New Jersey & Delaware Bay - Central New Jersey Fishing Reports

Capt. Joe said the Jamaica II had several trips targeting fluke this past week, with a fair amount of life showing in most areas fished. On one trip, the crew steadily picked away at keepers from start to finish, while another found plenty of short life mixed in. Some spots produced a few keepers, while others were slower, but the crew still managed to put together a couple of limits. An early-week trip also found life in most areas, with the crew steadily dribbling keepers into the box and putting together a couple of limits. A few quality fluke made their way into the mix, including Kimmie’s 7-pound, 3-ounce pool winner. Wayne finished runner-up with a 7-pound fluke, followed by Jeff with a 6-pound, 6-ounce fish.

Matt at the Reel Seat said the inshore bite is heating up, with very good numbers of false albacore, Spanish mackerel and bonito showing around Shark River and along the beaches. Fluke fishing is producing plenty of shorts, while the bigger fish are being found in deeper water from 60 to 100 feet. Bluefish are abundant in the inlets, and some bass are also beginning to show.

Capt. Bob on the Gambler said the fluke fishing has been a little picky, but the keepers coming over the rails have been quality September fish. Plenty of shorts remain in the mix, along with some nice sea bass. The Gambler will continue running 3/4-day fluke trips through September 19.

Capt. Alan of Mushin Sportfishing said the strong response and interest have prompted another Open Boat/Reservation Only Inshore Speedsters trip. The trip, targeting bonito, false albacore, Spanish mackerel and bluefin tuna, is scheduled for Monday, September 21, departing from Point Pleasant at 5 a.m. and returning at 3 p.m.

Capt. Tom said the Norma K III had a great bluefish trip Friday night. The crew returned to an area that had produced good life on Wednesday, but the bite was not nearly as productive, with fewer keepers showing. They hopped around looking for the action but never found the bite they were hoping for. Earlier in the week, life was found on every drop. Some spots held plenty of “jumbo shorts” mixed in with the smaller fish, while others produced a handful of keepers. Unfortunately, the wind eventually picked up and put a damper on the action. The pool winner weighed in at 5.1 pounds, with several fish in the 4-pound range coming close.

Capt. John Zema at Yankee Rose Fishing said sea bass season opens September 23rd with a 10-fish limit. Anglers can also target porgies, blackfish and triggerfish. During the first three days of the season, fluke will still be open, giving anglers an opportunity to target them as well.

Frank at Gabriel Tackle said fluke fishing remains good, although anglers are still sorting through plenty of shorts. The key is to keep grinding to put quality keepers in the box. Anglers who have been consistently finding keepers have been upsizing their baits, which has been producing better fish. Reports indicate the Axel has been fishing better than the Seagirt, with action also reported up around the Red Church. Bonito and bluefish have been showing on local wrecks and reefs, with similar reports coming from the Manasquan River and Barnegat Bay. In the surf, anglers are finding bonito and fluke, along with the occasional striper, but not much else is happening. The Point Pleasant Canal continues to hold plenty of stripers and bluefish at night. For stripers, live eels or spots are the ticket, but anglers need to get their bait down past the blues to reach them. Offshore, reports include some nice-sized mahi and marlin around the Mud Hole/Monster Ledge area, while bluefin tuna are being found off the Seaside Lumps, Little Italy, the shipping lanes and Bacardi. Crabbing has been productive around local docks and bridges, and clamming along the banks has also been very good.

Amanda at Jersey Hooker Outfitters said fluke are being caught in the river, while the canal has been producing more blackfish lately. The inlet is offering a solid mix of bonito and false albacore, with kingfish and fluke also showing. Bluefish are active both in the river and along the beachfront.

Philly Billy at Charlie’s Bait & Tackle said the bay is producing smaller fluke, along with spot, snapper bluefish and croakers. Crabbing and clamming have both slowed down.

