturday brought beautiful weather before conditions changed on Sunday. Blackfish action has been strong around both sides of the Manasquan Inlet rocks and along the wall, with green crabs and sand fleas producing fish. Bluefish are also prowling the inlet, with their presence varying depending on where the bait gets pushed. Along the beaches from Manasquan Inlet to IBSP, schools of rainfish are abundant. They suspect the recent storm created an almost continuous sandbar along the beach, concentrating rainfish in the area. Smaller bluefish, ranging from snapper size to around two pounds, are feeding nearby, while weakfish are plentiful but mostly running 8 to 12 inches, just shy of keeper size. Kingfish are also showing in good numbers. Anglers targeting kingfish, weakfish, and bluefish are finding success with kingfish-perch rigs tipped with Fishbites or squid on small hooks. Striped bass had been holding in the area until the past few days, when they seemingly disappeared, leaving anglers searching for the bite. Sea bass fishing has been fair but unspectacular, and the crew expects boats may need to venture beyond the local reefs to find more productive action.

Philly Billy at Charlie’s Bait & Tackle said green crabs have been hard to come by, but they should have eels in stock. Fishing reports have been scarce, but he has heard of striped bass and blackfish being caught in the canal, along with the occasional bluefish. Dan from the shop also landed a nice-sized striped bass while fishing from a boat, offering an encouraging sign amid the limited reports.

Scott at Grumpy’s Bait & Tackle reported that striped bass are starting to show along the local surf, giving beach anglers reason to get out and cast. Fresh bunker is in stock for those targeting bass, while green crabs and sand fleas are available for anglers looking to get in on the blackfish bite. There was also a memorable catch for Rylee Selph, who landed her first surf fish, a snapper blue taken on an epoxy jig. Congratulations to Rylee on a great first catch from the beach!

Beck at Hook House Bait & Tackle reported some striped bass action in the bay, while blackfish are showing in good numbers throughout the canals and inlets. Anglers targeting tog have plenty of options to explore as the fall bite continues to develop.

Capt. Joe Rizzo of Barnegat Bay Fishing Charters reported a quiet week, with the crew getting out just one day and landing a few small blowfish. He plans to hold off on trips until striped bass move into the area in greater numbers. There have been reports of bonito offshore, but the action has been lackluster so far. For now, anglers will have to wait for a stronger push of stripers to bring more excitement to the local fishery.

Tom P at Creekside Outfitters reported that striped bass are here and encouraged anglers to throw glide baits to get in on the action. Vary your retrieve to find what triggers a strike, work the bait slowly, add sharp jerks, or speed things up to imitate fleeing bunker and herring. Experimenting with different presentations can make all the difference when trying to entice a hungry striper to commit!

Capt. Sam Rescigno of the Mary M IV reported an excellent week of sea bass fishing, with the boat reaching its limits nearly every day. A few porgies and smaller bluefish added variety to the catch, keeping rods bending throughout the trips. Both bait and jigs proved effective, giving anglers multiple options for getting in on the productive bite.

Greg at Fisherman’s Headquarters reported seeing bay anchovies in the water, with beach temperatures holding in the mid-60-degree range. Offshore, sea bass fishing remains strong when weather conditions allow, with the Garden State North and South structures producing good action. Jigs, clams, and squid are all getting the job done. For land-based anglers, blackfish are providing the best action, with green crabs and sand fleas producing around the inlet and jetties. Surf fishing has slowed somewhat, and mullet have been scarce lately, but anglers are still finding smaller blowfish, croakers, and kingfish along the beaches. In a surprising catch, a 52-inch striped bass was landed while targeting kingfish using a small bait on a size 1 hook, a reminder that you never know what might grab your next offering!

Steve at Jingles Bait and Tackle in Beach Haven reported a mix of catches keeping anglers busy, even as the bigger fish have yet to make their presence known. Shawn Gallen and John Sullivan each brought in a kingfish, while Pat Gallen weighed in a weakfish last Friday. Last Saturday saw Danyaal strike again with both a striped bass and a tog. Peg Bucci from SCB&T weighed in another blackfish, and Shawn Gallen added yet another kingfish to his tally. While the major fall run has yet to kick into high gear, there’s enough variety and action around to keep anglers making trips to the water!

Fred at Surf City Bait and Tackle announced a fresh delivery of bunker is in stock, giving anglers a prime bait option for targeting the fish currently moving around LBI. Stop in and grab some while supplies last! Meanwhile, the tautog bite is producing some quality fish around Barnegat Light. Paul put a nice tog on the board using crabs, while Pat landed another solid fish on sand fleas. Reports of blackfish continue to roll in from the lighthouse, with green crabs also producing fish around the inlet. With fresh bunker available and tog action heating up, anglers have plenty of reasons to get out on the water.