Scott at Grumpys Bait & Tackle said Howard landed a bass from the surf this past week while throwing a Gulp jerk shad. Glide baits are also in stock, so anglers looking to get ready for the fall striper run should grab them while they’re available.

Scott at Yakitty Yaks Kayaks said the bay is loaded with weakfish, especially around first light. Blowfish are also biting very well. Fluke fishing has been hit-or-miss, with a few good days mixed in, while tog fishing is producing plenty of short life with keepers mixed in. False albacore and bonito are around in good numbers, although most of the fish are on the small side. Bluefish are also plentiful both out front and out back. Anglers are finding plenty of chicken mahi around the pots.

Bob at Better Bait and Ice said anglers are catching fluke around the Barnegat sedges, with additional fluke being caught behind the hospital. The Toms River is loaded with snappers, including some decent-sized fish. Crabbing has been productive around Guilford Park, Pelican Island and near the power plant, where anglers are finding some big crabs. Perch are also being caught around the docks at Pelican Island and Guilford Park. Some blackfish are showing around Seaside and Ortley Beach, while big bluefish are being landed off Seaside Park.

The crew at Hook House Bait & Tackle said the surf is holding plenty of fluke, with a good number of keepers in the mix. Stripers and bluefish are active in the canal, while the inlet is producing bluefish along with bonito and false albacore. Blowfish are also beginning to show up in the bay.

Capt. Joe Rizzo of Barnegat Bay Fishing Charters said he recently had a customer visiting from Idaho out on the water, and they found plenty of action with croakers and a ton of blowfish. The fluke bite has been a little more challenging, as anglers are going through plenty of squid while the smaller fish continuously steal the bait. Capt. Joe recommends fishing a hi-low rig with squid on the top hook and a minnow on the bottom when targeting fluke.

The crew at Creekside Outfitters said Hudson weighed in a huge 7.28-pound fluke caught in the inlet. Rich Barber of the Hooks & Anchors fishing club also weighed in a quality fluke, this one taken on peanut bunker in the ocean. Meanwhile, the false albacore, bonito and Spanish mackerel bite is intensifying. Jigging has been the way to go as these fast-moving fish continue to make their presence felt.

Capt. Sam Rescigno of the Mary M IV said the fluke fishing improved this week, with fish weighing up to 6 pounds coming over the rails.

Capt. Lenny of Miss Barnegat Light said fluke fishing remains decent, with Gulp and bucktails producing well. Glow and pink shine grubs have been particularly effective, while tipping the hook with squid or fresh sea robin strips can help draw more bites. September is a great month to target fluke, and some sea bass have also been showing up in the mix.

Greg at Fisherman’s Headquarters said the surf is producing some smaller fluke, although there haven’t been many big fish showing. The inlet, wrecks and reefs are also holding fluke. Store staffer Sam recently hit a local wreck with some buddies, and the group put together a strong showing, limiting out on fluke. Triggerfish are still hanging around, while the tog bite has slowed down. Greg suspects the warmer-than-usual water could be playing a role. Blowfish, spot and croakers are also still lingering in the area.

The fishing scene in the Beach Haven area has now evolved into what is often referred to as the “shoulder season.” The captains and boats of the Beach Haven Charter Fishing Association are eager to take advantage of this special time of the year. There are several elements that make these few weeks so special. First, the weather. The nights have started to cool off but as a rule, the days are sunny with temperatures neither too cool nor too hot. The waters remain warm while the weather makes for comfortable fishing conditions. With the waters still warm, many varieties of fish remain around to provide fishing action usually found more to the south. The mahi and tuna reach their peak in early fall while species such as cobia, wahoo, red drum, and sheepshead, to mention a few, make appearances. Although the summer flounder season concludes on September 25, black sea bass daily bag limits rise to 10 per angler on September 23, making for good action for bottomfishermen.

Fred at Surf City Bait and Tackle said Steve landed an absolute doormat of a fluke measuring 27.75 inches and weighing 7.05 pounds. Kingfish and small bluefish are also providing plenty of fun on light tackle from the surf.